Solitaire

Since Katie is all about card games this summer, I taught her how to play one version of solitaire in case she ever wanted to play cards without a partner.

It's sometimes hard to hold lots of cards in my hand at the same time, but I'm getting better.

A Treat from Jennifer

Jennifer decided to make one of our favorite treats...cute little penguins made out of olives, cream cheese, and carrots. Katie was so excited to see them!

I thought the penguins were so cute!

Playing Cards

Katie is loving her card games this summer!

Sometimes I like to play games like "Go Fish." Other times, I just make up my games!

Going on an Adventure

When Katie was pretty little, she learned an important lesson from Winnie the Pooh...even small things can become an adventure! My mom, Jennifer, Katie, and I decided to go on an adventure when we were at Jennifer's house. We decided to explore the wooded area behind Jennifer's house. When you look at things as an adventure, they automatically get more exciting.

As soon as we rounded the corner, we saw that Aunt Jennifer had a pretty little spot behind her house! 

Even though the grass and weeds were tall, there was a path that we could walk on. 

I liked it! 

I couldn't believe it when I saw that this tree had a ladder on it! 

I was going to climb to the top, but then I saw a spider and came right back down. 

We loved our time in the woods!

Summer Views

It's always fun to read outside on a summer day...unless your allergies are acting up. On those days, Katie finds a way to read and enjoy the summer view.

None of the pollen can reach me when I read here.

His Favorite

If you're ever looking for General Washington, you usually just have to find Katie and he's nearby. She's definitely his favorite!

We were just having a relaxing morning together!

Dance Picture Day

When it's time to get pictures taken for dancing, it usually means an exercise in patience as you wait for your turn. Luckily, Katie usually finds a friend to help pass the time.

We talked while we watched the other kids getting their pictures taken!

That Handy Handkerchief

As I mentioned before, Katie loved the handkerchief that came with her dance costume this year. You never knew how she might be wearing it!

I thought I could use a headband.

Last Day of Second Grade

Katie's last day of school each year is always bittersweet. Of course she looks forward to her summer break, but she hates to say good-bye to her almost daily dose of friends!

With classrooms being packed up for summer, we had a lot of play space in the morning! 

I had to make sure to say good-bye to my principal. 

After school, I got to go with my mom to wave good-bye to the kids on the buses.

I found some friends at the buses as well. I love my friends!

Fun with Grandma

Katie and my mom love doing word puzzles together. At the end of the school year, Katie brought home extra word searches that she could do with my mom.

I had to point out that one of the word searches I brought home had special directions. 

Grandma thought it was crazy! 

That's exactly why I brought it home for her!

A Proud Artist

Katie was so proud to bring her artwork home at the end of the school year!

This was one of my favorite paintings I did!

Buddies

Katie loves her time with her friends after school. She would stay there until bedtime if it meant she could keep playing with them!

We were pretending to be princesses, and we made up a fancy dance!

Then we practiced our fan skills. Every good princess needs to be in control of her fan!

Multiple Purposes

When Katie got her dance costume, one of the things she was most excited for was the handkerchief that went around her neck because it would make the perfect blindfold.

After putting on my blindfold, I played a guessing game. I had my mom give me five different foods, and I had to try to guess what they were.

A New Costume

Katie was so excited to get her new costume for her upcoming dance recital. She put it on as soon as she had the chance to practice her dance in it.

This year, I'm going to be doing a tap dance to a song from the Broadway show, "The Newsies!"

Another Graphic Novel

Katie's love of reading seemed to increase even more at the end of the school year. She would often choose reading over anything else.

I learned about the Dog Man books from kids reading them in my class. They became quick favorites!

Bedtime Reading

My sister, Jennifer, introduced Katie to comic books awhile ago, and Katie loves them. She still reads her regular chapter books and picture books, but every once in awhile, she gets a craving for a comic book.

This was one of the newer comic books that Aunt Jennifer bought me. I love it!

I also got this graphic novel in my last book order. It's like a "choose your own adventure" comic.

Making a Gift

As it was nearing the end of the school year, Katie decided to make gifts for those special people in her life.

I worked on making love rocks for the people I love!

Another Book

Katie wanted to write a book for my kindergarten class. She made two versions of it. First, she wrote a chapter book, the first in its series. Then she made an easier version that was more like a picture book. She wrote it in hopes of inspiring younger writers.

I was so happy when I finished my chapter book!

The French Songs

Katie sang learned a lot of songs during her French club. Here are four of them.

French Class

Katie signed up for an after-school French club this year and absolutely loved the experience! She learned lots of French songs and words. It's amazing how quickly kids pick up on languages.

On our last French class, we gathered together to sing songs to our parents. I was a little nervous but also excited. (Songs coming soon.)

Happiness

Nothing says happiness like relaxing on your favorite pillows in your favorite pajamas while reading a favorite book and petting a cat that adores you!

You can't see much of me, but that's me behind everything piled on the couch!

The School Carnival

Katie is always excited to go to the school carnival. She doesn't go for the activities and games. She goes to socialize!

Even though it was a rainy evening, I was so excited to see my friends and teachers!

No Poker Face?

Katie loves to play Uno. When she was playing with Jennifer, Jennifer laughed during the game and told Katie that she didn't have a poker face yet. Katie was confused, so Jennifer explained what that meant. Since Katie still couldn't control the emotions on her face, she decided to just cover them up.

 I found the perfect box to cover my head while playing card games.

When Aunt Jennifer could still see my eyes, I decided to wear sunglasses under my helmet.

Trying to Go on a Hike

A little while ago, Jennifer, Katie, and I decided to go on a short hike. When we arrived, we started up the trail only to see that the trail was soon cut off for hiking. We still got a pretty view, but we didn't get much of a hike. Katie was a good sport about it though!

As we started up the trail, I decided to walk with Aunt Jennifer and let my mom follow. 

It felt like we had barely gotten anywhere when we got to this crowded bridge and saw that the path was closed right after it. 

We enjoyed looking at the waterfall though. 

It's too tall to fit it all in the picture with me! 

On the way down, I liked looking at the little streams of water running down the mountain. 

We had some higher hopes, but we had fun anyway. 

There's Katie

I had another surprise picture on my phone the other day.

Sometimes I just like to use the camera when my mom has meetings!

Hair Salon

One of the things Katie loves the most is to play hair salon. She sits on my lap and asks me to style her hair in a new way. As soon as I'm done, she makes me take a picture, and as soon as the picture is done, she asks for a new hair style, and it goes on and on in the same cycle.

This was just one of the hair styles that my mom made this night. I had her make nine others. I give her easy challenges like, "Make my hair look like a rose or a perform bottle!"

A Reason to be Proud

A short while ago, we had our annual Pride Night at our school, a night of celebration of the learning that takes place throughout the year. This year, Katie had fun helping to serve the ice cream sandwiches, sharing her work, and seeing her friends.

I love to serve the ice cream to everyone! 

After showing my family my work, I spend some time with friends! 

At the end of the night, some of my friends and I got our ice cream. Yum!

Practicing Her Teaching Skills

We had one last afternoon session at school for our incoming kindergarten students. While I spoke with their parents, Katie helped another kindergarten teacher with the students. At the end of their time, Katie was so happy to read a book to the students.

I always love to help in any way that I can!

Digging for Crystals

Katie ordered a book from her school book order that came with a crystal digging block. She loves those!

Aunt Jennifer helped me get going on this kit, and then I took over. I think she likes them as much as me!

A New Flower

When the Farmer's Market opened up again this spring, Katie had one goal. She wanted to find a beautiful flower to buy. She finally found one that she was happy with!

I chose this geranium because I loved the color so much!