Amy's Brain :: The Blog

Exhausted as defined by Madeleine

Amy — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:40:13 +0000

While driving to a birthday party on Sunday, Madeleine exclaims the following (while looking into a small mirror she brought in her purse):

“I am just tired of looking at the sparkles on my lips”

That is a defining statement on who my dear little four year old daughter is! Gotta love it!

Halloween 2009

Amy — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 12:57:57 +0000

It has been a long long time since I have paid attention to my blog. There are ton of drafts waiting for me to complete. One of my new years goals is to blog more….so I will be completing some of my old posts (sorry for the outdated information). Here a few pictures from Halloween. Mason was a Jedi and Madeleine was a Mermaid. I decided to sew costumes this year. I was very pleased with the outcome, but they definitely cost more, some of that was buying several variations for fabric for the mermaid until I could settle on a fabric. They also took more time than I had planned. I forgot that I did not need the costumes on 10/31, but a few weeks prior for parties. There was a bit of a last minute scramble.

Mason’s Costume: I found several tutorials online and sorta of created my own pattern. There were several fittings and Mason did great putting up with mom’s project. I think I even let him stay up late one night for the final fitting. I made a robe, tunic, belt and boot covers. My favorite piece was the boot covers. I ended up having to piece them a little, because I did not buy enough vinyl, but you could not tell on the final product. I also never got a good picture with the hood up, but it makes the costume! Mason loved his costume and told everyone his mom made it for him. It as super cute. I tend to make things for Madeleine, so I think it was fun for him to get something.

Madeleine’s Costume: I ended up buying a mermaid costume pattern. I modified it a bit at the end for the sake of time (I skipped the zipper). The trim was the most difficult. The sequins across the top trim kept falling off. I sewed them back on after the first party and then accepted defeat. It looked cuter without the t-shirt and leggings underneath, but it is Colorado. I also beaded her a necklace with a seahorse on it to match. We added some shimmer powder to make her sparkle! I took some detailed pictures of Madeleine’s costume and might post them later. Mostly to remind myself to buy the costumes next year!

Baby bibs

Amy — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 12:38:14 +0000

I decided to try and make some baby bibs for a co-worker at work. I found a tutorial at Prudent Baby and it was super easy! I did not have an old bib in the size I wanted, so I used a smaller one and adjusted the size. I kept the neck the same, but widened and lengthened the bottom. The one on the right was my first attempt (don’t look to close it is a little crooked – I am still working on my curved sewing). It took about an hour and a half, the second only took 30 minutes. I initially bought some bias tape for the pocket trim and ended up using fabric instead. I am pretty happy with the results and I think I will try to make some more in a variety of fabric. I am anxious to hear how they hold up!

Belated Happy Birthday to Madeleine

Amy — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:15:45 +0000

I am a bad mother. Yesterday I posted a birthday posted for Mason’s birthday, but last week I failed to post for Madeleine’s birthday. I was in party mania. The kids has separate parties this year, which made life a little chaotic. We managed to get through it and it was lots of fun, however, the result was no other activities got done for a few weeks. I will post exiting party details later this week.

For now, here is a belated Happy Birthday post for Madeleine. September 28, 2009 Madeleine turned 4. She is no longer a toddler. She is a little girl. She is sassy, opinionated and full of spunk. That is a very polite way of saying she drives me a little crazy. I can foresee a bit of the teenage years and I am scared. She has a distinct fashion style (and has had one since one, note the necklace in the picture), she does not like to do her homework and she hates to eat dinner.

She is also sweet, smart and kind. She is becoming an amazing artist, loves her big brother, is very good with her manners and is very social. She loves going to get coffee (aka hot chocolate) and then followed up by some shopping. Shoe shopping is her favorite. I think this stems from all of the shopping I did on maternity leave. I have even dragged her along on my pedicures and she does just fine. One on one she is amazing.

I hope our “friendship” lasts a lifetime. I enjoy that time with her. I am exited to see her grow and change over the next couple of years.

Happy Birthday Mason

Amy — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:59:27 +0000

Today my baby is seven. Where has the time gone. Seven years ago I went to on a walk to blockbuster and came home with contractions. Several hours later my son was born. While not the easiest baby, he has turned out to be a very easy child.

