The Many Talents of Kate

"Seepy Booty" is a favorite on Kate's movie list. In the clip below, Kate does an "interpretation" of the movie by running in circles and singing, "I Know You." I like to think Kate is reenacting the part in Sleeping Beauty in which Aurora, the Tease, is running away (unsuccessfully) from the Handsome Prince Phillip. If you can recall, the two sing a lovely duet and chase each other, in circles, if you will.

Unfortunately, Kate's mom has no talents in movie editing so you'll have to watch all of it. It's best, really, because at the end of the clip you can hear Kate's sweet little voice saying, "Open it!" as she finds a more important object to occupy her time.

In the next clip, Kate plays restaurant (although it takes a minute or two of watching to get to that point). Lately, she's been standing behind her ottoman and taking people's orders. You'll hear me requesting various menu items, and then see Kate going to the side of the ottoman to make it. If you pay close attention, you'll even notice that she demands "pennies" as payment for her food.

Another night when doing this (not filmed), Dave requested chips. To that request, Kate said, "Sorry...all gone." We're proud that she already has such big dreams for her future as a restaurateur.

Foodies

What is a /foodie/?

1. A person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment (especially good food and drink)

2. A politically correct term for a fat person.

3. Dave, Ashley, and Kate

Many of you, too, share this same interest, which is why we're friends. We ate at Biaggi's for the umpteenth time last night. It's up at the Gateway and offers some great Italian. It's not the restaurant of all restaurants, but it's one of my SLC favorites.

Gearing Up for Summer:

After eating, we perused through the shops. In hopes that the sun will ever show itself again, I got some cute new shoesies and some T-shirts. Dave, on the other hand, was disappointed to find nothing. Kate, meanwhile, strangely enjoyed riding in her stroller, but upon entering any store would scream, "OUTSIDE! OUTSIDE!"

Kate's World

Kate had a runny nose last night; thus, the 3 of us had a bit of a rough night. Dave took the first shift getting up with her. I had the second.

So there I was (sometime around 4:00am) rocking Kate in my arms. She keeps falling in and out of sleep, and after each sleeping period, she starts talking (not making a whole lot of sense).

The first time, Kate says, "Jesus," repeating it several times. I tried to get more out of her, but then she went right back to sleep. I was confused and even a little nervous, but tried to think nothing of it.

10 minutes later, I hear, "Kate's car? Kate's car?"
--Now this one made me laugh because the term 'Kate's car' has been all the craze around our house lately. In an effort to make Kate a little "happier" on car rides, Dave installed a TV/DVD player, and a new, pink, flowered car seat. What used to be Daddy's car is now known as "Kate's Car!" (that's what she calls it). Needless to say, cars rides are not much of a struggle anymore. Kate usually jumps at the opportunity to go for a ride in Kate's car.

Anyway (back to the story), Kate goes back to sleep. I, on the other hand, am catching on to what's happening, and am anxiously awaiting what might come up next.

About 5 minutes later, she wakes saying, "Elmo."
--Not sure why she was dreaming of him, but she does have her own talking Elmo doll, and is part of the red monster's fan club.

After the Elmo episode, Kate slept for probably another 15 minutes.

Last, Kate starts spouting, "Pinnocchio," although she says it more like, "Innochio!" She said it several times, and then DONE. No more talking after that point. I rocked her for like another hour, and she didn't say anything else.

Anyway, as I'm rocking there last night...LAUGHING (I might add), I'm thinking, "Oh, my heck! Are these the things Kate dreams about?" Elmo, Kate's car, Pinnochio and Jesus?"

It was just so sweet. I loved getting a peek into the things that are so important to her...so important that she's dreaming about them in the nights! As tired as I was, it was really hard to put her back down. What a sweet little angel baby!

A Night of Firsts

Kate had her first sleepover ever last night! Aunt Adrienne and Uncle Ryan (whom we're forever in debt to, by the way) treated Kate to a night of kiddy luxury at their place. I never would have thought anyone could be so darn sweet to us and take our child for a whole night, but that Adrienne...she's quite the sister-in-law! Don't get any ideas, the rest of you! Adrienne and I are now in an exclusive baby trading club. You'll all have to look elsewhere for sitters!

Meanwhile, Dave and I got our first night ever away from Kate. We went to the Zermatt and absolutely loved it! Can't you see the HUGE smiles on our faces?

So being greeted by a bed of roses with kissing swans was a first. Awkward. Let's move on...

Schneitter's restaurant was definitely a great first for us! The restaurant is at the hotel and hosts a Friday Night Seafood Buffet. I just happen to be a crab leg junkie, so it certainly made my day. The buffet wasn't exclusive to seafood; it had steak, chicken, salads, one fancy stallion ice sculpture, and a decadent dessert bar with chocolate fondue and every other dessert imaginable! I can't wait to take Lyle back up there!

Our next first involved swimming in a crater:

Something that was not a first was watching one very yucky couple making out in it. You've all seen (or been) that type of couple before. Look closely at the picture above and you can see them pre spit-swapping!

Crater swimming is something every Utahn should experience at least once. I definitely don't feel the need to go back, however, thanks to you...yucky couple! After crater swimming, we came back to the hotel's CHLORINATED facilities. We sat in a very nice hot tub under the stars. No pics for that, unfortunately.

