July 15, 2007
Following "grown-up church," Melissa and I picked up Katie from "Children's Church." Teary-eyed because one of the little boys in the class had knocked over her blocks, she saw us from across the room and came to us chattering "can I have a sucker?" The teacher confirmed that Katie had been on her best behavior, so, yes, we confirmed that she'd be getting her sucker. As she made her way out of the room, she stopped in front of an older girl, whom Katie apparently knew. Katie stopped, waved and said "Hello!". Then, tilting her head, she said "I love you" to her acquaintance. The girl giggled.
This evening we went to Pizza Inn for dinner. While Melissa was at the salad bar, the waitress asked me Katie's age and I told her 3-and-a-half. She's close enough, I figured. Katie asked me "Am I really three-and-a-half?" I told her that I had rounded up because she would soon be at the half year in her age. She asked if I could bring the waitress back because she wanted to "ask her a question."
I flagged down the waitress and told her that Katie had a question for her. Katie turned to her and said "I'm three years old." It turns out her question was more of a correction to my previous age answer. The waitress laughed and asked her "Do you have another question?"
Katie looked up at her and said "I love you!" The happily surprised waitress giggled and responded in kind.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Friday, July 13, 2007
July 12, 2007
As we made our way from the van to Target, Melissa held Katie's hand, which Katie understands is what we do to keep her safe from "cars bumping into her." She saw a family ahead of us in the parking lot, and the youngest of the children appeared to be around 16. She noticed and exclaimed that they were not all holding hands. She then verbally processed that information, noting aloud that when people are grownups, they don't have to hold hands in the parking lot.
Yes, she did acquire another LPS animal combo on this Target trip. This time, we bought her the puppy and duck in a rowboat.
Katie is cracking herself up making up her own lyrics to childrens songs. She giggled when she performed Itsy-Bitsy Spider for me by dropping the first letter from each word in the song.
As we made our way from the van to Target, Melissa held Katie's hand, which Katie understands is what we do to keep her safe from "cars bumping into her." She saw a family ahead of us in the parking lot, and the youngest of the children appeared to be around 16. She noticed and exclaimed that they were not all holding hands. She then verbally processed that information, noting aloud that when people are grownups, they don't have to hold hands in the parking lot.
Yes, she did acquire another LPS animal combo on this Target trip. This time, we bought her the puppy and duck in a rowboat.
Katie is cracking herself up making up her own lyrics to childrens songs. She giggled when she performed Itsy-Bitsy Spider for me by dropping the first letter from each word in the song.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Mommy's Birthday
July 10, 2007
Katie was very kind to Melissa today on Melissa's birthday and let her mommy sleep in. That's always an appreciated gift to both of us. For fun, the two of them went to a kiddie matinee for a showing of "Chicken Run," which Melissa found a bit too intense for a three-year-old. Fortunately, Katie seemed not to notice the questionable scenes.
The three of us met up with Nana and Little Papa for dinner at Ruby Tuesdays. Nana wanted to see if Katie understood that it was her mommy's birthday, so she asked "Do you know what day it is today?"
"Tuesday" was Katie's matter-of-fact reply. It was Tuesday indeed! Nana looked stunned.
What Nana didn't realize was that Katie has taken a keen interest in learning the names of the days of the week. Melissa had purchased Katie some new underwear last week, and each of the five panties displayed a cute little picture and the name of one of the days of the week. Starting on Monday, Melissa informed Katie that she was wearing "Monday" underwear. This initiated a hunger in Katie to then learn all the days of the week, excluding weekends. As we traveled to the restaurant, she was trying to recite each day in order but usually missed a day or two. Regardless, her display of this new skill was impressive.
During dinner, I encouraged Katie to sing "Tonight You Belong to Me." I had been singing the song last week, which I learned as a child from the movie "The Jerk," and I noticed that she'd get silent when I'd sing it. This, of course, meant that she liked it. Melissa and I would sing it from time to time. Then last week, she surprised us by singing all of the part that Melissa and I had been singing. Her favorite part is at the end when the lyrics say "Just a little ol' me!" And that's her part to sing solo!
