"gymnasticker"

My best girl...the gymnast. Or, as she calls herself, a "gymnasticker." After working hard all year, she finally got the chance to show off her skills at her school's recital. First, a walk across the balance beam. Except Kate didn't just walk. She spun in circles all the way to the end. I probably shouldn't mention that she was the only kiddo to spice it up. Nah, I won't mention that.

Then there was this funky move:


For the grand finale, Kate caught a ball behind her back. Wow! That's a BIG DEAL! She was so proud of herself!


At the end of the program, she was awarded a medal (which she loves) and was given a bouquet of roses by her adoring fans. We're so proud of our girl!

to God's ears...

Kate's bedtime prayer (I've memorized it as it's pretty much the same every night):

Thank you, Jesus, for this beautiful day. Thank you for everything you've given to us. Please help us have good dreams and no bad dreams. Help us always be together. Help all the children with no mommies or daddies. Help all the children with no shoes and all the naked jaybirds with no clothes. Help all the mommies and daddies to not punish their kids. Help the mean guys know you're real. Thank you for my American Girl doll. In Jesus' name, Amen.

funny girl

One of our favorite traditions each Easter is our "Bunny Cake." The kids help divide the pastel M&Ms and eat as many as they can while my back is turned. I should have known better than to mess with a good thing, but Kate and I decided to shake things up this year and make a "Butterfly Cake" instead. One round cake, cut in half, and then two small triangles cut out of each half-circle. Easy Schmeasy. Except that it wasn't. It was awful. The whole thing fell apart before we even got started. Still, it made for a fun (albeit messy) Sunday in the kitchen. And, it led to this conversation with Kate:

Kate: I think this cake will be perfect for Easter.
Me: Really? Why?
Kate: Because they beat up Jesus and he died on the cross, and this cake looks like somebody killed it.

She was right. So, we resorted to the tried and true "Bunny Cake" and Easter Sunday dinner was saved.

Lesson learned.

sorry, baby...

Sweet Benjamin, you know I love you, and I'm hoping that you don't hold this particular photo against me in the next few years. For the record, I did not purposefully style your hair this way. Just an unfortunate gust of wind, I guess. Still, your umpa lumpa self is pretty cute. Love you!

a little more Easter