Some time with the cousins

Grandma Jules, MK, and I just got back from visiting my sister and her family in Tulsa. My mom and Kiz worked on nursery bedding while I played with the kids. For some reason they thought I might be better on kid patrol...hmmm...some people just don't value my speed work!

MK, Ev, and Grandma playing

Grandma is announcing with her microphone (the bat), Wyatt's holding the finish line, and Ev is racing his bike toward the finish line. Talk about excitment!

Mary Katherine spectating the bike race
Does anyone else see the common trend of MK taking Wyatt's snacks?

And here we have Ev tickling MK. Mary Katherine loves her cousin Ev! And he does such a good job of "babysitting" her.

There's a new sheriff in town!

After a little guidance from Cousin Ev, MK seemed to handle the police car quite nicely!

MK listening intently while Wyatt comes to also lend a helping hand.

I think I've got a handle on this.

Mom...I think we need one of these!

Look Mom! Hands free!

Baby Doll

In the past couple days, MK has shown an interest in her baby doll. I've tried to figure out if she realizes what it is. After watching the way she plays and treats it differently than her other toys, I've decided that I think she does know it's a baby. How fun! I love little girls and their baby dolls.

Adjusting the hat

Baby doll listening to the story with MK (Didn't quite get the hat figured out.)

Forget the hat...it's time to turn the page!

Cake Making

Mary Katherine decided to rummage through the trash while we were working on her birthday cake today. I knew something was up. It had been quiet for too long.

Who knows what she has in her mouth at this point.

Here is our attempt at MK's rainbow birthday cake. Six layers is quite a bit to keep in one piece!
Here it is awaiting the frosting.

Something to go with the cheese, please.

I got this title from a favorite book I remember growing up--George's Store. I don't know why I loved that book, but I did. Now that I think about it, it may have said "something for the fleas, please"....hmmm...anyway....

In between the birthday parties today, Mary Katherine was in a delightful mood and was "cheesing" for the camera.

Look at these teeth! I'm afraid that orthodonics may be in this child's future.

Future Scholar?

In the past two weeks, Mary Katherine has really started to enjoy books. Previously, as you saw in earlier posts, books were mainly seen as wonderful chew toys. Now, I can read to her for several minutes. She will listen, point at things on the book (imitating me), and often look back at me to see my facial expression. Other times she'll look through the books by herself. I'm such a proud mommy! One of my biggest fears as a mom is that she will have learning difficulties. So something like this (although I know may not mean anything) makes me happy.

Here she is trying to lift up the flap.

I think her Aunt Ginger got her this book for Christmas and she really has enjoyed it!

All that reading has pooped me out. I think I'll just read this one laying down (and the book upside down).

Partied Out!

Boy howdy, two 1st year birthday parties in one day wears a mommy out! As I've blogged about in other posts, we have two church friends with daughters all within two weeks of Mary Katherine. Today we got to help them celebrate their first year.

Here is MK checking out Kensli's riding toy. (Shh...don't tell but MK's getting one for her birthday too!)

Kensli didn't really care much for her cake. (ha,ha)

This is about the best that we could do for getting a picture together.

Holding hands...is this the beginning of a great friendship or what?!

She decided it would be better just not to mess with the hands.

MK had a little trial run at Cate's party!

Birthday Girl Cate! Isn't her outfit cute?!

She was a little more particular about the way she ate her cake.

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to...not really excited about the photo! The 3 friends all turn 1 this month!

Triple Trouble