I Am Brooke

Brooke proclaimed this Christmas to be the best one ever (of course, I doubt that she remembers any other Christmases). Christmas Eve morning we went to church and then home to pack up the car for the trip to Jackson. First up was Mimi’s house and gifts from Aunt Cindy and Uncle Kenny. Brooke got a Barbie vet kit with a little puppy to take care of (puppy has since been named Billy). She had fun and snacks, and then we all moved on to the big family party at Aunt Pam’s house. Brooke ate more snacks and entertained her fans. She opened presents and more presents. We are still not sure what all she got and who it was from, which will make thank you notes difficult. The highlights were an easel from Mimi and a Princess tent from Aunt Pam. We got everything packed into the car and made the long journey home so we could get in bed before Santa reached Alabama. Brooke left cookies and milk for Santa and crawled into bed so visions of sugar plums could dance in her head.

On Christmas morning Brooke came in to get me up around 6:15 (normal time for her). She told me that Santa had been there but did not seem particularly rushed to get out there and open her presents. But then while I was getting Luke changed, she noticed a Christmas Groovy Girl poking out of her stocking. She ran to her stocking and started pulling everything out of the stocking. I begged her to stop for a second telling her to wait for Daddy and Luke, but everything was pulled out in less than a minute. At least then she stopped and waited for everyone to come into the living room to start opening presents. Brooke was so happy with all of the gifts that Santa left under the tree for her, but her favorites were definitely Dora and the babies, her doll house, and the barrel of monkeys.  Then we went outside to investigate some strange banging we heard outside during the night and found that Santa had left Brooke a trampoline!  Unfortunately, it was raining, and jumping would have to wait for a dry day.  Still, we enjoyed a fun day playing with all the other new toys.  I do think it was the best Christmas ever!

Brooke was so excited to visit Santa at the mall today.  She had to pick out a dress right after breakfast and was all dressed and ready to go at least an hour before Santa pictures even opened at the mall.  She practiced telling him that she wants Dora and the babies and dresses for Christmas.  When we actually got there and went up to Santa, Brooke froze up a little.  She was not scared, but she was suddenly not so confidant and couldn’t remember to tell him what she wanted like we had practiced.  At least she didn’t have a hysterical freakout like last year.

Two days ago Brooke went to the doctor for her three year checkup. She weighed in at a slight 29 pounds (around 25th percentile) and towered in at 38 inches (around 70th percentile). So, she is still basically on the same curves she has been since after birth.  This time the doctor also asked her to answer a lot of questions about what she does at home and at school.  He concluded that Brooke seemed to be healthy and developing on schedule just fine.  The doctor’s visit was not so scary for Brooke this time since she has seen him at church too.  Brooke did get a flu shot, but she was brave.  She started to well up and cry just for a second after the shot was done, but she calmed down with a hug and a lollipop.  Of course, for the rest of the day she would point at the bandaid and tell us that she had a shot and that she did not like that.

Favorite Movie: Dora Around the World

Favorite Book: Strawberry Shortcake scratch and sniff book

Favorite TV Show: Handy Manny

Favorite Toy: Christmas teddy bear and Little People Farm

Favorite Food: Mac and cheese

Other cool things about me: I am very excited about Christmas this year. I am not afraid of Santa anymore, and I like telling him and everyone else that I want Dora and the babies and a trampoline for Christmas. I did a great job performing at my preschool’s Christmas program. I am a great helper at this time of the year and like to help Mommy make cookies, wrap presents, send cards, and make decorations.

Thursday was Brooke’s school Christmas program.  Her class sang Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.  Brooke sang the songs and did her hand motions so well!  We were so proud of her.  She seemed to really enjoy all the people watching her and the applause…which came as no surprise to us.  She is already asking when she can get back on the stage.

Friday Brooke had her class Christmas party.  She brought home several gifts from classmates and teachers and a ton of wonderful ornaments and decorations they made in class.  I really love everything, and I plan to take pictures to post in her Gallery.  There are just too many cute things to post here.  Unfortunately, Brooke ended up getting very sick after she left school.  She said she was hot and didn’t seem herself but insisted that she was just hungry.  I took her to my school and got her something to eat, but she wouldn’t touch any of it.  Then she asked to lie on the couch in the grad lounge.  I knew something was wrong, and we got ready to go home.  Then she threw up all over herself.  We got home, but she was sick a lot and had a high temp until bedtime.  Thankfully, she is doing a lot better today and is just a little more tired than usual.  I think we all need a little rest this weekend before we jump into the final holiday preparations.

Brooke and Mommy had a girls shopping morning today.  We went to Target to do some Christmas shopping and spent a long time at Books A Million looking at all kinds of books (though only leaving with three Golden books…one of which is for Brooke’s school book exchange).  Brooke will tell you the highlight of the trip was our snack at the cafe in Books A Million.  Brooke had a chocolate milk, Mommy had a gingerbread latte, and a rice krispie treat that looked like a snowman was enjoyed by both girls.

Last night we put up and decorated the Christmas tree.  Brooke called it “making the tree”.  She was most concerned with being able to put the star on top, but she also had a great time putting all the ornaments on the tree.

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose.

And if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows.