Where Dreams Come True...

I don't know how much longer we can wait before we go back to Disneyland. Eric and I left Claire with my parents in St. George and enjoyed a few days of nonstop fun with Katelyn and Emily. Everything about the trip was fantastic, even the drive. Thank goodness for iPads, dramamine, and snacks galore. The girls LOVED their little hotel suite with bunk beds, and are now convinced that they need them so they can share a room. It was so great to leave behind work, chores, and laundry and just spend some fun time with the girls. We are still singing and humming all the songs from the rides. Highlights: - Meeting the princesses (love the look on Emily's face!!!) - CHURROS! (I lost track of how many we ate.) - Katelyn's & Eric's favorite ride: Splash Mountain - Mine and Emily's favorite: Space Mountain - The delightful British family behind us in line (Emily said the little girl talked like Peppa Pig.) A few things we could have done without: - Couples making out (maybe cleaning each other the way cats do?) in front of us in line. - The alarming number of women who thought that black tights qualified as pants. - The woman who snapped at me in line, and accused me of listening to her conversation. (I have no idea.)

A New Look

It's high time this blog got a little makeover, and that includes updates photos. These girls have changed so much in a year! My incredibly talented cousin, Kelly Brown was gracious enough to take our photos again. She had a well of patience with us. Here are a few of our faves...

Gettin Schooled

School is officially in full swing, with Miss K in first grade, Emily in preschool, and Claire liking to dress up like she's going to school. Katelyn has a fabulous teacher, and some darling friends in her class. Going from 2.75 hours of kindergarten to 6.5 hours of first grade has been a bit of a rocky adjustment. I can't blame the girl. They are long days for a kid who is used to being at home and playing with her sissies. Emily is at the same preschool that Katelyn went to. I was thrilled to get her enrolled there, and I pray that this same sweet preschool teacher will still be teaching when it comes time for Claire to get schooled. Having to get ourselves into a new routine was a jolt, after a laid back, fun filled summer. But it's all good. Plus, I get three mornings a week with Claire all to myself. Here's some first day pics!

Bees

I feel like I've lost my ability to come up with anything creative to blog about. (Or perhaps I've spent my last three blogging years kidding myself that I was ever creative.) At the very least, I feel like I need to update. Last night we were treated to a suite at the Bees game. We'd originally planned on only spending an hour or so, but ended up staying the whole time, watching fireworks and all. (All of the delicious free food may have helped keep us there.) Claire went bananas over the Bee, wanting to know where he was in the stadium at all times. She kept crying out, "Bee! Where are you!?" Gotta love a one track toddler mind. I only wish I had a video of her dancing and shaking her hips when music was blasting. Katelyn was thrilled to meet the mascot, while her younger sister freaked out and ran away from him while I tried to take a picture. One never knows what kind of mood Emily will be in, but one thing in life is certain: Cotton Candy makes it all better.

Three of a Kind

I wonder how much longer they will all want to match each other.

While they love to dress the same, they are all changing. Katelyn- Finally wore me down to giving into cutting her hair. She wanted it chopped, I wanted it left alone. So we compromised, and took off five inches. That was enough to please her. She and Emily love to take turns feeding Claire her bottle, and race to her room to see who gets their first to rock Baby C in the rocking chair. She is Emily's best pal, and the two of them are obsessed with Strawberry Shortcake. She is extremely helpful with Claire, and is pretty good with her most of the time. Except for when Claire is wearing "too cute of clothes", and then she gets jealous. Really jealous. How dare Claire look cute. Emily Wants every minute of the day to be role play. I'm always assigned to be the villain. I've gotten quite good at stepping into character of Maleficent, Stepmother, Wicked Queen, etc... Unfortunately, she is becoming more and more particular about her wardrobe, and enjoys rummaging through the clothing bins in the garage, pulling out church dresses she wore as a two year old, insisting that they "still fit". Emily frequently requests to play with my old makeup and usually ends up looking like she's been in a fight or working in a coal mine. Claire Is walking. Sort of. My mom bought her some squeaker shoes that make noise when she steps. She would prefer to wear them 24/7. Crawling still seems to be her preferred method of transportation. Claire has developed a ridiculously severe case of stranger danger. Beware anyone who comes too close to her or makes eye contact. Seriously, you do not want the wrath of her vocal chords. She is a great eater (obviously), and finds therapy in DumDum suckers. They are the answer to all of her problems. She is becoming more interested in her big sisters' possessions, and is quickly learning how to tease K and E and "push their buttons". On another note, their mother is doing a terrible job documenting their lives. I will consider this a start.

What We've Been Up To

Katelyn had a week off for spring break, which we LOVED, especially Emily. She was in heaven having her big sister home to play with her all day. Katelyn said, "I love being home with you guys all day!" I can relate to my little home body. We had a great Easter weekend spent with family, with egg hunts, surprises, and getting to see ALL of the cousins, and got to meet the newest little guy to join the Brown clan- our nephew/cousin Owen. We've just been enjoying the nice weather, and most of all, the new swing set in our backyard that the girls have been living on for hours a day. The good times are just beginning, with spring finally here, and summer on the way! We can't wait to continue all our summer traditions soon!

(Sorry again for the screwy photo/ text layout. How the heck do I fix this?? :)




I hope Dave and Hayley don't mind me posting this picture of little Owen. He is just so stinking cute! Katelyn is afraid of him, Emily wants to maul him; just as I expected.

Having fun with cousins, the beautiful Barrington twins, on Easter Sunday.

We love to go to Wheeler Farm for picnics and to feed the ducks. Claire decided she was in more need of the bread than the ducks were.

Two little best friends. They have so much fun together.






Posing with cute cousins Bayla and Evan. Notice how Claire is leaning away from Evan. She wasn't sure what to think:)

Katelyn said our front door needed a wreath. So little Martha Stewart came up with this arrangement and taped it to the door.



We went to Katelyn's school to eat with her in the cafeteria on the day they let kindergarteners practice lunch. Emily was THRILLED to be at big kid school, and took walking quietly in the halls very seriously.

Just Because...

It's time for a little update, and all I'm in the mood to do is post some pics. Here are some recent faves!

Antics

The other day I texted Eric, asking him if he would support my decision to list Emily on eBay. You never know what this girl is going to give you. Usually she doesn't do battle with me. That's more something she saves for her dad:) Like the other morning, Emily marched in our bedroom and shouted accusingly at Eric (who was still fast asleep, not moving a muscle), "Dad, don't you touch me!!" Anyway, she's thrown us for a loop the last few days. A bit of middle child syndrome in the works? Maybe. Even so, she is hands down the girl who gives me the most laughs.

Exhibit A: When I went in to check on her tonight, I found her at the foot of her bed, with an umbrella propped up over top of her.


Exhibit B: Last weekend she dug around in the baby clothes, found a denim skirt made for a 3 MONTH OLD, and thought it was to die for. This is her reaction upon me telling her it had to go back into the baby bin.


Exhibit C: She's always accessorizing.


After finding her under the umbrella, I'm happy with my decision to not list her on eBay. I really do love my "middle Skittle".

Day of Love

My girls have been counting down the days until Valentine's since the day after Christmas. Yesterday, the girls each had two friends over for a "Valentine Tea". The girls painted, played games, and had snacks, cake, and "tea" - pink lemonade. It was so much fun. I think we might have to make it a yearly tradition. Happy Love Day!