See Ya Next Year!

Boy, did I have fun hearing Mom say that all day. I had a nice day today. We went bowling and out for lunch earlier. Dad beat Mom, but he totally cheated by bouncing off the bumper rails. Then we came home and had a Rockin' New Years' Eve. I had full intentions of staying up late, but I didn't argue much when Mom said I should go to bed around 9. It was an interesting evening. I was more than a little freaked out by the eye on Dad's lobster tonight. Mom kept pinching me with her lobster claws and I did NOT think that was funny! Zach was absolutely traumatized by the party horn blowers we bought today. We have video Zach freaking-out, but we can't share it because it is really, really sad. Poor little guy.

Tomorrow is my last day home with Dad. I hope we have fun and I wish he never had to go back to work. It has been fun having him around the past two weeks.

Happy New Year to you all! Stay tuned for the year in review, coming soon.

Katherine




STOP blowing those horns, people!

A Christmas Poem For Katherine

'Twas two nights after Christmas, and all through the house

Mom was tripping over torn paper and a new snowman blouse

The stockings were flung on the floor without care
Just two days ago they were stuffed with Supergirl Underwear

The children are finally restrained in their beds
They're losing their sugar highs from too much gingerbread
And Mama with her computer planted firmly on her lap
She had just settled down for a grown up nightcap

When just up the stairs, there arouse such a clatter
Mama dashed right up, to see what was the matter
Up to the crib, Mama flew in a flash,
To see that the baby had thrown his pacifier-stash
The floor was covered with pacifiers aglow
The baby, you see, is smarter than we know

When what to her wandering eyes did appear?
But the vision of a girl, asleep with no fear
All bundled up in blankets, so cozy and thick
Mama knew that this moment would pass much too quick

A little girl so tiny, but so smart and so tame

So thoughtful, so sweet and so loved all the same

So perfect in every way, she is in need of no fixin
But what can you expect when her mom is such a vixen?

Mama tiptoed in the room and stood by the wall
She whispered how I wish you could always stay so small
Mama gave her a kiss and tried not to cry
Afraid the girl would change with just the wink of an eye
She hoped the little girl would always know one thing that's true
Mama got her Christmas Wish and that wish is you

Not the Tree!

My very first response to waking up and finding Christmas was over was begging not to have the tree taken down just yet. Mom said she is still up to her eyeballs in boxes and paper and won't have time for that until next week....whew!

We had a busy day yesterday. After some time of playing with our new presents from Santa, we cleaned up and headed to Grandma D's for lunch. Their were 20 people there this year, including my Uncle Bob from Montana who I have never met. He dresses like a real cowboy with the hat and boots and everything. I was impressed. We had the usual avalanche of presents from Grandma D and then left that evening around 8. Today we've been trying to put stuff away and play with one thing at a time, but it is hard when there are so many cool things to play with! My favorite things are definitely the new camera, art center and my new, squishy stegasaurus whom I named "Stegy". Zach really likes his new noisy toys and his CAT stocking hat. He still likes my toys the best though, go figure!

Dad is off until the New Year, so him and I may make a trip to Rockford tomorrow to watch my cousin wrestle. Mom can use the time to clean out some closets and make room for new clothes.

Hope you had a safe and Happy Holiday. Mine sure was special, being around all the people I love and getting to spend time with them.

Here are some photos from different Christmas celebrations and here are some more.

Not a Creature Was Stirring...

...well, except for Nemo. He's kind of been on "freak-out" mode since we got back and we let him out of his cage for a couple hours. The little rodent made laps around the basement like he just gulped a guinea pig latte.

We made it back safe and sound today. I sure do miss my family though. I had so much fun at the Smiths' house, playing with my cousins and kicking their tushies in "Guess Who". I also loved to torment cousin Tyler, which seems to be a common pastime amongst everyone.

