Blake "Harry" Smith Turns 7

When Blake was born, he promised me that he would never grow up! You can't trust kids these days! He will turn 7 on Tuesday. He tells me that he will always fit in my lap too. Now, should I believe this??? I'm beginning to question his word. He told his mother the other day that he was born "on the same day as PopPop's brother" and "we are both artists". So true! Uncle Hal is one of the people who design Boy Scout popcorn tins. (Or course, this year they changed from tin to paper! Rats!) Our names are on many of the "Kattau" tins and we have the tins to prove it! How proud are we??? Blake's celebration took place yesterday. He woke up early and went downstairs to discover the Harry Potter decorations. Blake has never seen a movie or read a book about HP. He just loves the glasses, tie and outfit. He saw a bowl of 10 cent HP glasses and kept them on all day. Oh the joys of being a youngin'.



Kendra made "wands" out of pretzel sticks dipped in carmel and then chocolate. Ohhhh my! How good were they!

PopPop was put on "lightening" duty. Of course, all of this was happening way past my bedtime. Did I say that Kendra is a night-owl?

I forgot to take a picture of these cones atop cupcakes. Too cute!

Kendra made these "boomsticks". (I guess HP can fly.) These were the goodie bags that the cousins took home.

Uncle Ron, Aunt Paula and Heather gave Blake the HP costume for his birthday. We had him open it first figuring that he would probably like it.

"Ohhhh how cute am I?"

I made a card for Blake.  He read it and read it and looked at the pictures in the card. Notice he is about to get to the picture of him on the back page where he is about 2 and is puckered up. I had no idea the reaction that I would get!

It was worth every minute that was put into its creation! Love love love this little boy!

Aww! Here is Lexi Lou in her zebra outfit ready for some cake!

"Did Blake need his tie?"

"Do you like my tie Daddy?"

"We will write Blake a birthday letter."

But before we had the party for Blake, Nicholas had an Upward Basketball game and made his first basket!!! Yeah Nicky!

Such a good time was had by all this weekend. Brent and the girls stayed at Kendra and Jason's house while Tom and I stayed with Paula and Ron. Grandma Connie and PopPop Jim came along with Conya and the family for the party. Along with a couple of more friends, there was a houseful at partytime and a lot of love and laughter took place.

Snow....

I try not to talk much about snow. I really don't like it. It is cold. It makes driving dangerous. It makes people fall and have accidents. But I have to admit (and I don't do it often) that from the inside, it is very pretty. Don't get me wrong.....I still don't like it. I know that my daughter doesn't like me saying it but it's a fact. I have lived with it for 66 years! Ugh! BUT........there are a few times when I don't mind stepping carefully onto my driveway to snap a picture or two. No more than that! Just two!!

A Kattau Christmas

The Noblesville clan arrived on Friday. In the midst of all the cooking, Blake and Marley wanted to paint. Of course, I would  never tell them no just because I'm busy! Too good of an activity!

"Oh look Blakie! Let's see what color we can make the water!"

"UNO!!!"

"How many more pictures are you going to take JoJo?"

"We LOVE Christmas (and stripes)!"

Ok...put your hand down Marley.

Hey Marley....look this way!

Blake....don't be silly! Marley...put your hand down.

"What is Blake doing???"

Marley and Layla love their daddy!

Nicholas sits down to read "The Night Before Christmas" and, as usual, patiently waits for everyone to be ready to open presents.

"Oh, these silly people. I can get into soooo much mischief."

Blake loves to wear a shirt and tie! It doesn't matter the day of the week.  So...PopPop got out a tie for everyone. Blake loved it!

Blake is ready to run for office!

Finally, it is time to open presents. Lexi gets a little help from Daddy.

Layla likes her new blouse.

"I wanted this Playmobile set my whole life!!!"

Marley and Layla love anything that has 'hair' involved.

Tom loved these shirts as a "Kattau Family" gift.

Marley likes to dress up.

The small print has a running list of all the Smith first names. Kendra and I saw these plaques at the Nappanee Art Fair and I actually remembered to order it for their family gift.