Heck...let's throw in one more first! This morning after a scrumptious breakfast in bed, Dave and I went for a walk in the crisp, mountain air. Now a walk in the mountains was not a first for either of us, but pulling this dorky pose in a hooded sweatshirt...that may be a first for me! Hmm, come to think of it...

So, anyway, that was our night of firsts. Aren't we lucky?! Zermatt, hands-down, floated our boats. Dave and I absolutely give it our stamp of approval. That's a big deal, you know (considering what snobs we can be)!

Updates

Our latest agenda(s):

Item No. 1: Kate got her first black eye last week. Way to go negligent parents! No...actually, Dave and I have been regular naggers in telling her to sit down on chairs, rather than stand. Does she listen? No. Does she now have a big shiner? Yes.
Since the event, Dave and I have been trying to ignore all the weird looks we get when we go out in public. As for Kate, she's still standing on chairs on a regular basis. Lesson learned? I don't think so.

Item No. 2: I've had big dreams of putting on my fitness lately. Have my dreams become a reality? Nope...still waiting for that. Anyone willing to wake up at 5:00a.m. for a workout with yours truly?

Item No. 3: Lately I'm just scouting, scouting, scouting! Trying to remain optimistic about the job, strangely, makes me feel pessimistic.

Item No. 4: On Saturday (at the request of President George W. Bush and his stinky "No Child Left Behind" Legislation), I had to take the Praxis Exam at BYU. It's a nasty test; one that I'd rather cut off my right arm before taking again.
Why did I have to take it? Good question. After attaining my teaching certificate and teaching a couple of years, the Pres. thought up a plan. Hmm...teachers should have to take a test to prove their competency! Genius idea...but do you think he could have grandfathered in all those who already HAD their certification and were ALREADY teaching? It was just a tad inconvenient to get back in student mode and have to study for and take a test when I've been teaching 5 years now! Let's just hope I pass...or you will not hear the end of this conversation!

Item No. 5: Dave's been working hard at creating beautiful smiles on the mouths of many Utah County residents. After work, he's been doing yard work, and growing an herb garden for our little family. He's also recovering from taking on extra responsibilities from when his wife was hitting the books! Good work, sweetie!

Item No. 6: A few weeks ago, Kate made her first trip to Chuck E. Jesus (that's Kate's code for Chuck E. Cheese's). To make things even more fun, Kate's favorite buddies, Hayden and Parker, met us there! Aside from the germs and icky pizza, I'd say we had a splendid time!

Is There Such a Thing?

Well, we didn't catch any leprechauns, but my class did have a close encounter with one. During recess today, Lenny the Leprechaun stopped by (strangely enough, he arrived shortly after the kids left for recess). Lucky for us, he forgot his hat, and left some golden coins behind for the chitlins.

I bring this up for 2 reasons:

#1 It's a St. Patty's Day story in spirit of St. Patty's Day.

#2 Amazingly enough, no one accused me of being the leprechaun. In 5 years of pulling this stunt, this is the numero uno time that the kids just full out believed it!

What has happened to the future generation? Have they become more trusting, or (dare I say) more naive?

The New You!

Well, Kate, you look fabulous!

Cookie Cutters made her over, and now she's sporting one fly hair-do! Suprising to us, pop a sucker in her mouth, put her in a pink car, and turn on an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse...and you've got just enough time for one adorable haircut!

You Can Call Me Picasso

Well, we put our ART on last night! We took a trip to the Color Me Mine, where Kate unleashed her inner artist skills. She painted a monkey, and as you can see, did a very fine job. After the Color Me Mine, we swung over to BYU for the Walter Wick art exhibit. We weren't trying to be all sophisticated and artsy-like. We were just close by, and it's an exhibit I've been begging Dave to take me to.

So...totally cool exhibit. Walter Wick does the I Spy children's books (sort of the present day Where's Waldo book). Instead of illustrating the books, he hires a team of sculptors to create his designs. He then arranges and photographs the scenes for his books. The picture below is from his I Spy Spooky Night Book. If you're bored and want to waste time (which you are; otherwise you wouldn't be blogging) knock yourself out and try finding the following objects: the broken bone, "Boo", a padlock, 1892, a train, a chain, a busted seam, an eye of stone, and a silent scream.

The exhibit had a lot of the actual sculptures, sets and photographs from his books. I'm not saying this was the art show of the decade, but it was some good, free, wholesome, Utah entertainment.

A Class Act

Okay...I won't say you people didn't warn me. Everyone from here to Arizona (Mark) told me they couldn't believe I watched such garbage as the Bachelor. My argument to them was that I couldn't help it...I'm a bit of a hopeless romantic, and even a regular poor judge of character.

But even I could not believe last night's Bachelor finale and "The Bachelor: After the Final Rose"! I mean come on...what a loser that Jason Mesnick is! You're right, Jason. That wasn't exactly the classiest thing you did!

From now on, I think it's best I focus my attention on HIGH quality programming, such as: The Hills, American Idol, ANTM, Desperate Housewives, The Office, etc.! Yes, quality!

There I said it...we're through Bachelor (at least until next season)!