To What We've Been Up

The other day I received an email from Grandma Sloane asking something like, "What is she up to these days?" I knew I'd been slacking on the blogging - mainly because we've been up to a lot (summer lovin, mainly). We attended the Triplet's 3rd birthday party, we purchased a zoo membership, Kate learned to count to 10 (but no recent video yet). Enjoy...

Walkie Talkie

Last night in the tub I was putting her foam numbers on the wall. We had the following exchange:
ME: One
KATE: Twooo
ME: Three
KATE: Fooour
ME: Five,... six,... seven
KATE: Eight

I could hardly believe my ears.

Additional new favorites are:
"Hiiii! Howareyou? Good (or good, thanks)."
"Oh my"
"Oh boy"
"Okay. Bye. See ya!"
"Share?"
"Kisses"
"Annie! Sit! No!"
"Ello" (Elmo)
"Book"
"Bebe, bebe, bebe, bebe"

June Good Timin'

We've been enjoying our slow-starting summer. Last weekend was the neighborhood garage sale where I scored a large number of great things for Kate. To note, she got a kitchen ($5!) and a toy vacuum that is an exact replica of mine (with which she's been obsessed for a year now). Attachments, humming, light, dust bag and everything. Finally late this week it warmed up and we were able to go to the pool. Kate has absolutely no fear of the pool and wants to do nothing but climb out, walk away from the edge and then run and jump in. I will be purchasing a swimsuit with a built-in safety vest this week. Last night we threw a BBQ/babyshower for Peter and Kerry - they are expecting in just a few weeks now. I keep telling Kate that McPhee (Kerry) is having a baby and so now when we see her Kate says, "bebe?" Soon enough she'll get to see that tiny baby!! How strange to have a BBQ on a Saturday night with 8 kids watching the Disney channel in my living room. Huh. Who would have thought?

Travel Conclusion

I know I have gone on and on about this trip, but let's admit it - it was an adventure! A child-less adventure with my best friend. I finally got the videos in order and have shared them here. When you have a moment please enjoy.
Istanbul:

Amsterdam:

London:

June Bug

We had a nice suburban weekend ringing in June 2008, although Kate had a rough go of it. She is struggling to ring in four new teeth, one of which is practically all the way in; yet hasn't cut through her gums. It is a sad state affairs. This said, we tried a lot of tactics to distract her from the pain, her bad (short) naps and temper tantrums.
Quite a while ago our sweet neighbor, Esme, gave Kate an easel. It finally occurred to me that Kate was tall enough to use it and sure enough - it was a big hit. We quickly figured out that we have to keep a close eye on the chalk, or the coffee table also works nicely as chalkboard. The next tactic was to do some much needed yard work, and have Kate join in. Her favorite part was trying on my gardening gloves and using cut branches as a broom for the sidewalk. We both got a little sun in the process and ended the afternoon in the pool. Kate loved it so much that I've decided we're not going back until we purchase some floating device in which she can be secured.
Today (which was cloudy and rainy) we decided it was time for Kate's first hair cut. If you've seen her - or pictures of her - lately you would agree it was time. First it was a mullet, but now it was just plain shag-a-riffic. The actual cutting process didn't go well (she was so upset she didn't even want the sucker they offered), but Kate livened up after the scissors disappeared and enjoyed watching Daddy get his hair cut. And there was a balloon involved, so all was well.