Sentence of the Day- Hello, My Name is Heather

As Katy's early Mother's Day gift to me, she has stopped calling me "Mommy." Instead, I get called either, "Mom" or "Heather." Yes, I know, I know- my two-year old calls me by my first name. It's not that I promote this, she just does it on her own. *sigh*

Yesterday, I was apparently taking too long getting ready for our walk to the park because I heard Katy call out, "Mommy! Mommy! MOM! HEATHER!"

Today, while I was in the art room and Katy was in her room, I called out and asked her what she was doing (a quiet Katy is never a good sign!!). She replied, "Just second, Mom! Right there (in a) minute, Mom!"

Watch Your Words Carefully...!

We were having dinner at a friend's house the other night and Katy was enjoying their very kid-friendly backyard. Trampoline! Swings! Swing set! Slides! Tree house! At one point in the evening, I caught Katy trying to climb up the rope ladder in her beloved Kermit flip flops.

I said, "Katy, those are not appropriate shoes for climbing. Please get down from there!" 

I pulled her off the ladder and distracted her with the swings and went back to talking to some friends. I looked over at Katy a little bit later only to see that she had taken off her flip flops and was half-way up the rope ladder. I guess it's all in how you say things.... Smart (too smart for OUR own good!!) Girl!! It's all in how you phrase things...!

Muffin Tin Monday- Little Chef

Breakfast Muffin Tin Meal- (starting at top left, circling around, clockwise) Cantaloupe Chunks and Baked Oatmeal Squares (I substitute extra applesauce for eggs in this recipe, due to Katy's allergies. The extra applesauce and addition of raisins makes it extra moist).

Today, when I got the muffin tin out to make Katy her breakfast, she insisted on helping. Katy's been "helping" in the kitchen since she was an infant wrapped up in the Moby wrap, so she's very vocal about wanting to "stir" and "pour" and other small tasks in the kitchen.

Side note, last night when I was making Beef Stroganoff (Thanks MOMS Club Meal Planning!), Katy helped get out and hand me each ingredient in the recipe as I needed it. I was getting ready to thicken the sauce with a roux and Katy asked, "What making, Mommy?" I replied, "I'm making a roux- it helps to thicken the sauce." She then proceeded to walk over to where I keep the flour, point to it and say, "Need that?" I guess she's seen me do it enough times that she knew that I'd need the flour! I must admit, I was quite surprised that she knew that flour goes into a roux!

We love to cook (and eat!) so we want Katy to grow up with not only an appreciation of food but also the ability to cook and prepare it, as well. So, while this tin won't win any awards for aesthetics, it was 100% put together by our very own Little Chef.

Sentence of the Day- Manners

Being a parent is hard work! It's an around-the-clock kind of job and sometimes, there is no measurable way to gauge your success. However, when Katy uses her manners (without prompting) and others (even strangers!) comment on how well she does at saying, "Please" and "Thank you,"- that makes us proud!

After Ted refilled Katy's water bottle tonight at dinner, Katy replied, "Thank you fill my water, Daddy!" So sweet!

Growing Like a Flower!

Our little girl is growing up and getting so big!

Memorial Gardens, September 2010

Memorial Gardens, September 2011

Memorial Gardens, May 3, 2012

"Walking on, Walking on Broken Glass"

Mad Hatter Teacup

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later- broken china, that is. It only took seven years, but this afternoon, while Katy was eating her veggie straws from a Fiestaware teacup (the Fiestaware being part of our wedding gifts), she accidentally knocked it off the table and I ended up with my first (but surely not my last!) piece of broken china. Nobody was hurt and the damage control was pretty contained. Katy has eaten out of Fiestaware for a long time, now, and never had a problem. Still, I'm sad to now have 11 teacups and not a full dozen!

Wordless Wednesday- I Sewed Myself a Dress!