Tot-School has begun!

Welcome back!!

As you can tell, I haven't been very good at staying up to date on the blog.  My family, grad school, and a very active toddler leaves me with little time to organize my thoughts on here.  Although resolutions are for New Year's I am starting again now.  I hope to become more regular with my posts and I am going to try to cover more topics than just my favorite little munchkin.  

If you have any ideas you would like me to cover or are interested in, please leave me a comment!

I am still at home with Makenzie every wonderful day and now that she is actively exploring EVERYTHING in sight I decided it was times to start the Crown Family Tot-School.  This is just my version of preschool at home. Although right now it is just Makenzie and I, one day I hope to expand and have more littles (not just more of my own kids) here learning and exploring with us.  Our family's schedule isn't your typical Monday-Friday work week with weekends off so I had to get creative when creating a tot-school schedule that even Ross could do when he is home with Makenzie. So as of right now our actual daily schedule is very, very flexible.  Hey, I am new at this homeschool thing.  Here is what our typical day looks like:

7:30am      Wake, potty, breakfast 
8:30am      Get dressed, free play
9:30am      Potty, theme concept activity, outside time (run the canal, look for ducks, feed  
                  the chickens/goats)
       **If we have to go grocery shopping or run any errands we do that first thing.
11:00am    Sensory play while I make lunch
11:30am    Lunch time, potty
12:00pm    Story
12:30pm    Nap time
3:00pm      Wake, potty, snack
3:30pm      Theme concept activity 
4:00pm      Potty, swim Lessons
5:15pm      Free play (inside or outside)
6:00pm      Dinner
7:00pm      clean up, Daddy time
7:30pm      Bath, potty, Get ready for bed 
8:00pm      Bed time.  

Again this is a very general schedule.  Because the weather is warming up now (finally!) we try to get outside as early as possible to do fun stuff and save indoor time for more focused activities since it is usually hot after nap time.  Swim lessons are not everyday and it really depends if Ross is home whether we have somewhere to be or if we can stay and 'play'. 

I have planned themes for each month from June 2015 - May 2016.  We started this month with OCEAN because we knew we will be going on a few trips to the Aquarium and the beach.  (I hope to write a wrap-up post at the end of each theme summarizing what I planned, what we did, and what Makenzie loved). 

Next month's theme is America & The Great Outdoors. We have a camping trip planned as well as a few other mini vacations to explore. 

Other themes we will cover over the next several months are nursery rhymes, my body, 5 senses, The Farm & Farm Animals, Fall,  Winter.  

A few other things we will cover in our tot-school are stories from the bible, new finger plays and songs, cooking projects, science fun, and even memory versus.  I love thematic curriculum planning so you will notice the activities, trips, snacks, and stories we do will somehow be related to the current theme we are learning about.  Our trip to the Aquarium last week was the perfect way to start our Ocean theme, it really got Makenzie fired up about "fishies" and the ocean.     

Pinterest is a great resource for homeschool ideas and for free print-ables. Here are a few of my favorite websites so far.  
Welcome to Mommyhood
Preschool Post
Fantastic Fun & Learning


I hope you are all having a wonderful start to SUMMER!!!

God Bless You,

~ miss Kasie ~

I'm back!

I know, I know.  It seems like forever since my last post.  I am sure you can understand that life just gets, well, busy.  Here's a a quick update.

New year means new family photo
(top row: Auntie Ky, Tia Jessie, 'dada'; bottom row: Vavo, Makenzie, 'momma')

• Makenzie is almost 18months old already. (more on her below)
• Ross is working as usual and a little LOT more OT. 
• I am back working on my MA in Early Childhood Education.  I have two courses left.  Graduation should be December of this year!!!  I think the ceremony is in June of 2016 though.
• I also recently became a Wellness Advocate for doTerra.  I just received my own Home Essential Oils kit and already I love using them.  If you have any questions feel free to contact me kcrown22@gmail.com

"swing"

What's in store for the Crown Family in 2015...

