3 years old

Brook's 3rd birthday was oct 12th. We had a great time. Trev took a bunch of pictures and videos with his new phone, and then he had some trouble with it and had to return it. he forgot to upload those pictures before the phone was returend, so I have very few pictures from Brook's birthday which I was quite unhappy about, but such is life. There will be more birthdays.

It seems like she turned 3 and became a different kid. She has become very aware of time. By that I mean that she thinks ahead, planning what will happen in the day. She is constantly asking me what is going to happen next, where are we going, and can we have some gum when we get there? I guess it is part of growing up, but I have to admit it has been a bit trying this week. Sometimes I just don't know what we are going to do or when we will get there.

She's been taking instructions a lot better lately too. She seems to be able to focus and carry out a task without getting as distracted as she used too. It is so fun to see her grow and change. Her interests seem to change from one day to the next.

Arts and Crafts

I made Brook some butterfly wings last night. They cost me $1.33 to make. I love using my glue gun.

She loves them. I reminded her that she cant really fly.

She twirled and danced all over the yard.

Jack watched all the girlyness from the lounge chair.

Brooks First Ride

Be still me beating heart. Brook rode Shadow this evening. I have no idea what changed her mind. I have no idea why all of the sudden she had the confidence, but she did. Usually she is petrified when we go out to the farm, but this evening something changed. She grabbed one of the brushes and insisted on helping me brush Shadow. (Shadows knees are very nicely groomed) She talked to Shadow and the other horses non stop. I had to keep her from basically walking under the horse. After putting Brook in the saddle I figured the first few steps would likely scare her, but she giggled. "Mommy, it's bumpy." Shadow called to the other horses and again, I thought that would be the end for Brook, but after I explained that Shadow was just talking to the other horses she was fine. Eventually I got sick of walking and I swung up behind her in the saddle and we went for a ride down the road. Brook loved it, and so did I. A warm sunny evening riding a great horse with my little girl. Nothing better.

When Brook was born I always wondered if she would like horses. I have to admit I was quite disappointing when she was afraid of them right from the start, but I had accepted that horses were just not her thing and I shouldn't push it. I know it was only one ride, but I really enjoyed sharing something that I love with her.

(I wrote this post yesterday, but couldn't post it until this evening.)

Brook this week. Oh the mind of a 2 year old.

I Tried to explain to Brook you need pierced ears for earrings. She didn't agree. Check out the video below if you want to see more.

Other "Brook sayings" from this week.

B: Mom, you big?
J: Ya...I guess so. (It's called baby weight, and I'm working on it alright?!)
B: Ya Mom, you big.
J: Thanks Brook.

J: Brook, what is on your face?
B: A burger.
J: A burger??
B: No...A BURGER
J: ???? ..... Oh, a Booger.

Jack started to cry while sitting on the couch
B: Don't cry Jackie, I just playing with you. Jackie, don't cry.
(I never call him Jackie, I guess she thought that one up on her own)

One morning after breakfast:
B: Mom, where's the datar?
J: the datar? What is a datar?
B: (irritated) The DATAR.
J: Show me.
she lead me to the empty guitar stand. which was in the corner of the back room.
B: Where's the datar?
Trev had taken our guitar the night before to use at youth. What an observant kid. Can't sneak anything by her anymore.

Funny Things Brook Said or Did Today

Brook "Mom, I watch croutons?"
J: "You want to eat croutons?"
B: "WATCH croutons"
J: "? ... Oh, do you mean cartoons?"
B: "Ya, I watch carntoos!"

I have been bathing the kids together to save time, water, and to provide some bath time entertainment. Brook has been so good with Jack, but for some reason this evening she poured an entire cup of water on his face. She didn't seem to show much remorse even after being told it was wrong. (Jack didn't even cry, I think he may have liked it)

She asked "what are you doing" about 40 times today. Finally I forbid any more rhetorical questions. How do you explain "rhetorical" to a 2 year old?

I was putting Jack down for a nap this afternoon and Brook came into his bedroom.
B: "Mom, whatcha doing?"
J: (whispering) "putting jack to sleep"
B: "Mom, his eyes open."
J: "You go read some books, I'll come in a minute"
B: "Mom, He crying too"
She is always so good at pointing out the obvious.

