While I was cutting up veggies for dinner recently, Cate decided that she was going to cut the onion. She took her Santa knife (which is really just a spreader) and the onion to her kitchen and did her best to "cut" it in the saute pan.
Then the onion went into the oven to cook! She does love her kitchen! :)
Cate's friend, Nola, came over and spent the evening with us a couple of weeks ago. Nola's parents, our friends/neighbors, Jenny and James watched Cate while we went and had our taxes done. We said we'd repay the favor, so they cashed in on their anniversary, so that they could go out for dinner. Cate had a good time playing with Nola, and Cate spent part of the night reading to Nola, who seemed content to sit with her thumb and blankie and listen!
I couldn't resist the picture below! I made the girls ravioli for dinner, hoping that Nola liked pasta. She sure did!! She and Cate were both asking for seconds!
Today was ship out day for Sheila, our "adoptive daughter." She has joined the Coast Guard and will be on a 3:42 plane to Philly, then riding a bus down to Cape May, NJ for 8 weeks of boot camp. We went down to Portland this morning for her swearing in and then went over to the airport, where we were able to get guest passes to go into the terminal with her. They all had to be at the airport at 11, and Cate wasn't able to last that long, so we left around 1 to come back home. Sheila was pretty nervous, but we're hoping this will be the start of a real career for her. We're really excited for her!
Changing gears, we've been working really hard the last couple of months trying to get the house ready to go back on the market. The closets are all cleaned out and organized, curtains have been washed, excess has been donated or put into Mom and Dad's new basement, workwork has been Murphy's-Oil-soaped, paint has been touched up, etc. You get the idea! One fun thing we did do was give our bedroom a little update. We bought a queen-sized mattress three years ago but have never had a queen headboard. Also, we've never had two matching nightstands. So we bought this headboard and nightstands unfinished at the Mill Stores, and I painted them. The style is "Cottage" and the color I picked was "Cottage White" by Behr. I love them!!! The lamps I found at Target, and the bedding ensemble was a Christmas present from Mom and Dad. Even Rick said, "Wow, it looks like a real bedroom!" We feel so grown up. :)
And finally, just for fun- Cate with a bib on her head.
Today was about as good of a day as one can have in Maine in early March. It was 55 degrees, bright blue sky, and not much of the white stuff left, except for a few small, dirty piles at the edges of driveways or northern sides of houses. Rick was working so I spent most of the day laundering and ironing curtains and cleaning all of the windows (plus window sills and surrounding workwork). After Cate got up from her afternoon nap, however, we decided to head down to Popham Beach. We were only there for about 45 minutes before it started getting too dark (and the gates close at sunset), but we had a great time. And though Cate was a little afraid of the water (which is probably a good thing), she loved filling up her bucket with rocks and shells, and she enjoyed scooping and throwing sand. 
Popham is having some major issues with beach erosion these days. I can remember when we were little and would spend a day at Popham, and the beach seemed to go on forever. Today, there is significantly less beach between the dunes and the water, and this picture of Cate in front of an eroded dune seems to show that quite nicely. 
Self-taken shot.
The sun is setting, and we're headed back down the beach toward the parking lot.
Last week the schools were on February vacation, so Mom, Cate, and I drove out to Ohio from Sunday to Friday and surprised Grandma. And boy, was she surprised! :) Cate went right to Grandma and gave her a big hug. They were immediately pals.
Four generations. So lucky to have this picture.
Hanging with Uncle Jim, who Cate loved to pieces. He played with her and teased her, and "stole" her Taggie blanket and Nuk, and she just kept coming back for more! So cute.
Cousin Jamie came up from Columbus for our last night in Ashland. Cate and I had talked about him and looked at pictures at Aunt Diane's house. When Jamie walked in the door, Cate yelled, "Cousin Jamie!!!" and proceeded to jump up and down the whole way to the front door. Who wouldn't love that kind of reception? 
Hugs and kisses from Aunt Diane.
Cate's new pal, Chloe. They developed a very funny but playful relationship.
This picture probably also describes their relationship. Cate enjoyed hiding in Chloe's crate while Chloe was on the outside. So funny!
Cate and I went outside yesterday before church to try and take some nice pictures. I managed to get her to smile nicely for a few pictures!
Such a cute little outfit! Thanks to Aunt Christine for this one- Cate is really into polka dots, so it's a hit.
Rick and I are continuing to work on cleaning up and cleaning out the house, as we prepare to put it back on the market this spring. I brought down a bunch of totes full of Cate's baby stuff and clothes, which is going to go to Mom and Dad's new big basement for storage! I guess Cate, however, felt the need to reminisce, and dragged her play mat out onto the living room floor, trying it out for the first time in a long time. 
I'd like to say that it's her hearty Maine stock, but since we're considered "from away," it doesn't count. haha
Rick took this one today. Cate made Zoe a chair while they read books.
Above, Cate wearing her birthday outfit from Aunt Laurie and Uncle Zach. Super cute.
Pigtails Tara put in at day care. I still can't figure out how they do it. Toddler hair is so slippery!
Cate opening birthday presents from her great aunts in Philly. Love the princess crown!