• Several fun runs with Makenzie in tow in her new gigantic jogger.
• Ross goes to Bachelor party at spring training.
• Family trip to Seattle for a good friend's wedding followed by a pit stop in Idaho to visit Grandma and Grandpa (hopefully that works out).
• Kasie attends a Positive Discipline workshop and becomes a certified trainer.
• Annual Camping trip.
• Kasie delivers first Positive Discipline workshop for preschool teachers as Cognate Project for grad school.
• Makenzie turns 2!!! (what?)
• Kasie finishes grad school!

These are just what we have penciled in on our own calendar but the good Lord may have many others to share with us later.  

What are you and your families planning for 2015?

Makenzie update...

approximately 18 months

over 20lbs

just under 30 inches tall

RUNNING!

talking our ears off

learning 4 languages (uses 3 of them)

vocabulary of about 75-85 words

loves "bach, bachs" (chickens) & booty (pirate's booty)

runs to the bathroom to go "boo poo" or "pay, pee" or "poddy"

wears pigtails 

eats with fork & spoon "most" of the time

cousin AMANDA is her "person"

favorite words: "aqua", "mas", "all nun" (all done, no thank you, stop), "ups" (up please)

JOY

She was an octopus for Halloween!

new balancing skills

Christmas Shades

Momma's #1 helper in the kitchen

My blogging resolution this year is to post one blog post each month on the following topics:

1. Makenzie

2. Our family's adventures throughout the year

3. Cooking (recipes, both new and old)

4. doTerra Essential oils and the ways we use them in our home

5. Crafting (My goal is to complete one project each month)

We hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and are enjoying a great start to the new year!  

Many Blessings, 

~ miss kasie ~

10 months gone and now 11 months too!

Oh my how your days are fuller with a baby on the move and the World Cup in full swing.

I am sorry for not getting Makenzie's 10 month post out sooner but let's be realistic here...  I have been watching more soccer in the last few weeks than I had all year and sewing more baby quilts than I have in my life, and let's not forget about planning a Gatsby surprise party for my mom's 50th!  woo wee, we have been busy little bees over here.  Things haven't really calmed down much either since now we are busy prepping and planning for Makenzie's first birthday! YIKES, how has been a year already?

Back to the update on Makenzie...  She is Eleven months now and so much has changed over just the past two months.

Makenzie Loves

swimming

string cheese

lasagna

CHEERIOS

zucchini bread

pulling herself up on anything

pushing the laundry basket around the house

water play

bubble baths

Snickers & Dakota

her DADDY

drinking from her sippy cup

watching the World Cup (duh!)

lounging poolside after swim lessons

Makenzie Dislikes

bananas

greek yogurt

waiting for food

going down for bedtime

when teeth are cutting through

wiping her hands and face after meals

being cold after swim lessons

EAT

Makenzie is starting to clearly wean herself, I had been noticing a decline in her interest in breastfeeding and tried to offer her bottles as well as formula.  So far, the only liquids she will take is water in her zippy cup.  She refuses formula and isn't interested in the bottle of breastmilk most times.  She is nursing three times a day now, first thing in the morning, first thing after she wakes from her morning nap, and just before bedtime.  She eats three solid meals of real food throughout the day with the afternoon snack after her nap.  She loves cheerios in a bowl on the kitchen floor for her snack.  Breakfast usually consists of oatmeal with applesauce or yogurt.  Lunch varies but usually consists of a veggie puree and finger foods like zucchini bread or string cheese.  Dinner is whatever we are eating most times.  She is quite the independent little girl and is very proud of the fact that she can "do it".  

"peek-a-boo"-- shouldn't you be nursing?

Mmm, toast and cheese, her favorite.

Holy lasagna batman!

SLEEP

This is a short section now because well we have hit the milestone of sleeping a full 10-12 hours solid through the night.  Unless she is teething we get a full night's sleep!! YES, finally!!!  Makenzie goes to bed around 7:45pm and wakes up no later than 8am.   She is taking just two naps a day that vary between 1-2 hours each.  

every now and then you just need a big bed to sleep in

PLAY

Oh this is so much fun during the day.  You really can see her little wheels turning now.  She has mastered the game of throw and get mommy or daddy to give the ball back to me.  I love how she grunts "dah" every time she throws the ball.  Throwing is her main activity lately, no more remotes.  I am so glad we bought her sensory balls, they will be getting a lot of use here soon.  She also loves her activity cube which she can stand up alongside and play with now.  Sometimes she shakes it real hard and both she and the cube topple over.  

