new digs

On Sunday, Matt and his dad went to Kate's cousin's to pick up her "new" house. Jeb was glad to pass it on and it had been kept inside so it is brand new! With the great weather, Kate has wanted to be "side" from sun-up to sun-down. So, after reassembling the awesome Storybrook Cottage, it was time for Kate to PLAY!

(Multi-tasking on the phone while cooking. Wonder where she gets it???)

At first we had the cottage on the hill by her swing. Soon realizing that Kate wanted to climb the hill (and is a tad unsteady on the "down the hill" part), we moved the patio furniture to one side so Kate could be on level ground (and we didn't have to wonder if a trip to the ER would be necessary everytime she walked out her front door). In this picture I am standing on top of the hill; you can see the slope.

Kate enjoyed her snack at the cottage table, but it was soon back to work in the garden. Drake even put in some dog hours of work.

just one of those days

If you checked the blog yesterday (because you are cool and have Google Reader which tells you there are new posts and you don't have to check everyday to see Kate), I am sorry that I posted with no pictures. They were there when I put it together, but somewhere they were lost. I am sure you survived but wanted to explain the lapse! Some days are just like that...and then some are like this!

momma's little helper

multi-tasking at an early age

The weather was nice today (though a little windy as evidenced by my "inflated" sweatshirt). Kate, Drake and I went to my mom's to walk the dogs and also to go for a spin in the car. Kate has an obsession with the dog collars and leashes (as shown by the other post), and she firmly believes she needs to hold the leash of one dog and the handle of the other leash while on the tour of the neighborhood. Thank goodness both dogs are good sports because they walk next to her and don't pull. It is tough for me to keep both close by, so I know the skills Kate possesses. (I am not sure it is easily seen, but Drake does -- yet again -- have his tongue sticking out).

Sometimes, though, it gets to be too much for a girl; that is when it helps to have a mom closeby (and not a grandmother who is documenting the chaos of the walk in the middle of the street).

Once home, picking flowers from gramsy's garden and then spinning while pantomining "twinkle, twinkle little star" makes a girl glad to still be a kid and not just KATE MASON: dog walker.

(BY THE WAY...the posts were made, the pictures were not there. I added them but they are out of order).

worry? me?

On Fridays, either my mom or Matt's mom watches Kate for the morning and then Chelsea (a high school student) watches her for the afternoon at our house. This works out well because Kate gets some "home" time while also getting spoiled rotten at the grandparents. While at school Friday, imagine my surprise when an email from my mother comes through my school account informing me to look at the picture because "Kate has been wearing this all morning." On first glance, it seems harmless. Yes, she is reading some magazine on the floor (next to Grandaddy's shoes), but closer inspection reveals she is wearing the dog's collar. That's right. She actually cried when my mother took it off. I knew about a love of necklaces, but really.

This second picture came through about 30 minutes later. New room of the house but the same collar. I may need to rethink the arrangements.

last day at the beach...

I forgot that I had taken pictures with my other camera, so I have to return to Florida for this post. Day one at the beach, Kate was happy. Everything was new and enjoyable. Day two? Notsomuch. Kate must have remembered the sand, the cold hose water that removed the sand when we returned, and the sand that fell out of her suit in the shower. I think she is going to be a pool girl or a dock girl -- and both work for me!

first class, anyone?

Ok, so it isn't first class, but Kate thinks so! We had 15 minutes to make it through the Detroit airport from the "big plane" to the "little plane" terminal. The excursion involved 4 escalators, 1 tram, and 5 moving sidewalks. We made it to the gate only to see the jetway being pulled back. In the end, they let us on and the awesome flight attendant gave Matt a row and me a row (with Kate), so we were able to spread out a little. Kate thought it was great, of course.

the dock

Annual pics at the Dock in Naples.

at Grandma and Grandpa's...

I can eat m&m's for dinner and drink Diet Coke.

I can eat with my feet on the counter.

And everyone thinks I am funny. Even me.