Busy Bee

Kate had a busy day today-I woke her up early from her morning nap to take her to school to see Daddy, our wonderful buddies in the social studies department, and my 3rd block International Baccalaureate students. I had promised my students that I would bring her by and since next week is exams, this was my last chance to fulfill that promise. We had lunch with Daddy and the department and then visited my class. I think Kate was a little overwhelmed with seeing those big kids who call her Guadalupe (it's a long story with historical facts involved, so don't ask!) For me, it made me miss teaching those guys even if I have to put up with some of their antics. I wish them all the best as they take their EOC's next week-make me proud! Unfortunately I forgot to bring the camera, so here is a picture of Kate after her adventure into the world of high school-looks like she enjoyed it.

Memorial Day Picnic

To celebrate Memorial Day Weekend, we had a picnic in the park-thank you Bojangles. Kate saw ducks for the first time, at least I think she saw them, and we enjoyed the view of the lake. It is so important that we remember those who are fighting and those who have fought for this country and the freedoms we have. Jeff and I watched parts of the movie Patton on Monday-now that was a soldier. Although, it's not enough, a big THANK YOU for all those who serve our great country!

Home Depot!

Kate had her first introduction to Home Depot after church on Sunday. Since it is Jeff's favorite store, it was quite an important occasion. While Jeff got some more materials for our landscaping projects, Kate and I picked out more flowers than we probably needed, but we couldn't help ourselves. Kate liked looking at all the bright colors, although in this picture she's more interested in her toy (she finally mastered holding a toy on her own this weekend). Kate even sat in her bouncy seat Monday evening playing and watching me plant many of our new plants.

Down by the River

Kate finally likes to be carried in her bjorn carrier and is taking a lot of delight in watching Precious and Max play. Everyone in the family had a fun Sunday afternoon.

Shower for Scarlett II

The Costa Family went to Kinston on Saturday for another Scarlett Shower. Jeff, Dan and Grandaddy went to shoot skeet while the girls enjoyed watching Jennifer open all her gifts. Kate even squealed with joy a few times-she must have like Scarlett's new clothes. Jennifer is doing and looking great-just four more weeks to go! Grandaddy did make it back in time to play with his favorite three month old-


All the fun wore Kate out.

The Many Faces of Kate

Please forgive the indulgence of pictures-these shots were taken within about a 90 second time frame and are shown in sequence-sometimes we can't help but laugh at her many changing expressions!

Happy Mother's Day

Kate took her first overnight trip this weekend to Charlotte. Jeff's TFC soccer team had games there this weekend, so Kate and I packed up to join him. Kate did great, sleeping through both nights in her pack and play-which points to good things for the trips we have planned this summer. Kate enjoyed the soccer games and meeting Jeff's players and their moms-she was somewhat patient in letting various people hold her. We also had fun celebrating Mother's Day together. Kate gave me the best present-her first heartfelt giggle-several in fact! Here are some pictures of her first pair of soccer shorts she wore in honor of her first soccer tournament. As you can see, she has discovered the art of standing and wants to do that all the time.

Piano Lessons

Dinner Time Play

Strawberry Picking Sunday

Thought we should post these pics of our strawberry adventure Sunday afternoon. We thought is would be fun to take Kate to a farm down the road from our house to pick strawberries, but she fell asleep on the way! And as you will see, she didn't wake up the whole time.

It is not as easy as it looks harvesting fruit with a twelve pound, sleeping baby in your arms!

Therefore, Jeff was stuck doing most of the work!

With all these delicious strawberries, we've had our fair share of strawberry deserts-strawberry shortcake, strawberries and ice cream, strawberry pies-we've frozen some, and we've given away lots of them BUT we still have whole bucket in the refrigerator! Mom better get to work...

Easter Dress

Kate was finally able to wear her Easter dress to church this Sunday-three weeks late. The weather has been so cool on weekends the past few weeks, she hasn't been able to wear it. Since we went to early church, she still needed a onesie underneath it for warmth. Here she is all dressed up!

Relay for Life

Jeff, Kate, and I participated in the Garner area Relay for Life this weekend. Since cancer has affected our family in so many ways, supporting a cause to find a cure is close to our hearts. Kate did a great job carrying the Garner High School baton around the track (as you can see, she slept the whole time). I enjoyed seeing fellow teachers I had not seen in a while and Jeff and I both enjoyed listening to music and watching older kids play fun games.

Weekend Fun

Kate had much fun this past weekend-going to her first soccer game, taking the dogs swimming and building her first garden! The weather has been beautiful this week in NC-so the Costa family has taken advantage of it. Unfortunately, I forgot the camera when we went to Jeff's game, but here she is in her first pair of jeans waiting for mom to get ready.

Saturday, we took the dogs down to the canoe launch close to our house so they could swim. However, the water was really high and the current was very strong, so we just let Precious and Max walk by the river off leash-but they managed to find some flooded areas to cool off.

Here Jeff is trying not to get pulled into the river-

Kate enjoyed looking the trees and watching the dogs run around.

Jeff and Nana also working hard in our yard on Sunday. Nana and Kate have started a garden complete with tomatoes, squash, peppers, and cucumbers. Of course, Kate let Dad and Nana do all the work-she was just happy to pose for the pictures. Next year, she'll be playing in the dirt with them. Who knows what adventures we'll be up to this weekend! Stay tuned to find out...

Garden Tub

Jeff and Kate went for a dip in our big bathtub-Kate's fist experience in our garden tub. It is more like a big pool for her! Luckily Jeff was there to hold her. She enjoyed taking a swim with Dad and having her bath all at the same time. Looks like Jeff had fun too!