I have also started doing "discovery baskets" a couple times a week with makenzie.  These are simple everyday items that I gather into a small basket and put on the floor for her to explore.  She really enjoyed exploring an apple and Ross's travel size shaving brush.  As she gets older I will be able to introduce more items and create different themed baskets.  Right now I am doing a lot of familiar things she sees us using but doesn't usually get to "play" with.  

Cousin Alissa reading Green Eggs & Ham to Makenzie

Makenzie, meet Ruby.  Waiting for our flight to L.A.

Makenzie still loves the outdoors and we try to get outside at least once a day if not more.  My favorite thing is taking her to the park and letting her crawl around the grass and find leaves of all sizes and tastes, eew i know but she has to learn.  :)

DEVELOPMENT

Language: She can now say "dada" and "mama" although I am not sure I would yet classify either as her "first word".  I think her first word was signing "more please".  She has also mastered signing "all done'' and ''milk''.  She has so many babbles in her arsenal now and she chats about everything in the car and while she is supposed to be napping.  I love to hear that cute little voice though.  

Social: Thank goodness we are starting to come out of the separation anxiety stage.  We have successfully gone to the gym about 3 times now and each time Makenzie has gotten better at going into the child care.  This last time she did fuss or cry at all.  One proud mamma right here. :)

Physical: Makenzie is still in the lower end of the growth charts but she is pretty coordinated for a little squirt.  She is starting to stand by herself, still a bit shaky but you can see the focus on her face when she tries.  She has definitely mastered crawling in, on, under, and around everything!  The baby gate is shut right?  

Cognitive: Quick story here... the other night she was taking a bubble bath and it was so fun to sit there and watch her fill her turtle shell with soapy water and then try to "wipe" the bubbles out and then do it all over again.  She was even trying to take the bubbles I was blowing onto her away.  

Swinging at the park

GO USA!!! USMNT vs, Azerbajan May 27th.

Alexis & Shawna's wedding. 

what is this little spec?

packing peanuts!

Bisavo helping me drink water

Well so far our summer has been full of swimming, sun, parties, and World Cup.  We are looking forward to more swimming, parties, World Cup, and camping!  Camping with an 11 month old, oh boy, wish us luck!  :D

I hope you are all having a fantastic week!  

Many Blessings, 

~miss kasie ~

  

9 months is here and soon Summer will be too!

9 month stats

26.5'' long

17 lbs. 6.5 oz. 

1 tooth

CRAWLING

Makenzie Loves

eating everything

 chicken

Risotto

swimming

babbling

eating of mommy/daddy's plate

Makenzie Dislikes

being far from mommy or daddy

the dogs in her face

when you take away the fuzz balls she find in the house

getting her diaper changed

Cheering on Tia Jess at SFSU Track Meet

EAT

We have graduated from the pureed baby foods into the chunkier blends and even introduce a few finger foods.  Makenzie absolutely loves the baby puffs, unfortunately they are totally processed and I hate to give her "junk".  But I will admit having some on hand is perfect for delays at grocery stores, or running other errands or heaven forbid when mom brain farts and doesn't pack food and a bottle.  (oops!)  Makenzie is almost eating 3 meals a day.  I still feel like I am forcing breakfast so when she's interested we'll have some but most days we don't get to breakfast, just playtime, cuddles, and maybe a walk on the canal.  

I am proud to say that Makenzie is still breastfed.  She will take the occasional formula bottle but it must be very warm to do so.  Our freezer stash is dwindling down and I have to admit I am getting a little anxious for that time when we start the weaning process.  I am so thankful to have made it breastfeeding this long but am starting to look forward to having my body back to myself.  

PLAY

Oh playtime with a 9 month old is so much fun!  I miss playing with babies this age.  Everything is so new to them and they just want to explore everything!  Makenzie still loves to put everything in her mouth, if you watch carefully you can see her expressions if she likes how it feels or not.  New textures are also a favorite experience now.  She is unsure about grass and how it feels on her hands and feet.  She loves to play with our kitchen gadgets and make music.  The 'drums' are her favorite.  

hey, who is that baby in the mirror!

