Like Mother, Like Daughter

Harry is at soccer camp and Will is volunteering this week.  So it is just me and Katie Ru lolly-gagging around the house.  We have been going to the pool, painting our nails, reading books, curling her hair, etc.  In the last few weeks, I have noticed how much Kate mimics me. For one thing, she adores clothes and fashion like I do and generally we have the same tastes (although she does always want to wear sleeveless things in the winter and heavy things in the summer?  What is that all about???)

I have also noticed that when Kate really likes what she is wearing, she gets an extra little spring in her step. Like the other day when I put this bathing suit on her. She just perked right up and started posing for the camera! Which is unusual because lately she does not like me taking her photo. Now I do not go around posing in my clothes (or swimsuit) but I do get a spring in my step when I have a cute new outfit on too!

(Maybe I would pose too if I had those legs:)

She even modeled for me and my camera at the pool which she is loathe to do when there is swimming to be done.  She is a little fishy.

(the white stuff on her face is sunscreen)

Then, out of nowhere, she decided to do a perfectly beautiful backstroke.

No one has taught her this so I was kinda shocked. 

I guess she just picked it up from watching Will and Harry swim all these years...

This was her first summer home from China. She used to wander around the swim meets making lots of friends.

She certainly does not get that graceful backstroke from me!!

As we were having our snack at the pool a young teen walked by with purple hair (temporary spray, I think--some camps/swim teams here do that for fun).  After some thought, Kate said, "I wish I could have purple hair Mama.  I think I would look good with purple hair."   I acted all calm and said, "Hmmm...you think you would look good with purple hair." But inside I was cringing (a perhaps feeling a wee bit of anxiety)... UH~OH!!!!!  I might really have my hands full when she is a teen!

Last Sunday, while we were at Mass, Kate told me we were twins because we both had white on.  Then during the whole Mass, she did everything I did. She read the missalette just as I did. She crossed her legs or arms just as I did. I remembered back to all those Sundays in Church that I prayed for her to come home from China.  My heart used to ache waiting for her. I also chuckled to myself and reminded myself to soak it up now because I am sure there will be a day when she is a teenager and she wants to be nothing like me at all.  But for now, I am really enjoying my daughter who tries to be a mini-me...

{we love our so loved t's from Stef's adoption fundraiser.}

And just a note for my own memories...

Will and Harry are both in a "Dad is awesome. Dad rules!" phase and they want a whole lot less to do with me and a whole lot more to do with Dave:)