One last party

We had already celebrated Kate's birthday twice last weekend, but we still felt we needed to do something on her actual birthday. So last night we threw her one last "party". Yeah, this girl is spoiled. But how can you not spoil a cute face like this?

Dustin went to Walmart on his way home from work and picked up this puppy she'd been eyeing for awhile now.  She loves it!  She hasn't stopped playing with it.  We also got Lil Caesars pizza, and let Kate have her first drink of undiluted root beer.

I made her a big cookie. 


Needless to say she was bouncing off the walls last night.

Happy Birthday Kate! We love you so much!

Happy Birthday Kate

Dear Kate,

Today you turn two years old. I cannot believe how fast the time has flown. It seems like yesterday I was holding you for the first time in my arms. All I could think about was how perfect you were, and how you looked so much like me.

Now you're such a big girl and are developing such a silly personality! You love to sing and dance, help mommy clean, play outside, and play with your dolls.

Your favorite show is Dora the Explorer, and your favorite movies are "Punzel (Tangled)" and "Pinkobell (Tinkerbell)".

You love to play with your baby dolls and I can see how excited you are to be a big sister. You are so sweet with them, giving them bottles, and giving them kisses when they go "ni-nite". You insist on reading the books about babies all the time, and every night you give my belly and baby brother a good night kiss.

You love your daddy very much. I know the best part of your day is when he comes home because of the way your face lights up when you see him.  You love to play with him every night until you're exhausted, and then he puts you to bed.  He'll sit on the chair next to your bed and talk to you about your day, help you say your prayers, and then put you to sleep in your big girl bed.

You love to cuddle with your mommy and daddy.  You love to hold our hands while we read stories or watch tv.

You're becoming such a girly girl.  You love to have mommy curl your hair, and put headbands on.  You love bracelets, necklaces and dress up shoes. 

You are the cutest little girl I've ever seen.

You've become such a chatterbox lately and I love it.  You try to talk in sentences, although only a few words are discernable.  And you say funny things like, "Whew, that was close!".

You are the light of my life.

I love you so much little girl.

Easter Weekend

We went to the White Mountains this weekend for a Easter/birthday/family/fun-filled time. On Friday we went to Snowflake to visit my family. My mother and Jared made a delicious dinner of chicken bacon fettucini alfredo (I need that recipe!), and then we had a little birthday party for Kate. Her official birthday is Thursday, but since we were going to be with family we just went ahead and celebrated it early. We gave her a Ariel doll that she can take in the bath, and Grandma Foree got her some clothes and the cutest dress up dress I've ever seen. She made her Tinkerbell cupcakes, and we all sang to Kate as she blew out her candle.

I can't remember why she's crying in this picture, but I think it's cute.

On Saturday morning, the Easter Bunny came (it always comes on Saturday in the Foree house) and Kate had a blast hunting down all the eggs.

That afternoon Kate and I went to the movie "Rio" with Grandma Watson, Lacie, Maddock and Jaylee.  The kids loved it!  I was so surprised at how good Kate and Jaylee were during the movie.  It was a cute movie, but not probably one I'll buy.

Sunday morning was Easter Sunday.  We woke up early, got Kate in her Easter dress, and opened up her Easter basket.  She received a stuffed duck, a yellow and pink Nike hat candy from the Easter Bunny.

After church we had the traditional Easter feast, and then we had another little party for Kate.  We gave her a Rapunzel and a Tinkerbell doll, and Grandma and Grandpa Watson gave her some really cute clothes and a basketball hoop!  I think that last one is more of a gift for Dustin though :)

After the party, the kids had an Easter egg hunt, and we left shortly after that.  We wish we could have stayed longer, but we had to get back so Dustin could start his new job today!  It was a great weekend, and we love every time we go visit family.

Where I've been...

In this past week, I have had 5 photo shoots! I LOVE it. It's been so fun.

I did my first engagment session,

A couple adorable families,

a sweet little cowboy,

and the cutest little newborn you've ever seen.

Check out my photography blog to see more!

Some people...

Today Bethany and I took our weekly trip to our favorite store, Hobby Lobby. As I was checking out, I had Kate in the cart. There was an old guy in line behind me, and he says to me,

"You know I saw a little girl just about that same age fall out of a cart and split her head open. Worse thing I ever saw."

Then he turns to the cashier and says, like I'm not even there...

"You know parents these days just don't know how to tell their kids no. That's why their all growing up to be gangsters." And then he gave me a cold stare.

Excuse me?!? So I said to him,

"You know what sir? My little girl is in a bad mood, she's hungry and it's past her naptime.   If I let her out of the cart she runs away from me, which leaves her vulnerable to be kidnapped by creeps like you. If I put her in the seat in the cart, she tries to stand which would be a much longer and harder fall, injuring her more than if she fell from the cart basket. The buckle is broken on this cart, so I can't strap her in at the moment. So, sir, THIS is the safest place for her to be at the moment. Don't call me a bad mom, and mind your own business JERK!"

Okay...I didn't say that because I'm a pansy and I hate confrontation. But, I did call him a bad name when I was 10 feet away from him. I said it loudly too, so I hope he heard.

Seriously?!? I know that kids fall out of carts. You don't have to tell me that. We've all heard the stories. But I was watching her, and she was still close enough to me that I could have caught her if she started to fall.

So, ladies,  I guess what we're supposed to learn from all this is:

If you let your child ride in the cart, they will grow up to be gangsters.

The Little Mermaid, by Kate

Last night Dustin and Kate were reading The Little Mermaid for a bedtime story, and it was just about the cutest thing ever! Dustin was reading the story, but Kate wouldn't stop talking either! I just love how much she's talking now, she is so funny. She was very adamant about telling us who everyone was on each page. I listened carefully to how she was telling the story, and wrote it down for you today. So here it is, The Little Mermaid through a toddler's eyes.

Once there was a "mermaid" and a "fish". The "mermaid" and "fish" saw a "boat". On board was "Eric!". "Eric" went "ni-night" in the "wawer (water)", so "mermaid" had to save him.

"Mermaid" got in "trouble" and "uh-oh" the bad "fish" came to take her to the "witch". The "witch" gave "mermaid feet!" "Eric" found the "mermaid", and she lived with them.

"Eric" took "mermaid" on a "boat" and there were "birds" and "giraffe birds" (cranes...haha). Then "uh-oh" they "fell in wawer".

Then the "witch" came and tricked "Eric". Then the "birds" attacked the "witch" and she turned into a "monster". "Eric" gave the "witch" and "owie" and she turned into a "witch monster". Then "Eric crashed boat" into the "witch monster".

"Daddy" gave "mermaid feet".

"The End!"

Growing Up

We've been putting this off for awhile, but last night we could wait no longer. We finally put Kate into a big girl bed. As much as I loved having a crib she couldn't get out of, she was also way too big for it. I can't remember how many times I would check on her and her limbs would be sticking out of the crib. So, last night we all went to Target and bought bedding for Kate's big girl bed. Kate picked it out herself. She was very excited about the "pink" one.

 We also bought vinyl letters, flowers, and butterflies and completely redecorated her room!

 She LOVES her new room.  She loves how "pretty" her "fwowers" and "butterfwies" are.

We were nervous about her having a big girl bed, but last night she slept all night in it!  We also had no problem putting her down for a nap today!  I really hope this trend continues!

 I can't believe how fast my baby is growing up.