Capturing the Moment

This picture is tied to no special event. 

I just thought I needed to capture the moment.

I don't think there will ever be another moment when simultaneously:

Brielle is pretending to be a cat (eating out of bowls on the floor and everything).

Still dressed as a cat and using her snow sled as a pool for a family of ducks.

Oh and still in her pajamas at noon (ok that will happen again).

The best part is that I caught her doing this.  We hadn't been playing together.  I just happened to look out the window and see this scene.  Made me smile!



Mom and Brielle Day

Grant went to the Royals vs. Cardinals game with friends, so that left Brielle and I to make our own fun for the day.  It was the best!  I will treasure this day for a long time.  I don't know how many more days we will have just alone without a care in the world once her baby brother or sister arrives.  It was pure joy!

Our day started at Bass Pro Park.  Wow!  This picture is significant.  Brielle has come very far with her gross motor skills and bravery.  She climbed the rock by herself.  Some kids were climbing since they could walk, but not Brielle.  She was always very cautious and went slow.  So this is a very impressive accomplishment!

Again, something she has really worked hard to do! 

Favorite part: feeding the ducks! 

She spotted this feather and wanted to get her ink pad at home to dip the feather in and write with it.  What a neat idea!  I'm assuming she learned about feather pens from school....

McAlister's Deli for dinner.  Someone is super excited!  We did just get finished shopping at Target where she purchased her own princess cell phone and My Little Pony with her own money. 

What night is complete without Yogurtini (Brielle's idea)? 

Brielle suggested a little more shopping.  I would never say no to that.  She found these shoes.  According to her, she can 'put on lots of fashion shows now'.  I agreed of course, but trying to explain to a 4 year old about the difference between wants and needs is hard.  She does NEED these shoes to put on her fashion shows, so what am I talking about? I convinced her to leave the shoes and maybe we would come back after discussing it with Grant (my own personal stall tactic). 

Well, we discussed and told her she didn't need them and that she had plenty of shoes.  Thus insued a lot of tears, arms crossed, and some stomping around (mainly for effect).  We explained that maybe we could start a chore chart or she could think of a goal and earn the shoes. 

I don't want to earn the shoes!  I just want them!

Well, we only get things we want at our birthday and Christmas.

A few minutes later...

Fine, I'll earn them.

Life is hard, but I guess that's why I moved out and got a job.  I have too many things I just want.  One day this will make sense Ladybug!     



Cupcakes and Friends

We went to Whitney's house to see baby Will and play with Alivia and Jensen.  The girls had an exceptional time - thanks to Kristen!  She brought a really neat cupcake maker and let the girls be her little helpers.  It doesn't get much better than making red velvet cupcakes and brownies with friends!  Speaking of friends...Thank you Whitney and Kristen for being great friends!  I don't normally write about my life, but hopefully Brielle will one day look back and be able to share her life with friends like these two.  I have had many friends throughout the years and I treasure them all.  I hope the same for Brielle one day.  You need friends to make your life that much richer.  You need friends you can trust, confide in, vent to, laugh....and make cupcakes with!!!!! 

It doesn't get much better than that!

One day Jensen will get in on the cupcake action! 

Girl fun! 



Art Fun

Brielle has been trying a few new art projects this week. 

Shaving cream bathtub paint.  So much FUN!!!!! 

Clean-up is pretty easy too!

Sidewalk paint made with cornstarch, water, and food coloring.  Our driveway still looks beautiful! 

  

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the best dad in the whole world!  Brielle is a Daddy's Girl for sure!  I didn't get a great smile from Brielle on Father's Day, but she loves it when her Dad is anywhere near. 

Grant never refuses a request from Brielle to be carried, given piggy back rides, or big jumps.  He never turns her down to play a game or watch a sports game together.  Surprisingly, Brielle will shout at the TV and get into the game in order to properly 'hang' with her Dad.  They both love eating dessert together!  Both have turned into quite the cooks on their Daddy/Brielle nights - pigs in a blanket, personal pizzas, fish sticks, burritos, and the delicious list goes on!  Brielle is the only person he will wake up for before 7 AM in a slightly cheery mood.  It only takes her smile and a 'pleeeaaaase Daddy' to get him to do anything!  He always tells her how much he loves her!  What a lucky little girl!



Dance Recital

We went to our neighbor's dance recital and Brielle had the time of her life!  She watched the entire 4 hour show (didn't get home until after 10 PM).  She was dancing at intermission.  I think we'll try a real dance class next year.  She seems to have the desire!



Conversation of the Day

Great Grandma - Do you have a harmonica?

Brielle - Yes!

Great Grandma - Are you good at it?

Brielle - Well.......................I'm not fantastic, but I'm great. 



