The Three Precious / Crazies

Punkin Pickin'

2009-10-16T09:27:00.001-07:00

We had a great family day yesterday. Chick-fil-a for lunch and then up to Murray Family Farms to visit with the animals and pick some pumpkins. The kids had a blast going through the spider maze, playing in the corn kernels, and the girls especially LOVED feeding the goats.

It was a little warm and I cannot wait for the time of year where we need scarfs and hats. Wishful thinking in Bakersfield I think.

3rd Annual Apple Day @ Veterans Elementary

2009-10-08T10:11:00.000-07:00

Apples for breakfast, apples for lunch, apples to eat to munch and crunch!!

Today was the 3rd Annual Veterans Elementary Kindergarten Apple Day Program. Tyler did awesome. They sang songs about apples and we got to share apple pie with all the parents. Being Tyler's class head room mom, I was in charge of getting everything organized for this special day. I was a little stressed, but thanks to awesome parents, we had a great morning.

Twinkle Toes and Tappy Shoes

2009-09-14T14:41:00.000-07:00

Today was Kate's first day of DANCE with Linda Larma's Dance Academe. She did wonderful and LOVED every second of it. It was so exciting to see her light up and enjoy something as much as I do, and that it was DANCE that brought that out in her. (I think she gets that from her Mommy) She looked so cute doing her tap moves and to see how she would watch the teacher so she could master the exact moves she was trying teach her. After about 20 minutes of tap, the girls slipped on their ballet shoes and gracefully started walking across the studio. I am so excited for her and if I could afford it, she would be at the dance studio every day!!

2009-08-24T09:38:00.000-07:00

Tyler's First Day of Kindergarten

August 24, 2009

Tears were shed, but not by him. My little boy is in school. I cannot believe how fast the time has gone by. I can remember getting up in the middle of the night to feed him. And how his cute little chunky face would greet me in the morning. Now he is a big boy. Congratulations Tyler!! Here is to a great year!! I love you!!

At it again ...

2009-08-20T22:09:00.000-07:00

At it again ... I can't seam ;) to put the sewing machine away!!

My latest creation ...

2009-08-18T11:19:00.000-07:00

This is my latest creation. I absolutely fell in love with the fabric and thought it would be a great compliment on Kate's skin tone. I have the same fabric but opposite background colors that I am going to make for Addison. I'll post pics as soon as I can.

2009-08-14T16:36:00.000-07:00

Took a bike ride to the park today and captured some precious moments ...

Enjoy!!

2009-08-01T22:25:00.000-07:00

We had an absolutely FANTASTIC Day today in San Simeon. We decided to beat the Bakersfield heat and head to the coast. We were welcomed by 65 degree weather and sunshine. It was a perfect day!!

2009-07-23T23:50:00.000-07:00

Blast from the past ....

I found these pics tonight as I was going through my computer ... I miss this age :(

broken bone ...

2009-07-09T01:34:00.000-07:00

so katiebugg was running down the hallway tonight and tripped or fell (not quite sure) since i was in the bathroom. we headed to emergency after a long battle with her dad that the foot was in fact "not broken". went with the motherly instinct and took her anyway. turned out it WAS broken and i was in fact correct!! sheesh men!!!

ps - her only complaint about the whole ordeal was that her cast was NOT PINK!!

rare and precious moments ...

2009-07-08T17:50:00.000-07:00

here are some rare and precious moments i was able to catch on film today. i take them when i can get them ...

4th of July ...

2009-07-05T16:52:00.000-07:00

4th of July was SPECTACULAR!! How couldn't it be with great food, family and friends. The weather was HOT so a nice dip in the pool was great. Along with yummy Sangria and to die for sliders. OOHHHH I wish the day had never ended!! (ps - below is Derek's yummy cake that, by the way, had 2lbs of butter in the entire thing!)

Halter Time ...

2009-06-25T12:50:00.001-07:00

I made this last night for Addie ... I love summer and the bright colors!!

Addison starts preschool ....

2009-06-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

I have waited for this moment for the past year. The moment where I would have complete silence come over my house and be able to get things done without hearing "Momma, hold me."

Don't get me wrong, I know in a short time I am going to wish that Addison was still that little and still needed me to "hold her" all the time, but the pure silence is really nice right now.

