Red Thread...

There is an ancient Chinese belief which states that there is an invisible red thread that connects each of us to all of the individuals who have been, currently are, and will in the future be important to us in our lives.

This red thread can stretch, twist, and bend… but will never break.

Monday, April 29, 2024

Another Friend

Katie's friends are so important to her. 

Gabby and I have been friends for eleven years. We have almost always been in the same dance class.

Monday, April 22, 2024

A Morning Hug

Gilbert and Wilson love each other. When you see one, the other is always nearby.

We caught them in a morning hug.

Monday, April 15, 2024

Monday, April 8, 2024

Happy Easter, 2024!

This year, Katie forgot that Easter was coming, so it was a happy surprise for her when she found her Easter basket.

Who doesn't love a surprise?

Monday, April 1, 2024

Slime is Back

Time for an update picture! After years of not making slime, Katie got to make slime in one of her classes as part of a last-day-of-the-trimester-celebration.

I forgot how addicting slime could be!

Sunday, March 31, 2024

For as Long as I Remember

For as long as I remember, giraffes have been Katie's favorite zoo animal.

Who wouldn't love giraffes?

Saturday, March 30, 2024

Figuring Out the Piano

Katie was never interested in taking piano lessons, but she was interested in figuring out how the piano worked.

I used a piano app to figure out how to play a song on the real piano!

Friday, March 29, 2024

The Meeting

After making plans all that morning, it was finally time to meet Mo Willems.

I loved listening to Mo Willems talk and read!

Thursday, March 28, 2024

A Picture

Another thing Katie did to get ready to meet Mo Willems was to draw him a picture.

I wanted to show Mo Willems how much I loved his characters!

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

A Favorite Author

When Katie was little, she loved Mo Willems' books. Nothing made her happier than getting one of his new books. When we found out he was coming to town, we knew we had to take Katie. As she prepared to meet him, she found all sorts of ways to review his books.

I loved all of his books, but Elephant and Piggie books were my favorite!

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Unexpected Treats

It was a hot, spring day, and we had taken Katie to a new park. While we were there, an ice cream truck came by. It was Katie's first experience with an ice cream truck.

You have to be happy when you get a surprise treat!

Monday, March 25, 2024

Bubbles

The dogs used to love when Katie played with bubbles. They would chase and eat the bubbles.

I bet the dogs miss my bubble obsession!

Sunday, March 24, 2024

Dancing

Katie's #1 favorite dance teacher was her first one - Ms. Moriah. 

I still miss Ms. Moriah. She made me love dancing!

Saturday, March 23, 2024

American Girl Doll

I remember that time when Katie had matching outfits with her American Girl doll.

We could dress just alike!

Friday, March 22, 2024

The Love of Reading

I love that Katie has always loved books!

My book taste has changed with time, but I still love to read.

Thursday, March 21, 2024

The Joys of Water

Nothing is more fun than water on a hot day! Katie would rather be cooler than hotter to this day.

I like keeping myself cool, and I might as well help others by spraying water on them too.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

The Pool

When there was a heat wave, I got Katie a little pool, and we had to work to get it in the car. Katie didn't enjoy waiting in the hot sun.

It was so hot waiting, and I couldn't wait to get in the pool.

The Rabbits

Katie went through a phase where she was determined to pet one of the rabbits in our yard.

I would try so hard to sneak up on them, but they always heard me.

When Jennifer Moved

When Jennifer moved into her current house, Katie loved the built in shelves!

This looked comfortable enough for a nap!

Taking Notes

I so clearly remember the days that Katie couldn't go on a walk without bringing a whole collection of things with her.

I used to take notes about the things I observed.

A Gift

When Katie was in kindergarten, she planted seeds at school and let them grow. She gave them to me as a Mother's Day gift.

I was so proud to plant my sprouts!

Easy to Sleep

It seems strange now to think about how easy it used to be for Katie to fall asleep in the car.

I would fall asleep just on the short ride to dancing.

Little Break

At Katie's age, she doesn't always appreciate pictures being taken, so I took a little break. In the meantime,  I found some good memories to repost.

