Big Red

While we were at the orchard today in the play area, K. rode on a pedal tractor (I had to push her as she has neither the reach nor the know-how to pedal this tractor). She had a good time. Then we were in a large, wooden tractor that kids could climb up the stairs and pretend to drive. The steps were a bit steep for K., so I helped her up. She enjoyed it so much that after I took her down, she walked over to the tractor again and made her way up the steps (with quite a bit of determination).

A Paisley Bedtime

Here is K's routine before going to bed:

1. Wear off remainder of energy by climbing and sliding

2. Wish upon a star 3. Read a book to self (if Mom or Dad is unavailable to read)
4. Get into crib and smile widely
5. Peruse crib for most comfortable spot on mattress
(P.S. K's mom made her PJs)

The Dish Ran Away

K. needs to learn to feed herself with a spoon. Her biggest hurdle in learning this, of course, is that it's so messy it's hard for her mom to give her a chance to do this. We practiced a bit this morning, though the photos don't tell the whole story... She looks successful, and was for a little while. K. decided, though, that it was still easier to use her fingers (even on yogurt--yuck!) so she was reaching in the bowl and scooping up the yogurt while her spoon sat on her tray, unused. I said, "K., use your spoon" so she picked it up with her right hand--and held it, unused, while she continued scooping with her left!

Church Chums

We had a bonfire at our church last weekend (sure, the weather was 80 degrees--but that's much better than a 40-degree bonfire!) Here K. is hanging out with two of her friends.

The Best Friends

I got the chance to visit one of my good friends from college and meet her boys. K. had a great time playing with A., who is older than her but will be the same year in school (he will be among the oldest in their class; she will be one of the youngest). We took a walk to a park.

It was a swinging good time.

Here is my friend with her two sons (look closely--the youngest one is in her arm and is partially obstructed by the swing). It was so good to see her again!

Nearly time to go home. This toy wasn't the hit we hoped it would be:

Traveling in style:

"What do you mean I have to share my ride? Hmmpf."K. with A. and his baby brother. K. was slightly more interested in the car in her lap than the baby, but you can see how sweet A. is with his brother.
"Wait, let me handle this one."

Quality Time

We spent last week with Grandma J. and Grandpa J. In the middle of the week, we all traveled north to see some of Grandpa J.'s family. Here are a couple of photos of K. hanging out with her Grandpa. She loves him and loves to snuggle, but if he tickles her back she'll take a swing at him (just like her Mom and Grandma do).
"I love my Grandpa!"

Wagon and Waggin'

While at Grandma and Grandpa's house, K. really took a liking to carrying around a stuffed animal. She carried it around for, like, a half-hour without putting it down. Grandma J. made a push wagon for K. to play with. She pushed it and put toys (and stuffed dogs) in it, then eventually climbed in herself and rode. Thank goodness it's sturdy!
K. with a bit of disco in her.

Hats Off to Thee

We took a trip up north to visit K's Great-Grandparents and Auntie D (who was in town for the week). Here are just a couple of miscellaneous photos from our trip.

K. with Grandma and a stuffed cat that Great Grandma made.In the parking garage with G&G and Auntie D:
Reading a book to Grandma:
Looking at photos that Mom just took on her camera. I look really odd, so sorry about that, but I thought the way K. was snuggled and looking at the camera was cute enough to trump that.

Great View

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa have a balcony that overlooks a nice pond. K. liked to look at the water (and Grandpa noticed that the balcony was really just like a big pack and play for her). K. loved the sounds her feet made on the deck.

"Gee, Mom, thanks for squishing me just to take a photo."

And with some encouragement from her great auntie, K. danced around the balcony.

Reflection

K. made a new friend while on the balcony, and spent much time making faces at her. At one point, and I am not making this up, she turned to the side and checked out her bum!

Not Removed

While at the Great-Grandparents' house, some of K's cousins stopped by to meet her. These are her fourth cousins (their grandma is my first cousin once removed--my dad's first cousin), and she had a great time with them. They were super-cute with her, too.

K. with A., who is one of the most beautiful third graders I've ever seen:

K. and B. playing with the piggybank. They were both putting the coins in, but K. realized that B. was much better at is (since he is in school already) so she would hand him the coins and he put them in the bank.
K. watching while B. plays on his DS.

Great Lake

As is a tradition every time we're up north, we go down to the canal park and walk by the big rocks.
K. had fun since she was old enough to walk around a bit, and picked up a big rock.

K. and Mom

Skyrats

After playing in the rocks for a while, K. noticed some white seagulls (or "sky rats," as my aunt calls them). She was very interested and started to walk after them, then quickened her pace to a near-run, the first time she's moved at more than a walk!
"I'm gonna get you, pretty birds!"

And No Place to Go

Here's the dress that K. wore to church today. It's extra-special because I made it for her. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, I actually sewed a dress! I'm quite proud of myself, and she wore it all day and appeared happy in it--it's made of a soft corduroy; I'd be happy too. Imagine it with cute pink tights on, though she ditched those shortly after church.

"Look what Mom did!"

"Cheeeeeeezzze!"
"What the...how long as this thing been in my hair?"

Slip Sliding Away

K. figured out how to climb up the ladder of her new climber as soon as we got it, but needed assistance with the slide. She had a breakthrough in the last couple of days. She walks to the slide, climbs the ladder, goes over to the slide, turns so she's feet-first but on her stomach (which she figured out All By Herself!), and slides down the slide. Today she did it many many times in a row (B. and I lost count!). Oh, how fun--and it will be great when we're cooped up this winter, too!

I Love to Tell the Story

Just another sweet photo of K. reading with her dad before bed.