After dinner, we proceeded to Nana's house for an iced chocolate chip cookie "cake." Tiny enjoyed her dessert but couldn't finish it because she was "stuffed." She then allowed us to capture video of her singing her new song!
Here's the performance:
As a special birthday present, Nana allowed Katie to spend the night!
Katie was very kind to Melissa today on Melissa's birthday and let her mommy sleep in. That's always an appreciated gift to both of us. For fun, the two of them went to a kiddie matinee for a showing of "Chicken Run," which Melissa found a bit too intense for a three-year-old. Fortunately, Katie seemed not to notice the questionable scenes.
The three of us met up with Nana and Little Papa for dinner at Ruby Tuesdays. Nana wanted to see if Katie understood that it was her mommy's birthday, so she asked "Do you know what day it is today?"
"Tuesday" was Katie's matter-of-fact reply. It was Tuesday indeed! Nana looked stunned.
What Nana didn't realize was that Katie has taken a keen interest in learning the names of the days of the week. Melissa had purchased Katie some new underwear last week, and each of the five panties displayed a cute little picture and the name of one of the days of the week. Starting on Monday, Melissa informed Katie that she was wearing "Monday" underwear. This initiated a hunger in Katie to then learn all the days of the week, excluding weekends. As we traveled to the restaurant, she was trying to recite each day in order but usually missed a day or two. Regardless, her display of this new skill was impressive.
During dinner, I encouraged Katie to sing "Tonight You Belong to Me." I had been singing the song last week, which I learned as a child from the movie "The Jerk," and I noticed that she'd get silent when I'd sing it. This, of course, meant that she liked it. Melissa and I would sing it from time to time. Then last week, she surprised us by singing all of the part that Melissa and I had been singing. Her favorite part is at the end when the lyrics say "Just a little ol' me!" And that's her part to sing solo!
After dinner, we proceeded to Nana's house for an iced chocolate chip cookie "cake." Tiny enjoyed her dessert but couldn't finish it because she was "stuffed." She then allowed us to capture video of her singing her new song!
Here's the performance:
As a special birthday present, Nana allowed Katie to spend the night!
Monday, July 9, 2007
Beach Vacation
Weekend: July 6 to July 8, 2007
Grandmommy and Papa took Katie home with them on July 3rd. All reports back indicated that the three of them had a fine time. They went to the beach two times as well as an Independence Day concert on the waterfront in Beaufort, complete with fireworks. The most memorable experience of the fireworks, from Katie's perspective, was the periodic shower of fireworks residue that would rain on her head and neck.
When Melissa and I arrived on Friday, we received a joyous welcome from her, which was nice. As much fun as she had with her Grandmommy and Papa, it was nice to know that she at least missed us a little bit, although she'd never admit to it. We celebrated Melissa's birthday on Friday evening with the traditional lasagna and suntanned snowman cake. For the first time ever, Melissa relinquished the decorating of the cake, giving that role this year to Katie. Katie placed the M&Ms in all the right places and surprised us all with how well she could decorate.
On Saturday, Grandmommy drove us to Atlantic Beach. The surf was especially rough, causing the usually pretty water to be brown, and there were scads of seaweed clumps littered about the sand. As a result of the difficult wading conditions, Katie occupied more time than usual to playing in the sand and roaming around with me looking at various large holes that people had dug in the sand.
In the evening, we went to the Beaufort waterfront to watch a reggae concert. Katie danced mightily with the other children, walked along the sidewalk checking out sand crabs and boats, and went with Papa to secure herself a free ice cream cone. Along the way, she struck up a conversation with some teenage girls. She's become quite the conversationalist lately with just about anyone who'll talk to her. Her conversation starter seems to remain the same for any stranger: "Are you a mommy?" From there, Katie will ask questions about the person's clothes, or shoes, or whatever pops into her head.
