go, DC!

Kate attended DCHS' cheer camp and she enjoyed every minute of it.  She learned a dance to "Call Me Maybe," but she calls it call me, baby, which sounds much better.  She learned some fun cheers and she met the celebrity DCHS cheerleaders, most of whom she always watches at the games but never speaks to.  Best of all?  She gets to cheer with them at the first home game August 24th for the first quarter.  I can't believe she is old enough for this!

 You may notice that she is not wearing her shirt like the others.  "It was too hot."  That and the t-shirt she is wearing says SPIRIT and has a megaphone on it.  You decide.

pastoral...or not

 When you live on a farm where only one other family lives within the gate, time, customs, and appropriateness take a backseat to fun, playtime, and living.  One morning last week the weather was nice; this means it was not as HOT or as HUMID as it has been since...well, since Jack was born.  Kate wanted to drive her Jeep up to the gate to get the mail.  She had a lazy morning before this, so why not?   Still in her nightgown, she threw on her Crocs and off we went for a walk up to get the mail.  Once on the other side, she wanted to key in the code to get through the gate.  She then drove though like she was 16.

Kate got a little hung up while off-roading, so she had to get out and sling the Jeep around until she was unstuck. Drake just watched (as did I).

 All moms who had spring babies said I must have a fan for Jack's stroller.  So I got one.  It has foam blades and this is good since he spends a majority of the time not using the fan for its intended purpose but rather as a new toy to stop mid-spin.  Notice the look of concentration on his face while messing with the fan.  He contorts his body to reach it in any position.

 Jack has been working on sitting.  This is more of a tripod type sitting, but he is getting close to having his balance most of the time.

 Kate and I have been working on Jack's bumbo seat activities too, as he thinks that being held and entertained by humans is the only way to live.  We don't agree.

 Dance parties also happen around the kitchen.  Drake even gets in on the fun by dancing between my legs.  Yes, it adds to an already humorous situation for us.  Jack is mighty happy to be in the Baby Bjorn and just hang out/dance.

 Kate likes Jack to come into her room with me to wake her up, but this day she was not feeling it.  She wanted to sleep a little longer.  You can tell by Jack's foot kicking her that he was ready for her to start the day.

cheese

This little dude loves his sister.  And, for now, he loves smiling for the camera.  Kate loves holding Jack and often says, "I haven't seen him all day!" even if she has just seen him prior to his nap.  I hope this relationship lasts forever as it is the cutest, most wonderful thing to watch.

hang time

Sometimes, Jack just has to sit with Grandaddy.  Jack loves to hear Grandaddy's voice (as did Kate), and he immediately turns on the charm for him -- all smiles and coos.  He sat with him and showed him his book one afternoon.  Ok, maybe he was only using the book to slobber on, but it was progress!

Since we've been back...

 We celebrated in Mickey Ears.

 Jack had his four-month appointment and shots (boo).  He is 27 inches and weighs 17 lbs. 12 oz.  He has learned to flip to his back from his tummy, and if he isn't asleep before he goes to bed, I spend 30 minutes trying to get him from back to front.  I usually lose the battle and have to get him out and sing a few more songs and repeat the process.  With a face like this, each time he flips, I can't help but love him (most of the time).

 We have been walking a lot  because Kate is now driving the Jeep for most hours that she is awake.  Drake sometimes thinks it is wonderful, but at the same time, he totally thinks it is time to come in from the heat!  This is the most ridiculous heat I have experienced.

 Happy girl in her Jeep.

 Daddy had surgery on his back (again), and we have been entertaining him.  At least we think we have been entertaining him.  Kate sang a few songs for him.

Jack listened.

Someone is becoming a princess

*These photos are not in order!

 This past week, Matt, Kate and I flew to Orlando.  Matt had a conference to attend, and Kate and I tagged along so we could go to Disney.  Our hotel offered a fun, family pool, so Kate and I were set.  My parents and Matt's parents took Jack duty (along with some babysitters and Martha).  It was a vacation for me, too, I tell ya, just having Kate to deal with.

 The first morning, Kate and I had breakfast poolside.  We ate from the market, because we got up late and wanted to have a bigger lunch.  The pool also was calling, so breakfast was just a means to an end for her.

 Afternoon swim snack was a stop at Hagaan-Daazs, right next to the pool!

 Mom sent pictures of Jack; here is one of him working at his office while we were playing.

 Epcot was our first stop.  We tagged along with the conference crew, and Kate and Matt posed in front of the ball.  We also took a stroller.  Not because Kate couldn't walk, but because I walk too fast for Kate.  Good decision!

 On the Spaceship Earth ride, we had this picture taken, and I took a picture of it.  Love that we are checked for the party!  :-)

 Sweet Kendall got more time with Jack at home.

 Kate and I posed at the big golf ball, too!

 We ate dinner in Japan at Epcot.  Kate likes fans, so this was a fun offering for her while we were there.

 Jack went on walks to the dog park with mom.

 Kate and I went on Splash Mountain.  She LOVED it!

 Waiting for the shuttle to take us to our Princess lunch.

 Cinderella's castle -- So happy to have arrived.

 Prince Charming's carousel.  We rode it twice and would have written it more.

 "Mama, I don't think I have ever had funnel cake.  I like it!"  Rehydrating, too!  It was a hot, hot day!

 Fireworks at Magic Kingdom.  We hunkered down on the curb for the Electrical Parade, and Kate wanted to stay for the fireworks.  A full day of fun with my #1 girl!

 Jack listening to Grandaddy.  Always.

 Successful vacation to Disney world.  Love!

 Cookie break at Hollywood studios with Matt.

 Supergirl!

 Purchased for Jack at Disney.

Kate and Matt jamming to the band at the conference.

weekend snapshots

 A hot weekend for sure.  Kate helped Matt wash his truck.  I did make her put her bathing suit top on, but I had nothing to do with her hairdo.  She is really into her sequined headbands.  I am not sure they were made to go around the head in the fashion Kate is sporting, but they work!

 Mason Tanner turned 2 this past week, so we ventured out to West Louisville to his tractor party.  Jack wore his outfit that actually matches a dress of Kate's, but I put her in this instead due to playtime with the tractors!

 Again the headband (a white one) and holding Jack.

 Kate loves for Jack to come with me to wake her up in the morning or from a nap (yes, she still naps for 2 hours most days).  Jack loves to just lay on her bed and goof around with her (as much as a 4 month old can goof around).

 Sunday, Matt and Kate had a trial run (or more) of the slip 'n slide.  No broken bones, no grass injuries, and only four empty bottles of dishwashing liquid.

 It was hot hot hot out, so they are waiting for a cloudy day or a cooler day to try it again, but both said it was a screaming success.