Mischief Maker Topsy

As I write this post, I have the music from The King and I playing through my mind; specifically, the production of "Uncle of Tom's Cabin" when the narrator introduces all the characters and the last is Mischief Maker Topsy... The chorus chants Very Happy People... I guess you could say that us right now. Our monkey has taken her tricks to new heights and it makes for never a dull moment. (Yes, sweetheart, I am a choir nerd...)
We were able to go to Grandmother's to help pack up her condo with our cousins. Grandmother treated us to a picnic in honor of her carpet being replaced. You would have thought it was a grand tea party by the way Katherine displayed her best manners and willingly shared the salt & vinegar chips. It was a proud mommy moment.
I had been worried that Katherine might get in the way of packing, but she was in heaven exploring Grandmother's treasures that were being stored in the garage. I couldn't hardly get her to leave when we had finished for the day. We will be very excited to see how the condo looks after it's been renovated!
This picture is with Katherine's best friend at church, Ella Shea. There is a loving competitiveness about them. Note the death grip on the Minnie Mouse: You would not believe the amount of fighting that went into deciding who got to hold it. Katherine has a good swing that I'm trying to reign in...
One of Katherine's favorite games right now is Locking Mommy Out. It happened to Geoff this morning as she locked herself in our bedroom and he was not amused...
I love that she is getting independent enough to get things on her own. However, it is posing a whole new set of problems. This morning, she drew all over the kitchen floor with markers, put cereal and milk into her portable DVD player, and poured a 5lb bag of sugar into a cereal bowl on the counter, the floor, everywhere.
She decided to help me with the laundry by putting all the clothes into her bottom drawer. I love that she's wanting to help but WOW, does it take patience! I'm doing my best to stay relaxed and let each day end on a high note, but I'm always relieved when the end comes! My solace is working out in the mornings. It continues to be the most wonderful gift that Geoff could have given me.

I love you all. Remember God loves you. Good things happen for those who have the faith to believe.