I was lying in bed last night, trying to go to sleep and kept thinking I should really write something on the blog/my journal of what these two sweet, crazy kids have been up to lately. It's so easy to go about every day hearing their funny stories, one-liners, or sweet antics without giving it much thought about writing it down. But today is the day! So here goes a bragging post, because let's be honest, that's kind of what it is. And I'm sorry if it's long-winded, this is mainly for me, so kuddos to you if you make it all the way to the end! I'll start with Brooklyn first:
She is now a little over 3 1/2 years old, and can't WAIT for her birthday on July 11th. Which she reminds me about practically every day. The conversation usually goes something like this:
Brooklyn: Mommy, when I have my birthday on July 11th, I want to have princess cupcakes and lots of cookies that you make (or whatever else she has on her mind that day. This party is apparantely going to be HUGE!).
Other things she has mentioned she wants for her birthday: a pajama party, every single toy in the latest Target add, a BIG Dora cake, lots and lots of friends over, and lots of balloons. I'm sure I'm forgetting several wish-list items, but you get the jist.
Brooklyn LOVES preschool and almost every morning asks if she has preschool that day. She has the Pledge of Allegiance memorized (has for a while, but just didn't realize it until last month when I was teaching), can count almost to 40 (sometimes she misses a couple numbers), can count to 10 in Spanish, knows all her letters and numbers up to 10, writes her name very well and can write Troy's name and Mom, she has memorized all the primary songs they are working on. A couple Sundays ago, she came home singing one of the new songs we learned THAT DAY, and she literally knew every word. She definitely has an ear for singing, that girl. Brooklyn has always been very agile, and I am anxious to get her into gymnastics this year. My sister Megan (who was a collegiate gymnast, yup, she's awesome!) has told me she definitely has a natural ability and it's highly unusual some of the things she is already doing at this age. So that gives me all the motivation I need! We're going to have an Olympic gymnast! Ok, ok, maybe not that extreme, but I know she'll love it and gymnastics is such a great background to have for all sports and dance. She also LOVES to color and it consumes a lot of her day. And she's actually very good at it and is already pretty much staying in the lines! Her teacher at church (who used to teach Kindergarten), said she is even much better at coloring than most of the kindergartners she's seen. She definitely didn't get her artistic ability from me (thank heavens). I think Grandma Hill passed on her amazing artistic ability to her!
Brooklyn LOVES her baby brother. Yes, they argue and fight sometimes, but she is so motherly to him most of the time. Several times during the day I will hear her say, "Troy, come give me hugs and kisses." Or, "Troy, you want me to hold you?" She can hardly wait for her baby sister to be born so she can "feed her yummy food, and get diapers and wipes for Mommy." In Primary, pretty much whenever there is a question about how you can be good and keep the commandments, etc, her answer is usually, "I am good because I help my Mommy do the dishes." She LOVES helping me with chores around the house and is always so willing! Her favorite chore is definitely washing the windows (something we don't do often enough). She also really enjoys setting the table and making her bed. Brooklyn is definitely Mommy's little helper.
When I fix her hair in the morning, she usually tells me who she wants her hair like that day. Such as, Jessi from Toy Story, Cinderella, Snow White, Fiona, Tinkerbell, etc. She cannot WAIT for summer time to go swimming at the waterpark again and is so excited for swimming lessons. I think she thinks she'll have the same teacher again (Kyle, she LOVES him). Oh, and her favorite color is purple.
I'm sure there are many more things I could write, but can't think of anything at the moment. I love this sweet little girl. She has blessed our lives in so many ways! I am so thankful she was sent to our family.
Written by Daddy- I'm convinced Brooklyn is going to be the smartest in every class...sorry all you other kids (of course I am biased).
My favorite thing she does right now:
When she is coloring, writing, playing on my ipod she is in deep concentration and always squinches her lips really tightly together as if that will help her to stay in the lines or win the game.
She's very much Troy's opposite in the cuddle with the parents category, but she is starting to soften up and let us hold her every once in a while.
I've always felt that Brooklyn thinks she is going to miss something, which is why she hates going to bed if we aren't and always wakes up at the crack of dawn. Even at 3.5 she very much longs to be an adult, and always says "when I grow up...".
I love this little girl. She changed our lives
 |
| Just a few days old. |
 |
| At 13 months holding 2 day old Troy. She has always been such a mother. What a sweet sister. |
 |
| A couple days before her 1st birthday. |
