Fact: Every girl has a pair of skinny jeans.
In Brooklyn's case we're just happy to have found a pair that fit without digging into her belly when she sits down or bends over.
History: For the past year, we have not successfully dressed our child in jeans because we haven't found any jeans with elastic all the way around the waist which will accommodate her "curves." We usually just stick to the good ol' stretchy knit ones with plenty of "give." Maybe I'm wrong, but she may have had a small growth spurt lately, in which she has gotten a little "leaner". She still has a big belly, but I think it is safe to dress her in these jeans once in a while without causing serious damage. Notice the huge, rolled-up cuffs due to the large size!
Above is a picture of her with her friend Madison. We went to get some Cold Stone ice cream to celebrate Madison's mom's birthday. I was totally prepared with healthy treats for Brooklyn, hoping to divert her from devouring all of my own serving, and to prevent a sugar high that would mess up her ability to fall asleep easily at night.
What's that saying about the best laid plans? . . . She still stole a couple bites right away, using the sample spoon that I gave her. After that, she did share a yogurt with me and she downed the strawberry applesauce in seconds flat. Note the empty applesauce cup and two used spoons, in the pictures. The irony of the whole situation is that that one small "like it" size of ice cream sent ME into a funk. It totally felt yucky and gross, and am so turned off from going there again anytime soon. Not that anything was really wrong with the way it was made, but it was just too much sugar and spice and everything nice. I even thought I was being "good" by getting the strawberry (healthy fruit, right?) cheesecake kind instead of the chocolate and caramel "Founder's Favorite" that I usually go with.
Moral of the story: We parents should try to give ourselves the same limitations that we impose on our kids.
Another funny thing from that outing: Madison came up to her mom and asked in complete confusion, "Mom, she keeps saying 'A-fan'"
Her mom's response, "yeah, that's how she says your name." This is true. Basically, Brooklyn loves playing with Madison, who is about four years old. Brooklyn will chase her or shadow her every step repeating, "A-fan, A-fan!" I think we need to get out more! Playing with other kids is so novel and entertaining, but it may be a little overwhelming for the innocent by-standing child.
Another example of Brooklyn's "developing" social behaviors can be seen, of all times, after church! She seems to believe that this is the time to run around the halls chasing other small children, such as Madison. She will squeal at the top of her lungs, laugh and run, run, run. We are talking LAPS around the church! This is a record cardio-work-out for the same child who will NOT walk the whole way across the apt. complex to get the mail. I am so bad because today I basically allowed this inappropriate behavior and was inwardly laughing about it. Bad, bad, inexperienced parent, I KNOW! My completely unjustified reasoning? What a great way to get her moving fast and for a long time! After scarfing down all the Kix, raisins, and left-over, stale fish crackers from the chapel floor and diaper bag pockets, then all the Cheeze Nips from the Nursery snack time, AND the one and a half adult-sized servings of breakfast, she really needs to work this stuff off! But, as a member of the Primary Presidency (Assistant Secretary, to be exact,) I also know it is SO irreverent! I've got to come to grips with this! Did I mention she also goes to a "toddler fun" class at the gym, which is NOT as successful at getting her to move as this post-nursery free-for-all hallway chase? Heaven help me! Or you could too - I love advice from readers! :)
Fact: Every girl has a pair of skinny jeans.
What's that saying about the best laid plans? . . . She still stole a couple bites right away, using the sample spoon that I gave her. After that, she did share a yogurt with me and she downed the strawberry applesauce in seconds flat. Note the empty applesauce cup and two used spoons, in the pictures. The irony of the whole situation is that that one small "like it" size of ice cream sent ME into a funk. It totally felt yucky and gross, and am so turned off from going there again anytime soon. Not that anything was really wrong with the way it was made, but it was just too much sugar and spice and everything nice. I even thought I was being "good" by getting the strawberry (healthy fruit, right?) cheesecake kind instead of the chocolate and caramel "Founder's Favorite" that I usually go with.
Last weekend while visiting Stephen's parents, Brooklyn and I experienced fresh crawfish for the first time in our lives. The crazy thing is that they look like miniature lobsters, but then once you crack the tail part open, the small flesh that you eat is about the size of a shrimp. I couldn't believe it when Ted said he bought 15 pounds of them! Then again, most of the creature is non-edible. So I probably ate about 5 of them. Stephen, Ted, and T.J., really went to town though. The crawfish were boiled with plenty of Cajun seasoning, so they were pretty spicy. Stephen's excuse for eating about a billion of them was that, "we can't save them, so we just gotta eat 'em." Needless to say, Brooklyn took a little time "warming up" to the idea of eating these "mud bugs" that looked alive, but sat on your plate motionless.
Just a few random shots from this past week. Brookie helping dad repair a chair. She WAS wearing pants earlier in the day...
Here she's riding the Aligator at the library with "Gracie." (Notice the bow.)
Brooklyn with her cousins Halli and Cooper. They came to visit on their way down to DeRidder to welcome Aunt Rebecca back from Spain. No, Brooklyn has not spent hardly any time in the sun, but it was interesting to notice the contrasting tones of "nakedness."
her dolly might be. We had another short-lived attempt at potty training. I've heard that most kids learn much quicker after 2 1/2 yrs. So, we're taking small steps for now. We've had success in the mornings catching her first BM. When I see her start to grunt or push, we make a mad dash for the potty, and usually we'll catch the last half of it, plus some pee. She then is rewarded with her favorite snack, drinkable "Dora" yogurt. On this particular day, we spent about an hour outside on the back patio. I let her play with her toys, drink water, and eat watermelon. I explained to the process and had her demonstrate it. She seemed to understand the concept, and I even had her practice pulling down her own undies, which is difficult for her because she doesn't know how to reach around to the back to pull down, no matter how many times I remind her and show her. Though she seemed to understand the procedure, she made 3 puddles. Anticipating this, we were outside. I just pointed out the puddle and said in a serious tone, "Uh-oh. That's pee-pee. Does (p) go on the floor?" Brooklyn, "No." Me, "It goes in the potty. This is where pee goes." Then I would "quiz" her. Does it go here? (no.) Does it go in the potty? (yes.) I also had her "teach" her dolly how to go. She was a pretty good teacher/mother to her dolly, yet she's still not really got the grasp of it herself. She also tried to feed her dolly some watermelon. After her nap that afternoon, she continued to "mother" her baby by serving her up some more watermelon. 
At the end of our Sunday stroll, Brooklyn entertained herself with the two hairs she found just below Stephen's neck.
These are pictures from our Sunday walk. The day vacillated between a light drizzle and a windy thunder-storm. Stephen may not have been dressed for the weather, but Brookie was.
She didn't pass up the opportunity to walk and splash around in all the massive puddles.
She couldn't get enough of the puddles! One time when I was checking my pictures on the camera and Stephen was closing up an umbrella, we turned around to find that Brooklyn had decided to begin lapping up puddle water. Ewe!
My mom and sister strongly encourage me to do Brooklyn's hair for SOME reason. Perhaps because it's pretty much outta control if left untouched. So this post is for them. Here it is - Brooklyn's first "whole pony." (With a little help from about 10 bendy clips.)
It makes her look so grown up. Below is a picture of her at "kids club" (the child care at the gym) with her friend Laurel. Laurel is sporting the huge bow to match her outfit just like every other little girl in our "neck of the woods" EXCEPT Brooklyn. 
