Kate Turns 2

 Every time my children hit a birthday, I want to exclaim, "How did this happen???"  I promise I love that they are growing up, but really, baby girl, how did this happen?

This post is all things Kate, but I do have to say that Zachary was more excited about decorating for her birthday, wrapping her presents, making her cards, and picking out her present than he was for even his own birthday.  That charmed me.

Kate's birthday, like Zac's, fell right in the middle of our move.  That worked out nicely, because all her other toys, books, and puzzles were taped up in boxes and stashed in the ohana.  We probably could have wrapped up the Salvation Army pile of toys in the garage, and she would have been thrilled. 

For her special day, I took her out to lunch and to the park in the morning.  As soon as Zachary was home from school, we made her birthday cupcakes, rode bikes, and waited for Daddy to get home so she (er, Zachary) could finally open her presents.  She wanted to sing "Happy Birthday" all day long, and went in and out of her bedroom dozens of times just so she could walk through the dangling streamers. 

 Hello Kitty and Elmo--two powerful characters for toddlers.

 Her big surprise was a kitchen.  I've wanted to get one for Zachary to play with, too, and so far, this present is a slam dunk.  The two of them go "grocery shopping" for play food scattered all over the living room, and then cook and make me eat their creations all afternoon.

 The best part is the phone.  I love listening to their one-sided conversations that seem so real.

 The Atkins and Clarks joined us at the spa to celebrate with cake and ice cream. 

 In the last six months, Kate has exploded with a new found sense of independence.  She doesn't need me to hold her on my hip for hours a day, she hates it when I help her into her car seat, and she especially loves to walk down steps without help.  She tries to change her own diapers and dress herself.  She puts bows in her hair and brushes her teeth every morning.  Understand, this does not mean she does these things well--we wait around for ages while she gets in her car seat and puts on her own shoes, she constantly falls, she's had poop on her hands after changing her own bum, and her pants are most often on backwards if in fact she gets them on all the way.  But I love that she is trying.

 Kate sings.  She makes up her own songs, she sings songs from nursery, and she sings along with the radio--even if it is the first time she's heard the song.  Her tiny voice makes my insides mushy. 

Kate's favorite place is the park.  Yes, she loves the beach and she will tolerate playing in the sand and sometimes the water for hours, but nothing lights her up like hanging from the monkey bars and climbing up to the slides.  She asks every morning to go to the park with her little friends.

This little gal still loves to eat.  She will try most things, although her new thing is to chew, chew, chew, and then spit it out.  She loves to get her own straws, cups, plates, and utensils, and she loves her green smoothie with dinner.

When Kate runs, it looks like her feet barely leave the ground.  She's getting faster, but it is hysterical to watch how her knees bend only the slightest bit.  On the other hand, she puts on her helmet, hops on a bike and zips down our relatively steep driveway without the slightest hesitation.

She is so friendly.  How do you not love a baby that says, "Hi!" in a squeaky voice to everyone she sees, blows kisses, and shows off her shirt, bow, and crocs to anyone who will stop long enough to listen?

Katers gets away with things.  That's what happens when you are child #2.

Kate loves Zachary.  She teases him like crazy, but wakes up from her nap elated that it is time to "go get ZAC!!!"  

I feel like every day, I'm a little more grateful for my kids and that I get to stay with them, read to them, play with them, and love them.  Happy Birthday, you little ham.