Budding Artist

Elizabeth has been very fond of kitty cats for as long as I can remember. When she was a baby a “meow” from Dennis and/or I would send her into nonstop giggling. She talks about wanting to get a kitty cat all of the time. That’s her reward for being out of pull-ups at night time and no more potty accidents. We visit the cats up for adoption at Petsmart every time we go there and she’s always heart-broken when we leave without one.

No surprise then that she’s taken to drawing kitty cats. I’ve always drawn cartoonish kitty cats for her (I’ll have to draw one and take a picture of it so there’s something for comparison). I was so surprised when she proudly (that’s putting it mildly) showed me her drawing. The picture is of the 2nd one she drew for me. Almost right after she showed me the first one she erased it and drew another and another. That’s the one bad thing about a magnadoodle.

Since she started drawing cats, she’s branched out to race cars, spiders, faces, and even a few simple landscapes. She asks to draw almost every single day. Now she's started writing letters and has a blast practicing writing her name. She has weekly homework from preschool where she has to practice the writing the letter of the week. Normally, that's the first thing she wants to do as soon as she gets home. It is so amazing to see her being so eager to learn and draw.

Halloween Costumes

This year was really tough because the character that Elizabeth wanted to be was very hard to find. She wanted to be Stephanie from Lazytown. I just couldn't bring myself to spend $40+ for a Halloween costume. Last year we tried to talk her into getting that costume and it was at Target. No such luck this year. Every time we asked her what she wanted to be instead of Stephanie she couldn't decide. So I decided for her.

Friends of ours are partners (or own not sure which) a couple of Halloween stores and since Katherine and I were going to be across the street for a doctors appointment (a whole different blog topic) so we stopped in to pick out costumes. Katherine had a blast running around and I was a little bummed that Elizabeth wasn't with us (she was in school). Although, I think she may have been a little scared.

There were so many choices and finding a costume that would fit is always tough with my petite little princesses. Elizabeth would have loved to be a race car driver or Lightening McQueen or Mater, but I really wanted her to be something more girly. We had just seen a cat in out back yard that morning so I felt pretty confident in my choice of a back cat costume. As you can see by the picture she LOVED it!

I'd hoped for a strawberry short cake or little red riding hood costume for Katherine, but the were all in Elizabeth's size and not in her size. So we decided on a little strawberry fairy costume. We tried it on her and she had a ball looking at herself in the mirror. I think she would have worn it the rest of the day.

I'm really looking forward to taking them out this year. I'm sure it's going to be a lot of fun!

Kiddy Pool Fun

This weekend our weather was back into the 90's and it was humid. We decided it would be fun to blow up the kiddy pool and slide and let the girls cool off. They had an absolutely wonderful time. I'm certain that after nap time today they'll be asking for me to fill up the pool again. Unfortunately the weather is about to cool down over the next several days. I know that they are not going to handle the answer well at all.

Elizabeth had a blast climbing the slide and going down it on her belly face first! The more water in her face the better. Although, she wasn't so crazy about the grass clinging to her or littering the pool. She had a blast playing with the sand/water toys until she decided to jump into the pool and landed on one. She ended up with a nice little scrape on her knee and decided that toys in the pool were not such a good idea.

Katherine is not quite able to climb up the slide by herself. Her little feet just kept sliding right off. Elizabeth tried to help her, but kept knocking over the slide, so either one of us had to be there to help her up each time. Elizabeth made it a race to beat her sister back to the slide so she could slide two times in a row. Surprisingly, Katherine managed to keep her head above the water about 95% of the time and when she did go under she held her breath and quickly righted herself. She's one fearless, independent, and determined little girl!

When it was time to get out, Katherine was ready, but I think that Elizabeth could have lived in it. We will definitely be dragging it out if we get anymore warm days before Fall officially sets in here in the Carolinas.

We took quite a few pictures, click here to see them. Below is a video clip of the girls splishing and splashing in the pool.

Katherinisms

Katherine's been talking for a while, but I was laughing at the first one on this list this morning as she was handing me her page out of the coloring book.

"Herrio!" = Here you go!
"How-Uuuuu?" = How are you?
"Awnt juice" = I want any beverage
"How eww-ewwing? = How are you doing
"Uts at?" = What's that?
"u ewwing?" = what are you doing?
"I duno." (as she lifts her arms and shoulders) = I don't know
"Ezzibt" = Elizabeth
"Hoed me" or "Hoed bb" or "Hoed tis" = Hold me or Hold baby (her baby doll) or Hold this.
"I uv eww" = I love you
"tank eww" = Thank you
"I aunt olor" = I want to color.
"errs it go?" = Where's it at
"I tun, ease" = My turn, please"
"un on" = Turn on (TV, Wii, music, wii, toy....whatever she's pointing at)

Back to School

I can't believe preschool has started again. It seems like just yesterday was the beginning of summer. I actually welcome a more consistent routine. I've definitely become accustom to lazy summer mornings. This will be our 2nd week back to school, so I'm still trying to get us all up and out the door on time.

Elizabeth is in the three day 4's program at our Church's preschool. I had the opportunity to introduce myself and Elizabeth to one of her teachers at of the Thrive Alive concerts. Elizabeth was not too shy with her and I was glad to see that. We talked quite a bit and I really like her. Dennis and I attended the meet the teacher night where we met the other teacher. She is also very nice. I think that both of them are a very good fit for Elizabeth.

The next day was the meet the teacher day for the kids. Elizabeth was a little nervous and asked me several times not to leave her. Katherine, who attended with us, made herself quite comfortable. I don't think that she would have noticed if I disappeared. Elizabeth finally sat down at her assigned spot and nicely shared her coloring project with Katherine. She met a few of her classmates. I was a little worried since we did not know anyone in her class. All of her classmates from last year are in different classes. By the end of the meet the teacher outing she gave both of her new teachers big hugs and told them she'd see them next week.

The first day of school I thought that she might be a little clingy. Once we hung up her bag and lunch and found her seat. She said once that she didn't want me to leave yet. Ms. Schueren came over with a name tag and asked her if it had her name on it. She nodded yes, turned gave me a hug and kiss. Once that name tag was on place she took off and started playing with her new friends. No tears and no clinging! She's becoming such a big girl and so independent.

Katherine, of course, had made herself at home and didn't want to leave. I'm sure by next year she'll be very ready to head off to preschool.