Ladybugs

Katie has really loved ladybugs this summer. Not long after the 4th of July, she found a dead ladybug and insisted on keeping it. We put it on a white paper plate, so she could see it easily. Then we had to travel everywhere with it for a week or so. Eventually the dead ladybug went away.

Katie soon found a second ladybug - which was alive this time. She put it in a plastic cup and then eventually added sticks, leaves, rocks, etc. to the cup so the ladybug would be happy.

I was so happy to find a living ladybug!

Meeting New Friends

My mom's dog, Max, got to come over to the house to meet his new friends, Sophie and Bailey. Sophie was pretty laid back about the whole thing, but Bailey and Max were very loud in their meeting. Katie decided to solve the problem of the noise herself.

At first, I thought the barking was funny. 

Then it got a bit obnoxious. 

I solved the problem with my blanket pulled around my ears!

Imaginary Instrument

One afternoon when Katie was playing with the dogs, she was doing something with one of our cutting boards. Before long, she turned the cutting board into her imaginary instrument and strummed and sang a song for the dogs.

I like to turn anything into an instrument!

Meeting a President

Katie, as most of you have heard, loves learning about the presidents. One morning when I woke up, I heard that President Carter was coming to town to sign his new book. My mom, Jennifer, and I quickly made the decision that we should take Katie to meet her first president.

We decided to take the train into town to avoid traffic. It's always an experience, but it's one that Katie loves. It's fun for her to go on different types of transportation.

We got to the store a little more than an hour before the book signing began, and the line was already around half a block. Jennifer went in to buy some books while the rest of us got in line. Katie was pretty good to wait in line. When she got restless, we'd buy her a small snack or a bottle of water, and she was happy.

As the line started to move, it moved pretty quickly. We were so happy to get in the store. Then we had to wind around the first floor of the store, up the the second floor, around the second floor, and up to the third. At the top of that floor, we were checked by the secret service and then it was time to get the book signed.

One funny moment happened with the secret service agents. As you can imagine, there were quite a few who were standing around in their suits. Katie said to me, "What are all of the princes doing here? Do I get to see their princesses?" I guess any man in a suit is a prince in Katie's opinion.

After all of that wait, we turned the corner and saw President Carter and then things moved so quickly. The president signed very quickly, but wasn't able to speak very much due to the high number of people that had to be moved through the line. He did stop momentarily to stop and smile at Katie though. He quietly said, "Hi, Sweetie!"

Katie told me later that she felt very shy, but she gave him a quiet smile and answered, "Hello!" It was a short, but a very meaningful exchange for Katie.

I would have loved to get a picture of Katie with President Carter, but we weren't allowed to take pictures until after our book was signed and were given ten seconds to take a picture. We don't have a picture of them together, but Katie has her book and her memory!

When we left, Katie excitedly told Jennifer that it would be great if she could meet President Washington next!

We had to wait in a long line, but at least we were in the shade. 

Sometimes dancing helps to pass the time! 

As I waited in the line inside, I looked for a place to travel to next. 

There was President Carter!

 He was very nice to me!

This is the book I got.  

Here's the page that President Carter signed! 

It felt good to sit down on the train! 

Before long, I tried to read my book. My mom helped.

My favorite fact that I've learned in the book so far is that President Carter was a peanut farmer! That made me laugh! I didn't know that people farmed peanuts until my mom read it!

Summer Dancing

Katie always likes dance class no matter when she goes. This summer, she has continued classes with her teacher from last year. She's had fun!

We start every class out with our stretches. 

I like to stretch! 

Sometimes we pretend we're swimming in an ocean. 

I like my tap shoes more than I used to. I always used to miss my soft ballet slippers. 

One of my favorite parts of the class is at the end when we get to make up our own dance moves. 

I've been practicing different ways to bow.

This is when we each get a turn to practice different types of dancing.

This is my "Shuffle…Hop."

Another Birthday Party

Katie was excited to go to her friend, Ella's, second birthday party. While she was there, she met a new friend as well.

My new friend taught me how to play a game. 

She was really good at it! 

I also had fun with Ella's mom while I was at the party!

A Girl and Her Dog

Katie is very happy to spend time with the puppies. She loves when Bailey sits on the couch with her because she typically likes to sit on the floor.

We have fun together!