Starting to pull herself up

We started Makenzie in swim lessons in April and she loves it!  The 'motorboat' song is her favorite as she gets whirled around and makes waves in the water.

Coach Kori helping Makenzie do her kicks

SLEEP

Sleep is sleep here in this house.  Makenzie still is a great napper and sleeper at night.  She is still taking 2 naps a day and sleeping between 10-12 hours at night, waking up once to feed.  Lately she has been trying to pull herself up in her crib when she wakes up from naps.  I have yet to find her standing in her crib (phew).  

These months are flying by and before we know it I will be writing a First Birthday post.  oh gee, I can't handle thinking about that yet! 

Here are a few more photos of Makenzie having fun!

after we finished our first 12K!!

hanging out with daddy

At JoAnne's buying some ribbon and fabric for making goodies!

pretty girl in Church for Easter Sunday

Mommy & Makenzie on Easter

Uncle Jason teaching Makenzie how to work the tractor

Swinging with daddy!

All smiles, all the time!

We wish you all had a wonderful week, and hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Many Blessings, 

~ miss kasie ~  

It's baseball season and Makenzie is now 8 months old!!!

What a crazy hair day!

She is growing so fast and learning so many new things everyday it is hard to keep up.  

Makenzie LOVES

bell peppers

pumpkin

cuties

anything on your plate

watching the chickens

our dogs

swimming

reaching for everything

pulling herself up on your pants 

pushing herself on the floor

wearing her bunny ears

the cat

Makenzie DISLIKES

poopy diapers

peas

 cold breast milk

socks

some headbands

March was a fun filled month of visits from Vavo and auntie Ky, the Brookins' family, and a video visit from Tia Jess.  Makenzie attended several of my team's soccer games.  She is such a trooper and for the most part does well at sporting events.  She even made it out to her cousin Amy's softball tournament.  

We love FaceTime with Tia Jessie

Auntie Ky

Mak's boys

Eat

Makenzie's eating habits are absolutely awesome!  She is still breastfed, and eats between 1-2 meals of solids a day (usually lunch and dinner).  She has recently been introduced to chicken and loved it.  I can't stand prepping it, something about pureeing meat is just plain gross!  She still doesn't have any teeth though so she is limited on what I feel comfortable giving to her. :)  I tried a piece of turkey burger last week and well the little chipmunk scared to crap out of me.  As I get braver and more confident in her chewing skills I may branch back out and giver her more 'solid' foods.  For now she gets very soft chopped veggies to grab and eat.  She is getting quite good at her "pincer grasp".   Ps. no she hasn't figured out the sippy cup yet, she just likes to play with it. 

mmm, sweet potato

Play

Most of Makenzie's play consists of putting everything in her mouth still.  However, this month she started experimenting with banging objects on things and together.  She will pat everything (table, ground, toys, your face, etc).  She is becoming more aware of the game peek-a-boo and doesn't get scared as easily.  Ross has created "the claw" game where he slowly creeps his hand and arm towards her and then tackles/tickles her.  She is able to anticipate what will happen and when her face and whole body cringes it is so cute!  Once a week we go "swimming" in the spa.  Don't worry it's not too hot I promise.  She loves to splash around and kicks her feet when placed on her tummy in the water. Makenzie will officially start her "shrimp" class swim lessons next week at our gym.  We are very excited for this mommy/daddy and me class.  We also get to learn fun ways to promote her water skills.

A day at the park

Getting ready to SWIM!

Sleep

Ahh... we love sleep.  Makenzie is in a great sleep schedule.  Finally!  Bedtime is still at 8:00pm,  wake up is between 6:30-8:00am.  Morning nap happens between 9:30-11:30am with her afternoon falling in between 1:00-3:30pm, she has an occasional catnap before dinner.

Late night wake up (oopsie, the diaper leaked)

We are looking forward to celebrating Makenzie's first Easter.  She already has a couple of cute dresses for the holiday.  

Hope you are all having a wonderful Wednesday!

~ miss Kasie ~