Deep Thoughts...about Candy Land

We were playing Candy Land with the whole family - there were like 5 of us.  Occasionally we stack the deck when we play with just us three, so that the game goes a bit faster and we don't hit any set-backs.  Maybe this isn't the best parenting idea, but shhh we do this.  Brielle sometimes wins and sometimes loses. 

We've played Candy Land hundreds of times, but this time was different.  I don't know if it was because there were other people besides Grant and I or if we didn't stack the deck, but I was on the edge of my seat worried about Brielle.  She was in second place and getting closer and closer to the Candy Castle.  I was so fearful she would get a card that would take her back to the beginning.  I didn't want to see her disappointed.  I didn't want to see her feelings hurt.  I didn't want to see her embarrassed.  I wanted to see her do well and succeed!  I wanted her to reach the Candy Castle!

This moment struck me as fitting, worrisome, and hysterical all at the same time.  It was fitting because I'm sure all moms have that feeling of wanting their child to succeed (at anything and everything).  I probably take failure harder than she does.  It was worrisome because I can't imagine what a mess I will be when she is doing something super important.  I mean at this point (4 year old world) Candy Land is pretty big, but how worried will I be when she is doing something of great importance?  It was also hysterical because I was actually saying silent prayers that she wouldn't fail....that she wouldn't draw a bad card....that she would make it to the Candy Castle.  Really the Candy Castle?  I was saying prayers that she would get to the Candy Castle?  Bwahahahaha!

Who knew Candy Land could be so deep?  Not me!    

Job Update

I have been keeping track of Brielle's career aspirations over the years.  We started with elephant then went to dancer and princess.

We went through a brief period where she wanted to be a doctor.

Now we have settled on teacher!  At first, she was going to be a teacher of babies.  Most recently she decided she would teach older kids.  Melts my heart!  Can't wait to hear her next idea!  :)

Lake Trip

Brielle and I went to visit my grandparents at the Lake.  I got to spend a lot of time with my grandma which was great!  She helped me make curtains for the baby boy's room. 

Brielle got to do several fun things as well!

She made her own fancy flip flops with jewels and everything!

Riding in Papa's new truck. She loved it! 

We went to see Main Street Opry's music show.  She wanted these light-up teeth at intermission.  They were pretty hysterical. 

She wanted her picture with the newest member of the cast. 

Loves Papa's new truck! 

Brielle was able to take a horse riding lesson.  This is Brielle and Spike. 

She really did well and wanted to keep going! 

She helped brush the horse afterwards.  Brielle asked me if she could ride a girl horse next time.  :) 

She loved the barnyard animals that were roaming around. 



Glasses

I was lucky enough to get glasses this year.  I only wear them when I work on the computer or read for long periods of time.  Well, Brielle thinks they're pretty cool and has been wanting to wear them.  I told her she can't wear them a lot because it will hurt her eyes, so she desperately wanted her own glasses.  I used to dress as Detective McGee when I was a teacher, so we set off for my school where I thought I had my detective glasses.  Unfortunately I couldn't find my old trenchcoat.  Ugh.  I kept my glasses in the coat pocket, so we were both disappointed.  Since I promised glasses, we headed to Wal-Mart and found out they don't sell fake glasses.  So we went to the vision department and were able to buy a pair of demo frames.  She picked out a super cute red pair.  She wore them to her 4 year photo shoot, took them on a trip, and wears them to "work".  She says "let's both work Mama".  She gets her Leapfrog laptop and I get my laptop.  Then we both put on our glasses and "work".  It's pretty fun!

Look at that cutie pie! 



Gengelbach Reunion

The Gengelbach's had a cousin reunion, and we were lucky to host a lot of family!  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to capture a lot of pictures which is so sad.  Almost all of the Gengelbach cousins were able to make it - Aunt Jill, Uncle Scott, Uncle Jay, Aunt Tiffany, Scott, Laura, Madelyn, Annie, John, Brandom, and Will were able to make it! 

We played lots of game including Munchkin (Brielle really got into it - me not so much), spades, Candyland, and Go Fish.  Brielle liked playing games with so many people.  We had a BBQ and played outside in the 110 degree heat.  Well, Brielle ran around in her Nemo sprinkler in the 110 degree heat.  Will was a little nervous about Nemo, so he preferred the swing set.  Brielle and will occasionally played together, but mainly did their own separate things.  She did enjoy getting "treasure" from Will (rocks he collected at the barn).  I guess she had a pretty disgusted face that he was prying her hand open to give her a rock, but when he clarified and said it was treasure she was elated.  How funny!

