Nine is Fine

Kate loved being eight.  All year long we've been able to say, "Kate the Great is Eight!"  I mean, does it get much better than when your name and your age rhyme?

But her birthday came nonetheless, and she was excited as ever.  We decided, in fact, that even though eight was great, nine would be just fine.  Better than fine, really, but we needed a good rhyme.  Kate can do nine just spectacularly I think.

I picked her up a little early from school and we went on a little ice cream date during Sarah's flute lesson.  We had a great time!  She had a hard time deciding from all those flavors of ice cream, but finally settled on a new one for her, Daiquiri Ice.  

Later that evening we had our little family celebration.  For her birthday dinner she picked steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and rolls.

She decorated her own cake, as family tradition allows. 

 And managed to blow all the pesky candles out, although I think it took her about 9 tries.

 She could not wait to open those presents. 

 She's been eying that shirt at her dance studio all year long.  

 She especially loves those little red boxes.   This one held a dog for her doll.

Kate also got a pair of jeans, a bathrobe and slippers for her doll, and a bathrobe and slippers for her. 

Happy Birthday Kate!

Here are 9 things about Kate:

1.  Kate has always loved shoes and clothes.  After years of putting together cute outfits, lately she's turned into a t-shirt and jeans kind of gal. 

2.  Kate is a great friend.  She treats her friends so nice and tries so hard to keep everybody happy.  Sometimes her friends try to make her choose favorites, but somehow she navigates these tricky circumstances and is kind to everyone.

3.  Kate likes to play the piano.  But getting her to practice every day is a bit of a challenge. 

4.  Kate is very obedient.  She tries hard to do what she is supposed to and to please her parents and teachers.

5.  Kate likes to read.  She sneaks off with a book whenever she gets a chance.

6.  Kate wants to do everything--play soccer, take several dance classes, do gymnastics, drama, singing lessons, piano and orchestra.  Having to pick and choose from so many activities and only do a couple is hard for her.  She wants to do it all!

7.  Kate takes good care of William.  When I am gone, she is often the one who gives him a bath and reads him his bedtime stories. 

8.  On the other hand, Kate and Ben...well, let's just say, they don't always see eye to eye.  Um...like every day. 

9.  Kate loves to eat pasta, homemade bread, fruit, pizza, chocolate, and funfetti cake!

We love Kate and are so glad she is in our family!