Art

 You can't read it in the picture, but this is Kate's interpretation of a Thanksgiving feast.

Family Photo

We had some extended family stop by for a quick visit on Sunday and help facilitate this family photo.  I wish Kate and Luke were wearing shoes (or at least socks that didn't stick out so much!), and that Luke was smiling, but overall I'm happy to have this nice picture of everyone.  I deem this the official Thanksgiving 2010 photo.

Field Trip

Saturday we took a family field trip to the Shedd Aquarium.  It is amazing that it takes 5 adults to manage a toddler and a baby out and about, but we pretty much all had our hands full the entire time.  Meghan snapped a few photos . . .

 Luke and Uncle Kevin

 The penguins- Kate's favorite animals.

 Kate in the polar play zone- by far her favorite part of the aquarium

 Kate and Luke checking out the Beluga whales - they are probably my favorite.

 We saw the holiday version of the Fantasea show.  When we saw the show in July, Kate was nervous.  This version opens with Frosty the Snowman so she was definitely more at ease and engaged.  For anyone in Chicagoland, it is a fun, festive version of the original show set to lots of Christmas music.  I would recommend checking it out.

We even did a quick visit with Santa in the visitors center.  Kate completely clammed up and wouldn't talk to Santa at all.  As we get more into the season at home, we hope another visit will be more successful and we'll be able to introduce Luke to Santa as well.  Stay tuned. 

Happy Thanksgiving

A holiday all about food, family, and giving thanks for our many blessings is something that should probably happen more than once a year . . . if only it wasn't so much work.  It was truly a group effort and we could not have done it without everyone's help.  The end result was a delicious meal and we all enjoyed ourselves.  But it does go by too fast and Kurt and I did go to bed wondering if maybe next year we could spend Thanksgiving on a beach.  Any takers?

Aunt Meghan

On Thanksgiving morning we were thrilled to be surprised with the news that Kevin asked Meghan to marry him.  He made it official on Monday night and they had kept the news under wrap so they could share it with us all in person in Chicago.  Kevin broke the news by asking Kate if she wanted a new aunt.  Only fitting since Kate had innocently (although not entirely since we had done some prompting) asked Kevin at the park back in September if Meghan could be a part of our family.  We could not be happier for this very happy, well matched couple.

Congratulations, Kevin and Meghan!!! 

Memorable Monday

Thanksgiving 2007

Think there's any chance we could hold Luke still enough to get a picture of him next to this year's bird?!

Old School Play Group

We hosted play group this Thursday morning - just like old times.  Of course there are now twice as many kids and the volume level and chaos has increased by multiples, but the friendships are as dear to us as ever.  Yes, I am very glad that Kate has Olivia and Sadie as her first friends.  But more so I am thankful for my friendships with their mothers.  Their advice, support, and empathy has been priceless as I navigate my way through motherhood!  

Here's hoping we can do it again before 2011!

Kate's birthday

I have been slow to get back to the blog, but Kate had a great birthday.   She had lots of visits and phone calls and packages from friends and family.  She was showered in purple and surrounded by those that love her.  By Sunday she was asking when it would be her birthday again.  

A few pictures from opening of presents  . . .

The stuffed Minnie Mouse was intended to be swapped out for Bubba.  Kate, on her own, offered up giving up Bubba when she was three.  I tried to be optimistic, but my realistic, pragmatic self knew that Bubba is so much more than something in her mouth when she sleeps.  He's her ultimate comfort object. She still talks about giving up Bubba, but we've tried packing him away twice since Saturday with no success.  I'm thinking baby steps.  We have renewed our rule of Bubba not leaving her bed.  And I am constantly reinforcing and reminding her not to put Bubba in her mouth.  Just hug him and cuddle him.  Maybe in time we can cut him smaller and he can slowly disappear- if he doesn't disintegrate first!

And a few shots from the pizza party . . . party hats and all!  

Kate had 4 pieces of pizza and a big piece of cake.  

Funny note about the cake.  Kate has been asking for a "strawberry cake" for her birthday for weeks now.  Interestingly, Kate rarely eats any berries and when she does it seems to be a fluke because only moments later she will refuse and turn into a puddle about how she doesn't like them.  But she consistently asked for a strawberry cake.  So in an effort to humor her, I did have her birthday cake split with fresh strawberries in the middle.  When we served it to her, she almost instantly declared in a fit of tears, "But I don't want fresh tomatoes in my cake!"  They were easily removed, crisis averted, and the rest of us did enjoy the touch of fresh fruit with our sugar overload. I guess I should have known not to listen to my 3 year old.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Kathryn Rose!!!

