Aunt Katie's Baby Shower at Roberts

Thursday, Aunt Katie invited Mom and I to attend her baby shower at Roberts Elementary School!  It's hard to believe we were there two short years ago for her wedding shower.  They had the media center decorated so cute with a rubber duck theme - something I'll have to remember for a future shower.

Aunt Katie wearing a "Mom To Be" Tiara.

 "You are going to make a Big splash Camden!"

 Centerpieces on each table.  Each person was to write a piece of advice or a "recipe" for a happy baby.  Then all the cards were placed in a recipe box.

 Cute towel with Camden's name and on the hood it said "This little tiger is squeaky clean".  So cute!  Those are the best baby towels - it's a regular bath towel with two washcloths sewn together to make the hood.  Aunt Melanie made these for both Kate and Mason and we use them every night!

Aunt Katie and family.

After the shower, we walked down to Aunt Katie's classroom so I could take a peak.  We passed a cute bulletin board that was created to document what each student thought Aunt Katie was having - a boy or a girl.  One of the parents in her class is a professional photographer so she took time out to photograph each child with their guess - love that idea!

 I loved this picture - it's going to be a girl AND a boy!

 And one of Aunt Katie - of coarse!

The next day (Friday) was the last day of school for the kids and Aunt Katie had their end of the year gifts already out on display - a beach bucket and shovel with each child's name and a beach ball!  The kids were going to sign everyone's beach ball - how creative is Aunt Katie?

Thank you so much for inviting us Aunt Katie!  We had a great time. :)

Kate's Swimming Lessons

This summer, I wanted to sign Kate up for swimming lessons.  I looked around town and decided to sign her up at the same place I took swimming lessons as a kid, Killearny Way Swim & Racket Club.  We just finished our two week lessons and Kate did a great job.  She can't swim on her own yet, but she's much more comfortable in the water and I'm hoping I can reinforce some of the skills she has learned throughout the summer.  There were only four kids in Kate's class - a total of two girls (3.5 and 4 years old) and two boys (4 and 5 years old).  Kate loved the idea that I took swimming lessons at the same place she was.  She would ask me each night if we were going back to "my pool".

Waiting for class to begin.

 

First night of lessons.  

Within a few lessons, Kate decided she needed a pair of "gobbles".  I wasn't sure if she would wear them, but once she put them on we couldn't get them off! On the last night, I finally took pictures during the lesson of her swimming.

 Showing off her "gobbles" and her crazy poses (I have no idea where these came from).

 Doing a "Bob" - going under water and then back up.

 Swimming with the kick board.

 Swimming with Ms. Olivia's help.  Kate figured out at the first lesson Ms. Olivia would let go when they got close to the wall so Kate would constantly ask her "Are you going to let go of me?!".  By week two, the question became a demand, "Don't let go of me!".  I was worried it might make Kate afraid but she was a brave girl at each lesson.

 Despite her fears of being let go of, Kate did a wonderful job at swimming lessons and I was so proud of her! 

 Her certificate of completion.

 Great job Kate!

School Pictures - Spring 2013

Here are Kate's school pictures from Good Samaritan Academy (Puppies Class).

 My favorite

Kate is starting dance classes this week - something she has been asking to do for a couple months now.  Since the summer is a shorter commitment, I talked Justin into letting her try it now and then in the fall we will see if she wants to continue (and if we can afford it).  For now, we have temporarily suspended Playball on Mondays and she will take Ballet & Tap lessons on Wednesdays instead.  I ordered her dance shoes last week and we lucked out to get a free leotard from school so we have a minimal inital investment.  This will be interesting...

Memorial Day Weekend 2013

Last weekend was Memorial Day weekend and we decided to stay in town this year.  It was a packed weekend but at the same time, relaxing.  Friday night, Justin and I thought it would be fun to have a movie night with Kate.  We watched the Disney movie, Brave, and let her stay up until 9:30 that night.  During the movie, she would squeal with excitement at some parts and at others, I would look over at her and she had her blanket over her head, covering her eyes.  A couple times, she would run over to me and say "Thank you mommy for this movie" and then quickly run back to her spot on the couch.  That made it all worth it and I'm sure we will do it again soon.

Saturday and Monday, Aunt Katie and Uncle Jordan invited us over to swim. The Olk's have built a big covered patio complete with a kitchen, eating area and TV so I'm sure we will be spending a lot of time over there this summer!  This was Mason's first time at the pool and he enjoyed a little bit of play time beside the pool and in the pool.

Waiting to leave for the pool, he fell asleep in his jumper!

 

 Sitting in the shade by the pool.  We made a play area for Mason out of one of the rafts so in case he fell over, he wouldn't hit his head on the concrete.

 We didn't have a baby float last weekend so we used a raft as a cover for Mason while he was in the pool.  Necessity is the mother of invention!

 My little water bug.

  Floating with Aunt Katie.

 Playing with Uncle Jordan.

 Watch out ladies!

Saturday night, Mimi and Papa invited us over for a steak dinner!  We had a great visit and while we were there, Mason noticed Buster for the first time.  When Buster jumped up in the seat next to Mimi, Mason thought that was hilarious and laughed and laughed watching Buster rub all over the chair.

Sunday was a big day too.  My dad was appointed as an elder at Timberlane.  I know my dad will do a great job as one of the leaders and I am so proud of him!  Sunday afternoon, my grandmother had us over for another wonderful lunch.  We visited for a while and then headed back to our house for afternoon naps.  Monday, we spent another day at the pool and then that evening we had burgers and hotdogs at my parent's house to finish up a wonderful weekend.  I didn't take a single picture at my parents but I think we were all exhausted from being at the pool all day.

It was so nice having a long weekend!  Although it was only one extra day, it was wonderful having another day to spend with my family!  I miss them so much during the week.

Happy Birthday Aunt Katie!

Happy Birthday Aunt Katie (a little belated)!  Sunday night we went over to my parent's house to celebrate Katie's birthday, which was this past Saturday.  We had a great time and Kate was so excited to eat a cupcake - one of her favorite things all of a sudden.

Singing "Happy Birthday"

Kate helping Aunt Katie blow out the candle.

We hope you had a great birthday Aunt Katie!

First Tooth!

Mason got his first tooth Sunday, on the day he turned 7 months! I had been watching to see if that tooth (front lower right) would break through, but I didn't notice it had until late Sunday when he was fussing. I'm guessing his second tooth won't be far behind...

             First tooth @ 7 months old!