Kids say the craziest things...

Katelyn has been on a roll today. She was bouncing around in her crib this morning singing and having pretend conversations with her Elmo stuffed animal at the crack of dawn (okay like 7am).
When she's done playing she starts hollering, "Mama, mama, I want to get up now."

So I go into her room and she throws herself down on the mattress trying to hide from me. I throw a blanket over her head and she takes it right back off, looks at me and says, "I'm too hot for me."

Then we were in the car driving to the gym and Katelyn looks out the window and says, "Mama look, it's amazing." (Lexmark was on one side and a trailer park was on the other.) I said, "Amazing, really?" and Katelyn said, "Sure."

Then we get to the gym and I'm carrying the gym bag, the diaper bag and Katelyn through the parking lot and then as we're going through the front door Katelyn looks at me and says, "I'm happy to help you."

This kid is a hoot. I laughed out loud all morning. She never stops talking or moving but if you listen for five minutes, you'll be laughing too!

Okay, we played in the white stuff already...

So...I don't really like to be cold. I think I've mentioned that before. I'm not opposed to playing in the snow...I think it's fun. It's just really cold out...so I've not quite embraced outdoor playtime as I should. But we got so much snow yesterday, how could I keep Katebug from experiencing this winter wonderland that is our front yard? I'm glad we went out...someone was VERY excited.

Me and the bug....

Would you look at all this snow???

Here's Katelyn and Holly...the best neighbor ever.

I love my girl so much I'm willing to freeze for her. :)

Holly likes Katelyn just a little bit. Can you tell?? Running and laughing while being chased. Katelyn's favorite activity.

We get much more snow and we might lose a kid.

See how happy I am? (This is before he threw me down in the snow.) Rotten guy.

We're supposed to get more snow tomorrow. The kids are out of school again! They've already called it! Yippie...another snow day.

Woke up on the wrong side of the crib

Katelyn woke up from her nap yesterday a bit crabby. I of all people love a good sleep and can understand just having those days where you don't want to get out of bed. So I brought her downstairs and said we could have hot chocolate (a first for the girl) and chocolate goldfish cookies. Katelyn, being my daughter, LOVES all things chocolate so I was sure this would perk her right up. Not so much...please look at the face I got (is she a teenager already?)....

Here she is examining the cookies. You'd think there were liver and onions with a side of brussel sprouts in that bowl. I can't win for anything.

Sassy pants never did drink her hot chocolate. Oh well, you can't say I didn't try...

Sun and a slingshot

Don't just send sun....send a slingshot too. The before mentioned birds on the front porch are leaving behind poopy presents....a lot of poopy presents. They are no longer welcome here.

Hello from Canada...

...I mean Kentucky. What in the world is with this winter? I can't remember the last time my hands and feet were warm. I can't remember the last time we took a walk outside. It has snowed many inches today...and we're supposed to get more tonight. The kids had two snow days last week. Today it was so windy that the snow was coming down sideways. I hate to complain...but I grew up in California. I was not bred for winters such as this. I need to see the crocus coming up...I need hope that this too shall pass.

But for now...we're just in for the afternoon/night. I'd send Katelyn out in the snow but I might not be able to find her it's getting so deep...and there are snow drifts forming on the patio. I mean really...

The weather is so bad that my front porch is now a bird sanctuary. I pulled into the garage and there were at least 10 robins huddled up seeking refuge. Poor little guys. You know they're ready for spring.

A lady I work with said I should throw some bread out there....Yeah, that's fine and all, but I'm not sure I want the sequel to the Alfred Hitchcock movie happening on my stoop. I know...I'm heartless. It's all the cold. It makes me crabby.

On a positive note....Aunt Mimi came over the other night and read Katelyn some stories. They were two little happy peas in a pod. We love Aunt Mimi and Uncle Mike.

If you live in a warm place (mom and dad) please be kind and share the sun with us. I need flip flops soon.

Creative winter activities

Last winter it was easier to have a little one in the house. She was only a year and a half. She wasn't quite so active. The picture below is the first time Katelyn has stood still in 100 consecutive days. Please soak up this shot where she stands so compliantly...so serene...so still...because it's quite possible that it will never happen again.

All that to say...it's REALLY cold and snowy outside and we're having to get creative with our winter activities. Katelyn decided that the heart beads that Grammy sent her for Valentine's Day are really a plate of spaghetti. Yum Yum!!!

Below you will discover the reason why you don't actually have to send Katelyn presents. Just send Rubbermaid. Katelyn loves to sit in a box and play.

She is content to climb in and out. I read her a story while she sat in the box. She flipped the box on its side and made a cave. She wanted the lid put on the box so she could hide in her "cool spot".

Apparently Katelyn is not bigger than 18 gallons yet. :)

I mean really, this tub kept her busy for a long time last night. It was time for bed and she was just getting geared up.

And then the fun really began. The tub became an airplane and the delightful squeals commenced. Katelyn said the phrase, "Michael, Michael, spin me again." over and over. I don't think he really minded. :) How can you refuse this little girl? They spun and spun until they both looked like drunken sailors wobbling about.

Maybe winter's not all that bad after all.

Hangin' out with the big kids

Because I'm a children's pastor, Katelyn sometimes gets to come along on the field trips. During yesterday's after school program, we took the kids to the YMCA to play basketball and soccer in the gym. Katelyn loves getting to play with the big kids and they're really sweet with her. They look out for her and try to get her to play with them.

Of course for Katelyn, snacks are part of any outing. :)

And then she ran, and ran and ran in circles. She's very quick.

I'm not sure what was happening here, but it looks like she's busting out a dance move. Hillarious.

And a mouthful of food...of course.

The girls were showing Katelyn how to run up to the wall and jump up as high as you can. I think she's got a way to go before she'll reach the top...but she tried hard.

I'm so thankful that I have a job where I get to do something I love and have Katelyn there with me for parts of it. It's the best of both worlds.