My Dearest Kate,

Today you turn 3 years old!  While I know it is totally cliche to say this, it is hard to remember life before you arrived and yet unbelievable to me that you're already three years old.  You are bursting with personality. When you are in your element and comfortable, you can talk and sing and play for hours.  You are spirited and enthusiastic.  It is so much fun sharing new things with you.  Your excitement is contagious.  As I've been told is typical at your age, you are prone to mood swings and melt downs generally after some sort of power struggle that hasn't gone your way.  You are testing your limits and exerting your independence and sometimes driving me crazy.  Parenting takes more patience, and energy,  than I ever anticipated.  Hopefully this phase will pass . . . quickly.    

You love school.  Your teachers, Miss Stephanie and Miss Meghan, always have a great report for me at the end of the day.  Naps can be hit or miss but every day since you started your report card has indicated you were a good listener ALL of the time.  On the days you don't go to school, you play school at home for hours.  You love to pretend to be Teacher Kate and give your stuffed animals a chance to be "the star of the week".  I love school because it has fostered your independence and it does help give me a break.  I love walking to school, holding hands tight as we cross the streets on our three block journey.  I love the weight of your little hand in mine.  Even when I'm carrying Luke in the Bjorn and juggling your back pack, my purse, your latest leaf collection, and various other accompaniments- I try to savor it at least once along the walk.

You are obsessed with the color purple.  When I find purple clothes, socks, pajamas, clothes in your size I buy them as it helps to eliminate a struggle in getting you dressed.  When you see something purple, you boldly declare, "Look Mama.  That book is my favorite color." Tonight, in my endless pursuit to get you to eat fruit, I tried convincing you that if you ate the strawberry applesauce that was a warm purple-ish hue that it may turn your stomach purple. This was good for about 3 and 1/2 bites but you were unimpressed with the results. 

You love Mickey Mouse and friends.  Not only do you enjoy the television show, but I think we've listened to the CD 1,000 times since it came in your stocking last Christmas.  This morning when you woke up, I could hear you singing the theme song in your early morning scruffy voice to yourself with a smile.  I hope I can always hear that voice in my head, even when you are grown.  

We joke that you have some yuppie tendencies.  You love to eat at restaurants- you view this as a treat.   When we go on walks or drive around the city, you can spot a Coffee Store (Starbucks) or Bagel Store (Einstein's) from several blocks away.  You tend to prefer to use our steam shower over taking a bath.  

You love imaginary play- everything from doctor to school to grocery store to picnic.  You love blocks and puzzles and games and books.  You love balls and running and the park.  You like to be a mother to your dolls and a teacher to your friends.  You love music.  Everything from Lady Gaga to Jersey Boys to Old McDonald.  Your itunes play list is quite varied and you like to have dance parties after a good dinner.  You are not super girly, but not a toy boy either.  You are simply Kate.  

You talk constantly.  When you are not talking, you are either singing or sleeping.  Seriously!  We have entered the beginning of the "Why?" phase.  I applaud your curiosity and love seeing the wheels turning in your mind, but sometimes it is an endless cycle.  Forgive me when I resort to, "Because I said so!"  This will not be my finest parenting moment.  Sometimes I truly don't know "why?".  

You are a reasonably good eater.  You eat wonderfully at school and always try new things there but at home it is more of a struggle.  You love cereal, bagels, waffles, spaghetti (or as you say, skoooobetti), ravioli, macaroni and cheese, meatballs, pizza and veggie burgers.  You are good with veggies- your favorites are broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, corn, and red peppers.  You are very fickle with fruit.  You are an early riser- often up by 5:30 rearing to go.  But at this age you are very good at taking naps.  Someone who plays as hard as you do needs her rest and it seems that more often than not these days I wake you up at 4pm after a 2 hour + nap!  You are in underwear all day long, but diapers at nap and night time.  You sleep hard, so this is best for now.  

You love your brother Luke.  Sometimes you don't love him as gently as I wish you would.  You are learning how to play with him and share with him, albeit slowly.  You are excited to see him enjoying new things.  Luke lights up when we walk towards your room.  He kicks his legs and waves his arms in excitement the whole time we walk to get you from school at the end of the day.  He's still very young, but I know he loves you too.   

   

I wanted to give you a snap shot of you at age 3.  Reading this over it seems so dry and doesn't really do you justice.  Please know that I am so proud of you and you make me smile and laugh in ways I never quite imagined.  I can't wait for the year ahead.   

I love you!  Always, Mom

 

(All photos courtesy of our friends Glenn Livermore Photography.  Taken September 2010.)