My Pretty Pony (Tail)

Who says my baby girl doesn't have hair?

Happy Easter!

We were warmly welcomed at Peter and Kerry's for Easter Brunch today, along with Mike, Courtney and Joey. Everyone made a ton of food, we dressed our kids up in their cutest, we blew bubbles and pretended to have an Easter egg hunt. Kate loves her plastic Easter eggs, and loves to walk around holding her Easter basket, but she didn't quite grasp the concept of HUNTING for them in the out of doors and placing them IN the basket. Maybe next year?

Anyway, as do most crazed mom's, I took a ton of photos/video hoping to catch the cutest picture/video ever. In the days leading to Easter I considered leaving the tags on the Easter dress I bought last year - I mean, a dress with matching sweater, socks and bib (not seen here) is worth a lot on Ebay - NWT! Alas, I decided she should wear them, especially after I pulled them out of the closet and was reminded of why I bought it all in the first place. I hope she never grows out of this dress.

In spite of playing outside, eating Kerry's sugar cookies, and being 15 months old, she stayed clean and sweet and adorable all afternoon. Now she is happily napping after all of the good times with our friends.

Family Music Time - "ROAR"

Tonight after dinner Brad played and played on his guitar and Kate and I danced and danced all around the living room. I think this should become a ritual in our house - especially since all of the swaying, jiggling, bouncing and laughing seemed to wear Kate out into the perfect mood for crashing into bed at the end of the evening. I know I feel like crashing into bed at the end of this evening,... although that seems to be an obvious statement. After all, I chase after a 1 year old day in and day out. I know that most people probably wonder what could possibly fill our days - home alone together all day, every day (except for my 3 mornings at work now), but trust me - you would be amazed! Today she pushed the plastic dog food bin up to the pantry shelves and started climbing on up. Yesterday she put her hand in a toilet at least 10 times. The day before that she ran the bathtub water in our master bathroom and managed to soak herself all the way down to her toes (from OUTSIDE the tub). One day last week she opened the front door, stepped on out and ran down the sidewalk (wearing no shoes or coat). And these are just snap shots of the mischief and dismantling of our home that happens daily.

I know the Grandma's out there are laughing at me - I can hear you! The joy of it is that Grandma B will be out here soon to watch her, alone, for 10 days while I go off with #2 to do things like drink wine, sit quietly, sight see, walk upright, have a conversation and maybe not even put my hair in a ponytail - all on a different continent to boot. We'll see who's laughing then, Grandma! I've heard people say, "you're leaving her for how long?" My response is, "not long enough!"

This said, obviously I'm infatuated with her, she is the center of my universe, and I will be yearning to see her pink face and fluffy white head of hair upon my return, but a grown adult needs to be a grown adult! And I shouldn't have to spend EVERY day of these first few years hiding #3's food bowls, locking the toilet shut (so even I can't get in it in a timely fashion), locking ourselves in the house so that none of the convicts escape, and tiptoeing around during the light-sleeping-queen's naps! And for pete’s sake - she'll be in her own home, with her own things, with someone much more capable of caring for her than me (and more capable of breaking her of all these terrible habits I've allowed her to develop). That said, join me in wishing away the month of April! Istanbul, The Netherlands, London, I am an adult, hear me roar!

Rainy Days and Tuesdays

Today we set out for a walk, but ended up at the Connell's since it was raining hard enough to make it unpleasant for an extended period out of doors. We always like a trip to Joey's house, since he has a bunch of toys that seem new and different, no matter how many times we visit. One of the things Kate instantly seeks out is a pacifier thrown here or there by Joey, and out of sight for Mike and Court. She always finds one or two, and usually she chews on the handle portion of it. Today I think she finally figured out what a pacifier is all about... and she liked it! I hope she doesn't think this is now exceptable at 15 months old.

Raindrops and Mud Puddles

Snow Bunny Kate 2008

It was a bluebird day in Boise today and we decided to take Kate skiing. She loves being in the backpack and with a nice nap this morning she was a delight to have up there. Please enjoy our footage.

One Last Michigan Video

I just found these on my video camera today and wanted to share them - least they go to waste. Those were some good times!

Chumming Around the Hood

New Entertainment

As I mentioned earlier this week, I've had some difficutly with my movie making skills. I don't know if those issues have been resolved, but I am attempting to deal with them today. As a result, I'm glued to the computer while Kate entertains herself with books and puzzles that I've been hiding for a rainy day (FYI - it is a beautiful blue bird day today).

A few weeks ago our great friends Peter and Kerry acquired a gently used slide from another neighbor. They won't be able to use it for a little while, so for the short-term we get to use it. Kate LOVES it. Here I've captured her first couple of runs. Shortly after this photo shoot we moved the slide inside where within a day she figured out how to climb the ladder and shoot down the slide with no supervision. This made #2 very nervous, so the slide is now back outside. I'm looking foward to the ground drying up a bit more (I've quickly learned that pink stains very easily in the mud) so we can spend afternoons outside climbing up and zooming down this delightfully entertaining slide.

THANKS AUNTIE KERRY AND UNCLE PETER (don't worry - we'll give it to Finn the Fetus when he's ready)!

AH, PA!

Duh. It means "Annie, up!" I've been trying to get #4 to say, "up" for some time now - versus hanging on to my legs and grunting like an animal (as a friend once described this hideously frustrating non-verbal stage). Yesterday we were playing in her room and, of course, (#3) was with us. Kate has a new love for Annie - and vice versa. To Kate's delight, I was telling #3 to put her paws up on the ottoman by saying, "Up!" And now, when Kate lays eyes on Annie all she says is, "Ah pa! Ah pa!" A match made in heaven (almost). As soon as Kate ends her infatuation with Annie's food and water bowls they are sure to be the best of friends.

First Bike!