Kassi's 4th B-day Bash!

Kassi, your birthday is always first in our family birthday marathon.  You wanted to make cupcakes, so we tried a new recipe for frosting that was a little complicated, but it tasted great!  And, you definitely got your fill of cupcakes and cupcake decorating!  During Nathan's nap time, we had fun decorating cupcakes and ...

... we had our own little dance party in the kitchen, just you and me!  You are quite the dancer!  We let you join Jesi's little dance class this year and you are often so tired by 6:30, that you would prefer to stay home.  It is ironic that the reason you are so tired at the end of the day is likely because you dance all day long!!!

 We invited the neighbors over for an after school snack - your beautifully hand-crafted cupcakes!

 Nathan was glad he was awake and able to join in on the cupcake festivities!

 Then we went to Trafalga for some pizza, rides, mini-golf & rock climbing!  By the time we got the pizza, you were all VERY hungry and we topped it off with nothing but your finest, decorated cupcakes!  You were so excited that Cari and Darren decided to join us!

 Sometimes Nathan tries to steal the show, but you are pretty good at holding your own ...

 A pictures says a thousand words.  

 You are very good at making silly faces and you are ALWAYS making us laugh!  I think when your daddy promised to make me laugh every day (and he sure has kept that promise), you must have made the same promise in order to be sent to our family!  The two of you make quite the pair, like in this next picture!!!  

You look like you could be part giraffe with that tongue and I have no idea what exactly daddy is trying to be!  But, I know he was trying to make us laugh, so I shouldn't be selfish and keep this all to myself.

 You and your sister were so cute holding hands everywhere.  You two talked Drew into joining you eventually on the Frog Hopper ride!

We all cheered you on!

 Then we went mini-golfing and the glow-in-the-dark paint was a lot of fun!

 Another demonstration of Andy making me laugh.  He had a couple other good ones, but I'll limit it to two on this post at least.  I love that guy!

 You were getting a little tired by the end, but we still talked you into trying a little rock climbing and you did great - a little worried at first, but you got the hang of it and eventually thought it was fun!  Jesi was a little less certain, probably because she chose to wear her winter boots?!?

 Kassi, you are a delightful child, so full of wonder and joy.  You are truly a joy to be around and we don't know what we'd do without your sweet sparkling personality in our family.  We hope you know that there will never be a mountain or wall too difficult to climb if you let go of your fears and have faith that things will work out!  

At dinner the other day, you asked where Jesi was.  When I told you she was in "el bano", you asked why she was "so far away"?  When we asked why you thought it was so far away, you insisted that you knew what "el bano" was, but you would not tell us.  It was hilarious when we asked you questions and you responded, acting like you knew exactly where she was.  You thought it was quite the funny joke when you later found out she was only in the bathroom.  You are quite the character and you always keep us on our toes.  Speaking of toes, we always know when you are embarrassed or shy because you start walking on your tippie toes.  This is usually in the morning when you come downstairs and your spunky personality hasn't quite woken up yet, or when we are with other people you don't know well, etc. etc.  It is very cute!  You also walk on tippie toes occasionally when you get excited about something.  Things that excite you these days are art projects such as painting, going on trips to the park, seeing extended family members or friends,  and helping me cook, bake, organize or clean!

You also love to read, especially after bedtime.  Some of your favorites this year that we have read over and over and over again have been Molly Lou Melon, Grover's Resting Places, The Paper Bag Princess, The Napping House, Piggies, & the Rainbow Fairies, but you are happy to read just about anything these days.  The other night, after story time, you wanted me to "chat" with you as we have been doing with your older siblings.  It was so fun to have that special time with you, despite the fact that it was way past your bedtime and felt like it was past my bedtime as well.  I found out that your favorite animals are bunnies and rabbits (apparently bunnies are white and rabbits are silver).  Your favorite colors are "the blue color in the rainbow" (turquoise according to you) and pink.  And, you said you want to grow up to be a big sister and then a mommy.  You said you want to have a baby boy, and a baby girl named Lilly.  I remember a year or two ago you said you wanted to be a cowgirl mommy!  I would love to hold my little granddaughter, Lilly someday and hope she is just like you because I can't help but get a little teary thinking of how fast you are growing up.  I know that is what I signed up for, and I look forward to watching you learn and grow.  I guess I just better document these early years because they are so precious to me.  You are precious and I am so thankful you are my daughter.  Happy 4th Birthday, Kassi.  We all love you SO VERY MUCH!!!