She absolutely LOVES school and it helps that she has Kate's teacher from the previous session. Addison asks to see Miss Michelle and Miss Cindy all the time. I am so thankful for this time. so that I am able to regain my sanity ... well at least for a few short hours that is :)

ps - Addison is wearing an outfit I made for her :)

Another Year Older ....

2009-06-15T21:54:00.000-07:00

Well tomorrow is my 28th birthday!! I cannot believe that time has flown by so fast. I can remember my 21st. Sitting at Macaroni Grill and feeling so on cloud nine that I could order a Heineken legally. Well 7 years, a marriage, and 3 kids later here I am.

All I plan to do is relax and enjoy the day :)

To another year!!

28!!

Graduation ... Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da

2009-05-22T14:40:00.000-07:00

This morning we attended Tyler's preschool graduation. GRADUATION!! I can't believe my baby boy has graduated from preschool and will soon start kindergarten. I know I joke that I am counting down the days for kindergarten (which yes 75% of me is counting down), but I feel like I just brought him home from the hospital yesterday. Where has the time gone?! I am so incredibly proud of the little boy he has become. Yes we do have our days where we tune each other out, but he is my "little man" and I will cherish the bond between us for a lifetime. Now that I have tears streaming down my face ... here are some photos from today and a video I found of him from when he was a baby ... I think he was about 13 months in the video and FAT as they come!!

Waiting to see Tyler come in

The Flag Salute

Tyler with Miss Carrie and Miss Cyndi ... He is going to miss them so much!!!

Photo Shoot with Ashly Layne

2009-05-17T23:19:00.001-07:00

I have been waiting so long to have our family pictures done. We finally got our act together and scheduled our photos with one of the most sought after photographers in Bakersfield, Ashly Layne Photography

She was absolutely AMAZING!!! Despite the temper tantrums Tyler pulled a few times. I really wanted our pictures taken with no shoes on. So when we got in the car and got to the bike path, Derek and I looked at each other and we had forgotten ALL of their shoes. I thought, we're going to be on grass so it wouldn't be a big deal. Oh was I SO wrong. Their were stickers that got in the kids feet, Tyler stepped in a pile of red ants, which he then proceeded to scream at the top of his lungs. I think the poor child was traumatized from the whole event. So when I got home and saw some of the pictures Ashly had uploaded, I was so ecstatic. She was able to capture all of the kids and a couple cute ones of Derek and me. I am so please and I cannot wait for the others she is going to post!! Here is a snippet of the ones she got ...

Yet another accomplishment

2009-05-06T14:15:00.000-07:00

Erin and I have been sewing like mad women for the past couple weeks. I totally feel like I have found something that will stick with me for the rest of my life. And actually I think it is one of the first things Derek has seen me take on and succeed. It makes me feel so happy to know how much he supports me. Anyway, Erin sewed a cute dress for Lauren, and of course I NEEDED the pattern. So I got one and finished Addison's dress last night. I have to say, that I was quite impressed with how it turned out. Especially since I haven't taken on anything with this much detail thus far. I am so EXCITED!!! Kate will have the matching dress by next week. Ashly Layne is taken our family pictures next week and I think I am going to have some shots taken in these dresses. Till' next time .....

"Sew" long :)

The Happiest Place on EARTH!!!!

2009-05-06T13:29:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we headed to Disneyland for Tyler's 5th Birthday! My baby boy has quickly turned into a little man. I remember trying to carry him and him weighing so much I would get the best workout. I remember taking walks around the mall because I had no idea what to do with a baby, and you could only clean a house so many times. I remember the first time Derek made him REALLY laugh and tearing up. I remember how FAT he was on his 1st birthday. I look back and think, "How did the time fly by so quickly?" I registered him for kindergarten last week and I thought I could handle it, but truth is, I was an emotional ball of tears. And he hasn't even started yet!! Anyway here are some pictures from our fantastic time. I have to say that it was fun with everyone that was there, but the real special time I am going to remember is doing all the rides with the 4 of us. (Addie stayed home) Enjoy!!

I made both of their outfits for the occasion ...

A VERY VERY VERY rare moment ....

