It's hard to believe that it's been ten years since we flew to Philadelphia and held our little peanut for the first time. She was and is a gift, and I love her so much. Ten things will not begin to describe the things I love about my Katie-bug, but I have to try, right? So here goes...in no particular order...and definitely not all-inclusive.
1. She has an amazing bond with animals. In fact, I'm quite sure she speaks cat. Her "cheetah-tiger" growl will raise the hairs on the back of your neck(she made a poor, unsuspecting little girl cry at a softball game with her awesome growl), and she prefers to be called "Kitten". Our animals seem to gravitate towards her.
2. She is an acrobat. I am still constantly charmed by her uncanny ability to fold herself into the tightest of spaces. Once she gets there she's happy to hang out there for long lengths of time. I think she would be happier if she could spend her life confined to a box, her knees up around her ears.
3. She is an outdoors girl. She lights up in the summer time, when she spends time digging holes, making mystery substances in the cooler with mud and water( seriously, her last concoction grew mold), and diligently harvesting walnuts from our tree with a hammer.
4. Speaking of fun outside, she is a gardener at heart. Of course this pulls at my heart strings. She loves helping me in the garden, and derives great joy from watching sunflowers grow taller than she is and scouting for peas and tomatoes that she can eat right there on the spot.
5. She has a voice to die for. She has been able to sing like a bird, on key, since before she could speak. She won't sing on cue, so my favorite thing is to catch her and eavesdrop.
6. She is a marvel. I hate to say that her autism is something I love about her, but I sometimes wonder...who would Kate be without the quirky little autistic things that make her unique? I'm not sure I'd want to know. I love the look she gives me when I say something sarcastic. She doesn't get it--just thinks I'm dim. Or the times she puts on her hunting muffs so she can enjoy pop bubbles without the sound. Or her awesome Napolean Dynamite boots.
7. She has come so far. Kate now practices negotiation all the time. Where a year ago we would have had a breakdown, now she often says, (when I say "bedtime in 30 minutes"), "How about 40? What a skill for her. I'm so proud!
8. Speaking of coming so far, she has developed some serious empathy. Since this is something autistic people sometimes never develop, this Momma is so proud.
9. She has such a fun relationship with Little Worthy. I know this was no accident--Worthy was sent to our home so Kate could have her own little shadow to boss around. Their relationship is symbiotic--Worthy loves being bossed around just as much as Kate loves to boss, I think.
10. Kate quotes keep us constantly entertained. One of my favorites: "I know how to make fry sauce. First you put in the ketchup, then you put in the mayonnaise. You mix it all up together until it's the color of white people." Priceless.
1. She has an amazing bond with animals. In fact, I'm quite sure she speaks cat. Her "cheetah-tiger" growl will raise the hairs on the back of your neck(she made a poor, unsuspecting little girl cry at a softball game with her awesome growl), and she prefers to be called "Kitten". Our animals seem to gravitate towards her.
2. She is an acrobat. I am still constantly charmed by her uncanny ability to fold herself into the tightest of spaces. Once she gets there she's happy to hang out there for long lengths of time. I think she would be happier if she could spend her life confined to a box, her knees up around her ears.
3. She is an outdoors girl. She lights up in the summer time, when she spends time digging holes, making mystery substances in the cooler with mud and water( seriously, her last concoction grew mold), and diligently harvesting walnuts from our tree with a hammer.
4. Speaking of fun outside, she is a gardener at heart. Of course this pulls at my heart strings. She loves helping me in the garden, and derives great joy from watching sunflowers grow taller than she is and scouting for peas and tomatoes that she can eat right there on the spot.
5. She has a voice to die for. She has been able to sing like a bird, on key, since before she could speak. She won't sing on cue, so my favorite thing is to catch her and eavesdrop.
6. She is a marvel. I hate to say that her autism is something I love about her, but I sometimes wonder...who would Kate be without the quirky little autistic things that make her unique? I'm not sure I'd want to know. I love the look she gives me when I say something sarcastic. She doesn't get it--just thinks I'm dim. Or the times she puts on her hunting muffs so she can enjoy pop bubbles without the sound. Or her awesome Napolean Dynamite boots.
7. She has come so far. Kate now practices negotiation all the time. Where a year ago we would have had a breakdown, now she often says, (when I say "bedtime in 30 minutes"), "How about 40? What a skill for her. I'm so proud!
8. Speaking of coming so far, she has developed some serious empathy. Since this is something autistic people sometimes never develop, this Momma is so proud.
9. She has such a fun relationship with Little Worthy. I know this was no accident--Worthy was sent to our home so Kate could have her own little shadow to boss around. Their relationship is symbiotic--Worthy loves being bossed around just as much as Kate loves to boss, I think.
10. Kate quotes keep us constantly entertained. One of my favorites: "I know how to make fry sauce. First you put in the ketchup, then you put in the mayonnaise. You mix it all up together until it's the color of white people." Priceless.
Happy Birthday Kate! I love you.
Amen to those statements! Kate is awesome! Happy Birthday Kate! She is a precious gift and wonderful spot of sunshine in our house. I love her so much!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Kate. We love you and you make life so much fun. I love everything your mother shared about you.
ReplyDeleteKate, we love that you are in our family. Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteI still remember getting her birth announcement in the mail. What a beautiful child!
ReplyDeleteThat is an awesome post. The fry sauce quote is hilariously true.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Kate. I know you don't really care for my particular style of being, but I have enjoyed watching you grow...from a safe distance.
I love all those things about Kate, too. Happy birthday, Kate! We are so happy you are part of our family.
ReplyDelete