New Craft Obsession

I realized that I haven't posted much about about my new craft obsession, CROCHET! Even though I have only been doing this for a little while I have had the opportunity to dabble is several things. Dishcloths, blankets, dolls, flowers and so much more.

A wedding presant for my nephew Eric and his new wife Krystina.

A doll I made for my new niece Hayden.

I wanted to welcome Krystina with something special from me to her so I made her garter for the wedding.

Lemon Verbena

Lots of things have been going on lately. Max is still in school for the summer but we were in Texas over the weekend to see Aunt Jenny, Uncle Brian and his cousins. Also I'm on vacation this week and we thought about potty training Maxwell but that idea was quickly squelched. A lot of people think that we should be more aggressive with it but I'm with Max day in and day out and I know he isn't ready.  I know Max better than anyone else and he is close but not there yet. So now my vacation is being spent hanging out doing a little crafting and catching up with friends. Seems like every time we are out doing something either Max doesn't want to take a picture or I forgot the camera. So here is a few miscellaneous shots from the past month in no particular order. And of course a 4th of July post is coming soon.

 Sharing ice cream before bed.

 Sleepy boy on the way home from Texas this weekend.

I was making cookies and came in from the kitchen to find my sweet boy and Maddie watching a movie.

 Playing outside

Jeff and I went to Tulsa for the weekend while Max stayed with Papa. We went to a concert to see Everclear, LIT, Gin Blossoms, Sugar Ray and Marcy Playground. It was a blast from our high school days. Nothing makes you feel more old that calling to say goodnight to the kiddo from the lobby between bands setting up. 

 After we bought new underwear at the store Maxwell entertained me playing the nose flute. Don't ask, Jeff taught him.

 Of course some days have been a little less fun...

I love that Max is getting to an age that he actually plays with his toys for its intended purpose.

Father's Day

I may harp on Jeff and poke fun but I really am married to a pretty good guy. Yes he has his faults and goodness knows I have mine. I'd love if he would stop leaving the gas light on in the car or if he could remember to do the things on the lengthy honey do list that I made for him. But, overall he is a pretty good catch and a great dad. Jeff was new to the kid thing when we had Max and even with Max's early arrival he took it all in stride. Then when Max was diagnosed as special needs he again was cool and calm. I couldn't ask for a better partner in crime. He helps me see the humor in things that would normally make me cringe and I bring him back to reality. Not only do I adore Jeff but Max is a major fan of his daddy. For father's day this year I made Jeff his favorite meal and some brownies while Max made an adorable paper tie and we made a card. Plus Max and I got out of Jeff's hair so he could chill. So after a nice chill and a tummy full of brownies Jeff in all of his glory has been celebrated!

 Max's card for daddy... I traced his hands. On the front it say "I love you..." and the inside reads "this much". Pretty cute if I do say so.

The paper tie I told you about. He made it at his first day of summer school.

Last Day of School

The end of Max's first year of school has officially come to a close. We signed up to bring a treat. I kept telling Jeff that I wanted to do something different from the regular cookies or rice krispy treats. So Jeff mentioned root beer floats and I thought it would be great to also give a cool cup to take home. Good idea but a little sticky. Now Max has started summer school and it's a entire new ball game.

An end of the year frozen yogurt treat at Menchies!

Graduation

Over Memorial Day weekend we all packed up and headed to my sister's house in Texas. As usual it is great to spend time together and we had plenty of time to relax. This was also the first time for Hayden to make an appearance at a big family event. As you would expect with most 3 year olds Max only made it through part of the ceremony but luckily my nephew's last name is a G so there wasn't much waiting for him to walk.

All the grand kids and Kristina makes a fun new addition too.

Touch A Truck

Several weeks ago I got off work early and Jeff and I took Max to a local event,Touch a Truck. This is it's fourth year and our first to attend, but I guarantee it will not be our last! Every kind of truck you could imagine was there and ready to be explored. Max was in heaven and never wanted to leave. He was even content to just sit on one of the school buses as a passenger. I never knew there were so many different trucks, wreckers, buses, police cars, trash trucks and more! We will definitely be back next year!

Movie Date

Keeping with my crappy cell phone pictures and the fact that Max hasn't been the best picture taker I give you this post. Especially you Jennifer, chilly willy! Periodically I get the urge to try the movie theatre experience with Max again. We have switched to going to the cheap theatre until he gets better at it and can stay for the entire movie. Each time we stay a little longer so  before to much longer who knows we may actually see how the movie ends. I noticed as long as he has some popcorn he will sit quietly watching the movie. But the second he hits the bottom it's go time. Here is Max giving me a big "cheese" smile. His new thing when taking pictures is to say cheese, smile and close is eyes. The bottom pictures is a little gross with all of the popcorn in his mouth but it cracks me up!

Lemon Verbena

While in Texas for the wedding the family went to Steak & Shake for lunch one day and my sister in law and niece got some cute shots. ***off topic*** I wish I could get an iPhone but they are not offered through my phone carrier. They take way better pictures than my phone does. Originally I was only going to post one picture but I loved them both to much to pick.

Also a few weeks ago on my days off I brought Max up to my work for a lunch. He was a hit, but he loved the microphone we have and luckily he didn't key up on the radio.

My little dispatcher!

Congratulations All Around

April and May are turning out to be pretty busy months for the Browns. On April 16th my brother and sister in law welcomed their first baby into the world.

Hayden Logan Richardson is a beautiful healthy baby girl.

And I just cant help but add one more picture because she is absolutely adorable!

After the excitement of a new baby there was a wedding on the 28th. My nephew Eric got married to a very sweet girl named Krysitna. Which of course meant a road trip to Texas. It all went by way to fast but it was a really beautiful wedding.

And it's not ending here folks. May brings plenty of excitement too! Of course the school year is coming to a close and over Memorial Day weekend my nephew Coleton is graduating from High School. So like I said right now is an exciting time with plenty of things to do. I cant believe the school year is almost over and that Maxwell has been in Pre-K for a full year already. On Thursday we went to Max's school for an IEP meeting to discuss goals for next year and his current progress. Unfortunately he is not progressing as well as we had hoped at the beginning of the year. But there has been progress and that is something. The therapists and his teacher recommend that he goes to summer school because they are concerned that the summer break would cause him to regress to much. It's a double edge sword but to tell you the truth I completely agree with them. So even though the school year is almost over school isn't. Max will go to school Tuesday through Thursday which is nice so we can still take a family vacation.We are getting ourselves geared up for summer and all the good things that come with it!

Hoppy Easter!

This year was the first time that Max seemed to really get into the holiday. Christmas was full of excitement and trepidation, but Easter was another story. When Max woke up first thing he did was run into the living room and make a b-line to an Easter egg that the Easter Bunny hid. And he remembered all about the the jelly beans we planted and sure enough the Easter Bunny worked his magic and lollipops did grow overnight!!! We continue to get more people out of training at work which means I got to stay home and see Max get up Easter morning. It was nice to go in late because this was the first year I got to have Easter morning at home since Max was born.Since this was my first actual Easter morning with my kiddo I had great intentions of doing it up right. I was going to make monkey bread but the boys settled for Dunkin Donuts instead, and a little candy too.

One egg down and 9 to go...

Max is an official jelly bean taste tester.

 
The goodies the Easter Bunny left!!!