Birthday Party!

Jack and Avery turned one this year. Lucky for me, I happened to be in town and was able to attend their party. The party was also for Jack and Avery's cousin, Lillie who turned six. Happy Birthday!

Not The Greeting I Was Hoping For Today!

Suzie is up in Fall City, WA -- once again getting the house ready to list -- and Katie and I are hanging around Portland until the weekend. Originally, we were all taking the two days off but when we went back East to visit with my Aunt and take care of getting her settled in a home we decided to just have Suzie go up early. I would save the days. The biggest challenge for me is getting Katie out of the door in the morning so I can get to work on time. It hasn't been too bad because I had blocked these days off as vacation so no morning meetings!

Today, I picked Katie up from school and as I approached the door one of the kids yelled to Katie that her Mom was here. It is so funny, but there is always at least one kid that pays attention to the door, who is coming in and then announces the Mom or Dad. Katie, totally absorbed in tracing a truck and cutting it out, didn't even look up. As I walked closer, the girl sitting next to her said to me, "You're not Katie's Mom. Are you her Grandma?" Why do they always go to Grandma?!

I kindly said no, and confirmed that I was her Mom. Katie, still not paying attention, finally looked up and said "Hi Mom, I am busy can you come back?" I went to get her blanket and coat from her home room. I was thinking about what to say next if the kids said anything and then decided I just needed to hope for a better greeting when I came back in the room.

This time no one paid attention but Katie. She asked "Where is Suzie?"

The Changeling

We rented this movie last night and I cannot get it out of my head! It's a very good movie, but a horrific story. Even worse, it's a true story. Click the image below to visit the movie's web site.

Baby Suzie

I came across these baby pictures of mine that I had scanned a while ago. Thought I'd share them. In this picture, I was 14 months old.

Then I decided to compare pictures of Katie and me at about the same age to see if there is any resemblance. I suppose there is a little bit. When I go home this weekend, I'll pull out some of Katie's younger pics to see how they compare, too.

All Things Gross

Since we hear about this stuff every day lately, I just thought I'd share this drawing Katie did the other day. I always ask her to tell me about her drawings and for this one, here's what she said, "This is a silly cat. He's going poopies and pee-pee at the same time, and he's also doing a bottom-burp (aka fart)! He's also crying tears and burping out of his mouth!" Now, while she's saying all this, she could hardly contain herself. When she was done, she covered her mouth as she let her giggles out and watched me intently for my, um, reaction.

Katie and Her Buddy

I picked up Katie from school early today so she could come home and spend the afternoon playing with one of her friends who goes to the same school, but she doesn't attend on Fridays. Because the weather today was so perfect, we took a walk and ended up at a playground where the girls spent most of the time on the swings.

We had a little trouble with Katie being jealous of any attention we paid to her friend. We had to be really careful not to show any preference at all to her friend, which made things more complex than they really needed to be, but oh well. Eventually we convinced her that even though we interact with another child, we don't love her any less. She's not really interested in sharing her parents with anyone right now.

So anyway, after we got back to the apartment, they were silly and I got the camera out. That energized them even more as they hammed it up for the camera.


At this age, unfortunately, their favorite topics always include private body parts, body functions and fluids/waste. All things gross are of particular interest. So, of course, they thought it was hilarious that I was willing to take a picture of them showing me their butts. Fortunately, it didn't occur to them to show me their bare butts. That's reserved for when they're teenagers, I suppose.

And finally, they're worn out - at least until their second wind kicks in... (I have to admit though, this picture below was posed - they weren't really sacked out on the floor!)

Entertaining Katie on President's Day

Katie's holiday is not my holiday! Because now I have to think of something to do all day so I don't have to deal with the dreaded, "Mom, I'm so boooored!", as she throws herself on the couch like a Raggedy Ann doll, to emphasize her point. Like I don't get it.

So, for today I decided we would go to the Portland Children's Museum. She enjoys it there and although I'll be bored, at least she won't be.

One of her favorite things to do is inside the area called the Kids Care, I think that's what they named it, anyway. It's set up to look like a doctor's office. Kids can pretend they are a doctor, nurse, patient, receptionist, or even an ambulance driver or paramedic. Within the clinic is a computer workstation with a digital camera connected to it. Kids can take a picture of themselves and print it out. The software asks them questions about themselves and gives them space to type notes that will print with their picture. She's not really interested in the whole doctor's office play area, though. Just the picture-taking computer.

