KATRINA MEETS BETSY

When my mommy was little her mommy would always have lots of pom pon girls at her house during the summer months. One of those girls has been friends with my gramma for over thirty years - since before my mommy was born. Her name is Betsy and I had a chance to meet her.

One of her favorite stories is when she was babysitting for my mommy and mommy was sick and happened to upchuck all over her, the bed clothes, everything. This was Betsy's first introduction to that and even though she felt like getting sick herself she cleaned mommy up, cleaned up the crib and the floor and got my mommy settled down and back to bed. The two of them have a special bond and Betsy calls my mom "Mootie".

ACTIVE IS GOOD

Today I spent the day with Lola because mommy went to substitute teach at Maple. We had fun, she watched me play at Movin & Grovin at the Y, we had time on the slide and when we went home we had more time together with reading, playing and even making pizzas.

Gramma was amazed at how much pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese I could get on myself while we made lunch. I loved tasting each piece of pepperoni before I put it on the pizza - gramma didn't mind - she figured it was only us eating it anyhow. Hope mommy can get the red sauce out of my clothes.
Her favorite story of the day - other than pizza making - would be when I moved my trampoline from one side of the room to the other side. I politely asked her help with "gramma - I need help", when it got stuck on the ottoman. I wasn't moving it to the middle of the room so I could jump, I was moving it behind the couch so I could get on it and turn on the light switch. I impressed her with my industriousness. She said I was a clever little girl.
Hope we have more days together like today.

MY FAVORITE XMAS GIFTS

Wow, I think you all went overboard with the gifts. What a wonderful holiday and I am so lucky to have family and friends that add to the excitement of my first Christmas in the US.
My favorite gifts are my horse and my kitchen. I am sure I will be riding that horse until I am a teenager - unless I start gaining some weight. My kitchen - see my apron, "I Love Cleaning" - my grampa Bob loves it.
Love you all and thank you for everything.

Seeing Santa

We went to the mall to see Santa. I know who he is, I can say "Ho, Ho, Ho" and my favorite song is "Here Comes Santa Claus". I did great til they put me on his knee and I looked up and saw his face - then came the tears. Mommy grabbed me quick, gramma grabbed a photo by Santa and we took off.

When I received the photo that the mall took I wouldn't give it up.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

On stage...I was a natural!

Away in a manger...I decide the live Filipino heritage nativity scene needs some more "spice" so I get up and dance mid stage. After my solo was complete, I ran offstage to Grandma!

Here I am! Where is mommy? Stuck behind stage trying to call my name so I sit nice....nope--didn't happen!

Over a foot of snow! We played and mommy pulled me around on my snowmen sled. My nose got a chillin' all too soon and we were back inside before we knew it. I'm just not used to this weather yet! I love to look at the "snowplakes and snowmens" from inside our cozy house.

Trying To Get A Picture

Gramma tried to get my picture so she could send it to all the friends and family that supported Mommy and her efforts to raise money for my Hospicio. I tried to cooperate, but for all of you who know me, I am a whirling dervish.
This is my first Christmas in the United States - I am so excited.

Catch me if you can.

OK - Time for a rest.

OCTOBER CAME AND WENT!

October came and went and the cold chilled my bones too quickly! The end of September and beginning of October marked many new things for me and my family--the birth of my new cousin--baby Ulises! I loved him the minute I saw him. I started Music and Rhythm Classes with the Rec Dept (lots of singing and playing with instruments which I LOVE). I even started Teddy Tumbling and Swimming at the YMCA. Swimming was great with Mommy and Daddy both there. I was ready to jump right in the minute I got to the edge of the pool. 15 minutes into class I started shivering--my teacher said I needed more"meat on my bones!" Tumbling was a different story--my classmates are very unique. The first day could've been used in a sitcom--no teacher, a custodian that clearly "loved" children, a fill-in teacher that got thrown-up all over by a little girl, and no control as we all ran around screaming. My mommy jumped in to help and had us running and jumping. Before I knew it, I saw two of my classmates hanging on her legs! My mommy also realizes that I am REALLY "active" compared to other kids my age:) She couldn't get me out from under the parachute! I also started going to the "daycare" at Sneakers Fitness while my mom teaches aerobics. There are some good stories there! ( I am still learning to stay on the ground to play and also learning again that sharing is tough!)

I am still battling my ear infections/fluid and sinus infection...Soooo, my BIG surgery is on Thursday, November 5th. I will have my adenoids removed and ear tubes put in. Dr. says that this will make me a new baby--and relieve the fluid and maybe even help me eat better. Momma hopes so...Despite not being 100 percent, I have started talking up a storm! I put 2 words together to make some phrases and copy every last word mommy or daddy say. I love acting out things with my baby doll and doggies. My favorite phrases are still, "Ohhh noooo!, and "Moyyy"(more). I try to sing the Barney songs on my favorite Barney video too.

My first Halloween was wonderful! Mom and I carved a bat in my pumpkin! And CANDY! a new word in my vocab--also Trick or Treat (I try--but it comes out "Teatrteat.") My cousins Elle and Ava showed me the ropes pretty quickly. We raced down the road in the dark with our parents chasing after us. I said "Thank you" to all of the neighbors and wanted to eat the candy right away! I chewed on a glow stick to tide my hunger--my mom looked in horror as my chin was glowing in the dark...Aren't I the cutest flower you've ever seen?

Thank you to all of my special family and friends who shared a loving donation of money to my dear family at Hospicio de San Jose. The flooding has devastated the facility--they are overwhelmed, yet continue to open their arms to many children in need of a family. We raised over 1250 dollars to send. Thank you for showing your support and love for me by taking care of those who are so important to me.

Enjoy the pics--sorry they were so late. Mom has just been enjoying her time with me and enjoying all the new activities we are in! I have my special 2 year photo shoot on Wednesday. We hope to get some good pics then--I am still learning how to smile and sit still for the camera. I hope this photographer has a quick click finger!!! Love you all--Kat-Kat