Hair Model

And, it grows super fast too.  

Sorry, I'm her mom.  I have to brag.

Her hair like mine, though would be stick straight within the hour -- even after having been in a bun all. night. long.

She consistently bemoans (that's putting it mildly) having knotted hair.  I keep telling her people would love to have her hair.  She doesn't believe me, which is about par for the course these days.  

cool cat

For the Spring play Katie is part of the "J Crew," (Jesus Crew).

Their costumes are supposed to be "cool-looking," according to a memo from the choir director.

Katie doesn't have jeans, or a leather jacket -- her wardrobe consists mainly of pink and other bright colors.

This is what we came up with and she's seems pleased hence, we are all pleased.

cold weather wear

It's raining and cold outside.

When we go to school all the kids are bundled up in their jackets.

And, my kids are wearing this.

I'm sure I look like mom of the year with my kids wearing sundresses and skirts.

Hey, you have no idea how much negotiating I did to get Katie to trade in the tank top for a shirt with sleeves this morning.

$2.50 of happiness

Went to the flea market with Mo yesterday and bought three pairs of clip on earrings.

They could not have been bestowed on happier recipients.

(I could not get a good shot of Mo wearing them for the life of me.)

Speaking of fashion. I'm selling these beloved shoes here if you or anyone else is interested.

They have never been worn. I've been holding onto them -- since the late 90s -- waiting for the perfect outfit/event. Alas, it's time to get rid of them. Sniff, sniff.

last week before school katie is putting

on her socks and says, "Mama I want socks that go to here (pointing at her knee)."

"Oh, and I want them to be black."

Don't ask, I have no idea.

yee-haw

November 2007

February 2010

wow

Check out this cake my friend Laura made for Parker's tea party birthday celebration.

She made ALL OF IT including the tea party scene pieces by hand out of fondant. Pretty incredible, right?

And, of course Lady Katie pulled together an appropriate get-up for the tea party.

if I were a

superhero I'd wear fabulous shoes too.Even her sidekick "shadow" dons them.

to sunnier times

I just found this picture of Katie on my cell phone. It's from last June. Those are bloomers (yes, the kind that are supposed to go under your dress).

She insisted they were shorts. I remember the argument quite clearly.

In the end I just gave up -- which is pretty much on par with how I handle things when it comes to her clothes these days.

Happy Friday everyone...

afternoon at the park

After being in the house all morning, we ventured out to the park this afternoon.

We told Katie that it was going to be cold, so she put together yet another unforgettable ensemble...

Maddie played on the slide.

And, conquered new areas of the playground.

Getting the girls to both look at me and smile is a near impossibility these days. We were able to get them to "roar" at the same time though.

You have no idea how many times I tell her, "Kaitlyn! Maddie's feet should NOT be leaving the ground."

Could I be wearing any more clothes?

Katie's "dress up" keeps getting more and more extreme.

The other day she comes out looking like this...

...telling me that "a big snow storm is coming."

It reminded me of that Friends episode where Joey puts all of Chandler's clothes on and says "Look at me, I'm Chandler -- could I be wearing any more clothes?"

We start peeling layer after layer off of her to find multiple sweaters, a dress, a ballet leotard, tights, bloomers and two bathing suits -- because who doesn't grab a bathing suit when it starts to snow?!

What cracked us up was -- much like Joey -- Katie was indeed "going commando" under all that.

Dress up part deux

I've seen this, this, this and this.

So, I shouldn't be surprised when she comes out of her room looking like this...

Later, I found this picture on my camera. Papa must have snapped it during the subsequent swimming adventure in her room.

And, yes we have a no-jumping off furniture rule in our house. Like many rules, they apparently don't apply when Papa is around.

The Best Job Ever

I'll be honest, my patience has been wearing more than thin these days. I feel like someone is always whining, crying or demanding something of me. Or, I'm scolding or feeding someone. Figuring out how to manage two kids has not been an easy task for me. I've been trying really hard to get out of the house with the kids at least once a day. Katie and I get stir crazy if we don't, but preparing for, coordinating and timing everything -- naps, snacks, activities, feedings, and now potty breaks -- has proved extremeley challenging.

I decided not to go to the beach today because as I was thinking through everything I'd need to carry with me -- Maddie in the bjorn, backpack, sand toys, an umbrella, all while holding Katie's hand -- I got overwhelmed. I felt really guilt because Katie loves the beach.

I've just found myself very, very tired of late, hence the small amount of patience (and my permanent ponytail hairdo).

But, it seems like everytime I get to the point where I'm thinking "this is crazy, why am I doing all of this?" I get a huge smile like this:

or, Katie walks around the corner looking like this:

and then I know this is the best job I'll ever have.