This was my spring singing concert in kindergarten. I still know these friends!

Researching

 It''s so crazy to compare Katie's homework to my homework. She does everything on a Chromebook, When she has research, she just pulls out a phone. So much for paper, pencils, and encyclopedias.

Technology has taken over.

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

The Original

It has been a long time since Mr. Limpet was the only young cat. He and Katie will always have a special bond.

Mr. Limpet appreciates attention after I've been at school all day.

Monday, March 11, 2024

Time for Homework

Whenever I mention homework to Katie, she's not thrilled about it, but tries to put her best foot forward.

This is the look I often give when the word "homework" is mentioned.

Sunday, March 10, 2024

Learning Japanese

Katie doesn't want to just learn to speak Japanese. She wants to learn to read and write it as well. She has spent hours in her room at night studying the written language. She has pages and pages of practice.

This is a goal I don't want to give up on. 

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Weekend with the Cats - Part 4

Wilson goes back and forth. He likes to be in the other cat bed, so he's close to Gilbert. Then he wakes up and looks for a lap to sit on.

Weekend with the Cats - Part 3

 General Washington also likes blankets, but he also likes to be next to a person.

Weekend with the Cats - Part 2

Mr. Limpet likes to be close to a blanket.

Weekend with the Cats - Part 1

What do the cats do on the weekend? Gilbert can be found curled up in the cat bed. He likes to keep one leg out of the bed.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Relaxing

After a long day, it was time for a little relaxing.

Sometimes the couch feels so good!

Monday, March 4, 2024

Sketching

When Katie was home with a fever, she still had the energy to sketch a bit.

Sunday, March 3, 2024

Party #2

After her sleepover ended, Katie went to her second party for her other friend. She got to go bowling. While they played, she got a strike. It made us laugh because she quit watching her bowling ball and didn't even see her own strike. She was fine with it though. 

Party #1

Two of Katie's good friends have the same birthday, so she had two parties to attend. Her first party was a sleepover. She didn't get much sleep, but she had such a good time celebrating her friend.

Friday, March 1, 2024

Sharing

It's always a good sign when the older cats share with the younger.

They don't usually share a blanket.

Thursday, February 29, 2024

The Haircut

Katie's hair doesn't look that different now, but she has some small changes.

I'm growing my bangs out, and I added some longer layers by my face.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Time for a Haircut

It had been awhile since Katie's last haircut, so it was time to go.

I decided to make a couple of small changes with this haircut.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

A New Smile

The braces came off, and now Katie has to wear a retainer full time for three months. After that, it will be retainer at nighttime only.

My teeth are so smooth!

Monday, February 26, 2024

Bye Bye Braces

Katie was so excited when she found out last month that she would get her braces off on her next visit.

This is the last picture I got with braces.

Sunday, February 25, 2024

Sometimes

Sometimes, but not too often, you can find all four of our cats together.

All of the cats like the sun!

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Thirteen Years Ago

Thirteen years ago, I saw Katie's face for the first time. It was just a picture, and I wouldn't meet her for another three months, but it was still so exciting.

This was the first glance I saw, and it was perfect!

The Frost Formal

Katie was more than excited to go to another school dance.

I couldn't wait to meet my friends!

Thursday, February 22, 2024

A Good Friend

Katie is still keeping up with her neighborhood walks with her friend through good and bad weather. She has so much fun spending time with her.

Ellen and I never run out of conversation!

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Good Morning

It was early in the morning, and the kittens were already looking for their bird friends.

They love the windows!

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Waiting his Turn

The cats have to be patient as they wait their turn for snuggles.

Gilbert had to wait until I was done hugging Wilson.

Monday, February 19, 2024

Birdwatching

The kittens have discovered the joys of having green space behind the house.

Gilbert loves to watch the birds that visit!

Sunday, February 18, 2024

Snuggles

The picture turned out pretty fuzzy, but if you look at it from a distance, it's not so bad. Haha!

The kittens are growing so fast!

Time for Movies

Katie and I like to watch easy movies at night.

Despicable Me was perfect!