Snow in Summer

Katie was playing at Jennifer's house, and she found a bag of cotton balls. I explained that it was there for craft projects. She decided to use the cotton balls for snow instead.

I loved throwing the cotton balls over and over and over!

A Door That Separates

When Katie plays in her play room at Jennifer's house, she likes to lock the dogs out because she doesn't want them to eat her toys. One night she decided she wanted to play with the dogs but not leave the room. She'd look under the door to find dog paws, and when she'd find them, she'd talk to the dogs and stick her fingers under the door. It drove the dogs crazy, but she thought it was awfully funny!

I hear you barking out there! 

Can you see my fingers?

That New Gap

After Katie lost her front teeth, she could not get past the new gap in her mouth. She often announced, "I love my gap! It's the best one so far!"

I can't get enough of my gap!

Her Two Front Teeth

Katie's front teeth have been loose for awhile, so I wasn't that surprised when we were brushing Katie's teeth one night, and one of her front teeth popped right out. Katie was so excited, as she always is to lose a tooth. When we sent the picture to my sister, Jennifer, Jennifer suggested that she might as well pull out the other front tooth. Katie thought that was a great idea. She reached up and yanked and out came the other tooth!

I was so excited when my tooth came out so easily! 

Less than five minutes later, I had two missing teeth! 

Visiting Charlie

When Garyldine and Jim were in the city for a night, they asked us to look in on their dog, Charlie, while they were away. Katie was so happy to go and visit him. It made her day!

The first thing we had to do was to take Charlie outside. 

When we got inside, Grandma and I took turns petting him. 

It's always good to give a hug, too! 

I tried to read a book to Charlie, but he was too excited to listen. 

We just decided to enjoy each other's company. 

Charlie was making me laugh because he kept trying to lick my face. 

He got me again! 

I petted him some more before we left. I love you, Charlie! 

Boxes

An empty box to a young child is full of possibilities. You never know what it will become!

This box became my new secret hide-out!

Back to Dance

When fall dance began, Katie felt like her ballet class was a breeze after being mixed with the older girls this summer. Her class dropped from ninety minutes to sixty, and the instruction was a little slower. As she went to bed the night after her first class, she did admit that she was glad that she had a head start with this class over the summer.

 We still work at the barre, but our time spent there is a lot shorter now that it's fall!

We have to practice walking like a ballerina with proper form.

A Dream Catcher

My dad donates money to a Native American school, and when he donates, the school sends him a handwritten letter or a small gift as thanks. Recently, he received a dream catcher, which he gave to Katie. She was absolutely thrilled. She tried it out on my bed and on her bed and was sure she would always remember her good dreams from now on.

Thanks for my dream catcher, Grandpa!

The Panda Bear

We were out shopping when Katie couldn't resist becoming a panda bear.

I bet you'd never see me coming!

As the Fires Got Closer

This year, some of the wildfires got pretty close to our town. For several days, it was raining ash that had blown over from the fires. The air quality was so bad that everyone was staying indoors and feeling a little stir crazy. When Katie started spending more time outdoors, she found piles of ash at the edges of driveways and streets.

I made a tree out of pipe cleaners when I was stuck inside. When I took it outside, I couldn't help but notice the ash at the edge of the driveway. I missed our fresh air!

Wild Fires

This summer, we had lots of wildfires in our area. When the smoke would blow our way, it would make the sun look a pinkish-orange colors. Katie loved seeing the sun each night even though we missed our clear skies!

My picture sort of showed our colorful sun, but I liked it better in person.

Interests

Sometimes Katie's interests surprise me. We were all at Jennifer's house, and we decided to watch a show on the wives of Henry VIII. I thought Katie would just want to play while we watched it, but she decided to watch it with such careful attention. Part of the reason she is interested in it is because she remembers visiting Henry VIII's palace when we went to London, but it was still surprising to me that she wanted to learn about his wives.

I thought this show was pretty interesting!

Pop Goes the Ken Head!

When I was little, my first Ken doll's head popped off, and it was so disappointing. I tried over and over to get his head back on to no avail. However, I could never part with the head in case someone, someday could get it back on. When Katie was looking through an old bucket of my toys, she found the Ken head. Yes, I still have it. I don't know if she thought it was funny or just plain weird. I was okay with either decision!

Only my mom would keep a Ken head that won't go back on the doll!

Making the Most of Her Time

One of the transitions that Katie has to make when she goes back to school is having a lot less time to play with her toys. She learns quickly that she has to take her small moments throughout the day to get out her toys. One morning, she created a store for her dolls so they could go shopping throughout the morning.

