Weekend Fun!

As summer slowly comes to an end (sad but true) we made sure to spend as much time outside as possible. Kallie loves to be outside doing anything from playing soccer, going to the park, adventures with daddy and of course walking around our neighborhood looking for frogs and Hoppidy Hop (the rabbit she named and likes to feed carrots to). Here are a few pictures from our weekend fun - fishing with daddy, riding the trolley with Coop in Issaquah and a bit of artwork!

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Kallie Today is your third birthday and I could not be more proud of the little girl you are becoming. You are smart, funny, happy, cuddly with a bit of spice to keep us on our toes. At this current moment you are a mommy's girl. I have a second shadow that likes to follow me everywhere - I will admit I secretly love it.

You wake up every morning by running into our room and telling us that you stayed in your big girl bed until you light turned green. Even if it didn't turn green you are quite convincing. You love going to school and pretty much push me out the door when we get there. It makes me so happy to see you in class with your friends having a great time. Your teachers in Transition 2 call you the "Room Mom" because you love taking care of all of the younger kids and showing them the ropes.

Some of you favorite things at the moment are anything princess or Toy Story (especially Buzz Light Year), dresses you can twirl in, ponytails, your big girl bed, telling stories, playing dress up in your princess dresses, drawing, swinging at the park or on our backyard swing, hugging, kissing (cheek, cheek, lips) and most importantly you just love life and any new adventure that comes your way.

One thing you are not is a baby and you tell me that daily, you are a big girl! You are constantly asking me "Do big girls do that? I always assure you the big girls can do anything . . . especially snuggle their mommies and daddies which seemes to make you feel much better (you were a little concerned).

Kallie I am not sure that words can describe the love we feel for you. But there is one thing I do know "We love you to the moon and back"!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I am happy to report that Kallie had her 3 year check-up and she is a healthy girl. She is 32 lbs (68%)and 38.5 in (75%) oh and she was pretty darn happy to find out she didn't need any shots!

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A great way to end a long week!

Some weeks seem much longer than others and this was one of those weeks. We were lucky to end our week with pony rides, face painting, bubbles and more . . . I can't think of a better way to spend a Friday afternoon with my girl. Kallie was so excited when we walked out of school to see the "daycare extravaganza" right outside. I feel so lucky to have Kallie in daycare at my office so I can enjoy all of the parent/kiddo activities they have to offer. And yes I am that parent that goes to everything no matter what . . . work can wait!

Another fun weekend on Vashon

This weekend was the Bates family weekend on Vashon. Since Eric had to work Kallie and decided to make it a girls day. We were up early and on our way - princess dress, crown and all! Kallie and I have been on many ferry rides but from some reason this particular ferry ride was special. I am not sure if it was watching Kallie twirl down the isle of the ferry or her high pitch voice yelling "Mama look at me" whatever it was it was worth every minute.

When we got to the island Kallie was anxiously awaiting her playdate with Georgia . . . in fact this was technically their first playdate ever. I must say watching the two of them get to know each other while giggle on the beach was one of those moments I will never forgot.

Overall the weekend pretty much perfect. We had a fun family dinner on Friday night followed by a weekend of friends, sunshine, crabbing (Kallie loves crabbing but equally loves eating crab with her daddy), boat rides, beach time and of course kiddos running around having fun. These are the kind of weekends that make me smile!

Strawberry Festival Tradition

This weekend was the annual Strawberry Festival on Vashon.  I have been going to this festival with my family since I was a baby and look forward to it every year.  This year was my favorite year yet.  Kallie, Mac and Finn are the perfect age - looking in awe as the tractor floats went by, loving the candy that they collected and best of all they were smiling from ear to ear the entire parade.  I can't leave out Sophia and Ella because they sat in the front row making sure all of the kiddos had a great time and even made sure Kallie didn't get any candy with peanuts.

My favorite minute of the entire day was watching Kallie and Mac walk down the street holding hands chatting it up as if they were the only two at the parade . . . such a sweet moment!

I have no doubt we will continue to celebrate the Strawberry Festival as a family for many years to come and I look forward to all of the memories that will follow.  These are the little moments that make up a lifetime of memories.

The Little Things

As most of you know moving Kallie to a "big girl" bed has been quite the adventure. Well I am happy to report that consistency paid off, Kallie has been sleeping in her bed and not getting out until her special clock turns green for three weeks (WOOHOO). Along the way we have rewarded her for the little wins! Well last night Eric surprised her with her very first nightgown . . . not just any nightgown a Toy Story nightgown with Jessie and Bulls-eye on it (Toy Story is Kallie's favorite show). It was a HUGE HIT. She immediately started twirling around in excitement. My favorite moment was when she actually crawled in bed and said "Wait we forgot my pants" - I guess she really didn't know what a nightgown was (HA).

Kallie's teacher sent me this note that I had to share:

I overheard Kallie telling Aasha that when you wear a nightgown you don’t need pants… big news in the Bates house J When Aasha asked what a nightgown was Kallie looked at her and said “you know, a thing for good night twirling”

Happy 4th of July

The 4th of July is one of the only times my entire family heads to the cabin - yes that means 8 adults, 5 kids and 3 dogs! Although it is a bit chaotic it is so much fun! The kids love playing on the beach, looking for crabs, fishing, boat rides, and setting crab pots just like we did when we were little. Kallie and Mac are two peas in a pod these days which is so fun. They are constantly following each other and having the funniest conversation about anything and everything!

We also got to enjoy the Vashon and Tacoma firework shows sitting on the deck which is always fun. Kallie was not so excited about the fireworks so she and Grammy snuggled inside watching from the window!

I am also happy to report that we finally invested in a bunkhouse. Well, technically it is a custom built shed that we (well Eric) are turning into a bunkhouse. It has laminate floors, a loft with a queen bed, two bunk beds and will eventually have a TV. I have a feeling this will be the best room in the house and the kids will have many movie nights in the future.