On Sunday, we all took a boat ride into Oriental for breakfast. Katie delighted in watching the porpoises and large marine birds. She also enjoyed bumping over the waves of oncoming boats. On the return from the restaurant, she jumped out of my lap, walked up to Papa and asked if she could drive the boat! Not content to just sit in Papa's lap, she asked if he would give up his captain's chair and the wheel to her! I guess Papa made driving the boat look pretty easy, so she figured she could handle it.
===============================================
We stopped at a McDonalds on the way home from the beach. At our prompting to eat, Katie started stuffing french fries into her mouth. I commented that she shouldn't stuff any more as her mouth was full. At that comment, she started chuckling. I asked what was so funny.
She responded with "You sure ate a big bite of fry!"
It was something I had said to her several weeks ago, but I couldn't remember the location. Not thinking that she'd remember either (but thinking I'd toss it out there), I asked "Where was it that I said that?"
"Red Robin!"
Yes, it was at the Red Robin some two or three months prior that she had bitten off a big bite of french fry and I made the comment she just quoted. At the time, she laughed and laughed about me having said it. Why? We don't know. It just struck her as funny.
It amazed us that she not only remembered the comment, but that she also remembered the restaurant where I said it.
Grandmommy and Papa took Katie home with them on July 3rd. All reports back indicated that the three of them had a fine time. They went to the beach two times as well as an Independence Day concert on the waterfront in Beaufort, complete with fireworks. The most memorable experience of the fireworks, from Katie's perspective, was the periodic shower of fireworks residue that would rain on her head and neck.
When Melissa and I arrived on Friday, we received a joyous welcome from her, which was nice. As much fun as she had with her Grandmommy and Papa, it was nice to know that she at least missed us a little bit, although she'd never admit to it. We celebrated Melissa's birthday on Friday evening with the traditional lasagna and suntanned snowman cake. For the first time ever, Melissa relinquished the decorating of the cake, giving that role this year to Katie. Katie placed the M&Ms in all the right places and surprised us all with how well she could decorate.
On Saturday, Grandmommy drove us to Atlantic Beach. The surf was especially rough, causing the usually pretty water to be brown, and there were scads of seaweed clumps littered about the sand. As a result of the difficult wading conditions, Katie occupied more time than usual to playing in the sand and roaming around with me looking at various large holes that people had dug in the sand.
In the evening, we went to the Beaufort waterfront to watch a reggae concert. Katie danced mightily with the other children, walked along the sidewalk checking out sand crabs and boats, and went with Papa to secure herself a free ice cream cone. Along the way, she struck up a conversation with some teenage girls. She's become quite the conversationalist lately with just about anyone who'll talk to her. Her conversation starter seems to remain the same for any stranger: "Are you a mommy?" From there, Katie will ask questions about the person's clothes, or shoes, or whatever pops into her head.
On Sunday, we all took a boat ride into Oriental for breakfast. Katie delighted in watching the porpoises and large marine birds. She also enjoyed bumping over the waves of oncoming boats. On the return from the restaurant, she jumped out of my lap, walked up to Papa and asked if she could drive the boat! Not content to just sit in Papa's lap, she asked if he would give up his captain's chair and the wheel to her! I guess Papa made driving the boat look pretty easy, so she figured she could handle it.
===============================================
We stopped at a McDonalds on the way home from the beach. At our prompting to eat, Katie started stuffing french fries into her mouth. I commented that she shouldn't stuff any more as her mouth was full. At that comment, she started chuckling. I asked what was so funny.
She responded with "You sure ate a big bite of fry!"
It was something I had said to her several weeks ago, but I couldn't remember the location. Not thinking that she'd remember either (but thinking I'd toss it out there), I asked "Where was it that I said that?"
"Red Robin!"
Yes, it was at the Red Robin some two or three months prior that she had bitten off a big bite of french fry and I made the comment she just quoted. At the time, she laughed and laughed about me having said it. Why? We don't know. It just struck her as funny.
