Morgan Kate at 4 years and 5 months.

Life with MK lately...

Mornings
As long as Morgan Kate gets ample sleep, meaning 10+ hours, then mornings are pretty good. We wait until the very last minute to wake her up, quickly dress her, brush teeth, do hair and hop in the car. We go in her room several times while we are getting dressed to turn on her lamp, nudge her and pull the covers back, but we don't officially wake her up until about ten minutes before we leave.

Nights
Morgan Kate needs her sleep. And she needs a routine. We try very hard to get her in bed during the week by 8:30 at the latest. If she's super cranky and moody in the mornings then we shoot for a 7:30 bedtime, but if she's getting up without attitude and being pleasant then we assume she's getting enough rest and we aim for 8 or 8:30. We give her a ten minute and five minute warning before bedtime. Then it's bathroom, read a book, say our prayers and head to sleepy land. She loves to snuggle close while we are reading. Melts my heart. She also loves sleeping in her bed and she stays there all night. Woo hoo! For a very long time we did the whole she-wakes-up-at-night-just-put-her-in-the-bed-with-us routine, but after about six months of that we realized it wasn't good for any of us. So, Christmas before this last one, we went through about eight weeks of bedtime boot camp. It was hard and ugly, but it worked and now our girl sleeps in her own bed and it's a win-win for everyone. 

Food/Drink
She's still a pretty good eater. We've never really pushed certain foods. She likes sweets, but she also loves fruits and veggies. I feel like she eats pretty healthy and eats a good variety. And she still will try anything! She loves drinking water, milk or a Capri Sun. She's had sweet tea and soda, but she still prefers the others. 

School/Activities/Dance
She loves school and dance. She gets so excited about going and when she's not able to (illness, etc.) she gets so upset. Recently she missed two days and she was so sad. She cried to go to Roddey's and to go back to school. She's really into drawing right now and writing letters. She also loves painting, playing on the iPad and playing outdoors. Her favorite TV shows are Doc McStuffins and Jake and the Neverland Pirates. She's also a huge fan of Duck Dynasty. 

Size/Weight/Health
She's finally wearing her "age" clothing. She's 4 and she wears a 4. That hasn't really ever happened before. At her doctor appointment two weeks ago she weighed 33 pounds. I don't know her exact height, but she's tall - even 4s can sometimes run too short. Other than catching an occasional virus or runny nose or cough, she stays pretty healthy. 

Other
Our girl can be so stinking sweet and yet so sassy. She loves to cuddle and snuggle and she says "I love you" all of the time. Whenever you ask her what she's thankful for or who she loves, she immediately says mommy and daddy. She loves giving kisses and hugs. While she's hugs and smiles a majority of the time she can also be sassy. She'll fuss and whine if she doesn't get her way and her latest thing is to stomp off and make this little mean face while she's doing it. We've told her that it's not okay to act like that. She can also be a bit of a tattle and that part gets tricky. I don't want her to whine and tattle about every little thing, but I also want her to feel like she can talk to us and tell us whatever is on her mind. We are having to be very careful with our conversations about this. 

It blows my mind that in just half a year she will be 5. Doesn't.Seem.Real. Wow.