Brookie- Cookie turned 4!

Brookie woke up to her new beautiful blue bike.

Then everyone except me of course enjoyed a healthy donut for breakfast.  The kids asked, "You can't have one right?  You'll throw up!" They just know!!!
When Tanner turned two, we started a tradition of singing to them in the morning on their special day as well as when we celebrate with extended family.
I don't think anyone can be sung happy birthday to them too many times. I think I wasn't sung to enough on my b-day's growing up or something.

"Monchhichi Monchhichi, oh so soft and cuddly!"
If you grew up during the 1980's you probably had one of these.  I just had to get Brookie one when I saw them at Target.  Yes- I'm trying to live my childhood again.

Daddy treated Brookie and Tanner to a date at Disneyland Brookie's b-day eve.

Brookie has asked for a huge princess balloon for months.  I kept telling her that she would get one for her birthday.  So when Brookie was looking at which balloon she wanted, Daddy found out they cost 12 bucks.  He convinced her to buy this beautiful headband for $ 17 that she could keep forever.

Brookie's birthday weekend we went beach camping at San Onofre with some friends.

Can't believe our princess is 4!  She is such a big helper and great example to her brothers.
She adds just enough kindness in the mix to keep her brothers sweet and loving.

Brookie's sweet Uncle William is serving a mission in New York.  In a recently letter he wrote Brooklyn, he gave her a new nickname: Brookie-Brookie Chocolate Chip Cookie!  Now it's her favorite nickname. We all like it too!

SOME HOW-SOME WAY

SOME HOW-SOME WAY... Kaden turned two.
I prefer to say he's 24 months now.  Who wouldn't agree that it sounds younger?

We started out at 7:30 am opening his first present before Tanner left for school.

Kaden and his horses!  He randomly started loving horses.
It's so sweet to here him say, "My horsey", or "Where my horsey go?"

On his actually birthday we made a special trip in the morning to the doughnut shop so we'd have something to stick a candle in.  Kaden was more than happy!!!

Sissy wanted her doughnut and a bite of his.  Sweet birthday boy lovingly shared.

Cousin Chase and Kadster are only two weeks apart so they had fun
celebrating together.

We love our Mr. Kade to pieces despite how he's rocked our world the past two years with his
sugar, his spice and everything nice!!!

Ready, Set, Grow

Brookie has been ready to go to school for a year now, and has been wanting to go to school since she could walk.  She used to cry everyday when we'd drop off Tanner at preschool.
She was way more receptive to me teaching her (than someone we know) at home so I held off starting her until now.

Brookie was worried how Kaden would do with out her around.

We arrived at Mrs. Aguila's and right away she dashed off to start a puzzle.
I stood there thinking, "what about my hug???"

Kadster thought he was staying there too.

It was time to leave so I had to interrupt her to snap a picture.
I really am glad she feels so comfortable leaving my side.

Reality shock! She's confident, ready and knows how much I love her.
I should only be happy!!! But deep inside my little girl will be missed very much!!!
---
Poor Kaden left kicking and screaming.

The sweet moments...

The sweet moments...

get me through...

the hard days.

These are the precious gifts specially gathered that keep me going.

Somehow they just know the right thing to do that makes me feel all better...

They teach me to walk in the light...

of HIS love.

World of Classroom 204

Somehow Tanner keeps growing up despite the shrinking pills.
It was a bitter sweet morning....

Tanner was ready, smiling,
and couldn't wait to enter the new first grade world of classroom 204.

I had asked Tanner to stand by his new classroom.
Brookie grabbed his arm and happily posed with her best friend!

Here's the part that I just smiled proud as can be and held back my selfish tears of already missing my sweet big boy! Tanner is such a great son and the best big brother.  He teaches us so much each and every day!  We are beyond blessed to have him in our eternal family!

Cheers to the first of at least fifteen more grades to go!