KidArt

Katelyn's pictures have been getting more creative and recognizable lately. Here are some favorites I recently found on her drawing table:

Spongebob and Patrick

(this one made me laugh, of course)

Caterpillar and Snowman

Carbo Loading Part Two

*My brother, Jon, looking very satisfied after a good meal.

Today we drove to St. George. I sat the whole way there in the tiny back, back seat of the Explorer, surrounded by gigantic strollers and luggage. I hope nobody noticed me trying to get in and out during pit stops. I was like a contortionist...but less skillful and less graceful. It wasn't pretty!

We ate lunch/dinner at The Pizza Factory near Washington, UT. Or maybe it's really considered St. George...I don't know. The bottom line is: It was delish! The HUGE salad bar alone would have been enough, but then they brought us gourmet pizzas and seasoned bread sticks on real sticks. I never knew I could eat so much! The owner was awesome. He picked up our tab because he was friends with Adam's brother (who was also with us) way back when. He even gave all the kids fancy lolipops on the way out. It was seriously nice of him. I highly recommend The Pizza Factory in Washington (or St. George), Utah. And if you go, be sure to order the breadsticks. They're amazing!

Please enjoy these pictures of Katelyn, who was so impressed by the food and atmosphere, she was inspired to conduct imaginary music with one of the bread stick sticks. She looks pretty professional if you ask me...and my opinion counts--I hold a DEGREE in music.

Okay, honestly, I'm just biased. My lowest grade EVER was in conducting. May I present...

Katelyn Tilson Thomas:

...and Zach!

My Little Kate

Today I sent my little Katelyn (Apparantly there are a lot of Caitlin's. Mine is now "the one with the 'K-A-T-E'.") off to preschool. It is her first day. She has been so excited about this ever since I brought up the idea (she imagines it's like going to Hogwarts), so even though it is a bit out of our budget right now, I enrolled her for the year.

I was up late last night with my mind racing. I checked her temperature three times throughout the morning, secretly hoping for a fever--any excuse to keep her home. But after the thermometer's thrice clean bill of health, I had no excuses left. I took her to the school, walked her to the door and into her classroom...all the while hiding my emotions. She seemed fine...maybe a bit apprehensive. She cried a little before I left, but she said it was only because I scratched her face with the tissue while I was wiping her nose.

So here I sit. Me and Littleman, who just woke up from his nap. I spent the morning organizing Katelyn's closet (i.e. throwing things away that she would never let me touch if she were here) with a pit in my stomach, missing my little Kate. I remember feeling this way in the days before Zachary was born...knowing that things between us were about to change. Not necessarily in a bad way. But change is sometimes hard. It's hard to let my little girl go...even this little bit. And I know this is silly, but I've spent all morning worrying and wondering about how she'll get her straw into the juice box hole at lunch time. She always needs me to do it for her, but I won't be there. She didn't seem too worried about it, though. Obviously this is harder for me than it is for her.

Cold Turkey

This morning I decided there would be no TV today.

At least one of us is already experiencing withdrawals.