And Now You Are Nine

If I look across the room, I can see the smiling face of a nine year old Katarina looking back at me (over a guitar that is never far from her hands). I'm amazed, because even though I knew this nine year old thing was coming, it feels so very fast, and here she is growing up a little every day.

Last week we celebrated her birthday at Disney (huge thanks to our wonderful friend Mary Hunt for making that possible). It was a day of fun, and much better than the pickle factory I had spent the previous week trying to convince her we were going to visit.

It wasn't a day completely devoid of pickles, though. I told Katarina, "Every great adventure involves pickles," and I was proved correct when we found this pickle tree in Epcot Germany. No one else in that room understood why my family was laughing so hard while we took this picture.

A Disney trip isn't complete without meeting some characters. This is Piglet. Katarina was clearly a little suspicious of him, but I thought his ear made a great pillow.

Katarina and I enjoyed hanging out with our new friends, Phineas and Ferb.
Perry was too busy thwarting Doofenshmirtz's latest plan to pose for pictures.

In Epcot China, we found this nice, sleeping family in the Chinese museum.
(you can thank Thomas for this fuzzy picture)

There was a red telephone booth in Epcot England. This was a moment of excitement. Katarina and I immediately went inside, made fake phone calls, commented on the fact that the phone book didn't have British telephone numbers in it, and made Thomas take multiple pictures of us.

Thomas didn't understand our telephone booth excitement. I think he was just sad that the telephone he found wasn't as cool as ours.

But the best part of the day was moments like this - sitting with Katarina, laughing, and talking about all sorts of little things.

Soaking in her excitement and happiness, and being very thankful that I am her mom.

Katarina,
Your compassionate heart is beautiful. You are brave and strong. Your creativity and writing are wonderful. You are so much fun, and you make me laugh every day.

I am proud of you for all the growing up you have done this last year. I see it in the little things - the books you reach for, the thoughts you share, the clothes you continue outgrowing (I am a little scared you will be taller than me by your next birthday), and your recent conquering of the pool when you learned how to swim underwater.

You amaze me every day, just by being you. I can't wait to see what this year is going to bring you. Nine is going to be incredible!

I love you with much muchiness,
Mom