Mom and I baked some monster cookies for Santa. Then we had a nice dinner, just the 4 of us. I even ate the steak and blue cheese potatoes and said they were GOOD! Hey -- no reason to go and screw up my mojo up just a few mere hours before the big guy comes! We had fun putting out cookies and carrots for Santa. We read some bedtime Christmas stories and I am all settled in.

Here are some pictures from my very first camera that Nana and Papa got me for Christmas. I had a very nice time at their house and didn't want to leave today. I said that Mom can go put the stuff out for Santa, but I did want to make it back in time for presents! Plus, it IS Zach's first Christmas, so I figured we better skidaddle back for him.

I hope you have a very special Christmas. I'll be thinking of everyone and sending yule-tide greetings your way! I'll be posting a few of my fave Christmas photos later this week.

Ho-Ho-Ho!
Katherine

Awe-SOME!

Here is a quick photo of the awesome snow triceratops that Koller helped me build yesterday. We spray painted him pink and the ground green. I even named him Terry! Mom will link the pictures later when we get home. I had a fun time and it went too fast at Aunt Corrie's. Today we are hanging out at Nana Vicki's and then heading home tomorrow. Gotta get the house ready before the big guy's visit.

Hope you are having a great weekend!

Katherine

Over the River and Through the Woods...

To Grandmother's house, we go. Ok, maybe not woods, but there is the Grand Illinois River we get to cross. I am very excited, mom is running around a bit frantic and Dad is out shopping. We hope to leave after lunch, but that is looking a little optimistic right now. As you can see by the photo below, Zach is really into climbing stairs these days.

HERE are some of my school holiday photos. All my parties went well and the school one was really special since Dad took the day off work to help out in my classroom. Make sure to check out my funky tie.

Alrighty, better jet. We're off to WI for 4 days, and back here on Christmas Eve.

Hope you're all still being good little boys and girls!!!

Baby's First Snow

Zach really loved playing outside with me today. Unfortunately, the zipper on his brand new snowsuit broke, so we had to pin him up and keep him out of the deep stuff. He took a sled ride around the house with me and had fun.

Dad and I finally got home just in time to shovel Mom out today. Dad was shopping with Uncle D and I was at Grandma's my cousins. I had so much fun...making cookies, watching movies and being "naughty". There was a lot of snow at home and Dad is out there clearing it for Mom right now. Her and Zach have been snowed in for 2 days and ready to bust out!

Hope you are all enjoying the Winter Wonderland outside.

Katherine

We Could do This All Day...

Check out the Nana and Papa Elf troop.....tee, hee.

We've Been Elfed

Click HERE to see a funny elf show. If it doesn't work, try again. Who knew the we could groove like that?

Gotta jet!

Ms. Wonka and the Sugar Factory

What happens when a 4 year old shakes a bag filled with powdered sugar over and over? Well, the bag eventually gives way and *POOF*, its a powdered sugar explosion. It looked like an explosion! To shake the extra sugar off the "puppy chow", I was in charge of sifting it. I thought this was great fun to put my hand under the sifter and lick the sugar off. Who needs puppy chow when you can have straight up sugar?

We've been doing lots of baking this week. We had a cookie exchange at playgroup and I made out like a bandit. School has been busy with lots of Holiday activities, too. Today is our quiet day and hopefully I'll have some time to do some crafts and just relax with a Christmas movie or two. It is my last night of French tonight. We're not going back next year because it is a bit far away and the class is moving to a later time, too late for me. Plus, there are 2 other boys in my class and they are a bit rambunctious, and that kind of takes away from my learning. I told Mom I want to do swimming instead.

Better go take a bath, I have a couple days of dirt on me, blech!

Later!
Katherine

The Nutcracker. Sweeeeeet.