2009-04-28T00:10:00.000-07:00

So I had the funniest thing happen tonight. We decided after dinner since it was still light outside we would stop by the park. We were there for about 10 minutes when Kate decided to take her shoes off. This is how the conversation went after that :

Me: "Kate, put your shoes back on please."

Kate: "No"

Me: "Kate, if you don't put your shoes on we'll go home."

Kate: "Uh-ah"

So from that point my stubborn and oh so hard headed little girl, threw the biggest wall eyed fit. Kicking and screaming the whole way to the car. We get to the car and this is how the conversation goes now :

Me: "Kate, stop it NOW."

Kate: (Screaming at the top of her lungs in my face) "Don't you put me in that car, you STUPID LADY!!"

I was laughing so hard that I had to turn my head and have Derek come and strap her in.

Seriously, priceless moments of being a mom

2009-04-22T17:08:00.000-07:00

DiSnEyLaNd HeRe We CoMe!!!!

We are taking Tyler to Disneyland for his birthday next weekend and decided that Buggies should go with us this year. So what better excuse to make her an outfit. I am actually really ecstatic how it turned out and fit her. I was going off the measurements in my head. Anyway here are some pics of the final project!!!

Hoppy Easter

2009-04-17T15:01:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the pictures taken at Easter. It turned out to be a beautiful day.

Easter Kisses All Around

Sweet little Katie Buggies

I have gone SEW crazy ....

2009-04-17T14:52:00.001-07:00

I think I have gone a little nuts!! Well considering I have spent the last 2 weeks sewing like a mad woman. I think Matt (Erin's husband) might think I may be moving in since I am there until 3am every time we sew. I am so happy with what I have accomplished thus far. Erin and I were talking last night, and 3 weeks ago I would not have thought that I would be capable of coming up with the things we have done. It really is making me such a happier person. Creating something that my girls get to wear, and an occasional thing for Tyler too. I don't find myself sitting and watching TV at night anymore, but searching for tutorials on how to do the next thing. Below are the latest shirts I have been working on and completed last night. I am going to have the kids pictures take in them and surprise Daddy with his father's day gift. Until next time ....

I'm Addicted .... To Sewing!!

2009-04-04T23:39:00.001-07:00

I have found a new hobby and I think I am OBSESSED!!!

( sorry for the mug shot here, but I couldn't get her to smile :) )

I have started sewing!! For those of you in my family that are thinking, wow she is sewing , it really is a lot of fun. I just love the creativity and the feeling of MAKING something on your own ... well not really on my own, but for the most part. I have started searching the web for patterns and tutorials for pillowcase dresses. (For those of you who don't know know what they are .... NO they are not made out of a pillowcase!!) The fabric, once sewn into the tube, looks like a pillowcase. I am having so much fun matching fabrics and coming up with new ideas. I recently made one for my good friend Alison for her baby shower. I was pretty proud of how it turned out. Seeing as I hadn't touched a sewing machine since I was in the 7th grade. The last few nights Erin has been over and we have been up until 1:30am!! Seriously I can't walk away. Tonight I finally had to force myself to walk away and turn off the machine. Until tomorrow when I can get back on and start on my new project. Here are some pics of what I have accomplished in the last few days ....

This was for Lyla ...

This one I made for Kate ... start to finish on my own!!!

Hey Batter Batter!!

2009-03-06T14:59:00.000-08:00

Kate being goofy .. this was right after she rolled down the hill and was cracking up

Addison loves to call Derek when he is on the 3rd baseline.

As most of you are aware, Derek is coaching JV Softball this year at Frontier. I have to say that Tyler, more than any of us, looks forward to this time of year the most. He has been dubbed the nick name "Coach Coach". All the girls are absolutely in love with him, and I think he pretty much feels the same about them. We have been to two games so far and the girls are kicking butt. They are really going to be a strong team this year.

SuNnY dAyS

2009-03-06T14:50:00.000-08:00

Last Tuesday was beautiful outside. It was in the mid 70s and Tyler and Kate were in school. I thought that instead of doing the dreaded housework, Addison and I should take advantage of the sun. I took a couple snapshots of her before we headed over to the park and then to look at the "shish" (fish) in the lake. She had such a good time and it was much needed for both of us!!

