Kara is 3!

Three Years!  Honestly, we thought we had a three year old on our hands about 9 months ago.  Kara has always seemed a bit mature (other than her lack of coordination in which we still cringe every time she starts running because she. will. fall.), and we have to keep reminding ourselves that she is a toddler, not a teenager.  

Her third birthday was much more fun than her second.  Last year we were in the middle of a move, and she kept getting yucky stomach bugs.  This year, she had a gymnastics party with all of her little friends and we made a point of taking her on a special date.

For the date, we all dressed up and went to Downtown Fort Worth.  Kara wore her beautiful gold gown, and she had fun picking out our outfits as well.  I should have stood firm when she chose my extra pointy silver blister-makers, but I had forgotten the torture of those shoes, and my toes are still healing.  Otherwise, it was a fun time for all of us, and I think Kara felt special and loved. 

Lunch at Mi Cocina.

Loving chocolate yogurt with mochi (that's fancy for little sweet bites of Japanese glutinous rice deliciousness).

Strolling through downtown Fort Worth with Daddy.

Riding the escalators at Barnes and Noble after thumbing through wedding magazines.

This is her 3 year old letter:

Dear Kara,

You are 3 years old!  This has been a big year for you.  We have been amazed and challenged as you have grown in independence, knowledge, and truth.  Your confidence and kindness stand out as strong indicators of your character, and we feel these will be great qualities for God to use now and as you get older.  You are beginning to understand the value of trust and you desire to know God.  Your memory is incredible, and we are proud to see you using it to learn God's word.

This year you have most struggled with finding the balance between independence and submission.  We have talked many times about obedience and respect and how it is important to remember that your ways are not better than God's ways.  This is a struggle that every person must deal with, and we will continue to help you in love and discipline.

You are an encouragement to those around you. You care for those who are hurt, and you try to help when people are upset or sad.  We love your compassion.  A verse that reflects that is Proverbs 12:25 -- an anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.  This is a way that you serve others and shine a light for God.

We love you, and we are proud of who you are becoming.

Love, Daddy & Mommy

Snow Day!!!

Yes!  It snowed here (a couple weeks ago)!  And it stuck (for half a day)!  Now the temperatures are worthy of short sleeves and sandals, but I can't not post about a snow day.  It's just kind of cool and out of the norm.

Kara and the dogs waiting to go outside.

Aimee's first snow.  Chilly baby bunny.

Kara listening to the "crunch, crunch, crunch" of snow underfoot.

And now the story of how an exciting snow day turns into two girls crying....

First off, we weren't prepared for this.  There was a rush of trying to get the girls fed and dressed in clothes worthy of snow.  Well, dressing Aimee was easy enough because she lives in warm jammies, but Kara seems to think that heavy clothing is nothing but a nuisance.  She says it hurts.

So by the time all that is done and we're ready to go out, Aimee is due for a nap.  But she was good  and happy until I tried to lay her down to make a snow angel.  Big mistake.  Big.  Huge.  So, so mad.  She started wailing like I had hurt her.  Hence, no pictures.  I decided to go inside and put her down for a nap, and I told Kara she could continue to play outside in the snow.  Both girls were good with this arrangement. 

Just as I had finished changing Aimee and I was laying her in the crib, Kara comes wailing and screaming into the house. "It hurts!  It hurts!  It's so cold!".  I was pretty surprised when she came into the room wearing nothing but her thermal shirt and panties.  These are the moments where I am learning to suppress the urge to ask her what were you thinking?!  Indeed, being half naked in the snow does hurt.  It hurts worse than heavy, warm, cozy winter clothing.  Oh, sweet girl.  

Hopefully, this was a lesson learned...especially since she was responsible for going back outside to collect her clothes out of the melting snow.  We are going to Idaho Falls later this week, and she will probably lose a body part if she decides to disrobe up there.