He amazes me everyday with his kindness, generosity and intelligence. Mason still loves to cuddle with his mom, he still holds her hand public and tells her that he loves her. He draws lots of pictures of his family and give them to me with a note that he loves me. He loves school and rushes home to do his homework. He can read and not just small words, he can read most words now. He wants to be an artist and a scientist when he grows up. He spends lots of time drawing and conducting “experiments”. This summer he learned to swim, play t-ball and tennis. He loves to fight with his sister, but also shows her love and compassion.

Happy Birthday Mason!

How Madeleine sees the world

Amy — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:14:43 +0000

Madeleine has recently started “using the camera”. I always find it interesting to see what see takes pictures of. Here are a few from over the summer. They are from Mason’s last t ball game and my nieces wedding. My assumption is that this is how she must view the world. No wonder she love love loves shoes!

Making Music

Amy — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:04:24 +0000

A few weeks ago we headed out to the New West Fest in good ol Fort Fun (aka Fort Collins). We had lots of fun! Madeleine rode the carousel, Mason rode the giant slide, Morgan got kettle corn and I got a fun new purse from Glitzy Gal Purses. I love it! I might need another one for spring! We also spent a ton of time at the music section. A music store donated instruments for the event and volunteers helped show kids how to play the instruments. They had several instruments from each family (strings, woods, brass, percussion)! Below are some pictures of the kids playing. Mason tried everything and Madeleine only tried the percussion instruments. I think it might be time to start Mason in some lessons. His favorite was the clarinet.

First day of school

Amy — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:14:38 +0000

Last Wednesday was Mason and Madeleine’s first day of school. Mason started first grade and Madeleine ECE (preschool). The both seemed to have fun. Madeleine only went for three hours (with mom). She got to meet her teacher, made a craft and got to learn all of the school rules. We then had lunch, went shopping and followed it up with a nap before we had to pick Mason up. Madeleine has jumped right in. No calls from the teacher yet, I will keep my fingers crossed. She is very social and I am sure she is making lots of new friends. On the first day, while talking to dad, she says “I made friends with everyone, even the kids I did not meet yet”.

Mason lost his first tooth on his first day. A few weeks ago (when the tooth was first loose) he made a comment that he really wished he could loose his tooth at school because you get a treasure chest. I never thought it would still be in loose when school started, but it looks like it was waiting for the first day. Mason’s anxiety about not having all of his buddies in his new class seemed to subside. He realized that he still knew most of the kids. After one week he seems to have made some new friends as well.

Summer Fun

Amy — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:47:39 +0000

Here are some pics of the kids having fun riding their bikes this past weekend. They had fun playing around while I moved a very very overgrown yard. I still can’t believe Madeleine is riding a 16 inch bike. She has had a small bike forever and has shown no interest in riding it. A few months ago while we were buying bikes for Morgan and I, Madeleine was playing on a 16 inch bike at the store. She was cruising, so a few days later we bought her a new bike. Now she loves to ride. Mason is ready for a new one as well. I am hoping to hold off until next year. He cruises everywhere now without training wheels.

Today was the first day of school…I will post tomorrow on all of the exiting news. Lets just say Mason came home with a treasure chest and a goofy grin.

Twas the night before school…

Amy — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:13:01 +0000

And all through the house the creatures were stirring all through the house. Baths to be had. Lunches and backpacks to pack. First day of school clothes to be chosen.
Yes, tomorrow bring the end of summer vacation. I can’t believe it is already upon us. Mason will start first grade and Madeleine ECE (preschool). I can’t believe I have two kids in school. I feel like I am entering into a new era as a parent. I wont dwell on it because it brings tears to my eyes. They are getting so big.

As a celebration of the end of summer I left work early last Friday to surprise the kids with some end of summer fun. We were supposed to go swimming with our friends Elliot and Audrey, but the weather did not cooperate (it was threatening rain in Broomfield). We settled on some fun close to home. We went to the zoo. We had ice cream and rode the carousel. We laughed and played. Afterward we had just enough time to go to the pool for 30 minutes of swimming (it was sunny in Denver). It was a great way to spend a summer Friday. Here are some pictures to share.

Madeleine on the Cheetah

Mason on the black bear

How Madeleine Swims

Mason sliding and splashing