Go Pirates!

Last week was Homecoming Week here, and we had such a beautiful week of weather!  As usual, the girls participated in the dress up days.  Pajama Day was by far the favorite!  On Friday, we dressed in our purple and gold to cheer on the Pirates.  Audrey was so excited for the parade (candy!!!) that day that she popped right out of bed after asking, "Is today Friday?"  It was the fastest she's gotten ready all school year.

Dana was able to take the girls to the parade and pep rally.  Audrey had a blast!  She danced throughout the pep rally and especially loved dancing to the cheerleader routines.  Kate enjoyed it but got really hot in the crowded gym.

Our night was capped off by attending the football game and cheering on the Pirates until the end of the first quarter.  They were behind when we left but went on to win the game.  What a fun week it was!  Go Purple and Gold!

Audrey had to put her hand up each time she said, "Go Pirates!"

The headband came off ten seconds after getting put on.

A mother from our community took this picture of Audrey scoping out her candy during the parade.

She also took this awesome picture of Kate!

One more of us arriving at the game.  Can you see how wiped out Kate was from all the day's festivities?

Books

Audrey has a serious obsession with books, and it definitely comes from her mother.  Our bedtime reading is my favorite time each weeknight and usually includes four books.  One night Jeremy and I were both trying to wrangle Kate during a hair washing in the tub, and Audrey was being suspiciously quiet in her room.  I yelled, "Audrey, are you okay?"  She said, "Yeah, I'm just pickin' out books for tonight."

After Kate's bath, this is what we saw in Audrey's room.

Kate was shocked.  However, she decided to file this away as another future way to stall bedtime from occurring.

Kate at Nine Months

Well, Sweet Pea, you are officially growing up too quickly!  The only consolation is that as you become your own little person, we love you more and more each day.

If we had to sum up Kate in one word right now, it would be BUSY.  When Kate is allowed freedom, she does not sit still.  She opens doors, pulls books off shelves, and is almost always caught holding the toy that Audrey didn't know she wanted until Kate had it.  She pulls herself to standing regularly, walks around things, and has even let go and stood unsupported briefly.

Kate has seemed to plump out a little more this month, and it's because she loves her food.  She is gradually making the change to table food and gobbles up everything that is placed in front of her.  In another week, she will probably just be strictly eating what we are.  It's exciting for her to eat food that has more taste to it!  She's been a little slower to warm up to drinking out of a sippy cup, but that seems to be improving, too.  She drinks water with her supper each night, and it could just be that she'd rather be drinking milk.

Kate can play a mean game of peek-a-boo and hides behind anything she can hold in her hand.  She gets her giant smile on her face and laughs her belly laugh when found.  She bounces when she hears music, so she will be a fan of dancing like her big sister.

We continue to hear many sounds of "Dada" throughout our days with Kate.  Audrey tells me it's okay because she's a "Mama's girl", so Kate can be a "Dada's girl."  I guess that does work.

Our photo shoot this time was a busy one, so the pictures aren't as great.  As usual, Kate wouldn't sit still, and Audrey was distracting her with a dinosaur.  Luckily, Kate looks cute in any picture!

Kate likes to blow out her mouth right now and make a small whistling sound.
She gets such a cute look on her face when she does it!

Here's Audrey!  

Photo shoot is officially over!

Audrey is much more interesting.

If You're Happy and You Know It

Apparently Kate has a lot to be happy about lately.  She's got this clapping thing down pat, and it's so cute to see.  After a delicious meal tonight, Kate was so excited she started to clap for her food.  When others clap with her, the excitement just grows!  She's such a sweetheart.  Her nine-month post will come over the weekend.

Audrey had ketchup/mustard lipstick on tonight after supper.  It's amazing how "dips" can double as a fashion statement.

Zoo

As we muddle through a week filled with illness and stormy weather, it's nice to think back to our trip to the zoo while we were in Madison.  Madison's zoo has no entrance fee, so it's perfect for a tired toddler!  We stayed for a couple hours and were able to see many animals, ride the carousel twice, and sneak in a train ride, too.  Audrey was interested in the animals but would immediately declare, "I want to see some-pin else" as soon as we would arrive at an exhibit.  We were constantly on the go, but it was a fun place to visit!

Our loyal readers may recall that Audrey LOVED feeding the goats at the Milwaukee Zoo last summer.  She was definitely NOT comfortable feeding these goats.  They were rather aggressive.  I reminded her that she did it when she was a one-year-old, and she said that she'd be able to do it again when she was "Bigger, bigger, like when I'm three."  We'll see.

Audrey's first carousel ride of the day!

Kate had to crane her neck to see those giraffes!

Girls Weekend

Since Dad had to work over the Labor Day weekend, we had a "Girls Weekend" in Madison.  Aunt Kirstin had bought a Groupon deal for admissions to the Children's Museum in Madison, and so we used that as our excuse to go away for the night.  We packed up Saturday morning and made the drive to Madison.  After a delicious lunch, we headed straight for the museum.

As soon as we walked in, we could tell it was going to be a wonderful experience for Audrey.  There was so much to see and do throughout the three different levels, and she was enthralled the entire time.  Here are some pictures of what she experienced.

Audrey and Kate checked out a Mouse House, filled with tiny stuffed mice and tiny furniture.

Audrey loves to "Drive, drive, drive" in any car she can.  She was too busy watching the road to smile for the camera.

Audrey even gave Grandma a ride!

Taking a peek at the train table

We were trying to build a house, but Audrey quickly lost interest after the first level.

Did everyone forget I can crawl now?  Just let me OUT!!!

Audrey and Aunt Kirstin made some gourmet pizzas and pies.

You even had to crank it through the pizza oven!

Well, I guess I can reach this.  I just wish they'd let me OUT.

Audrey LOVED painting on this window and then using a spray bottle of water to clean it off.

Audrey was checking out the rooftop garden with Aunt Coke.

Audrey was looking at the lake through a telescope on the roof.  Thanks, Aunt Kirstin, for giving us a reason to check out the Children's Museum!  Audrey loved it, and Kate can't wait to get out of her stroller next time we're there!