Yesterday, I had the distinct privilege of viewing the Local Ballet Co. production of the Nutcracker. It was a classy affair. The theatre (that's how civilized people spell it), was full of well-dressed toddler girls on their very BEST behavior and their Mom's -- who were so calm and well-composed. Ok. Actually, the theater was full of screaming kids and some of the locals finest sailor-mouthed moms...."Caroline, pull your dress down and stop trying to tackle the Nutcracker statue!!!". That's what happens when you go to the matinee rather than the evening performance. It was very detailed and the music was beautiful. It was nearly 3hrs long! I have to admit, I uttered the words "booorrrring" from time to time, but overall, it was a fun experience. I sat next to a nice little girl that shared her Starburst with me the entire time. We had nosebleed seats, but they were dead center and I was able to see pretty well over the 1985 hairdo in front of me. I enjoyed having lunch with Mom and getting a little quality girl time.

We still have lots of Christmas preparations to do around here . We're hoping to get the Christmas cards out this week. Which, by the way, we have ONE lonely card on our card board, so get with the program people and send us some mail already!

I better get ready for school. Happy Monday. Only 15 shopping days left!

Katherine







New ballerina ornament

It's Like Do-Woop and Do-Woop

If only everything was as easy as do-woop and do-woop.

Ho-Ho-Hop

I had a great gymnastics Christmas party yesterday. We did a show full of singing and tumbling. Then we got to go play at all the different stations including a giant blow-up Mickey Mouse house. We had a Christmas sock exchange and I was lucky to get a really cool pair that looked like Christmas lights. Finally, it was time to see the big guy himself. I haven't got to see Santa yet this year, so I was eager to talk to him. I asked for cowboy stuff. But I know that Santa won't buy me a gun, so I guess just the boots and hat are fine. We had cookies and punch afterwards. As you can see, Zach did NOT like Santa. Guess he's on the naughty list, ha ha! Just kidding Zach! Our neighbors had a baby this weekend, so we will go visit them in the hospital and then tomorrrow is the Nutcracker, yay! Hope you're having a great weekend.

Katherine

Snow Show

I was so excited to wake up to tons of snow this morning! I ran into Mom's room and said "Wake up, wake up, there's snow!". Sure enough, we had a couple inches of the white stuff. I helped Dad clear the drive and walkway and even had hot cocoa for breakfast! It was pretty chilly out though, so I didn't stay out long. We took Zach out to see what he thought, but he screamed when he heard the loud scraping of the snow shovel. I had playgroup here today and had fun sharing my gingerbread men with my friends. Mom and I spent hours last night decorating each one and giving them their own personalities.

I've got a busy week of bowling and my gymnastics Christmas party. Should be fun. I sure am full of Holiday Spirit, hope you all are, too.

Katherine

Hooked on Phonics Worked for Me!

My Mom is too cheap to buy the HOP system for me, but we must be doing something right because I had a very big "first" this weekend. Are you ready for it? Ready? Wait for it. Here it comes. Ready?

I read my first word.

Yep, that's right. Call those gifted and talented people, Mensa, MIT and all the Ivy Leagues, I'm on my way. In case you are wondering, the word was map. I sounded it out and everything. Mom was so proud, she screamed. I've recognized lots of words by now since I have an abnormally, freakishly sharp memory, but this word was of true, phonetic genius!

What a wacky-weather-weekend here. We had an inch or so of solid ice on Saturday. We literally couldn't even walk out the front door. Then today, it got up to 60 this morning and there was a thunder storm. Dad had a two hour window in which to hang as many lights as possible on the house. He got the first tier done, the rest will have to wait. No need to get struck by lightning over some cheap icicle lights. Wow, am I really sitting here, talking about the weather -- sorry.

So I was cooped up all weekend and a little grouchy by Sunday night. The Bears lost and my brother is into EVERYTHING, so my patience was wearing. Next weekend is the Nutcracker Ballet and I am very excited for that. No presents under the tree just yet, but Mom promised to get on that this week. I enjoy my advent calender and take the piece of candy out first thing each morning and save it till after lunch with much anticipation. I haven't peeked at the remaining 23 boxes yet, but I sure want to!

Time to skidaddle off to bed now. Later! Oh yeah, that's a pic of my bro in his new reindeer hat and booties. They didn't last long, but he was cute for a bit.

Katherine