My Little Hippie

Taking time to smell the flowers ... Little did we know that her allergies would catapult into full swing after smelling the pollen

Watching the "shish"

Dag Gummit!!!

2009-02-27T13:43:00.000-08:00

This is a video of Addison trying to say "Dag Gummit" ... it comes out a little diffrent, but too cute to correct. Enjoy!!

"I Seee You!"

2009-02-25T23:21:00.000-08:00

Tonight was an interesting night. After a long battling day with 3 cranky kids, my mood suddenly went from tired and frustrated to happy and blessed. I thought while the kids are being quiet an playing in the bath, I would run and check my emails and have a few minutes to myself. To my surprise not 2 seconds after I headed out of the bathroom, I hear a little voice saying "I see you". I then see Addison's naked wet behind following me and chasing me as if I was trying to get away from her. I thought it was so funny that I had to snap a picture. Her eyes look so BLUE in this picture. Now I know I may be biased because she is my child, but I seriously think she could do catalog modeling :o). Any one know of a good agent??? ....

This was her "Cheese" face

Tyler and Kate have been sharing a room for the past couple of weeks. I snuck into Tyler's room the other night and found this. It was just too cute to not take a picture and cherish.

2009-02-20T23:26:00.001-08:00

Tiny DANCER

Watching Ms. Vanessa and trying to copy her moves

Kate and her infamous "Tappy Shoes" standing next to her friend, Mazie

Since Kate was about 10 months old, she has always loved music and bopping around. When she was almost 3 I decided to put her in dance. Kate has been taking dance through our local Community Center for about 3 months now. She absolutely loves it. She is doing so much better with following along and learning the technical moves of both ballet and tap. I am hoping once she is a little older to put her in a dance academy where she will actually perform in recitals. Addison is going to be there with her soon. She loves to watch her sister and try and copy the moves. She is also a lover of music and moving. Anytime there is anything on the radio, she is rockin out in her carset. I haven't caught a picture of that yet, but will post as soon as I do.

A Day At The Park

2009-02-16T22:31:00.000-08:00

Since the weather has been awful here we have had to stay couped up in the house. Needless to say, the kids are going crazy, and I am loosing every bit of sanity I have left. Finally on Thursday we were able to get out of the house. The kids seriously did not know what to do when we got to the park. It was like they had never seen one before. It was still a bit chilly but we were able to get out!! Naps were really easy on Thursday, and long enough for me to gain any sanity I had left!! :)

When it rains ..... it pours!!

2009-02-11T22:48:00.000-08:00

So I was sitting here this morning thinking to myself that my patience has been well tested in the last few weeks. With me recovering from a fairly minor outpatient surgery, to Addison having RSV, a double ear infection, and also pneumonia. We dodged a possible hospital admittance. Things were looking up the last couple of days. Addison's test results came back normal. Her chest x-ray came back normal. We can now cut down to 2 breathing treatments during the day, and then as needed. I felt like I could finally get back to "normal" life as it were. Then it hit me!! I walked into Addison's room this morning not only to see her smiling face, but also to a completely glued shut eye!! She has PINK EYE!! Just when I thought we were over the hump of eternal sickness in the Brown household, this hits us.

I took her to the doctor this morning (to which he looked at her for about 2.5 seconds and didn't want to come any closer than 4 feet from her.) Apparently this is highly contagious and they prescribed enough medication, in case the other two get it. Seriously could it pour anymore??

I keep telling myself that it can only go up from here!! After all this I will be a calmer, more patient person than I have ever been in my life!!

I'm Hooked!!!

2009-02-03T21:52:00.000-08:00

So I have finally joined the widespread of bloggers!! Yeah for me!!

So a little update for everyone ...
Addison is suffering right now with a double ear infection, RSV, and pneumonia. I feel so bad for her. She hates the breathing treatments and it seriously pains me to hold my baby down and have her scream. Oiy ... hopefully we will get good news when we revisit the doctor on Thursday. We are hoping for no hospital admittance at this point. Fingers crossed!!

Tyler and Kate ... well are crazy as ever. They fight, boss each other around, and have the "typical" brother-sister relationship. There are those rare moments I can catch when they actually like each other.