October 31, 2010

Evalie Says...

Happy Halloween!

This year Kate was a champ at trick-or-treating. She would head up to the doors and ring or knock on their doors. She even got extra candy at numerous houses since she had such great manners!

Shiner even did a great job of allowing kids to come trick-or-treat at our house. Perhaps we are maturing at our house!

October 30, 2010

Evalie Says...

I feel very bad. This fall was just very hectic, and we didn't make it to the pumpkin farm this year. I know it is dumb, but I feel like I let Kate down. I tried to make it up for it this evening by carving our pumpkin that didn't come from the farm.

She was not very into it, but she was a champ while cleaning it out. She loved going outside to check it out.

I think it looks great!

October 29, 2010

Evalie Says...

So, I have a heavy heart about a few daffodils that Aunt Annie gave me last year. She gave me them the night before I had my ICD implant surgery. She said to me that we would plant them together in the fall, and that next spring we would both be here surviving beating cancer and heart disease.

I planted the bulbs along with a few from her garden that Paul gave me this evening. God I hope that they come up next spring and the doesn't kill them. I need them to come up.

October 28, 2010

Evalie Says...

When we pulled into the driveway today from work, I noticed a package by our side door. I had a feeling that Grandma Sue had sent some Halloween candy. We got out of the car to investigate, and I had been correct. We made it inside to check out what treasures were inside the box. Kate couldn't wait to open it up. We were on a sugar high the rest of the night.






My favorite part of the evening was when Josh threw the bubble wrap away. He got a stern talking to from Kate.

October 27, 2010

Evalie Says...

This evening we went over to Uncle Paul's house to trick-or-treat. Paul had plans to go down to visit Molly for his birthday this weekend, so he would miss Halloween night trick-or-treating. We decided that we would come over to trick-or-treat tonight, and then we would go out for his birthday. Kate couldn't believe how much candy he gave her. She was in heaven.

October 26, 2010

Evalie Says...

I was rushing this morning and cut myself shaving while in the shower. I had placed a band-aid on it during the day, but when I changed into my comfy clothes this evening I removed the band-aid for it to heal. Kate witnessed the whole thing, and she insisted in order for it to get better that she needed to put a Dora band-aid on it.

It feels better already!

October 25, 2010

Evalie Says...

When we went to Toys R Us, we also had to pick up a few more of the Toy Story Beenie Toys. We added Rex, Buzz and Ham to our Woody and Jessie. Kate refers to them as her "friends". She will not go to sleep without all of them. Bless her heart!

October 24, 2010

Evalie Says...

Yesterday, we made a trip to Toys R Us to use a gift card and money that Kate got for her birthday from her Great-Grandparents. Since Kate decided that princesses are the coolest thanks to dress-up sessions with Leyla last weekend, she wanted to purchase some outfits with her birthday money.

I was against the big "girly" toys and dress-up clothes for so long because of gender stereotypes and not making Kate feel that she has to be a "princess" and that "being pretty" isn't what is important in life. I want her to be confident in her body, and I was being a crazy mom... Anyway I'm not sure why I fought it for so long, because I am loving the little "girly" toys. I have never seen her as excited as she was when we walked down the princess aisle.

Sorry Josh, I might fall in love with the "girly" things!

October 23, 2010

Evalie Says...

Today I decided that I needed to clean out my closet and take a donation to goodwill and the consignment shop. In doing so, I found my old flowergirl dress from Aunt Annie and Uncle Duane's wedding. I decided that I would see if it would fit Kate.

Do we look anything alike?

Kate...
Me...

October 22, 2010

Evalie Says...

Kate loves stickers. She has loved stickers from the moment she found out what stickers are. I try to keep them hidden on top of the fridge, because I have cleaned (scrubbed) too many stickers off my hardwood floors, walls and furniture. Well when we went up to visit my sisters, we ate at McDonald's. Her happy meal came with stickers, and I forgot about it and didn't hide them.

I remembered when I noticed a few stickers around the house...

The vase...

The wall...

The trash can...

Her potty wipes container...

On the bathroom containers...And the toothpick jar...

There might be more that I find tomorrow!

October 21, 2010

Evalie Says...

I have decided what Kate is getting for Christmas from us. She will be getting a little kids camera. She fights with us almost every time we get the camera out for the picture of the day. She wants to run around with it taking pictures. She is actually getting pretty good at it....well maybe!

Kate's picture taking extravaganza!

October 20, 2010

Evalie Says...

We had to bring the new bike outside today to ride it around the driveway. She is a riding machine!

October 19, 2010

Evalie Says...

HaPpY BiRtHdAy 3rd KaTe!

Kate woke up this morning to find her bike in the living room. It was sort-of like a Santa Clause type of morning. She was so excited, once she actually woke up. Josh took a little video of her riding it.



In the evening, we went out to eat at Granite City with Uncle Paul and our neighbor's, Kent and Lisa. We came home after eating to open presents, eat a few cupcakes, and sing happy birthday!



I can't believe that my baby is three years old. I remember sitting the night before my cesarean on Aunt Annie's floor of her living room watching my sister, Kristin, change my niece, Leyla. I remember thinking there is no way I am ready to be a mommy. I remember looking over at Annie and she gave me a big smile. I knew it was going to be okay. Scared...but okay.

I can't imagine my life without this little girl. She have given me such purpose in life. She gives me so much to live for, and I thank God daily for allowing me to have her in my life. I remember Josh leaning over my bed while in the recovery room, pleading for me to give her a name to call his mom. I remember looking at him and saying, "Kate". I named her after my mother to honor her. I have realized that her name is more of a reminder of a love for a daughter. She reminds me constantly that my mother loved me like I love her. That is a reminder that I'm glad to have.

October 18, 2010

Evalie Says...

This evening, Josh had to go down to the basement to assemble the Dora Bike. Once she had gone to bed, he brought it up for me to see it. I think he does great work. Kate will be so excited tomorrow morning!

October 17, 2010

Evalie Says...

This morning we headed to St. Paul for Kennedy Lin's baptism. I just love this little girl so much. She has provided such a reminder of the circle of life. I see Aunt Annie in her eyes...