Early birthday present

Though Kate's birthday is still a month away, she received an early birthday present from her Gramma and Papa. My parents graciously bought Kate a really cool school bus with a slide. It is a perfect toy for Kate to climb on. We have been greatly enjoying this new toy. It is the first thing Kate wants to play with every morning...she climbs all over it, slides down the slide, and tosses toys in and out of it. It has been so much fun! Thanks Gramma and Papa!!!

Kate and Hazel

Kate has a very dear friend named Hazel. Hazel is exactly a year older than Kate but they seem to get along very well. Now that Kate is maturing, the two of them are having more and more fun playing together. Hazel is very good at sharing her toys with Kate and is very patient when Kate rips a toy out of her hands. The other day we had our bible study over for dinner and some how both girls ended up topless. It was so cute watching them interact.

Hazel gave Kate a very nice hug and kiss. I have a feeling they are going to be good friends for a long time.

Swim Lessons

Yesterday was Kate's first day of swim lessons. She and her friends Hazel, Abby, and Zoey are all participating in a 2-week swim lesson course geared towards babies. The basic idea of the swim lessons is to get our babies comfortable to the water and to play and have fun. Kate had a wonderful time splashing and swimming in the water. She was so sad to get out of the pool...she kept pointing at the water and threw a little fit when we said "no-no." She is already proving to be quite a little water bug.

From left: Melissa and Kate, Amy and Hazel, Brenna and Zoey, Courtnee and Abby

Kate Happenings

Every morning Kate and I enjoy a 30 minute walk and stop at the park to go on the swings and play on the slides. Kate loves her time at the park! Her new favorite thing is to try and climb up the slide...there is something about this girl and climbing!

Kate's other favorite activity is to play in the laundry basket. Will and I take her on "laundry basket rides" all around the house. She also loves to just sit in the basket and play games with me. Usually I will place some of her toys in the basket and then she will proceed to dump them all out; we will go back and forth doing this for quite a long time until she gets bored. Here is some video of Kate's recent ride with Daddy.

Afternoon at the pool

On Monday Will, Kate and I went to the public pool. It was Kate's first time being in a real pool and we had a wonderful time. Kate seemed to really enjoy herself...she loved the water and she loved watching all the kids around her. At times she even pushed off of me in hopes to swim around on her own. I think she is going to be a little water bug. I also think Kate is going to take after her Auntie Sarah and become an amazing breaststroker...I swear Kate's legs were doing a perfect breaststroke kick!

One really fun feature of the pool is their water fountain section. Kate really enjoyed walking around the fountains and getting squirted with water.

I think we only stayed at the pool for 45 minutes or so before Kate got fussy since it was time for her nap. Next time we go we will have to plan it better so she doesn't get tired so quickly. So much fun, though!

That evening Kate and Will were lounging on the sofa. So cute!

The next day, Kate was showing off her new dress while playing the piano. She LOVES to play the piano...she goes up and down all the keys. Aside from being a swimmer, I think she will be a musician too.

Silly Girl

Kate has discovered several new things over the past few weeks. She now knows how to clap her hands, dance and wave "bye-bye." She also has discovered that she LOVES to climb!

Her favorite places to climb are her booster seat, car seat, stroller, piano, sofa, and computer desk. The only problem is she hasn't quite figured out how to get down carefully. Thankfully we are always there to assist her, but I am worried one day she will take a nose dive off the side of the sofa when my head is turned. Below are a few pictures of her climbing adventures.

Kate has also been greatly enjoying her baby pool. She loves to splash the water on herself and me. I am hoping to take her to the public pool soon where she can get a little more wet.

The other day Kate enjoyed riding in the firetruck at Gramma and Papa's house. She wasn't quite sure what to make of it, but she liked it when I would push the siren.

Last night Kate was being very goofy before bedtime. We pulled out the camera since she was making very silly sounds, but instead she showed us her new silly squirmy moves.

Videos of the Cutie Pie

Kate has discovered a new clever way to crawl. What a cutie!

Kate has been enjoying her new baby pool. It has been a great way for her to stay cool during these hot days we have been having.