ertly she maneuvers and opens them, now. Santa, of course, brought Kate exactly what she asked for this year...Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Marie Cat plush toys. She discovered them next to her new dollhouse, all unwrapped, first thing in the morning. Since she received all she could have dreamed of, she was more than happy to wait to open the rest of her packages until after church.Mickey, Minnie and Marie all accompanied us (Keith, Kate, Aunt Jennifer and me) to 8:30a.m. mass. On the way home, Kate asked if she could watch TV at home. I asked he
r if she wanted to open the rest of her gifts that Santa brought and she said, "after TV!" Then, after she watched "Mickey Saves Santa" for the I don't know how many times, she had to use the potty. She sat there ever so content reading for more than 10 minutes. When I asked if she wanted to open her presents, she said, "No, I have a lot in me!"
r if she wanted to open the rest of her gifts that Santa brought and she said, "after TV!" Then, after she watched "Mickey Saves Santa" for the I don't know how many times, she had to use the potty. She sat there ever so content reading for more than 10 minutes. When I asked if she wanted to open her presents, she said, "No, I have a lot in me!"When she finally got around to opening the rest of her gifts, she really got into it. Some of her favorites include a Minnie suitcase that she loves to "pack" for trips to Disney or the airplane and a scooter she drove all over the family room today. Perhaps by midweek it will be warm enough to take it for a spin outside. She also really likes her Build a Bear car for Cupcake (her bear), though Minnie & Mickey have been driving it around all day.
Theme Park Thrills and Chills: Earlier this month, we took advantage of Aunt Tami and Gabrielle's visit to Florida to spend a day at Univeral Studios and a couple of days at Disney (we stayed at All Star Movies...in the Dalmation building. OMG! Kate totally fell in love with the statue of the puppy and talked about him for more than a week). We had great weather for Universal, but Kate's favorite ride, One Fish, Two Fish was down for the day and she was pretty skittish about most other rides. She managed to enjoy the Cat in the Hat, but wouldn't go for another turn, and of course loved the carousel. She liked meeting the Cat in the Hat and Sam I Am after storytime, but wanted NOTHING to do with the High in the Sky trolley As you can see, she had a blast frolicking in the water with Gabby. She also enjoyed the Barney show (and meeting him) and playing in Fieval's playground. Our visit to Disney accompanied the first cold front of the year...about a month earlier than 
normal. With the high around the mid-50's, we bundled up as best as Floridians can and shivered our way through Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Of course, Kate woke up the first morning with a cold, so I spent the day wiping her nose whenever she shouted, "boogies! The highlights of the trip were meeting Duffy (Mickey's teddy bear), watching Nemo and of course, riding Dumbo in freezing weather (at least the wait wasn't too bad!). We also met several princesses this time and Kate was bashful and sweet with them. I convinced her to ride the Barnstormer roller coaster, but she really doesn't like them so much right now because although she's tall enough to ride them, she's not strong enough to hold her head up during the ride. We'll be taking a break from roller coasters for awhile, now. She does love the Tea Cups, so I am hopeful she'll overcome roller coaster aversion. Like everyone, she was in complete awe of the Osborne light display at the Hollywood Studios. 
normal. With the high around the mid-50's, we bundled up as best as Floridians can and shivered our way through Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Of course, Kate woke up the first morning with a cold, so I spent the day wiping her nose whenever she shouted, "boogies! The highlights of the trip were meeting Duffy (Mickey's teddy bear), watching Nemo and of course, riding Dumbo in freezing weather (at least the wait wasn't too bad!). We also met several princesses this time and Kate was bashful and sweet with them. I convinced her to ride the Barnstormer roller coaster, but she really doesn't like them so much right now because although she's tall enough to ride them, she's not strong enough to hold her head up during the ride. We'll be taking a break from roller coasters for awhile, now. She does love the Tea Cups, so I am hopeful she'll overcome roller coaster aversion. Like everyone, she was in complete awe of the Osborne light display at the Hollywood Studios. 
Santa Claus is Cool: When Kate first saw Santa this year, she was excited, but cautious. She would bashfully wave from afar. She finally had her first meeting at a church festival with her pal Abigail. Having a friend with her made it much easier. The next meeting was also good, but Kate was too busy telling Santa what to bring her to look at the camera and smile. Once she finally did, she gave us her bashful, unsure smile. Not my favorite picture, but captures Kate being bashful which is a rare occurrence!
As we approach the end of 2010 (yes, I actually wrote this before the new year...but alas, didn't pos
t until today!) and toward Kate's third birthday, I'm still amazed at how much joy she brings to our lives. We couldn't be more blessed to have such a sweet gift. I look forward to sharing more tales as she grows in the next year and cracking up at the crazy, silly things she says and does. Don't forget to check out the "kateisms" page for the newest things Kate is saying.
t until today!) and toward Kate's third birthday, I'm still amazed at how much joy she brings to our lives. We couldn't be more blessed to have such a sweet gift. I look forward to sharing more tales as she grows in the next year and cracking up at the crazy, silly things she says and does. Don't forget to check out the "kateisms" page for the newest things Kate is saying.Some cute pics from our holiday season:
1. Kate gets her face painted for the second time....Rudolph of course (the first time was the night prior and it was a snowman). 2. Little Tots playgroup holiday party 3. Kate and Abigail enjoy cupcakes at "Light Up Lake Mary" event. 4. Kate "helps" mommy open her birthday gifts.
A New Year and a New Bed: Well, it's not really new. It's the same bed, just missing a side. Kate is thrilled with her new "youth" bed and her ability to climb in and out at will. She's been 
great today...napped fine and went night night without issue. We took advantage of the big change to take out the rocking chair and retire the changing pad. Kate was most sad about the changing pad, but we'll be moving to pull ups for nap and night time, so hopefully we won't have much need for the changing table, anymore. I also spent a lot of time moving out old toys and making room for new. It was very hard to put away some of her favorites, but I know in the end she'll have new favorites and it's just an evolution. I know she's still just so little and there's so much more to come, but I couldn't help but tear up a bit today at how fast my baby is growing! I'm sure this won't be the last time this happens, but my I didn't expect it to start so soon!!
great today...napped fine and went night night without issue. We took advantage of the big change to take out the rocking chair and retire the changing pad. Kate was most sad about the changing pad, but we'll be moving to pull ups for nap and night time, so hopefully we won't have much need for the changing table, anymore. I also spent a lot of time moving out old toys and making room for new. It was very hard to put away some of her favorites, but I know in the end she'll have new favorites and it's just an evolution. I know she's still just so little and there's so much more to come, but I couldn't help but tear up a bit today at how fast my baby is growing! I'm sure this won't be the last time this happens, but my I didn't expect it to start so soon!!