Terrific Thanksgiving!

We're back from our week in Yreka which, as always, went WAY too fast. Kate took no time at all to take to her grandparents again. We stayed in Portland on the way down, where she got to play Grandpa Mac's piano. This is always a big hit, although I'm not sure her musical skills are progressing as of yet! In Yreka, Kate had a lot of fun running laps inside and outside of Grandma and Grandpa's house. Outside, she discovered a fondness for being pushed in the wheelbarrow and "helping" to rake leaves. The weather was nice and dry which made entertaining Kate much easier! I was wheeling her around one afternoon and couldn't find Grandpa and Ryan. I then heard some sort of tractor noise, only to see Grandpa Bob appear on the riding lawnmower, pulling Ryan on a sled! Hilarious. Kate wasn't so sure about the noise, but she took a ride with daddy. Ryan and I took her to a park one day and she surprised us by going down a really high slide by herself. She was going so fast her hair blew back and she closed her eyes! We thought she'd be scared, but she immediately went back for another round...and another...and another. Kate also loved Thanksgiving dinner! I was surprised because she's usually not that interested in trying tons of new foods but, perhaps spurred on by her audience, she had a blast trying turkey, mashed potatoes and applesauce (by the handful!) She hadn't tried a dessert since her birthday cake (which she didn't care about at all), but she got a little bowl of whipped cream and went to town! She pushed my hand away so she could have it all to herself. When everyone laughed, she really got into it, spreading whipped cream on her face and then sticking her finger up her nose. What a little lady. We just had so much fun the whole week. Now, we can't wait until we go to Bend for Christmas!!

Yreka, here we come!

Hopefully, Yreka is ready for Kate because her little hurricane-like self is about to hit! We're leaving blustery, rainy Washington behind for a week, and CAN'T WAIT. We've been chanting "road trip, road trip" to Kate all week, and I think she's getting excited because she's definitely started to understand the words "grandma" and "grandpa." She already seems to know that grandparents are people that adore and spoil her. Smart girl! Here's to a week of family fun!!

Bed Head

Lately, Kate's been waking up looking like she's been on some crazy, all-night bender. Unless she's already mastered the art of sneaking out of the house at night, her bed head is due to some deep sleep--and the need for a haircut. The haircut is not an experience I relish. She's had three already, and is way overdue for snip number four. Her last haircut was her first at a salon, sitting in a chair and she was okay. Tears were shed but, as one lady in the salon said, "she has such a quiet cry." Luckily, the whole thing was over before Kate could prove her wrong (and, boy, can she!) This time around, Ryan and I are going to try a place near my dad's house in Portland, which is specifically for kids. Hopefully, she'll be so overwhelmed by all the kid distractions that she won't notice the cut. I still can't bear to cut the curls in the back, but we're hoping to at least let her see again! Fingers crossed. Ah, what else? Not much, really. Kate had a play date with her friend, Kevin, yesterday. They're the same age, and he's definitely the kid Kate recognizes the most. She tries to say his name, but I think only I can understand the drawn out "Keeeehiiiin." They are actually starting to play together, which is so sweet. It was the first time they played at our house together, and Kate was definitely reticent about sharing her toys at first. She warmed pretty quickly, though, and was soon trying to show him the art of climbing on the couch. I'm sure his mom appreciated that. Hickory was overjoyed to have another little one in the house--more snacks, of course! It was fun to see them both in the dig pit, and Kevin's mom said she wanted to hire Ryan...new career, perhaps? :)

Doctor's visit

Kate had her 15-month check-up today and I was really dreading it because she had to get a lot of shots. In the end, it turned out better than last time because she cried when she saw the nurse coming with the needles, but then didn't really seem to be too bothered by the pokes. She was fine by the time we left the office, which was miles better than last time. She promptly took the band-aids off when we got home, as if to say "Enough. I'm DONE with those!" I'm thankful she's now had her seasonal and H1N1 vaccines, so I can finally cross those off the to-do list. Aside from the jabs, her appointment was fine. The doctor said she is developing and growing completely normally (always a relief to hear a professional say it, even when you think it's true anyway!) She's over 24 pounds and 30 inches, and still has a head in the 95th percentile! Oh, what a large brain to store all her mischievous thoughts.... The doctor seemed more impressed with her reaction to the examination than anything else. When she saw him come at her with the stethoscope and other tools, she just shook her head, glared him down and tried to muscle her way off the table. She was very calm. He said he had never seen such a reaction, and that either kids don't care or scream, whereas Kate just gave a silent and deliberate protest. He kept saying that was very "interesting," and then kept saying, "my, she's strong." So, I'm not sure what this reaction says about her personality but, apparently, it says something!! I don't care as long as she's healthy. She is, so I'm a happy mommy!

