Autumn Cheer

Sorry I've been so terrible about updating the blog this past month! We've been having a great time ever since summer ended (not that we didn't have fun in the summer, too, of course!) Gail came for almost a week in early October; it was great to see her, and she was able to watch Kate when I had to go to Chicago for two days for a conference. I hated to leave Dan on his birthday (I had to be at the conference the 8th-9th) but at least he was able to be with his mom and daughter on his special day! We were able to go out for dinner the weekend before his birthday, though, and Gail stayed with Kate. We had hoped to go to the Wonder Bar (which is supposed to have some of the best steaks in Madison), but we forgot the World Dairy Expo was in town, so there was no way we could get in. We ended up going to the Ale Asylum, and while the food wasn't the best, it was still nice to get out just the two of us.

We've also been enjoying our fall classes; music class, toddler tales at the library, tiny tots at Virginia Davis Dance, her Jumping Jellybeans creative movement class, and her ballet classes at the Madison Dance Academy. They actually switched her to the Fairy Fun class, which is for three and four year olds, and she's been doing great at it even though she is the youngest one in the class. It was so cute to watch her last week; she was doing her barre exercises like a pro (even if she was facing the wrong way; ha!)

We've also been resuming our playdates with Meghan, Adelaide, and little Alden; Kate loves that, since Adelaide is her closest friend. We went there just yesterday and the girls loved playing with Adelaide's new kitchen set that she got for her birthday.

 Getting ready for her first dance class

 She loves to twirl!

 At Adelaide's 2nd birthday party

Fall Fun

Kate and I have been having a great time so far this fall. She's loving her dance class, which we take every Thursday (started September 6th), and we started our music classes on Tuesday, September 11th, so we've had two so far (we go again tomorrow). She has a blast at the Jumping Jellybeans creative movement class that we take every Friday; we've had two classes so far, and she loves it so much! It's a lot of jumping/obstacle courses/follow the leader, with some singing (like Old McDonald) thrown in. And this Wednesday we get to start our Toddler Tales program at the library, which she also always likes. This two-year-old has a very full schedule!

We have so much fun just hanging out at home, too. She's been really into her Fisher Price Little People lately, so we play that a lot. She loves making a little village out of the house, castle, and barn. We could play that for hours! She also still loves painting, puzzles, playing dress-up, and of course going to various parks. I have so much fun with her each day; I'm so glad I get to be home with her.

 In her new Halloween outfit from my mom; she loves this dress! 

 At Kirsti's volleyball game

 Playing with her Little People while dressing up as Tinkerbell; what a multitasker! 

Kate's First Dance Class!

On Thursday, September 6, Kate & I had her first Tiny Tots dance class. We loved it! There were only two other girls in there, but that's ok; we still had a great time. We started out with doing some warmups, like listening to a song and doing the actions (touching our toes, clapping hands, etc.), galloping or marching across the floor, dancing in a circle, etc. Then we moved to different room and played with huge puzzle foam pieces (the girls would dance on them or hop from one to the other), a cool balance beam (which Kate rocked, even by herself!), and a parachute that we put balls in and then shook up, so the balls popped like popcorn. Kate was in heaven!

Then when we came home, built a castle out of her legos, had lunch, went to the park by our house, came home and read books, and then she took a nap. As she was drifting off to sleep, I was thinking how lucky I am I get to be home with her and how happy I am with my life, and then she hugged me and said in that adorable sleepy toddler voice, "Mama, you good. Mama and Kate have fun today." That was one of the best motherhood moments ever.

Here are some pictures of her before we left for class.

 I don't know why she looks so serious; she was so excited about dance class!

 There's that smile!

 My little girl is no longer a baby; she looks so grown up!

Grandpa's 90th Birthday

On Friday, August 31, we headed down to Madison and had supper at the Great Dane on the east side. My dad and brother always like going there, so I'm glad we got that worked in. On Saturday, we just kind of hung out around the house, enjoying each others' company. Sunday we went to the arboretum in the morning before going to the Laurel for lunch. On Labor Day, we had my grandpa's 90th birthday party at Tracy & Dan's place. It was a great party and a very special occasion, and it was nice for Austin to see everyone, since he hasn't been back here in a couple years.