Kate is on the mini team at her dance studio’s company (competitive dance group). I know, I know. We can discuss the issues I am sure many people see with that at a later time. So far, for me, the only issue is wrangling my very active 19-month old while Kate is in class.
Clare always has to watch the girls from out side the studio. But, when she gets a chance to go in an empty room she goes nuts. Here are some videos showing some moves she has picked up. 
Most kids get their first haircut at a much younger age. Kate, however, at nearly four has just received her first! I’ve never been great at styling her hair and the thinness and messy curliness of it has always presented a challenge for me. I hesitated to cut it because I thought I needed the length in order to properly style it. Well, it was getting gross. The old baby hair just had to go. I had to get my hair done so I asked my long-time stylist, Laurie (also the sister of my dear friend Denise), if she would be able to fit in Kate as well. She had time and here are the results! Kate did protest a little bit. She hates getting her head wet and the blow drier so I am surprised she didn’t freak out more. When I was putting her in the chair for the cut she went stiff as a board so she couldn’t sit and kept sliding down. Glad I had an extra dose of patience that morning. I am so glad that I finally did this and I should have done it a lot earlier. Of course now that I have washed her hair I will never be able to do it like Laurie again. Oh well.
Before (scary)
After
pinterest.com
Wow. It has been way toooo long since I have updated my blog. I think this blog has become more of a chore rather than a pleasure. Uploading pictures takes so much time. Finding words has also become a challenge. This is odd since writing is one of my loves. I won’t boast that I have the best writing skills or that my grammar is in any way correct, but it is something I have enjoyed for a very long time. However, I just can’t seem to express how I really feel on this blog. I guess I am too afraid of who is reading this and who I might alienate or offend. Does anyone read this thing anyway?
If you go back through my archives you can find when I blogged on my amazing trip to India. Now, those are posts that I am proud of. I truly enjoyed putting those words and pictures up. Maybe it was easier then. I wish I could say that the day to day goings on with my kids inspired me enough to blog daily but we all know that is not the case. The blog became a chore to keep family/friends updated on my family. Is that its purpose? Or is it a creative outlet for me? I could say that my goal is to update more often, as I have said before, or that I will just post pictures or that I will now make an effort to express myself. I really don’t think that is going to happen. In the meantime, here are some interesting things.
I saw a baby be born. Let me tell you, it is a completely different experience birthing the child yourself compared to watching someone do it! It was overwhelming emotionally. I really can not express enough the gratitude I feel that my friend and her husband allowed me to witness this life-changing event that is so personal and intimate to their own family. It is something I will never forget and always be grateful for. I hated seeing my friend in pain but I was so impressed with how hard she worked and how strong she was. And the result was a beautiful, precious new baby girl, a new person in our lives to love forever.
Meet Morgan Jean
I’ve lost some weight. At least 30 lbs. Probably more towards 37. I still want to lose a lot more. I’m still about 20 more lbs than when I got married eight years ago. Yeah, do the math. Two kids and blissful ignorance of what makes you fat can do some damage over eight years. I’ve lost weight before and gained it back. This time, I will not let that happen. The difference is that I have never said that before. I always thought that once I was at a manageable weight I could start eating again. So not true. I know this will send nutritionists a-spin but if you want to lose weight and not gain weight – DON’T EAT. If you are trying to lose weight and having problems then I can tell you that what you think is eating less is not. Granted I am not a specialist or educated professionally on this matter but this is my own personal opinion. Exercise doesn’t really do much. It definitely helps a lot and is good for your heart, bones and organs and most certainly should be done however, if you want to lose weight, eat very little. In all honesty I am doing the exact opposite at this current point in time. My goal is to not gain over 5 lbs during the holidays and jump back on the wagon in full force starting in January. I’ve given myself a year to lose this weight instead of my normal crash diets where I lose fast and gain back even faster. I was going to post a before and after photo. But, I am really not ready for that yet and I am not at my true “after”. Plus, I am horribly afraid that you will look at the two photos and not see a difference!!
