The very belated birthday post

I would like to blame my lack of blogging on my recent shoulder surgery, however, I had been on a break from blogging even before that. I actually think I have been putting off this post because it's just really hard for me to acknowledge that my baby girl is now 4 and definitely not a baby anymore. Even though I ask her every day just to be my baby again, she assures me it's just not possible. I honestly can't believe that in just another week and a half I will be dropping her off at pre-school. Every day I am amazed by her. I'm amazed at her imagination, her energy, her intelligence, her creativity, and of course, the fact that she has so much to say she just can't stop talking. I hate to break it to her, but whether she wants to be or not, she's always going to be my baby girl.

So, on to the birthday fun. This year Kinley wanted a Despicable Me birthday party. Quite the challenge since no bakeries in town have a kit to make a Despicable Me birthday cake. Thank heavens for the ever so talented Kandis who made an amazing cake for Kinley.
Kinley, being your average 4 year old girl, is obsessed with princesses and Barbies. So naturally, she got plenty of Barbies for her birthday.
Kinley also got this awesome Barbie furniture that her Grandma made for her. She also got this new "princess dress" which is great for twirling in.
Even Uncle Len made it for her birthday. She was pretty excited to have him come for a visit. Kinley managed to get my camera and snap this great picture of Len. He'll be thrilled it made it on the blog. A weekend with Kinley will wear anybody out.

No more T ball

After a month of bribing, threatening, rewarding, and coaxing Kinley to participate in her t ball games while she yells about how much she hates t ball, the season has come to an end. I feel like it ended just in time, my sanity was beginning to slip away and I was out of bribes. Kinley asked if we had a game today, I said no, then true to Kinley's dramatic nature, she dropped to her knees, let out a slow motion "nooooooooo" with both fists clenched. Then she cried for about 5 minutes about how she just loves t ball so much. And then my head exploded.

Lil Slugger

Well here we are, half way through tee ball and I have yet to post about it. The main reason for my slacking is that I am coaching the team and it's super difficult to take pictures during the game. Why you ask? Because I'm running around waving my arms like a lunatic to get the 4 and 5 year olds to run in the right direction and trying to get them to stop dog piling on the ball. Luckily the team is catching on very quickly and allowed for some picture taking today.

Kinley is really enjoying tee ball. All during the games she continually expresses her delight to be there, saying things like "I'm having the worst time ever" and "I quit" and "I just came for the treats". On the way to the game on Monday she was crying tears of joy while yelling, "Why are you so mean to me? Why do you keep making me play tee ball?" It's moments like these that make being a coach and parent worth all the trouble. I should say that she is playing pretty well, she just gets a little bored in the field. I confess, I probably have way too high of expectations for her, but the only thing I really wanted her to inherit from me was my love of softball (and maybe a hint of athletic ability).

The home run trot

Kinley playing catcher, she actually makes a very good catcher

Hey Soul Sister

For your viewing pleasure, Kinley would now like to perform Train's latest hit "Hey Soul Sister". I know it will seem like Kinley is potentially intoxicated, sadly, this is just her personality. She's very "lively" if you will. She normally sings this in a more mild manor, however, she's recently given up napping and becomes rather silly in the late afternoon. So, without further ado, I give you the best rendition of Hey Soul Sister I have ever heard.

Anybody else see a hint of an Elaine dance in there???

Hot and Cold

Kinley absolutely loves music. She has inherited her father's ability to memorize the lyrics to every song. Yesterday she asked if I would record her while she sang some of her favorites. I must say I was rather surprised and pleased with the outcome. Enjoy!

To tell the truth

Kinley has had a bit of trouble lately telling the truth lately. I'm hoping she just doesn't quite understand what lying is, but deep down, I'm pretty sure she does. Today I noticed that Milo's old bed was back in his cage. When I asked Kinley about it she said Milo did it, not her. I said, "so you mean to tell me that our dog drug that bed all the way down the hall, pulled out the new bed, and stuffed that old bed in there?" She said, "yes, and it was totally crazy." And so it begins.

Mother/Daughter movie

This morning our ward had a mother/daughter movie at the theater. We were able to finally see Alice in Wonderland which I absolutely loved and Kinley did too. Before the movie we took pictures of the moms and daughters together. Kinley was lucky enough to get a picture with Reese. Kate (Reese's mama) told them to put their arms around each other, Kinley apparently interpreted this as she should put Reese in a choke hold. Reese's face is classic. Okay Kinley, try it again, be more gentle this time.

Hmm, a little better, still a little "chokey" but still cute.

Well, maybe she just can't help it, she just loves Reese so much.

Reese's Grandma Sheila even came to the movie with us. Before the movie started Kinley said, bursting with excitment, "Kate's mom is sooooo nice to me." Then, near the end of the movie, Kinley tells me that Kate's lap is open and she has to go. Nothing says "Happy Mother's Day" like being told your lap isn't as good as somebody else's. Oh well, better luck next year. Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there! To quote my friend Janae, "motherhood is not for the weak".