10 Things I love about Kate

Katesie just turned 7 last week. I can't believe how fast time goes. I know everybody says that but I guess now I am joining those ranks. It really did just feel like yesterday when that little girl showed up two weeks early. I love this new tradition. Here goes...

1. Kate has a contagious laugh. Especially when she really gets going (which is often. It also seems to happen a lot during evening prayers). She loves to get Mikey laughing with her. When he does something funny she just cracks up and has him do it over and over again so she can laugh and laugh over and over again. Her laugh is much more than a giggle. It's definitely not a quiet laugh. It's almost a strained sound until it just absolutely bursts out into a full belly laugh. I love it!

2. Kate is off-the-charts-smart. She has always loved to read and cruises through all kinds of books way above her grade level. She loves to learn but not necessarily to do homework. Her teacher is always giving her extra work to do in school because she finishes so quickly. I'm sure her work ethic will catch up with her brains at some point.

3. Kate has a strong personality. Sometimes this creates problems since she is pretty much as stubborn as her mother. But if I can get through it, so can she. I love that she is determined and a little headstrong. No one will ever tell her she can't do something. She will enjoy every minute of proving them wrong. Just need to channel that one in the right direction, right?

4. Kate is amazingly talented on the piano. She has picked it up so quickly. She wants to play every minute. We've moved the piano over to our new house on Friday and she is missing it desperately. I feel bad but I have to tell her all of the time to stop playing and come get ready for school or eat dinner or (fill in the blank with anything since she is ALWAYS playing the piano). She's only been taking lessons for 6 months and only half lessons at that (she and Kira split one lesson since their teacher is completely full). Her teacher has already told me to stop showing Kate how to play songs because she only needs to hear or see it once and she can figure it out and memorize it within a day or two. She said I have to be careful because then she won't learn to read music, she'll just memorize and/or play by ear. I'm not entirely sure that's a bad thing. She also loves to record herself playing and then play it back while she runs off to do something and I'm left saying..."Kate! I told you to go brush your teeth (or whatever I've asked her to do)" only to come around the corner and see no one at the piano. She thinks that's pretty hilarious.

5. Kate loves Mikey. She is the best big sister (and Kira too). She loves to read to him, play with him, laugh with him, jump on the tramp with him or do anything with him. She loves having him as her little buddy. She is very nurturing to him.

6. Kate is trying to be brave. She has gotten a little nervous over the past year or two about trying new things. She has a huge fear that she is going to be left somewhere or forgotten and be all alone. But she has been really trying to be brave. I know it's hard for her but she takes a deep breath and says "OK. I can do this." And she does! I love that she will keep trying and working until she can do it. She tried out for the summer swim team a few weeks ago. She was so nervous not knowing anyone, especially on the second day when I didn't stay to watch her. But she went in and when I picked her up she was SO proud of herself! And she does incredibly brave things all the time, like when she bore her testimony in sacrament meeting last month. I still can barely do that!

7. Kate is a great artist. She is always drawing little pictures. Lots of pictures! They are scattered across the fridge, back door, in the church bag, sketch book and more. And they are REALLY good! And I'm not just saying that. I know good, and Kate is good! And so creative too!

8. Kate is funny. She is really funny. She has a great sense of humor and comes up with witty little things all the time. She is definitely her father's daughter. Lucky girl! :)

9. She sleeps with her eyes half open. It's true! And a little weird. She always has, even when she was a baby. But I have to say that once she's asleep, she's always been a great sleeper. Our only one who will even remotely sleep in. And when I say "sleep in" remember that it's all relative. While Mikey's up at 6 and the other kids are up at 6:45, Kate will sleep until 8. Now if only she would go right to bed. :) She loves to stay up talking and talking to Kira. And then my favorite...singing herself to sleep. Maybe I should do a few more lullaby's for her because I often go downstairs to check and see if the kids are asleep and everyone but Kate is sound asleep and she is humming or singing somewhat softly. Not softly enough to actually fall asleep. Is that really even possible? To sing YOURSELF to sleep? Not sure but Kate is sure it works.

10. Kate loves her friends. She is always thinking of nice things to do for her friends. She would play with Ava 24/7 if we'd let her. She is a good friend and so thoughtful. If they've ever had any sort of argument Kate is completely distraught until she everything is okay. She is always writing nice notes to her friends and family members too. They are so adorable. I've saved a few of the ones she's written for me because I never want to forget how my little Kate was when she was 6. Or now 7! Still can't believe that!

I love you Katesie! Happy Happy Birthday!