Our little rule breaker

If it's true that "well-behaved women rarey make history," then Kate is well on her way to making some history! She definitely has opinions about what she wants, and what she wants is usually whatever she knows we don't want her to do or have. She seems to find it quite funny when we say "no," as if it's just a humorous nuisance to her and far funnier to defy us than to listen. I will say, this girl does not lack for personality and, though I could do without some of the tantrums, as least she's interesting! I hope she puts all this feistiness to amazing use someday....Ryan and I can only imagine what the future holds for her and for us! I go to a few baby groups and classes where most of the moms say their kids are "really mellow" (and I tend to believe them as their kids sit quietly, just smiling away). Kate, on the other hand, talks a blue streak while bouncing around, happy one minute and crying over some sort of perceived injustice the next. Yes, I must admit, that my child is most decidedly NOT mellow. I think she's the anti-mellow. But at least we never lack for entertainment (or this is what I tell myself!)

Boom Boom rides again!

Here's Kate practicing her riding skills. She's favoring one-handed riding (rocking?) right now, perhaps in preparation for a lasso? Get ready Grandpa Bill, you might have a cowgirl on your hands!! I must say, there can't be TOO many people that can pull off the purple shoes, pink pants, no shirt riding look, but it seems to suit Kate just fine!! Bringing a whole new meaning to "bare back".....

Mutton Bustin'!

(Wikipedia photo)

Ryan and I have found Kate's calling!! Last night, we saw a segment on a show about mutton bustin' where kids at fairs cling on to racing sheep. We were in hysterics because we can TOTALLY picture Kate doing this. She'd be this mini kamikaze, cackling with glee as she shot across the rink. We've decided her riding name will be Boom Boom Singleton. Perhaps the Yreka fair could add this next year?? For now, she'll practice riding her rocking horse. Go, Boom Boom, Go!!

Mommy & Daughter Day

After three days of heavy rain, we were going stir-crazy by Saturday night. Kate was so fed up that she asked us to put her to bed at 6:20 pm (well, she babbled and pointed to the stairs). That may be a bit of hyperbole since she was really just tired since she got up an hour early but, still, we'd had enough of staying inside. Sunday started much better: the sun was out and Kate was well-rested after 13 hours of sleep. I decided to take her on a day out to Bainbridge Island, where I'd discovered there is a Kids Discovery Museum. Ryan stayed behind to do house chores and projects (he definitely got the short end of that stick!) Kate and I ended up having a great day exploring. The museum was small, but had plenty to keep her entertained for hours. Her favorite thing was this table that was filled with bird seed, uncooked pasta and lots of measuring cups and spoons. Not surprisingly, she liked to dig! There was also a puppet theater where a man did a puppet show while we were there. Kate has never seen such a thing, and she was completely intrigued. She went right up on stage and stood below the puppets, and tried to poke them. Then she just took a seat on the stage and looked out at the audience, as if she were part of the show! After the museum, we went to a GREAT bookstore called Eagle Harbor Books. There was a big area for kids, complete with a rocking lion for Kate to ride. It cracks me up when we got to bookstores because Kate starts practically hyperventilating when she sees all the books. I, of course, am a sucker for this and always end up buying one! Our final stop was the Blackbird Bakery, where we sat with coffee and milk and her new books. There were no highchairs, so Kate sat in a real chair and it made me think of the days, not far in the future, when we can sit like that and talk about all sorts of things. It was really a great day and I'll definitely do it again. When I was younger, my mom and I would have "play days" where we'd go to Portland and spend the whole day together. I feel so happy when I think of those times, and I hope I'm creating the same thing with my daughter.

Playing pretend?

There are just some moments when my heart feels like it could burst for loving Kate so much, and yesterday I had one of those moments. Kate was playing in her room and had been quiet for a bit, and when I went to check on her, she had lined her animals up on the rocking chair and was showing them books. I'm not sure she was intentionally pretending to read to them, but it looked like it and my heart just melted. So sweet--at least to her mommy! Not much other news from good ol' P.A. other than that my mom (Grandma Connie) gets home from Nepal tomorrow! I can't wait to talk to her, and I think Kate feels the same because she makes everything in the house into a pretend phone now. I love to see her holding the remote control up to her ear, babbling away. I know, I'm a gushing mommy, but I do just love her more than words can do justice!!

Tough girl

I told Kate to "look tough" and this is what I got. I doubt flowered pants are the toughest thing out there, but the focus was her camo shoes and doll! When I was newly pregnant, the camo shoes were a gift from one of my favorite little people in all the world, David King. Actually, he's not little at all anymore since he turned 8 this year (I really cannot believe this!), but I've known him since he was about 6 months old. David's brother, John, gave her some trucks, which she now plays with in her dig pit. I think they may have been willing her to be a boy, but I want them to know she's a tough girl who likes camo and trucks quite a lot! Thanks, guys!

We love you, Aunt Cyndi!

We're sending you all our best thoughts!! We miss you and can't wait to see you over Thanksgiving!!