Sesame Street

We went to Sesame Street Live today with friends.  It was a blast!  Brielle loved eating cotton candy with Jenna.  She loved dancing with Alivia.  She had a blast learning from Ava.

I think the pictures say it all!

We had to start the day with Sesame Street character pancakes.

Notice the resemblance (Oscar)... 

Jenna and Brielle held hands pretty much everywhere they went. 

All of the kids...what a cute crew! 

Dance party ended on the floor.  What good dance party doesn't? 

Playing with the activity centers before the show. 

Family pic. We have a family pic with Jenna too.  :) 

The girls are focused. 



We ended the day at Red Robin with most of the crew.  What a fun day!

Winter Wipeout

Brielle loves the show Wipeout.  We watched Winter Wipeout tonight for the first time.  She giggles, yells, and cheers on the contestants.

It's so cute to hear her yell, "Come on buddy!  You can do it buddy!"

My favorite comment tonight came out of nowhere.  A girl lunged and landed on a spinning contraption. 

Brielle yelled, "Shaken Baken!"

Oh how you make us smile!

Valentine's Day Decor

Brielle and I made a little Valentine's Day decoration for the front door.  I love that she can join me in projects.  "Mama this is so fun!"  Yes it is. 

Australia

Brielle is studying continents this month.  We borrowed some of the Glasco's Australian artifacts for Brielle to share at school.  Brielle snapped this picture of Grant modeling the cork hat that keeps the flies away.  Thanks for letting Brielle borrow all of the cool Australian stuff Jeff and Leslie!

Happy Birthday Max

Happy 5th birthday Max!  We couldn't think of a better way to spend a Saturday in January.  Brielle loves visiting her friends Max and Molly.  Grant and I love visiting Max and Molly too since we get to see some of our best friends from college Ryan and Emily.  It's a win win! 

Max had a super hero theme.  We attempted a Green Lantern costume, but it was too big.  Therefore Brielle and I came up with her own super girl costume - leotard, tights, tutu, fairy wings, Green Lantern mask and ring, and of course pig tails.  She was quite the girly super hero, but had a good time anyway.

We love you Max!

After party in pajamas!



Conversations of the Week

 #1 Grant and Brielle were playing Barbies

Grant:  Barbie has long legs.

Brielle:  Yeah.  Like yours Daddy. 

 #2 We were watching Rio for family movie night.

The two birds were holding hands and gazing at each other.

Brielle: Are they in love?  giggle...giggle...

#3 Brielle was describing how you feed an American baby at dinner.

Brielle:  You do this (shows motion of someone spoon feeding a baby).

Me: What do you mean an American baby?

Brielle:  Well you just do this (repeats motion).

Me: Do you feed other babies differently?

Brielle:  Well yes.  See this is how you feed an Asian baby (demonstration).

This is how you feed an African baby (demonstration).

Can you tell someone has been learning about different continents at school?
I was struggling not to bust-up at her demonstrations and thought process.  If you are wondering, there was very little difference in the feeding processes.

#4 JOKES - I will have to remember some of her jokes.  She is into creating her own material now.  It's pretty funny.

***I also now understand why every parent feels their child is a genius.  I think Brielle says the smartest, cutest, and wittiest things, but in reality they are probably the exact same things that other parents are hearing from their 3 1/2 year olds.  However, to watch a little person start life barely moving to now speaking, telling jokes, holding conversations, and going to school is simply amazing.  So, yes, she must be a genius in my eyes!

Funny Girl

Brielle makes us laugh daily.  Tonight she had her ice cream pajamas on, Smooch (her new dog) in his Pucci Pup Carrier, and wore sunglasses to bed.  Just a typical night.  

Reading before bed...

We told Brielle she looked like a rock star.  She said "NO!  I'm Brielle!  I'm not a rock star.  I'm a rock."  giggles...

Notice the Pucci Pup case in her hand. 

Night Night LoveyBug.



Kiley's Birthday Party

Well, I experienced a first on Saturday - Chuck E. Cheese.  Yes.  It was all I had imagined.  Tons of people.  Small spaces.  Arcade games.  Kids running without supervision.  Germs. 

However, it was magical from a child's point of view.  The lights, music, cheers, tickets, prizes, Chuck E. Cheese (the "real" mouse), pizza, soda, cake, presents, treasure box, and friends were enough to make any kid smile.  Brielle loved it.  She would play each game one time and run to the next.  She was clearly excited to get tickets, but had no concept of winning arcade games.  That didn't matter.  Her favorite ride was the horse and playing a frog game (both didn't earn her any tickets).  

