Brooklyn's First Day of Preschool

On January 7th Brooklyn started preschool. It was a big day for all of us.

Brooklyn poses in her first day of school clothes, complete with new book bag. Rosie felt the occasion warranted formal attire (what else is new?)

I dropped her off at the preschool and Sean picked her up. We peppered her with questions about her morning but her only response was , "I'll tell you later." One thing we hear everytime she comes home is "The boys are crazy." And I guess they really are. I heard Brooklyn's teacher explaining that she had moved some of the chairs around so the boys couldn't wrestle anymore. It is a rude awakening for Brook. I have suggested that she may like boys more when she is a bit older. She thinks I am insane.

So with Brookie gone two mornings a week exploring the world of preschool, Rosie and I have time together. Here is Rosie on our first morning without Brook. I asked her what she wanted to do and she said she wanted to wear her party dress, eat peanut butter toast and watch The Sound of Music. So that is exactly what we did. There is nothing like time with a 2 1/2 year old to remind you what is truly important in this world. ~Mandy

Imagine . . .

Imagination is more important than knowledge...

~Albert Einstein

The girls got some face paint for Christmas this year from Nan and Pop. Recently, Brookie and I tried our hands at some face art. Brook wanted flowers and a black nose, which I did for her. Then she wanted to paint my face. She went for an abstract approach, combining freckles, a Hitleresque mustache and a "rainbow". After putting on our paint, we were ready to play. Brookie as a fairy princess and me . . . well, a freckled sidekick of somekind.

Isn't the imagination a true wonder? I mean it gives us all the power to go anywhere and do anything. It frees us from our skin. Just today, we were puppies, fairy princesses, grocery store owners and ballet dancers. And that was all before lunch. After some macaroni and cheese, Brookie was a zoo keeper and then we were all cornered by a rather miffed giraffe. Brooklyn thankfully grabbed it by its tail and got it back in its cage by the couch before any real damage was done. It was a full day. And who knows what tomorrow may bring. The possibilities are endless. ~Mandy

Our Rosie

This picture captures almost everything Rosie loves: her pink party dress, her pink tights and her pink scooter. No matter how many times Sean carries the scooter downstairs, wee Rosie lugs it all the way back up by herself and does a few laps of the living room. She is honing her skills so she is ready for the spring thaw when we can all get back outside again. And just for your information, it is -48 with the wind chill today here in southern Saskatchewan. Stepping outside today gives a whole new meaning to "freeze your face off". I seriously think it may be possible.

~Mandy

And Even More Christmas Moments

Here we see the scooter in all its glory. The girls just love them and our mantra is "Just wait until spring!" I haven't the heart to tell them how long that could actually be around here.

Ama and Bops sent Rosie a Playmobil house, seen here with Brookie. I love these things, although my personality does not lend itself to dealing with hundreds of small pieces.

Also from Ama and Bops - a new puppet theatre. Rosie prefers to be a part of the drama.

Brooklyn and Rosie did a wonderful show about a duck (thanks, Pop) and a princess. There was a lot of walking and not much of a plot but we were all glued to our seats.

Thank you to all of our wonderful, generous, thoughtful family members who made our first Christmas in Caronport so much fun. We felt loved and cared for even though we were so far away.

To be honest, I was really dreading the whole thing. My heart was in Ontario. But snuggling in our bed one afternoon, eating popcorn and watching the Polar Express, Brooklyn turned to me and said, "I love our little family. Merry Christmas, Mommy." I realised that this was a really good holiday.

More Christmas Moments

Here are those scarves and hats I mentioned earlier. Notice the dazed looks - complete present overload!

Aunt Nessa sent along some fantastic finger puppets. Here Rosie eyes Brookie's sea creatures.

It was a truly "groovy" Christmas - Rosie is enjoying a moment with all the groovy girls and horses

Aunt Nessa also sent the best scooters we have ever seen - PINK! Rosie was obviously thrilled with the colour choice.

~Mandy

Christmas Morning in Caronport

Just out of bed and heading to the Christmas tree . . .

and there are so many presents, our wee girls are completely unsure how to proceed. So they move in cautiously

Here they are opening new scarves and hats from Nan and Pop

Rosie poses with a "cheese" as she scopes out her new Winnie the Pooh puzzle and kitten Robeez

~Mandy

The Birthday Revisited

Because Brooklyn's birthday falls so close to Christmas holidays (for those around here working at the school, anyway) it is difficult to plan her birthday party with her friends then so we had the princess party much earlier this year (December 8th). The decorations stayed up though, until the official birthday when we four celebrated once more the wonderful, amazing day Brooklyn Grace entered this world at 7:22 pm.

Brooklyn got to choose the dinner menu because this was something my mom always did for our birthdays. It seems little but I remember it made me feel so important and loved. Our birthday girl chose cheeseburgers (thankfully the weather agreed and Sean could get the bbq going), chips, candy cane ice cream and cheesecake. As the chef, I added salad, carrot sticks and made the cheesecakes mini. Then we had fun opening more presents. Sean and I gave Brook her first locket just like Annie's in the movie. Rosie gave her sister a beautiful fairy book. We all finished the celebration by working on - though not completing - our first family gingerbread house. We laughed, ate, played and remembered the wonder-filled day when our first daughter arrived and changed our lives forever. No small feat and well deserving of as many celebrations as possible.

The birthday girl and her sister who used this occasion to bring out that dress again, although just waking up in the morning is enough of an occasion for her

A Birthday kiss

That ice cream is a favourite. And is it just me or does Brooklyn look way too old here?

Eventually both party dresses made an appearance

Happy Birthday, my sweet, sweet Brooklyn. ~Mandy