She called the hockey stick a "Hockey Sticker".

Asked "where's Dad", "Where's Sam", "Where's (fill in the blank)" about 40 times today.

After her bath we always have bedtime snack which lately has been canned fruit. Brook was getting the open can of peaches out of the fridge and just as I walked around the corner I watched the paper label slip off the can and the can of peaches landed, SPLAT, flat on the bottom of the open can. Not one peach spilled, but ALL the sticky syrup popped out of the can and all over the kitchen. It was even on the ceiling. (She needed another bath)

At breakfast she asked for a cup of coffee.

Put her dolls to bed, told them to have a good night, then stood up, wagged her finger at them and told them to "stay in bed or spank you". Wonder where she heard that?

Our Super Bowl Halftime Show..

Brook has been singing a lot this week. She randomly makes up songs about her toys, grandparents or other things she see's around the house. During the superbowl half time she was our entertainment. We asked her to sing a few songs, but she was a little distracted because of the TV....

Thank you God for Brooklyn Dawn

Happy Birthday Brook! 2 years old. I can't believe Brook is 2 years old already. She is growing up so quickly. I love watching her change and learn. It is so much fun to see her little personality develop. She must learn 10 new words a day right now. What a busy little girl!

Brook has brought Trevor and I so much joy. I can't imagine our lives without her. What a crazy ride parenthood is. There are so many different emotions and experiences that I would never have imagined I would feel. I would never have guessed how protective and worried I would feel when she is sick or hurt, or how excited I would be to see her learn something new. The joy, doubt, excitement, exhaustion, and fulfillment of parenthood. The desire to give her everything she wants, yet learning how to give her what she needs.

The blessing of being Brook's parents is a privilege and an honor. What a wonderful little Girl God has given us. We are so blessed.

a year ago

In the Laundry Basket Again

I don't know why we have toys at all....

On the Trampoline

Some neighbors of our moved a few weeks ago and they needed a place to store their trampoline for a little while. We gladly offered to look after it. Brook loves it, and so do I. What a great energy waster! She must have "jumped" for 1/2 hr this evening. She is getting more co-ordinated all the time.

Painting

I have some old acrylic art paint, so Brook and I started painting (with brushes). Then it went to fingers, then hands. Brook gave the paint a taste. She had a 1/2 hr bath afterward to scrub the stuff off. I spent another 20 minutes scrubbing the table, chairs, tub and floor. It was worth it.

Note to self...buy washable finger paint.

Eating Toast and Being Cute

I had gone to Mom and Dad's to attend a bridal shower, and I made a quick video of Brook for Melissa, one of my Friends. (I forgot my camera when I went to the shower and it didn't get used anyway) So Melissa, this one is for you.
Brook and I were having breakfast and she was being exceptionally cute. If you have 2 minutes to spare, (pulse however long it takes to download) it's a fun little video to watch.

Mmmm... Cookies

We made some cookies this evening. Brook pushed a chair up to the counter and was tempting herself. Mmmm Cookies.

Puddles Are Fun

I have to tell you.... I did have to suppress my maternal instinct to help my daughter while I taped this video.

Another First

Brook tried to drink from a cup about a month ago. She got one or two sips and then poured the whole cup all over her face, pouring some milk up her nose in the process. Since then she refused to try it again. I would put the cup in front of her and she would push it away or cry until I gave her something to drink.

For some reason the phobia ended today. I wasn't even paying attention and she just picked up the cup and went at it. It's not the most entertaining video, but it is just fun to watch her learn something new. She was sooo excited! There was milk everywhere, but she was excited.

Brook - She's 17 Months old

Random Video

Our Kid Doing Cute Things

Pumpkin Fun

I am not sure what I was thinking, but I bought a pumpkin with the intention of carving it with Brook. She's a little young I think. We sat on the floor together and after watching me clean it out she was quite curious. She wouldn't reach in, but she fully "explored" the pumpkin from a distance.

Brook's Birthday

We celebrated Brook's first birthday this thanksgiving weekend. I can't believe it has been a year already! After our big thanksgiving supper at Ken and Judy's we enjoyed some birthday cake. Brook had a great time entertaining everyone. Thanks everyone for all the fantastic toys and cloths. It has been a fantastic 1st birthday.