Okay now, let's take a moment to examine Katie's outfit. She dressed herself today. Although I wouldn't have necessarily put these two prints together, the colors don't clash, so I don't care!

A very popular attraction at the museum is this mock-up of a grocery store where kids can pretend to shop, stock the shelves, be a cashier, or bag the groceries. Katie loves playing here.

We were there all afternoon, until they kicked us out at closing time. Katie was exhausted.

Regina worked today, so she picked up a Garlic Jim's pizza and met us at home for dinner.

Pre-K Valentine's Day Celebration

Today Katie's class celebrated Valentine's Day, first thing in the morning after everyone had arrived. When it was time to begin, the teacher flipped the room lights off and on, which the kids all know is the signal for "time to quiet down and go sit on the carpet for roll call and a story". Once it was determined who was and wasn't there yet, the teacher read them a short story that had an appropriately Valentine theme. While that was going on, the other teacher was getting the tables set up, with the help of a couple of the parents, so the kids could decorate sugar cookies later.

After storytime, the kids all grabbed their Valentine Box, which they decorated earlier in the week, and found a place to sit down so they could look at all the Valentine greetings they had received from their classmates. I sat with Katie and helped her to read each one so she would know who they were from. It was so cute as the kids began thanking each other for their cards and some gave out candy treats as well. I didn't include a candy treat with Katie's cards - I just figured there would be enough candy in circulation without us contributing to it too. But, I did handmake all of Katie's cards yesterday! And last night, she signed them, even though she complained the whole time because it was just too much, she said. I'm glad now I didn't also ask her to help me make them, as I had originally planned.

After going through their Valentine cards, it was time to decorate cookies. I did my part and contributed heart-shaped sugar cookies and the kids decorated them with frosting supplied by another parent, and sprinkles supplied by yet another parent. This is always a big hit with kids around this age. Katie especially loves it. Probably more than actually eating it, because she ate only about half of her cookie and offered the remainder to me! Believe it or not, I didn't eat it. I've GOT to get some weight off. I love how Katie eats only what she wants, even if she's leaving only a bite or two on her plate. I, of course, would just finish it, but not Katie!

When the festivities were over, I came home. Now it's time to get some laundry done!

Flower Power 2

Check this out - My Mom has a couple of her original paintings showing in a gallery in Topeka, Kansas. Click here to see all the paintings in the show, including the two submitted by my Mom, Kathleen Cobb.

Springtime in Katie's Art

I mentioned "birds singing" in my last post and it reminded me of these wonderful drawings Katie did in the last few days. Can you guess what kind of bird she's portraying here? The red belly should give it away. That's right - Red Robins! Notice in the top drawing there is a worm and bee around the bird's head. She did that to show us some of the things the bird eats. Also in that top drawing, we've got some Picasso going on when she combines the front view with the side view of the bird's head.

The Sun is Shining Today!

It really is true that sunshine raises the spirit. This morning for instance, it's like act one of a Disney movie. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, little buds are forming on all the plants and trees in preparation for spring blossoms, and it made me happy! Oh, and the days are getting noticeably longer, too. So, anyway, just thought I'd share that.

Okay, now for a Katie story. For Christmas, she got a kid-proof keyboard and that you connect to a PC via the USB port. Well, one of the features is that it requires a password to exit the program. This prevents kids from exiting the program when you're not looking and gaining access to the Windows desktop, which is not kidproof. So, I set it up with my usual password and everytime Katie tells me she's done with the computer, I exit out of the program for her by entering my "secret" password. Well, one day when she was finished with the computer, she asked Regina to help her turn it off. But, I hadn't yet shared the routine with Regina, therefore she didn't know what to do. No problem, though - Katie showed her what she needed to do. She said, "Here, you have to press these keys, like this." And she pointed to the letters and numbers in my no-longer-secret password! Once again, she demonstrated that she does indeed pay attention to EVERYTHING, even if it doesn't seem like it!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Curt!

Curtis E. Anderson in his early 20s.

(My Mom's Dad)

If he were alive, he'd be 99 years old today.