We visited Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Gengelbach at the hospital.  Then we met his Uncle Bob, Aunt Suzie, Uncle Geno, and Aunt Debbie at the barn for a traditional 4th of July BBQ.  Uncle Bob cooked some delicious pork burgers.  The "big kids" played basketball and baseball while the little kids blew bubbles and collected rocks.  It was a fun cousin reunion!  Hopefully we will see everyone next summer! 

We found time to swim in the pool. 

Brielle was showing off her fancy backwards jump!

Brandom, Will, and Brielle swimming 

Pink lemonade in a can!  Yes!  

Thanks for letting Brielle take the extra home Uncle Bob! 

What do you think of that pork burger? 

 Thumbs-up approval!

Look at those movie stars!

Thanks for the cool new shades Uncle Bob and Aunt Suzie! 

Goodbye hugs from cousin Will.



It's a...

BOY!  Brielle is going to have a little brother!  We couldn't be more excited!  We took Brielle to the ultrasound.  She was really wanting a baby sister, so we thought taking her to the ultrasound would make it easier if it was a baby brother.  I think it worked!  She loved seeing him on the screen. 

Brielle decided to have a garage sale if it was a boy.  She wants to price all of her baby girl clothes for nickel a piece.  "If you buy one thing, it costs one nickel.  If you buy two things, it costs two nickels.  If you buy three things, it costs three nickels."  You get the picture!  :)  She is also going to have a lemonade and cookie stand.  She is the "boss" of the lemonade and cookie stand while Grant and I are in charge of the clothes.  Thank goodness we have her around to give us some direction! 

We made some special cupcakes to announce it was a boy to Grant's family.  Well, I actually made the cupcakes and Brielle did the beautiful sprinkles.  She was a bit confused about this whole cupcake thing.  She wanted her own cupcakes (all pink) and cupcakes for her brother (all blue).  So we compromised with pink tops for the big sister and a blue middle for the little brother.



Boss of the Dogs

Uncle Jay and Aunt Tiffany brought their miniature schnauzers, Lacy and Missy, from Colorado.  Brielle was so excited to have dogs!  Jay and Tiffany went out to eat, so Brielle was asked to dog sit while they were gone.  Aunt Tiffany gave her instructions and she took them very seriously.  She gave them one treat, took them on a walk, let Grant clean-up poop, and put them to bed when she went to bed.  My favorite quote that night was "You are the boss of the house and I'm the boss of the dogs."  She was really enjoying being the boss of something.  I wonder if this will carry over to her little brother? 

4th of July Fun

We enjoyed the 4th of July in Kansas City this year.  We started by cleaning up our house and making some yummy food in preparation for company.  Then we headed to Aubrey's house for her annual 4th of July pool party.  Brielle jumped in the pool as soon as she got there.  She is quite the little fish this summer!  Brielle had so much fun and was equally excited to get home to greet Uncle Jay and Aunt Tiffany.  They drove in from Colorado for the Gengelbach family reunion just in time for the 4th of July fireworks.  They even brought their dogs and Brielle was over the moon to have dogs visiting. 

We headed to Longview Lake to watch the fireworks at about 9:00.  The fireworks didn't start until 9:45, so while we waited Brielle insisted the group play her version of Duck Duck Goose.  Brielle definitely got a good workout.  She would pick a person and then just run from the group in any direction she wanted.  It was pretty cute! 

Last year, the fireworks didn't go so well.  We were in a boat and she kept her hands over her ears and was practically screaming the whole time.  In her defense, we were right under the fireworks.  This year we were far away so the booms were not quite as loud.  She was still a bit terrified, but by the end she was able to enjoy them.  In fact all week, Grant would do some low-key fireworks in our driveway and she would yell "Daddy run away fast!  Run away fast!"  She wouldn't even do a sparkler - maybe next year.  At any rate, she tolerated the fireworks this year.  Maybe next year we'll get some oohs and aahs!

Happy birthday America!



Birthday Celebration

Brielle and Grant took me to Brio for my birthday.  On our way to the plaza, Brielle requested we find a restaurant with a play place.  Then the drive took a bit took long for her, so I was glad to get there.  As you can imagine dinner didn't start so well, but by the middle of dinner she said "I love Brio!  It's my favorite!"  This turn around was all thanks to our waiter!  He told me the restaurant lets kids have a ball of dough to shape, play with, and bake and did he have permission to bring Brielle some dough.  Well that was the turning point!  She was thrilled with the dough (in fact she didn't bake it), loved her delicious food, and had a blast!  We had fun walking around the plaza and even found a special mobile for her baby brother.  Great birthday!