My dolls need their shopping time too!

Still Trying

Since last spring, Katie has been trying to catch a bunny in our yard. She doesn't want to keep it in a cage. She just wants to pet it. She's determined that she'll be able to catch it, but they are pretty quick!

When I spot a bunny, I walk slowly and quietly towards it, so I don't scare it. 

Every bunny seems to run away when I'm almost to it. 

Rats! Maybe next time!

Just Trying to Read

Katie loves her reading time at night and doesn't like me to interrupt it with pictures. Sometimes, though, I just can't resist!

Excuse me, I'm trying to read my comic book.

Fashion Designer

One day Katie was quietly busy at Jennifer's house. When she came into the living room, she announced that she had made my mom a new outfit.

I made Grandma a new dress! 

Wow! It turned out just perfect! 

Trying Out a New Look

Katie has never wanted to have bangs, but sometimes she gets curious about what bangs might look like. On those days, I just flip her ponytail over on her head and snap a picture.

Sometimes I like to try new hair!

Lyrical Dance Class

As Katie's summer lyrical dance class ended, families were invited in to see a dance that the girls had learned through their eight weeks together. Unfortunately, I was back at work, but my mom was able to go.

It had been a small class of three girls all summer, but only two of them were at the last class. Katie was glad that it was her good friend, Naomi, who was with her, and Naomi's mom filmed their dance so I was able to see it. Katie just loved this class all summer long!

Naomi became a quick friend this summer!

This was our dance!

Even More Celebrating

Katie was thrilled when we went to the mailbox and found some birthday mail! She had a package from my friend, Noreen, and a card from my brother's family. It was like a surprise extension of a birthday!

 It was fun to open Grammy Noreen's box because I opened one box and found another box, and opened the second box, and found a wrapped gift. I told my mom it was a box in a box in a box!

First, I read the card! 

I loved it! 

It even came with stickers! 

I was so happy to find three new books inside. Thank you, Grammy Noreen! 

Before I opened the next card, I carefully read the addresses. 

Then I read every word inside! 

Thank you Uncle Jeff, Aunt Grace, Ian, and Eva!

Happy with Dolls

Katie loves having the time to play with her Barbies. When she's at Jennifer's house, she has a lot of space upstairs to spread out and play. She usually sticks to one small corner though.

It's always good to have a Ken to go with your Barbies. 

I like to act out different stories with them. 

Barbie and Ken are also friends with my princesses!

Homemade Play Dough

A few weeks ago, Katie was so excited when she found out that you could make play dough at home with a few simple ingredients. Of course we had to try it!

 I was excited with how our play dough turned out!

Summer Ballet

This summer, ballet was a challenge for Katie for the first time. She moved from a Pre-Ballet class to Ballet I. Normally, Katie's jump in classes would have gone from a 45 minute class to an hour long class. In the summer, though, there aren't as many students, so the studio combined Ballet I and Ballet II, and her class doubled in length to an hour and a half. It was a long class for a six year old.

On top of the increase in length, the class is much more focused on technique and learning correct positions. It was hard and felt very frustrating to Katie. We had a lot of talks about not giving up, and with hard work, things get easier. I was so proud of her for continuing with the class. She worked and worked and things did get easier. In the last couple of weeks of class, Katie began doing ballet wherever she was...standing around the house, moving through the grocery store, walking (or dancing) down the street. I'm hoping she always remembers the feeling of pushing through her frustration and finding success.

One of the best parts of her ballet class this year was meeting Mr. Russell. Even though she still loves Ms. Moriah, she has a soft spot for Mr. Russell. No one could put a smile on her face like him when things were hard.

 It was strange for me at first to dance with some of the older girls.

Mr. Russell taught me a lot about ballet. He told me the hardest part of being a ballerina was to hold a position and just look graceful while you stand still. 

 Even though the class was hard, I was glad I stuck with it.

 By the end of the summer, I rediscovered my complete love of ballet!

Mr. Russell was always willing to help me get better.

He was patient and gave me confidence!

Birthday Celebration - Part Four

The day after her birthday, Katie finally got to enjoy her birthday cake. She chose to have another doll cake. It was cute, but it left us with one wondering...where do you put the candle? We just made do even though it looked a little funny.

I chose a number 7 birthday candle,  but it had to stick straight out of Ariel's dress.

I loved my cake!

After a special wish, I blew out my candle.