It's All About the Mouse Today

After lunch today, Katie and I vacated the premises so Regina could have some time to herself to watch the Superbowl without distractions. Of course, I couldn't care less about the game, so I didn't mind missing it. I have to say though, I do enjoy the commercials. But these days, you don't even have to watch the game to see the commercials. They've become an event in themselves.

Katie and I went to a nearby playground and she played for a couple of hours there. Fortunately, we had good weather today. By that, I mean it wasn't raining. It was still cloudy and cold though. By the time she finished playing, we needed to warm up. Katie's little hands were icey!

I decided we could head over to Chuck E. Cheese for dinner and games. Katie was beside herself with excitement. She'd never been there before, but had been asking about it for a while now. Turns out she's got some talent for skee ball!

Anyway, on our way over there, Regina called the cell phone to tell us she just saw a tiny mouse scampering across the floor in the apartment! At first she thought it was the biggest cock roach she'd ever seen, but quickly realized it was a mouse. Our two cats proved to be useless in capturing the critter. They spotted him and ran to see what it was, but the mouse quickly escaped and hasn't been seen since.

I thought it was funny that while Regina was at home being spooked by a baby mouse, we were on our way to a pizza joint whose mascot is a huge mouse, and I was wearing a mickey mouse sweatshirt. That's why it was all about the mouse today!

Seussical the Musical

It's been over 20 years since I've seen a high school production and I'd say things have changed a bit! Katie, Regina and I went to see Seussical the Musical tonight, performed by a very talented group of kids at Riverdale High School. We went because Katie's babysitter played one of the primary characters - the sour kangaroo who didn't believe Horton's claim that someone was living on the speck of dust. She is quite a talented young lady and her performance was thoroughly enjoyable. Katie was especially excited to see it. This was her first time seeing a play performed up on a stage. We had a great time!

Portrait of Fruit Man ~ by Katie

After we finished dinner this evening, Katie created a little book which included this drawing of what she calls, "Fruit Man". All of his body parts are made of fruits or vegetables. His head is an apple, his hair is lettuce, his eyes and nose are peas and his mouth is a lemon wedge. His neck is asparagus, his arms are bananas and his body is made of carrots, with a row of peas around his hips. Green beans make up his legs and his feet are made of apple wedges. Pretty clever, don't you think?

Family Portrait by Katie

L to R: Katie, Suzie, Regina

Just A Yittle Bit of Snow

A very excited Katie woke us up this morning and couldn't wait for us to see the little bit of snow that had fallen while we slept. It's going to be in the 40s today though, so it'll be gone soon. Even so, it's pretty while it lasts.

All Dressed Up With Nowhere to Go!

Well, before I realized it's Martin Luther King day and therefore Katie doesn't have school today, I helped her to get dressed in this cute outfit I bought yesterday. We were in Seattle for the weekend and before we left to drive back to Portland, we stopped off at the Gymboree outlet in North Bend. I love their prices and therefore, that's where I've gotten most of Katie's wardrobe for the last couple of years. They also resell on EBay pretty easily, too.

So, since Katie has the day off, she and I need to take advantage of the time to work on her school project. Her class is studying outer space and each kid has been assigned a topic to research and then present to the class. Katie's topic is the Moon and she presents it on Friday this week.

Sleeping Beauty in Seattle

Katie drew this portrait of Sleeping Beauty for me today in hopes that it would help me to feel better. How sweet is that?! I woke up this morning with an excruciating migraine which caused me to throw up all of the orange juice and banana I had for breakfast. This was especially bad timing, because Katie and I are in Seattle for the weekend while Regina stayed in Portland. Now, Katie is really sweet when I have a migraine, but it's hard to be a good Mom to even the sweetest kid when your head is pounding. So, I had to reach out for help. Fortunately, our babysitter was available this afternoon and took over for me while I rested. It would have been a truly miserable day otherwise.

The reason we came up to Seattle this weekend is because Katie had a dentist appointment yesterday morning. I'm disappointed to say she had a couple of cavities which needed to be filled. Her teeth are close enough together that it's really critical we floss and we hadn't yet made that part of our routine. So, we have now learned our lesson. Katie now knows that flossing is necessary every day. I wish that had become a habit for me when I was a kid. Maybe now I would be better about it. Anyway, I took the video camera to the appointment and in the next couple of days I'll post a short video of Katie getting her first fillings. Not something to be proud of necessarily, but a milestone, nonetheless.

Katie's First Filling