Fish & Flowers

Yesterday I took Kaylee to the local aquarium to see the octopus and other local marine life. They have a little tank that kids can put their hands in and feel the starfish, anemones, shells, etc. Kaylee took absolutely no notice of the little critters in there, she only wanted to splash around in the water. Soon she discovered the water tasted salty and that seemed to be immensely cool, so we had to say goodbye to the fish.

Outside is a boardwalk-like complex of different offices, flower beds with Japanese maples, and plenty of benches. It seemed like a great setting for a photo shoot. If only the sun wasn't so bright and my camera so slow.

We came across some vending machines where she found a neat place to store her water cup. I snapped a bunch of pictures and when we got home, I noticed one where she was checking the machine for forgotten change. Jeff says that it really shows her Dutch side! :)

This morning we went to Michaels and found a large tablet of scratch paper and some jumbo crayons for a dollar. Kaylee made her first bit of artwork in greens, oranges, and red. I think she had more fun tapping the crayons than actually coloring. I tried to point out to her that she was making marks on the paper, but I don't think it registered. Oh well. She was living in the moment and experiencing the crayons in a way most people don't take the time to do.

This afternoon we're going to go back and try the Children's Museum again. Now that she can actually walk she might have more fun.

"Oooooh!"

"Yeah!"

"Wow!"

"Mmmm.... Salty!"

"Is that my shadow I see?"

"Anything in here?"

"Oh cool, they've got my favorite!"

"Dad must have a lot of fun at work all day when he's got these great toys to play with!"

"I'm tired. Driver, take me home!"

The Fair

Kaylee and I went around to all the barns at the fair. We got to see horses and ponies, cows, goats, sheep, and chickens. I was hoping to find the pig barn, but either they didn't have it or I didn't look hard enough. Kaylee really liked the animals. She always wants to touch them, until they put their noses right in her face, then she shies away. She seemed delighted when I showed her the cows and said "mooooo" along with the sign for "cow". She also seemed to love the roosters. I'd say "cock-a-doodle-doo!" and then one of the roosters would answer.

I was really good and had a low carb chicken wrap sandwich for lunch... but I just had to get a funnel cake before leaving! Kaylee and I went to town on it. I think I'll be full for a week!

What's Cookin?

Kaylee got a kitchen set for her first birthday. She really loves to play with the pots and pans! Here's a picture of her holding the phone that comes with it.

She's been doing so many cute things lately (of course)!

She's got the little princess wave down pat. She waves at passing cars mostly. Just one hand up and a little turn of the wrist - it's so cute. When I sing to her and when she hears music that she likes, she puts both arms in the air and waves her hands. We're not sure if this is her form of dancing or not.

She loves to give kisses and hugs. The kisses are pretty sloppy though - she sticks her tongue way out. She also likes to blow raspberries on my stomach and explore my bellybutton. It gets me laughing so hard!

She got a new dolly for her birthday and she likes to pretend to feed her. We also pretend to eat whatever Kaylee happened to cook up in her kitchen. She thinks it's pretty funny when we smack our lips like we're eating. She just throws her head back and laughs.

When Kaylee gets up from her nap, I'm taking her to the NW Washington Fair up in Lynden. We'll go look at the animals and see if there are any rides we can go on together. Hopefully I'll get some good pictures to post.

One Year Old!

Happy Birthday Kaylee!

Kaylee took it pretty easy today on her birthday. She had a couple good naps interrupted by a trip to the local pool. She really loves playing in the water. More and more she wants to swim off on her own.

Kaylee's friends Matthew and Emily came over to celebrate her birthday. We had pizza for dinner, opened some gifts, and ate some cupcakes! The kitchen toys were a big hit with all the kids.

Big strides

Ok, not so much strides as a lot of waddling back and forth. Kaylee started walking a little over a week ago. She still falls a lot but a little less each day. Unfortunately she did a face plant on the coffee table the other morning and got a nice bruise on her cheek, just in time for her 1 year pictures! I guess I'll hold off a week or so before getting them done.

She's one tough little kid though. She's taken some hard falls, and sure she cries, but then she moves on and gets right back to whatever she was doing. She's also been teething in silence. I was really surprised the other day to find her first tooth has poked through. She never even put up a fuss! Maybe some of her symptoms were covered by the fact that she's been dealing with a cold.

Anyway...big strides - she's walking now and got a tooth for her first birthday. I suppose soon she will be graduating from college, getting married and having babies of her own! Oh no, it's all happening too fast!

I'll get some birthday pictures posted here next week...