Classic Katie photo

We had our friends Dave and Bess over for dinner last night. When I went to take a picture of Katie playing with the 2 of them, I was upset to find the camera was not working. So here's a classic Katie photo from their wedding in December 2005. Katie was 8-months old. It was a treat to see them - since we haven't been to DC since their wedding.

Yesterday afternoon I was busy preparing dinner so I had little time for Katie and less patience. Katie said to me, "Mommy, I'm upset. I'm not happy." She's never used the word upset before.
"Why are you not happy Katie?"
"I'm upset because you're not playing with me. Maybe Daddy's friends will play with me?"

I was really glad that Katie could express her feelings, I'm not sure that she has done this before. At the same time though, it made me wonder if I was raising a child who needed to be entertained? She will often play by herself, though sometimes for only short periods of time. It's rare that I'm so preoccupied with something that I can't interrupt what I'm doing to give her a few minutes. But still it's a good question to ponder. Do you buy all of these games and puzzles and toys only for parent-child interaction? I like helping her do puzzles and she likes making me food in her play kitchen. But isn't there a value to some self-sufficiency in play at this age?

In the meantime this morning, I was sitting at the table drinking coffee (Are you making coffee Mommy?) and Katie was in her room. I asked what she was doing. "I'm reading a book by myself."