a bleak mid-December

After Kate's birthday party (at home), things went downhill fast.  The Thursday after was holiday PJ day at school.  She got ready, we did her hair, and then we couldn't find Jack to get in the car.  Do you see him?  Check the tunnel...

Her teacher texted me to tell me that Kate was not playing at recess and seemed to not feel well, but Kate had not said anything.  It was parent visitation at dance and her friend comes home from school with her on Thursdays, so I kept her in school.  When she got home, she rebounded a little, so we went to dance.  Progressively, she started looking more and more tired.  She still said she felt fine.

 At the end, she was done.  Pooped.  On the way home, she asked if she could just go to bed and not eat.  I told her that I wanted her to shower first, so that she would be ready for school the next day.  When I went in the bathroom, she was quietly sobbing.  I knew there would be no school in her future.  So, Kate went to bed at 5p.m.  No dinner, no shower, no school.

 The next morning?  A rash like Jack's was on her face.  And her head hurt.  So, we visited the doctor.  Strep throat and scarlet fever.  And Jack with strep and scarlet fever, too.  End result, I think Jack has been carrying strep since October as the rash appeared then.  This round of drugs took care of it in a week.  Crazy!

 Jack tried a banana and ate a few bites.

 Jack again laid in bed with Kate...and by himself!

 Kate modeled her new pjs and Lainey's too.  So sweet from Martha and the Griffiths.  Such a lucky lady!

 And the two rug rats came up with ways to entertain themselves.  It was usually noisy, but what can do you?

One of Kate's sweet babysitters gave her a "6" balloon.  Jack wore it as an inner tube until he popped it.  Ooops.

 We pulled Wii sports out and Kate has been enjoying it.  She started with a 35 in bowling and now bowls around 180.  Matt and I have learned the fine art of losing.

 Love. Love. Love.

Happy Sixth Birthday, Kate!

 Looking down the tunnel at you, my sweets, you are the most energized girl I could ask for.  We have had an interesting year watching you become miss Sassypants and becoming your own girl.  You make us smile, laugh, pull our hair out, and want to protect you from all that is not right, all that is not good.  You are infectious in all ways.  The love and affection you show your brother daily is something indescribable.  He will always know the feeling of love, because you teach it to him as soon as you hop off the bus.

The kindness you show others is something that we have not taught you, but you instinctively know.  When we gave a lady with less than us some money, you knew not to ask "why" in front of her.  You wanted until I explained it to you (through tears), and you wanted to go home, get the money you have been saving for an RV, and bring it back to her so her kids could have a better Christmas.  You made me cry harder, but those were happy tears.  You mention that lady and you are saddened by that lady.  You see what is wrong with the world.  You are going to be such a lover of humanity.

 You love all things girly.  You love all things musical.  Dramatic.  Over-the-top.  You are the best showman around.  And you never leave a party without hugs, kisses, and smiles.

 You let your brother take part in all that you do, as evident with his guitar session with you.  You don't complain; you don't get upset.  You find his pick, you pick up yours, and you are strumming through life.

 Don't ever lose that smile.  Don't ever forget that your mama and your daddy are so lucky to have you teaching them how to be better.  Don't ever think that I don't love you - even when I am fussing at you.  I know I am blessed beyond measure with you and Jack.

Happy Birthday, my bugs.  And many more.

School Days

Kate's teacher sends home monthly projects for family participation.  We have decorated a pumpkin, a feather, and now a gingerbread man/woman.  It is a neat way to get parents involved in what kids are doing at school besides homework.  Matt helped Kate with the feather and he was ready to help with the gingerbread man...until she said she wanted it to be a girl.  Mama came to help on that one.  We got out the art supplies (which are running a little low after the Fancy Nancy pumpkin) and bling'ed this gal up.  Kate added the bow, just so people would know she was a girl.  Turned out beautifully, I think.

 Days of taking the Mule up to meet the bus have ended for the season, and Jack has to ride on my lap, which is still kind of fun because there are buttons and wipers and music.  Once he spots the bus he watches until it gets to the parking lot at the church and then we have to get out to greet Kate.  So sweet.  He opens the door, rain or shine.

 Jack has not been happy with the amount of time I have been spending researching Christmas gifts for everyone.  He would be much happier if I would allow him to punch keys.

Snow Day #2

 A few snow angels were created.

 Surveying her work.

 Meet Luke, one of the neighbors.  He is way more of a daredevil.  Can you tell?  Jack will fit in perfectly!

My sweet boys

 And my other boy who got in the girl picture!

 Building a fort.

 It is a little tougher than she thought.

 OOOOOOH, Dad.  This is embarrassing!

 Ball!  Ball!  Snow!  Buried Ball!

Snow Day #1

Kate's first official snow day.  Sleet and ice falling like crazy and we had to go to the dermatologist for Jack.  Notice the ice on the window.  Matt scraped it off the windshield for 30 minutes for this adventure.  

When we got home, Kate provided the entertainment with a puppet show.  She told jokes and made up stories for this, and we were all dying laughing!  

 Drake was the first out.  He checked it all out, thought it was safe, and out we all went.  There was ice below the snow, so that made for tricky walking, but we were successful.

 Kate was the second out.  She had to taste the falling snow.  It was freezing out, much colder than we wanted for a play day in the snow.

 Finally, Jack and I piled on the clothes and out we went for a few pictures.  This was the first time Jack had seen snow, had felt snow, and walked in snow.  Such fun to see.

 Kate was ready!  Immediately asking for her sled and wanting to play in the snow.  Waaaay tooooo cold for this when the sun was going down!

 We did a few runs, and we really enjoyed the time out.  Jack, however, was not a fan of touching the snow.

 My sweet ones.  I can't wait for more snow!