An Apple a Day...

Don't look now, but it seems as if Libby (22 months) and Kate are heeding the doctor's orders! It's always a treat when we can get the kids to eat really healthy snacks. Too bad Katie's daddy introduced her to Peanut M&Ms the other day...let's just say that she has inherited the McG candy radar.

Such Big'Uns

Katie and Connor (16 months) looked like a couple of pre-schoolers eating their blueberry-n-cheerios snack this afternoon. Don't they look like such big kids now? My, how time flies when you are having fun.

On a side note...GRUMBLE, GRUMBLE... Mike spotted a little bit of warping on our dining room ceiling yesterday. A day later, we have a new toilet and a few hundred dollars less in our pockets. Happy holidays to Mr. Plumber! Mr. President, consider this our first economic stimulus package for the season.

Now That's a Mouthfull!

Thought this was a funny picture of Katie attacking her Mac 'n Cheese tonight at Ruby Tuesdays. As you can surmise from the determined expression, the selection is usually a can't miss with her. Katie thought it was a fantastic end to a fun day of Christmas shopping...

Boo-Boo...Oh-Kaaaay

Ever since we told Katie that her toys could get "boo-boos" by being thrown around, she has become fascinated with the whole "boo-boo" concept. She likes to look for knicks and dings on her toys (and parents) so that she can kiss them and make them "Oh-kaaay" again. In this picture, she must have found a boo-boo on Baby's forehead.

Today, Katie really got to put her boo-boo knowledge to the test. We wanted to brighten the day of a friend who is unfortunately pregnant and bedridden in the hospital. As soon as Katie saw all of the medical equipment, IVs, etc. in the hospital room, her "boo-boo" concept clicked in. Unfortunately, she was a little too shy to give our friend a kiss, but she kept going up to her and saying "Oh-kaaay!" Hopefully, Katie will be right!

Two New Seats, Too Little Time

Katie and Traci went shopping for some big girl stuff today. No more bottles and pacifiers and baby food... Nope, we're onto more important stuff like booster seats and (gulp) toilet-training apparatus. Above, Katie was a little apprehensive of her new booster seat until we put Big Bear in the seat. (Unfortunately, she did not care about crushing Big Bear.) Now, she looooves her "shooshie" (the brand name is Cooshie) and cannot wait to take it on our vacation travels.


And, then there's the toilet.... I cannot believe we are nearing that dreadful process. Here is Katie trying it out for size. Don't worry - she wasn't actually "TRYING" it in the middle of the kitchen. She just liked sitting in another cushy seat. (Too bad the darn thing doesn't fit our toilets well - that might be $15 literally flushed down the drain...) Anyway, we will spare all of you any actual toilet training pictures. This was just a good pretend shot.

Farewell "Kid K"

Here, Katie puts on her best pouty face upon learning the news that the Cubs decided not to resign Kerry Wood. Probably a good business decision, but we will miss "Kid K" none-the-less. Wood took the news about as graciously as anybody could have expected. We wish him well...

Bye-Bye for Now

One day after having her Papa all to herself, it was time for Katie to say goodbye...for now. After morning Mass, she got Papa to read her favorite book one last time. She cannot wait until Thanksgiving when she gets to see Papa, Mah-nee, and the rest of her extended family again.

Here's a shot of Daddy and Katie at our post-Mass pancake brunch. The little one was almost as excited for her restaurant crayons as she was about the food.