A box from Missouri...

We came home yesterday to a wonderful surprise on our doorstep...a box from Papa Lin and Nana Neise!! In it were great presents for all of us - THANK YOU!!!!



Katy is IN LOVE with her new baby doll. She named her Baby Brooke and this baby hasn't left her side since she got her. Katy is a very good Mommy to Brooke.

Happy Birthday Emily!

Last Saturday was Emily's birthday and it was a day that Katy inquired about for about 3 days before it actually happened. For several days, every morning when she'd wake up she'd ask if it was Emily's birthday yet and if we were going to her house. So she was stoked when the day finally came and the party wasn't a disappointment!! Elmo made a personal appearance and she had a ball playing with all of the kids!

Tons of awesome presents!


There's Elmo.Emily couldn't get enough of him - it was so cute!


As you can see, Katy didn't really get to close or want to be near Elmo and I thought it was odd at the time, but she later explained her hesitance to me. Later that evening, she ask me..."Mommy - who was in Elmo?". I had to have her repeat herself to make sure I was hearing her correctly, because I couldn't believe that she caught on it wasn't really Elmo!! She is to smart for her own good...what is going to happen when we go visit Santa this year? I'm already afraid!


She is one happy birthday girl!!

I can't explain it...

but this girl loves to vacuum!!

A day in the life of Mommy

Dear Katy,

I want to start off this note telling you that I love you more than life...(here it comes!!) BUT just in case you have horrible memories of me from your childhood I want to set the record straight!

1. I don't wake you up in the morning because I enjoy it! In fact, just the opposite, before I turn the door handle to walk in, I say a little prayer that I wake up "Happy Katy" and not "Crabby Katy". Although, I'm not a morning person myself so I really try to keep that in perspective while your mumbling under your breath as your walking out and dragging ni-night and blankie to the family room! I choose to believe you are saying sweet things to me (although I know better!).

2. Doing your hair is not the torture that you seem to think I enjoy putting you through every morning. But as Papa Metzger puts it so well, when you get up in the morning...you are our sweet "Swamp Angel"! I know the sitter and other parents would be appaled if I let you walk out that door with your bed head, crazy curls and all!

3. The car seat isn't punishment and you really have to sit there by law! I hate that thing as much as you do!!! Those straps and clips and buttons are no fun for you and me and its something we just have to deal with so we get to each destination safely!

That being said...for only being 2 1/2 you really do take most mornings like a champ espcially for all that I try to accomplish in the small window I have to get you up and out of there!

I appreciate that you are EXTREMELY independant! Heck- you can go to the bathroom, dress and undress yourself, put your shoes on and even get yourself 90% strapped into the car seat - ALL BY YOURSELF! And this isn't something you just recently started doing, it's been months that you've mastered these tasks, which is impressive (although I am biased!). You don't want or desire any help. (Although I miss helping you!)

You are funny, smart and cute - which is a great combination and I know the world better watch out because they don't know what is going to hit them!!

Love,
Mom

A few favorite yet frustrating one liners from this morning...

"Mommy, I'm tired! You know I get headaches when I'm tired!"

"Mommy, Can I stay home with you today?"
--One day I'm going to say "Yes" and play hooky from work!

"I don't want a pony tail or a bow today Mommy...just a barrette!"
--Then she proceeds to rip out all of my hard work:(

"Mommy - I'm sorry!"
--Then she proceeds to give me a big hug and kiss before we walk into the sitters.
That just made my day despite the crazy fits on the way!


As you can see we hit every emotion this morning!

Chuck E Cheese

We met the Stofan family at Chuck E Cheese on Saturday and the kids had a blast!! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.


Does anyone else think Todd has some agression that he is getting out on this game?!





She was very proud of her winnings!

Playgrounds and Picnics!

Today was an awesome day to be outside and we enjoyed every minute of it!! The Frosty was a special treat after the playground, because she pooped on the potty the day before...and she loved every bite:)

Daddy's little girl!

Yes, Katy asked Daddy to paint her toe nails and without hesitation, he said "Sure!". He did an awesome job and Katy was pleased!

Beautiful day at the Zoo!

On Friday Katy and I met my friend Stephanie and her daughter Emily at the zoo. It was a gorgeous day and it was great Mommy and Katy time!



Katy enjoyed tagging along with Emily's backpack (or pack-pack in Katy speak).



Katy was thrilled to ride the carousel!

1st Date

Uncle Shad stopped by this afternoon to visit before he had to go to a family birthday party. When he was leaving Katy was sad he had to go and asked if she could go with him and he thought it was a great idea! (It as very cute!) She ran and put on her shoes, grabbed her ni-night and said "Good-bye!" to me and Todd and ran to Shad's car. They missed curfew by about 10 minutes, but we let them off easy since it was their first offense.

Mom and Dad enjoyed ourselves by cleaning the house (we are party animals aren't we?!) and then enjoyed dinner (with no interruptions and it was hot) and then watched some TV (and it wasn't Disney!!). Thank you Uncle Shad from the entire Walton family!

1st Haircut

Todd and I took Katy to get her haircut for the 1st time and she did awesome!! She wiggled a little in her chair, but was really fascinated with the whole process. She also thought it was special that Miss Colleen not only cuts her and Mommy's hair, but also Grandma Metzger's. She felt like such big girl!! We didn't really cut much off the length, I just wanted to trim it up and even it out.