On Sunday, October 16, the CHOC Walk in the Park will take place at Disneyland® Park and Disney’s California Adventure Park®. Over 14,000 men, women and children of all ages will join together, each with their own “reasons to walk” for CHOC Children’s and CHOC Children’s at Mission Hospital.
Once again I will support the “Walking Along with Abby” group. Last year, I was the highest donation generator in the group of 29 people with just over $1200 contributed. This could not have been accomplished without the generous giving from my friends and family. My goal in 2011 is to hit $1500 and I know YOU can help make that happen!
Abby, who Kate and I met in Gymboree over three years ago, suffers from Neurofibromatosis (NF). The teams at CHOC are dedicated along with her family to improving Abby’s health and your contribution will help them in this battle. Each year, I am continually humbled and inspired by the incredible grace, love and positive attitude Abby’s parents posses and I do this walk just as much for them as the many children in need.
Anything you can provide is a huge help. Thank you so much for your consideration. Please forward the donation link to other friends and family you think would be interested.
Click here to donate. If you prefer to donate offline via check please email me at tammy “dot” dunst “at” gmail “dot” com for information on how to do this.
Much love,
Tammy
Abby - CHOC Walk 2008
Our team - CHOC Walk 2008
Brett and Kate - CHOC Walk 2009
Abby, her mom Cara and friends - CHOC Walk 2009
Kate and Clare - CHOC Walk 2010
Abby and Cara - CHOC Walk 2010
Our group - CHOC Walk 2010
Our annual photo booth pictures! This almost didn’t happen due to Brett’s crazy work schedule but thankfully it all came together so we could go as the family to the fair. Brett got his dippin dots and we were able to see my photograph on display.
I realized I never put up the picture from 2010. Maybe it was because it isn’t very good. Clare is only a month or so old and was out of focus and pimple-covered. Anyway, here it is. And, here is the link to the last two years as well.
Lessons learned: don’t leave out your wrapping supplies when a 13-month old is around and never underestimate the power of a cheap, loud make-shift toy. Also, please don’t report me to CPS.
I was so very lucky to have the opportunity to fly up to San Francisco this month and take part in a Tonyajoy Workshop. You will all know Tonya as the amazingly talented photog that takes all the girls’ portraits. To make the weekend even more special my dear college friend Maya drove down from Ukiah to spend the workshop and weekend with me! It was wonderful to catch up on each other’s lives and to experience the enlightening workshop that Tonya created.
Before the workshop, we stopped in for tea at the adorable Crown & Crumpet in Ghiradelli Square. This was a place we had planned to visit years ago but got canceled last minute so we were fortunate that they took walk-ins that day!
Here are some pictures from the tea parlor and some photos I took from the stylized shoot portion of the workshop. I am very proud of how my photos came out.
The models were a newlywed couple who were gorgeous! (and also very nice)
Hopes of becoming a professional dancer aren’t high on our list for her, but Kate still had fun at her first dance recital. She really enjoys dance class three days a weeks with her friends Layla, Aerowyn, Kendyl and Anika. The dance gene is definitely not in our DNA pool so we know an invitation to try out for the company team won’t happen but for now Kate can enjoy expending some energy and getting more flexible! She had three different dances with three costumes at this recital – “Good Ship Lollipop” (song and dance), “Peppermint Twist (tap) and “Splish Splash” (pre jazz). Nana Wende, Papa Tony, Gramps, Uncle Anthony, Aunt Cherise and Uncle Kyle and Aunt Stephani all came out to watch!
Good Ship Lollipop - Kate, Layla, Aerowyn, Anika, Kendyl
Clare, Kate, Aunt Cherise
Clare, Kate, Nana Wende
Kate and Gramps
Kate, Uncle Kyle and Aunt Stephani (with cousin Gavin in her belly)
Our family
Kate and mama
Good Ship Lollipop
Good Ship Lollipop
Splish Splash
Splish Splash
Splish Splash - Kate, Layla, Aerowyn
Peppermint Twist
Peppermint Twist
Peppermint Twist - Layla, Anika, Kate (the giant), Kendyl, Aerowyn