Baby Sister Names

Since she heard the good news about the upcoming arrival of a Baby Sister, Kate has been talking to my belly, singing the "ABC's" and Korean songs, and hugging and kissing it. She's also come up with a few name suggestions for us: --Gracie --Shelly --Mulan She also said she'd like to rename her beloved Dolly, "Gabby." I'm guessing it's because it's the name of her best school pal's chihuahua. UPDATE: Kate has suggested another name for her Baby Sister: Luca. But she still likes "Mulan" the best so far...

Open House at A Child's Garden School

A few weekends ago, Kate's preschool had an Open House to show the families all the hard work our preschoolers have been doing this past year. Above is a picture of Kate's sunflower plant. That's Kate's orange butterfly on the left and her sunflower is towards the upper right. Nana and I checked out all the photos of Kate displayed everywhere. Kate's favorite teacher, Ms. Mary, greeted us at the door, and Kate was very excited to introduce Nana to her. Kate and her class created a giant sculpture made of recycled household items. I'm happy that Kate is very conscious of "not making more garbage" and doing her part to "save the Earth" by trying to make something new out of her things. Kate's "Big Green Monster."

Kate said to Chris, "Appa! Look how strong I've become! Take a picture!" Nana on schmutz duty.

Kate's class goes on nature walks where the teachers teach them the names of the diverse flora on the grounds of the school. Kate proudly pointed out the azaleas and the jacaranda tree to Nana. We call jacarandas the "Kate Birthday Tree" because the flowers bloom right before her birthday every year. Chris and I will always see these beautiful purple flowers and remember the joyous day Kate entered our world and changed it forever.

Kate "Don Ho" Weyant

Kate received a ukelele from Pop-Pop and Grammy for her birthday and hasn't stopped singing since.

Here's a video of Kate performing an original diddy entitled, "You Can't Know What the Cookie Man Says or Grated Cheese." Good thing those strings are sturdy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGH9Q9tsskM

Kate's Birthday Party at Amy's Playground

On Sunday, we celebrated Kate's quadrennial with her friends at an indoor playground in South Pasadena. It wouldn't be a birthday without Nana, who flew in from Tucson for the occasion. The big bouncy house and slide. If it were up to Kate, she'd have one of these in her room. As Kate's guests started to arrive, it was time to bounce. And bounce, and bounce. Kate's best preschool buddy, Maya.

Weeeee! Cautious Kate thought it was safer to slide down flat on her back.

Jessica, Bella, Maya, Cece, and Kate all held hands to make sliding down a little less scary.

Who needs a bouncy house?

Isa, Lucy, and Kate laugh as Chris and Hilary throw balls at them.

Parachute time!

Everyone under!

Kate dashing across to the other side after her color was called.

The birthday girl got to sit in the middle and enjoy some waves.

Everyone joined in. And the parachute turned into a slow-moving carousel. The kids loved this part.

Josh and Isla.

Time to make a wish! The blowouts were a big hit.

"Happy Birthday, dear Kaaaaate..."

When I told her to make a wish, she said, "But I don't want anything." "No?" "No." "What about wishing for a good birthday?" Kate nodded, "Yes!"

Connor (the boy in red) helped Kate blow out her candles...

...but Kate didn't like that very much.

A video, in case the stills just aren't enough: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkZh_DGKY8s

Joy, Kate, Abbey, and Lucy.

Kate giving a lift to her oldest and dearest buddy, Lucy.

After the party, Lucy and her Moms came over for an impromptu BBQ and some sprinkler fun.

I had Kate and Lucy work for their burgers by scrubbing down the playhouse.

Lucy really wanted Kate to open her present...

....Cranium Hullabaloo! Or as Kate calls it, "Kalamazoo!" Thank you, Amy D., Hilary, and Lucy!

After Kate opened the rest of her presents, she developed a case of gift-fatigue.

The next day, we received the greatest news from my OB -- Kate is going to have a Baby Sister in October! Kate was so thrilled she couldn't wait to go to school to tell everyone (in a past life, Kate was definitely the town crier). For the past several months she'd been asking Chris and me for a Baby Sister and finally got her wish.

What a birthday weekend!

Happy 4th Birthday, Kate!!

Kate's received her first birthday present from Appa's dear friend, Laura and her husband, Ted -- a beautiful fairy outfit with matching crown of flowers, wings, and a wand. Thank you Laura and Ted! Jina-Eemo and Cousin Kiki made a card just for Kate. Kate loved it so much she carried it around for days. Books from Cousin Kiki! The actual morning of her 4th birthday, Kate was so excited that she woke up at the crack of dawn. This was the first year she could truly appreciate the thrill of having a birthday. Presents from Nana!

A fancy, diamond-studded tiara...

...a few twirling dresses, a tutu-style bathing suit, and a purple headband, among other accessories.

We told Kate that her present from Mom and Appa was hidden away downstairs. Kate eventually approached the closet...

...and found a new bicycle! Kate finally outgrew her tricycle and since she enjoyed biking along Venice Beach last Christmas so much, we thought she needed her own two-wheeler.

A Wedgits set from Emil Samcheon, Lisa Sook-mo, and Cousin Emma!

Uncle Glenn, Aunt Jen, and Cousin Kestrel made Kate two pretty bracelets...

...and sent a music jewelry box that plays a song from her favorite ballet, "Swan Lake," to keep them in.

They also sent a birthday cake and stamp set!

Kate couldn't wait to take a spin around the block on her new wheels.

Halmoni and Halabugi sent Kate a Hanna Andersson playdress and Kate's favorite --Japanese food erasers!

Sushi!

For her birthday dinner, Kate requested Korean food, so Chris, Nana, Kate, and I headed to Koreatown for some roast gui, pajun, and kimchi bokumbap. Everything was mouth-wateringly delicious, and Kate was so happy she clapped and hugged Nana throughout the dinner.

Kimchi bokumbap and Japanese food erasers to round-out the meal.

When we got home, Kate played with the remote-control ladybug that Soo sent. Thanks, Soo-Eemo!

It's hard to believe our little baby is four years old. Kate has matured so much this year, both physically and emotionally. It's amazing what a difference a year makes.

Appa and I couldn't be prouder of our bright, charming, and kind-hearted daughter. Happy 4th Birthday, Katharine Sora!