Circus Circus

Kate went to see the circus with Nana, Papa Drinkard, Daddy and I last week. To date she is still talking about the trapez and how the clowns climbed the poles straight up to the top. She continues to list with her fingers as she states out loud in order the animals she saw. Phants, puppies, tigers-big cats, zees, one, two, three, four, . . . Occassionally you will hear a little growl when she gets to tiger. She talks about the humongo cannon that shot fireworks. Fireworks being one of Kate's favorite "hobbies" to watch this must have really been super exciting for her. I think Kate od'd on cotton candy and root beer that night. She will be telling us all about the circus for weeks. So, here's to the circus hats that are too tall and won't stay over your eyes, but if you try to adjust the hat on Kate's head, prepare to be scolded with an I can do it all, NO MAMA! No!

Garden Snake

Digging potatos this past weekend at my folks garden in So. Iowa Kate discovered a snake that Papa had unearthed. Instead of squealing and being afraid of the snake Kate held out her hands so she could hold the baby snake in her own hands. Watching Papa handle the snake was cool but holding the snake herself in the palm of her hand was the coolest. That has been over a couple weeks ago and Kate is still telling me all about the snake with blue eyes that she laid down so it could take a nap in the garden. What a cutie Kate is! So here is to our little explorer that is not afraid of anything. Cheers to garden snakes with fascinating blue eyes!

Annie Annie Annie

The first "Annie" experience was terrible for Kate and I. How could I subject her to such torment? Kate cried when the orphans got in trouble, bawled when Sandy the dog was being teased by the mean boys, and cried when the policeman took Annie back to the orphanage. . . New Drinkard Household Rule: NO MORE ANNIE! I stopped the DVD instantly and held my child telling her princess stories about frogs and lillipads until she finally fell asleep. How could I subject Kate to such torment? What kind of mother was I exposing her to a mean nasty old woman in charge of emotionally abused abandoned dirty children? Oh yeah, I loved Annie as a child. So much that my Grandma Helen made me a duplicate red dress just like little orphan Annie's dress in the musical. This was the same DVD that I looked for EVERYTIME we went shopping at a store that sold DVDs. I felt terrrriiiiibbbbbllllleeeeeee! So what does Kate beg and plea her Daddy to watch the very next night? Annie. I warned him, expressed my concerns, and told him he was on his own. Despite all my Annie objections Matt gave in to Kate's relentless inquiries of watching Annie. I waited, and waited, and waited. . . no cries, no tears, no bottom lip hanging off a drooping face looking pitiful. I watched absorbing in concerned looks, smiles, and then belly laughs filled with glee. Now, Kate cannot get enough Annie and Matt and I have all the songs memorized. I even find myself singing them.

Picking Maytoes

I told Kate yesterday we could go to Nana and Papa's garden and pick tomatos to make sauce. The first phrase out of her mouth this morning was "I'm ungry. Let's go pick maytoes." We packed up the car (after breakfast) and headed to the garden. The tomatos were scarce but we managed to find some nice bite size cherry tomatos. Then out of the blue, Kate holds up a tomato in each hand and says, "Kate size, Mama! Wook, Mama!" Where does she come up with her deductions. She amuses me all the time with her comments.

Cinnamon Swirls with Golden Curls

There is nothing like an exteme lack of sleep to start your day off right. This morning I was so sleep deprived I didn't even have the energy to make oatmeal for Kate's breakfast. Matter of fact, I was so tired my lack of common sense was extremely numbed. Being the awesome rock star Mom that I am, I decided Kate should make her own breakfast which turned out to be more work than I bargained.

I pulled out the toaster, sliced bread, butter, sugar, and of course, cinnamon spice along with some perfectly ripe peaches. (Cinnamon tends to be the "spice" of choice with Kate lately.) I toasted the bread, spread some butter, poured sugar in a bowl, added a spoon, and handed over the cinnamon sprinkler. A fantabulous, creative breakfast was at our fingertips. So was a mess that I cleaned up an hour later.

Kate took her time spooning miniscule amounts of sugar onto her toast. It was amusing to watch her extreme perfection of making sure the exact amount of sugar was on every crumb evenly. When she began sprinkling the cinnamon over the sugar it was more like a fireworks show with spice flying here and there, a little bit of everywhere. Kate was so wild with the cinnamon I cut her fireworks display short.

The peaches, from Alldredge Orchard which we will pick our apples from this year, were perfectly ripe which also makes them overly juicey. Juicey, sticky, cinnamonish Kate was a edible mess from her golden locks all the way to her toes. I should have taken a picture.