Emily Kathryn

That's technically her name but we call her Kassie (yes, I am finally getting around to her special post). If she could have any super powers, she would choose invisibility, elasticity, and mind reading. One practical skill she would like to learn is lock picking - she thinks that could save her in a dangerous situation.

Her teachers are always telling me what a great sense of humor she has and how they are amazed at the jokes she understands. In the same conversation are comments about how she needs to learn to respect others, which translated means she is very bossy and walks all over people, young and old alike. We are working on that. She has definitely improved this year.

Other things she has been doing this year include choir and fitness club. Choir she loves and teaches Sydney and Caroline all the songs she learns. In fact for the talent show this year she has been trying to decide between a very elaborate version of "It's a Hard Knock Life" or "Do Re Mi" from Sound of Music that includes everyone and their sisters. I think in the end she is going with a solo of "Edelweiss".

At home she has turned into a fantastic babysitter - for Sophia. I'm not sure what the reason is exactly but I would venture to guess that it's the way I phrase it: "Kassie, would you rather load the dishwasher or watch Sophia?" She always chooses Sophia. Only thing is, she doesn't do poopy diapers.

Next week she turns 10 and this is an interesting age for us. She really doesn't fit into the tween category since she isn't interested in the things that are marketed to tweens. One night we were working on some project and she should have been in bed but she kept begging to help. We kept telling her to go to bed. Finally, in tears, she says she is just trying to be an adult. Poor kid. We told her to enjoy being a kid while she could and so she went to bed with a hug and a kiss. Mind you it was the special goodnight-secret-handshake-kiss that she invented when she was five and has been doing ever since. I will cry the first night she doesn't do this, that will mean she is grown up.

But back to the point, she is at the beginning of that age where she is trying to find her identity. This is a hard thing to watch and you know opinions about important subjects are being formed: the church, her parents, education, her goals for the future. In fact one day we were discussing how hard it might be to be a mom and travel the world as a marine biologist. She said everyone was always telling you to decide what you want to be when you grow up but no one ever said do you want to be a mom. and if you do, how do you work that in with what you want to be when you grow up. So we do our best to answer these and other deep questions from a 9 year old. Good thing there is prayer and that God loves her just as unconditionally as we do.

Ain't No Hollaback Girl

When we go camping, she will spend the entire time by the water.

Daddy's Girl

Peace

More water

Reading to Sophia

Being the waitress at Caorline's tea party

She is all about fun - Love you Kassie Girl