It amazed us that she not only remembered the comment, but that she also remembered the restaurant where I said it.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Bowling
July 2, 2007
Melissa took Laura, Sarah, and Katie to the bowling alley today for a fun outing. I wasn't there to witness them, so we'll let an email from Melissa capture some of their event:
Melissa took Laura, Sarah, and Katie to the bowling alley today for a fun outing. I wasn't there to witness them, so we'll let an email from Melissa capture some of their event:
"We've had a good day. Went bowling. I scored a 100, Laura 85, Katie 80 and Sarah 60. Gotta love gutter guards! I hate I didn't take my camera. She looked so cute in her little bowling shoes holding that big 6 lb bowling ball. She did really well, though. She insisted on getting the ball herself and carrying it over to the ramp and letting go. Then we played a few games in the game room and they all got prizes with their tix. I'd say everyone had fun! "
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Social Butterfly
June 30, 2007
Melissa and I -- well, Melissa especially -- have focused a lot of energy in helping Katie become socialized with other children. Melissa's efforts have included bi-weekly MOPS outings, weekly playgroup outings, sporadic neighborhood gatherings, and weekly Sunday school attendance. Despite our best efforts, Katie just hadn't seemed particularly interested in playing with other children.
Until about three weeks ago.
Something in her developing brain turned on three weeks ago, and we now find that we're raising a social butterfly. If there's a child to play with, she's game.
Yesterday, I mentioned to Katie that 5-year-old Ben was outside. She couldn't get her pink crocs on fast enough to get outside to see him. By the time she got her shoes on and shot outside, Ben had already went inside his house. But his older sister stepped outside. Katie really likes Sydney and struck up a conversation about Sydney's cats. I returned to my landscaping chore, which I was performing a few feet away but out of immediate view.
Moments later, Katie rounded the corner and said something like "She wants to know if I can have a Chilly Willy!" "Sure," I said. Delighted, she ran back and I could hear her shout "He said I could!"
Following their Chilly Willies, the two of them and neighbor Rachel went inside Sydney's house to play with Petshop animals. This was significant because it was Katie's first solo play outing in another child's home. Melissa checked on her every 20 minutes or so, but Sydney's mother assured Melissa that Katie was on her best behavior. Melissa asked to see Katie playing, and went upstairs to see the three girls. Rachel commented that Katie used the word "concentration," which impressed the two older girls.
Katie asked Melissa to leave. Just four weeks ago, Melissa would have had to force Katie outside to even say "hi" to those same girls.
Melissa and I -- well, Melissa especially -- have focused a lot of energy in helping Katie become socialized with other children. Melissa's efforts have included bi-weekly MOPS outings, weekly playgroup outings, sporadic neighborhood gatherings, and weekly Sunday school attendance. Despite our best efforts, Katie just hadn't seemed particularly interested in playing with other children.
Until about three weeks ago.
Something in her developing brain turned on three weeks ago, and we now find that we're raising a social butterfly. If there's a child to play with, she's game.
Yesterday, I mentioned to Katie that 5-year-old Ben was outside. She couldn't get her pink crocs on fast enough to get outside to see him. By the time she got her shoes on and shot outside, Ben had already went inside his house. But his older sister stepped outside. Katie really likes Sydney and struck up a conversation about Sydney's cats. I returned to my landscaping chore, which I was performing a few feet away but out of immediate view.
Moments later, Katie rounded the corner and said something like "She wants to know if I can have a Chilly Willy!" "Sure," I said. Delighted, she ran back and I could hear her shout "He said I could!"
Following their Chilly Willies, the two of them and neighbor Rachel went inside Sydney's house to play with Petshop animals. This was significant because it was Katie's first solo play outing in another child's home. Melissa checked on her every 20 minutes or so, but Sydney's mother assured Melissa that Katie was on her best behavior. Melissa asked to see Katie playing, and went upstairs to see the three girls. Rachel commented that Katie used the word "concentration," which impressed the two older girls.
Katie asked Melissa to leave. Just four weeks ago, Melissa would have had to force Katie outside to even say "hi" to those same girls.
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