We had a wonderful Christmas! We attended Trinity UMC's 5:00 service as a family and I returned for the 10:00 service (especially since the choir sang plus I had a solo). It was a busy day.

Sunday morning, not realizing that services were changed to 10:00, I missed it. I was there at 8:30. Tom and I headed to Battle Creek for Christmas with Mother, Debra, her friend Max and her kids, my brother and family from New Mexico, and Keith and SB and their daughter and granddaughter. It was a good day.

Of course, Marley wanted to be sure that  we know the real reason for Christmas:

ZERO....my favorite number!

Dr. Fretz has just checked and it's clear
That no tumors have dared to appear.
I'm so happy, I'm singing!
Christmas bells are a-ringing!
"I wish you a Happy New Year!"

Yipee!!! He did say that there is one area that he does need to keep watch of but that's fine. Dr. Fretz knows what to do to scare those tumors away. I had 12 tumors in the bladder the first year and just 1 since then, so I am very lucky. My cancer is just one of inconvenience! Not even a pill is necessary! 

When I arrived at the office this morning, the place was hopping. I am always sitting in the waiting room surrounded by old men! Aren't I a lucky girl...not! When I arrive, I am always greeted by Kay and Marsha and sweet nurse Tony. They like it when I write them a poem:

To some of my favorite people in the building of 'Urol... "O gee"!
 I will not get to see you for 6 months...not 3."
"Thank you for your greetings, for your taking my co-pay.
But no tumors once again were found
So Fretz said, "Go away!"

Twas Two Weeks Before Christmas!!!

Two weeks!!! How can it be?  But then, everything is under control. I have helped (and will help again this week) at Brenneman Missionary Church PreSchool where Marley attends) make peppermint projects with the 3 and 4 year olds and have taught them the song, "Six Pink Peppermints Til Christmas". Between this and making my own 93 Christmas cards to send out, I feel ok about what has gotten done. Being retired is wonderful because it gives me a chance to help the school and do these things that I love to do.

Kendra and the kidlets arrived for a weekend visit on Friday the 9th. It was great that they could come (Jason had to work) so we got our "kid fix". Tom and I do our best to baby proof before Lexi arrives by putting away things she doesn't need to check out. We lay heavy blankets on the stone hearth corners in case of a spill since she is walking all the time now. Oh what fun it is when the cousins get together!!!

Alexis is 2 1/2 and gets into everything. She is walking all over and exploring everything! In this picture, she is holding an angel that my sweet Aunt Eleanor Patch (who I think merits sainthood)  made many years ago and gave to me when I visited her at the farm. Now, Lexi gets to enjoy the beautiful angel.

Love the angel!

Lexi also loves the Santa Bear

Blake (nearly 7) has also become quite a writer. He spent time yesterday morning, making a list of "naughty" and  "nice" people that he knows. I'm not even going to check which side he put me on. Later in the day he spent a long time "making up clues". After he was finally finished thinking up and writing down the clues, Blake wrote a story using them. It was very, very good. Do we see another gift coming out of this little brain?

Nicholas (8) is telling me all the details about the little character he is holding. He reads up a storm. He will choose a story for me to read to him before bed and I have to tell him that if he chooses a book with names that are difficult, he has to read it to me which he does with no difficulity. What's wrong with this picture???

Layla and Marley are modeling their new clothes that they wore this morning to their program at River Oaks Church. 

Layla liked  the fact that the tights were ankle length. I guess that's the "style". She was all dressed up and ready for the party to begin. (Now we just need a party!)

Alexis and Layla love each other so much!

Marley loves her new dress. She was ready to sing this morning at church.

Nicky and Blake play so well together. Sweet little boys!

Lexi loves sitting on the bouncing ball. This is one of many activities that take place in our unfinished basement. It is not the nicest place in the world to look at but the kids sure do enjoy all the activities that  happen down there. There are a few carpeted places...under a full size swing, around the sand table (no sand), and in the "classroom" area. There are games, blocks, a big cardboard house, tricycles, teeter-totter, buggies, and the list goes on and on. I think that carpet is definitely in order!

"Wheeeeeeee!!!"

"Merry Christmas Everyone!"