If You're Happy and You Know It!

Kate has loved this song for a long time, but just added the love of stomping her feet!

In this first video, you can hear her better, but I wasn't looking through the viewfinder, so you can't see her. But listen when I say "stomp your feet", she says (her version!) of "Stomp! Stomp!" I guess I said this while I was teaching her to stomp, and she picked it up!

In this video, she doesn't say it as much, but you can see her trying to stomp!!

P.S. How about all this blogging I'm doing these days! AND my house is still clean! I'm on a roll!

Just another day...

Just thought I'd share some pictures from our day yesterday :)

She has a new-found love of books these days. Always liked them, but now she LOVES them! Love those little legs in leg-warmers.
Playing with Daddy outside after he got home!
Look at how she looks at him...
"Smile Kate!"

I just love her.

Out of Control - Part 2

So, my bedroom was out of control too. A few contributors. We had to part with our armoire that held a bunch of stuff (the boxes in the corner), did I mention a lack of discipline?, new Christmas gifts without a home (in front of the dresser) and it had just become a dumping ground for the rest of the house when people were coming over. It's definitely embarrassing. So, we got down to business & I must say that I feel so much better. You'll see.

Did I mention you should hire Bethany??

Out of Control!!!

Last fall, I began to lose control over my house. I think it was a combination of things - a mobile child, a part-time job, starting a new Etsy site (that got VERY busy before Christmas), birthday party, holidays, etc, but also it was a good dose of a lack of discipline & a little bit of lazy. It is embarassing to admit, but I'm working real hard on it. Mission "Amy Becomes Disciplined" begins NOW!

Well, I have some AMAZING friends. Bethany R came over last week & we went through all my clothes. She got rid of the ones that were not so cute anymore (I asked to her to!) & showed me how to wear somethings that I don't know how to make cute. It's like I have a new wardrobe! I got rid of TONS of clothes (much needed). I took a bunch to a consignment store & a huge box to a donation center. It felt SO GOOD to clean out some clothes I've had since college. That's 5 years now people - and let's face it - I've had a baby since then. It was time to let go!

Later this week, Bethany B. came over & we knocked out some serious chaos. Before she came, I cleared out all the chaos so she could organize what really was supposed to go where. We started in the laundry room. This tends to be a problem area for me since I just dump everything that I don't know where it should go there. She went through all my cabinets & re-organized, re-purposed & purged! People. She is AMAZING. Hire her. You will feel so good. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Upper Cabinets BEFORE: Office Supplies - a mess!
Upper Cabinets AFTER: Folded tablecloths & napkins, office supplies purged & reorganized

Lower Cabinet BEFORE: old towels, tablecloths, napkins

Lower Cabinet AFTER: I finally have a place to keep my new embroidery materials! And, less towels & nicely folded!!

Countertop BEFORE: junk EVERYWHERE!

Countertop AFTER: ORGANIZED! Created a "landing" area for when we walk in the door - a place to put keys, mail, etc. PERFECT!

Next up: MY BEDROOM!

SERIOUSLY - CALL HER!

Fun Videos

My friend Meredith gave me the idea to turn around the viewing part of my camera & let Kate see herself while I was videoing. Hers were adorable of her kids, so I gave it a try.

I think it worked...

She makes that "surprised" face all the time - at random people in stores, at restraunts, me randomly, etc. We love it :) She also says "Hiii" to everyone everywhere we go. Not a shy kid! Last night we were walking through a store & she leaned around in front of me & said "HIIII" to me about 15 times. She thought it was so funny.

She also just learned where her belly & her head are. Lots of times she lifts up her shirt - too cute!

In this second one you hear her say over and over "ti tae" or "ti tate". Kateonese for "It's Kate". She says this anytime she sees a picture or video of herself.

A Day at the Playground

The weather was GORGEOUS today, so we joined Bethany & Jackson at the playground this afternoon. I haven't taken any pictures of Kate lately, so I decided to bring my camera along. Even got a few pics of Jackson (who can resist that smile!). She was too busy playing to stop & smile at me, but I still got some good ones :) As usual, there are a billion photos (yes, I do leave some out even!), enjoy!

She loved letting the rocks drop

a true boy - already carrying sticks around :)

Kate LOVED putting the little rocks in her mouth.

Don't worry, I made her quit...after I took this picture :)

12 Month Stats

Just realized I never put these up. Since this is the easiest way for me to keep up with this stuff, I'm doing it over a month late. But, don't worry...I backdated it so that when I pull it up I can find it oh so easy!

You can view it here if you like!