Movie Night

Brielle has been wanting a family movie night for a while, so we settled on Friday night.  She also wanted to watch Kung Fu Panda.  

Pajamas - check!

Popcorn - check!

Candy (added at the last minute) - check!

Blankets - check!

Pillows - check!

Kung Fu Panda Movie on HBO - check!

Fast forwarding through half of the movie because she is super scared of anything that appears to be violent, dark, or semi-scary - Priceless!

We love family movie nights!



Make Our Own Fun

I took Brielle on a walk last night.  She loves finding yards with sprinklers.  Well, when we got home she wanted to go back.  She rode her tricycle pretty far to enjoy the cool treat again.  The lady who owned the house came out and loved that Brielle was enjoying her sprinkler.  I guess it's great that she makes her own fun!

Side note:  I asked her why she wanted to ride her tricycle that far and not her bike.  "I don't want to wear my helmet!"  Brielle replies.  Really?  Really?  Alas, she rode the tricycle super far and didn't give up.  I guess it was worth it......?   



Lake and Lebanon Trip

Grant took a four day weekend, so we could visit the Lake and Lebanon.  Brielle was excited to see Grandma, Papa, Great Grandma, Great Grandpa, Aunt Samantha, and Uncle Jake.

Brielle enjoyed her virgin strawberry daiquiri on the tropical island cruise.

Grant and Brielle spotted a giant turtle in the water right away.  Now she is convinced if she swims in the lake a turtle will bite her toes.  :)

Checking out the new binoculars from Uncle Jake and Aunt Samantha.  These will go on her new swing set.  She is convinced she needs a telescope and map too.  We shall see! 

Aunt Samantha giving a demonstration. 

Splashing in Grandpa and Papa's city pool.  Lots of fun play areas! 

We made it to Lebanon and had a great time eating dinner and feeding the fish in Bennett Springs.  Brielle got pretty excited to see the fish jump for her food. 

We had a lot of fun playing with Great Grandma Klug's outdoor toys and riding her golf cart around the neighborhood.  We even visited Grandma Klug's neighbors and played with their toys. 

Brielle enjoyed a story with Great Grandma.  She really loved her new fancy dance skirt and sunflower bow from Great Grandma for her birthday.  Brielle also enjoyed a gift of bongo drums from Great Grandma.  What a fun trip!

Swim Lessons

Brielle is taking swim lessons with her friend Jenna two times a week at our neighborhood pool.  Miss Stephanie is their teacher, and she is fantastic!  We can already see progress. 



Summer Time Playdates

We have been playing with tons of friends this summer! 

I have also not been taking many pictures, so these don't reflect our fun times.

We met Hudson, Henry, Jenna, and Sophia at the park to watch a play.  Then we headed to Aubrey's house to swim in the pool.  We have been swimming at Aubrey's with Hudson, Henry, Maely, Bennett, Briggs, Paxton, and more friends almost every Friday. 

Here's the original gang from Miss Jeanna's house.  We love getting together with Brielle's first friends.  They all just start playing as if no time has passed since their early days.  It's pretty cute! 



Conversation of the Day

I try not to post super embarrassing stories since this is a virtual scrapbook for Brielle and her new brother or sister.  This is a keepsake of Brielle memories.  I hope she reads it later in life and learns about her childhood and maybe a little bit about my personality. 

However, Brielle said the cutest (and embarrassing) thing the other day.  I have to share!

We were discussing bras (I won't give the story leading up to this conversation).

I want to wear a bra.

You are wearing a bra?

No.  I want to wear a bra.

Oh.  Well one day when you are older you will get to do that.

Good.  Except my bras will be pink, purple, and rainbow stripes.

Sounds fancy if I do say so myself!  She is a crack-up.  Where does she come up with this stuff?

Friend Birthday Party

Brielle wanted her friend birthday party to be at Paradise Park.  It was tons of fun!  We are thankful for her fantastic friends!  I'll let the pictures tell the story.

So excited for her birthday Barbie cake!  She picked out the Barbie and all!

Great friends - Sophie and Brielle 

Excited about the next friend to arrive! 

Blowing out the candles 

Awesome! 

Opening Ellie's present!  Thank you Ellie! 

Opening Jenna's present!  Thank you Jenna! 

Opening Henry's present!  Thank you Henry! 

Thank you John!!!!! 

Thank you Sophie!!!! 

Thank you Maely!!!! 

Thank you Vinny!!!!



Face painting!  This was a favorite place for all! 

Water table fun! 

Thanks for coming Jenna! 

Cooking time 

Imagination area...Brielle spent a lot of time in the store! 

John was working hard as a cashier. 

The gang 

After the party, most of the kids had a blast in the foam factory or using their tokens.  Brielle said, "I think I'll have my 5 birthday at Paradise Park!"  I guess that means it was a success!