I was almost thinking I would go back to Chuck E. Cheese somewhere down the road until Brielle slid down the slide directly after a girl that had peed her pants.  Awesome.  Grant reminded me that Brielle peed in her pants at Paradise Park, and hopefully we aren't the most disgusting people on the face of the Earth.  True.  Possibly I'll give this place another chance.  

Favorite question after the party: "Why does Chuck E. Cheese only have two teeth?"

Grant told Brielle it was because he hadn't brushed his teeth and they fell out.

Brielle responded, "But Daddy he's always had two teeth."  :)

Kiley and Brielle

 

Christmas in the Park

We went to Christmas in the Park this year.  Uncle Jay and Aunt Tiffany went with us too.  We were hoping for some oohs and aahs from the Little Miss, but she did look at the lights for at least five minutes.  Possibly we were moving too slow or maybe it will be more mesmerizing next year.  :)

Trying out my new phone...not so good from the car.



Christmas

Wow!  Where did Christmas break go?  It's over, but we are excited for the new possibilities in 2012. 

I didn't get a ton of great pictures.  I guess I was too busy catching up with family and friends. 

Here's some Christmas break stats:

1 - sick night (Christmas Eve night was not so fun)

2 - play dates with friends we love!

3 - trips around Missouri (Purdy, Lebanon, and the Lake)

4 - new barbies (plus plenty of clothes, car, fashion awards, etc.)

5 - new animals (Brielle's very own Smooch, 2 stuffed bunnies, hamster, and a Critter Clinic)

6 - wonderful "cousins" to play with - (Kathryn, Lydia, Alex, Thomas, Simon, Silas)

7 - new clothes (including pajamas, a dress, sequin belts, new tights, and a dance outfit)

8 - planets that shine on Brielle's ceiling from her new space alarm clock - 8 planets since "Pluto is a dwarf planet" (Brielle's words)

9 - days off to spend together - Pure Joy!

To the Moon and Back - the amount of love from the whole family - It was a blessing to spend Christmas with so many family members (Grandma, Papa, Grandma Carolyn, G, ALL 6 of the great grandparents, Aunt Samantha, Uncle Jake, Aunt Tiffany, Uncle Jay,  MANY cousins, aunts, uncles, and more!)

Family Christmas at home

Thanks Aunt Jill and Uncle Scott! 

Loves her new girl! 

Playing with one of her new Barbies and the new car.  Check out the awesome Hello Kitty slippers from Uncle Jake and Aunt Samantha!  Brielle wears them all of the time! 

Thank you letter time!  Each year gets better and better.  This year she "signs" her own name and it is readable.   

Grandma Carolyn and Brielle in their fun hats!  Thanks for the new crown and all of the new princess items! Brielle did a great job of playing Santa at the Klugs.  You could hear "Thank You" very loud.

All smiles with Aunt Tiffany and Uncle Jay!  Thanks for Smooch and the critter clinic!  Perfect present!

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Fishburn - Brielle ran to give them hugs and was a pure delight.  They loved hearing all about the planets and a little of her planet song.   

Grandma and Brielle LOVE making pie crust together.  "Grammy can we make pie crust yet?" 

We listened to a lot of Christmas music this year.  I think the following song by Ray Charles sums up my sentiments:
Christmas is the time of year
For being with the one's we love
Sharing so much joy and cheer
What a wonderful feelin
Watching the one's we love
Having so much fun

I was sittin by the fire side
Taking a walk through the snow
Listening to a children's choir
Singing songs about Jesus
The blessed way that he came to us
Why can't it remain
All through the year
Each day the same
Heyeah, that's what I wanna hear
Heh heh
It's truly amazin
That spirit of Christmas

All the kin folk gather round
The lovely Christmas tree
Hearts are glowing full of joy
Sense the gifts that we're giving
And the love that we're living
Why can't it remain
Ohhh all through the year
Each day the same
Heyeah, that's what I wanna hear
I'll tell ya
It's truly amazin
That spirit of Christmas

Let me hear ya
Why can't it remain
All through the year
Each day the same
That's what I wanna hear
Listen to me
It's truly amazin
That spirit of Christmas
Ohhh It's truly amazin
That spirit of Christmas
Ain't it so
It's truly amazin
Yeah, that spirit of Christmas
Oh Christmas
Oh Christmas
Merry Christmas!

Happy 2012!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year