All about Brooke!

As I'm slowly working my way back through the last couple of months, I thought I'd share when Brooke got her first haircut.

We went over to my friend Karina's house for a tamale making party (this was back in January). Her cousin-in-law, who cuts hair, was there. We all rounded up the kids and took turns getting their hair cut. I had to hold Brooke because she wouldn't sit still and kept taking off.

Getting some little bangs.


Trimming the ends off!


Courtney, Brooke and mommy smiling for Brooke's first haircut.




And now...The "DANCING QUEEN"

This was taken back in December to her favorite Christmas song.

The Little Mermaid ballet

Reese has been into the Little Mermaid since Christmas. She got the new Little Mermaid: Ariel's beginning for Christmas and for Valentine's Day I got her the one about Ariel's daughter Melody. Now, all of her dolls names are Melody. I catch her singing along to the movie and in her room on any given day or time, and yes, that includes late at night!

So, when I saw that the Bridges Auditorium was putting on the ballet of the "Little Mermaid" I thought what a great way to bring the two loves in her life together. I bought tickets for us and our neighbors who happen to be our best friends.

We began the day with taking the girls to downtown Claremont. We ate at a cute little restaurant called Harvard Square located in the Village. It was the perfect place to eat before the ballet, since most of the restaurant was filled with excited little girls and mothers filling their tummies for an unforgettable mother-daughter afternoon.

Reese and Jordyn posing!


As we arrived, we took pictures outside and inside the Auditorium and the girls got a mermaid doll as a souvenir. Then we went to look for our seats. We ended up in the middle section about 11 rows back from the stage and it turned out that the two rows in front of us ended up being empty. I was so glad that I didn't splurge and by premier seats (having taken my kindergartners there for field trips, I knew every seat was just about a good one).






I bought a program that told of their version of the "Little Mermaid". I read that to Reese so she would understand the ballet otherwise I knew that she would ask questions as they danced. I loved that the artistic director came out with some of the cast and explained to the kids what certain hand motions and movements meant. I think that also helped the parents explain to their kids what was happening.

At intermission, we went out for some water and snacks and that's when my sweet little girl turned into a devil. She wanted a certain kind of candy and I told her that we were getting a different type. She wanted the other kind because her friend was getting it. I told her we are getting this kind instead. Well, she didn't like that and threw herself on the ground and began screaming. I picked her up to take her to the car and she began yelling, screaming and hitting me. We sat in the car until she calmed down. Eventually, when she understood why she was taken the car, calmed down and apologized, we returned to the play.

I have to say that despite the melt-down, I had a great time and loved the scenery and how they brought the movie to life through ballet. If any of you love the ballet, the Inland Pacific Ballet is a great place and price to check out.

Garrett's first baseball game

Okay, so I'm finally back! I thought about trying to catch everyone up on what's happened but then I figured it would take me forever. Therefore, I'm just going to post the recent events and occasionally throw in some happenings from the past four months.

Well, last Saturday Garrett had his first baseball game. I must say that it was the funniest and cutest thing I have ever seen. The kids on both teams had no clue what to do or where the ball was during the game. There were kids running from second to home, from first to third and not running at all.

Garrett did an okay job! He hit it off the tee and knew where to run. The only thing his team needed was more parent volunteers. I must say that at this age you need a first base coach, a third base coach, a coach at the home plate when the kids bat, and one by the kids to let them know who is up next to bat. Well, here are some pictures of the game...enjoy!

Waiting to bat.


And he swings!


he's off...


playing catcher


waiting to go home.

Hair Cut

On Saturday, I took Reese to get her second hair cut in her entire life. If you've seen her recently, her hair basically has two different layers. When her is down, she looks like a child from the eighties. Do you remember the mullet? I didn't want to cut it for fear her hair would never grow back but something had to be done.

I asked her before we cut it if it was okay to cut it short. I explained to her that she wouldn't be able to wear her hair in a pony tail anymore. She said that was okay as long as she could have two little ponies on the top. I re-assured her that she could. I think I was more hesitant about cutting her hair. I just didn't want to cut it short and barely grow out by the time she went to kindergarten. Now that it's done, her hair does look much healthier and fuller...if that is at all possible. She loves it because it's new. She's happy and that's all that matters!

Reese with her new hair cut.

I wanted to cry when I saw how much hair was cut off!

Halloween Fun!

This year, Garrett was Batman, Reese was Belle and Brooke was a cheerleader. We started the evening off by having dinner at the Graces house. We took some group pictures and then went out trick-or-treating. Reese started to get tired early and sat in the wagon while Garrett continued on with his quest of getting as much candy as possible. Brooke was as good as ever just sitting in the stroller while her brother and sister collected all the candy.

The kids decorated their pumpkins that they got at the pumpkin patch with markers, yarn and wiggly eyes.

Belle and her pumpkin.

All the kids before the festivities begin.

Trick-or-treating

Half-way done and already they are showing signs of exhaustion.

Just being silly!

After, the entire block was having a party outside but we were all exhausted and just decided to head in for the night. But, before we went in the kids went in the haunted house that our neighbor made. They actually liked it and didn't see the least bit afraid.

Pumpkin Patch

Last Monday, the kids and I headed to Live Oak pumpkin patch with my friends Sue, Karina and their kids. When we got there, we discovered that the rides, jumpers and pony rides didn't open until three. It was around 12:30ish. We ended up going along with some school kids for an informational session about pumpkins. We even got to pick out our own little pumpkin at the the small price of $7.00 a person (children one and under were free, so you bet I told them that Brooke was only 1).

All the kids (Justin, Garrett, Lily, Tori, Reese and Jordyn) and Sue riding along in the wagon.



Mommy and Brooke enjoying the ride.

It was still fun for the kids to learn about how the pumpkins grow and we even got to go on a ride around the pumpkin patch. Later, we hung out, had lunch, went looking for pumpkins in the pumpkin patch and then, finally, went on some rides.

Most of the kids trying to pose for a picture with their pumpkins!


Brooke loved her little pumpkin that she would not let go of it!


LUNCH TIME!

Okay, we went a little late in the season for pumpkin picking. All of the good pumpkins were gone and all that remained were the yucky ones. The kids still had fun looking at all the pumpkins. Here the kids are hot and anxiously waiting for the rides to open.


Finally, the rides open and they get to ride on the ponies.

Pictures by the wagon full of pumpkins.

Award!

On Wednesday, we went to Garrett's school for an awards assembly. I received a note the previous week saying that he was going to get an award. I guess the only hold award assemblies right before they track off. So, we go and we sit through all the other awards...terrific kids, WOW kids, most improved and a couple of others that I can't remember. Then the principal announces that the last awards are the principal awards for the students that have overall academic achievement.

Yep...you guessed it...he got the principal award! I think he was surprised even though he says that he knew, but I think he was more surprised to see his daddy there to see him get it. He had a huge grin on his face when he walked up and looked over to see me and then his face lit up when he saw his daddy! Way to go Garrett! We're so proud of you.