Brooke's cheer leading is official

The uniforms finally arrived! She couldn't wait to try it out, so she put it on over her ballet outfit. The pom poms have not arrived. The jacket has her name embroidered on it. She cheers for "Kick it Up" dance studios. Brooke will get another chance to cheer in 2011. (not shown: her team backpack and her black shoes)

Brooke's writing

I believe there are advantages of being the youngest. One of those is being told to do it yourself or you just do it yourself because nobody else is going to. Brooke doesn't bother asking me to remind her of things anymore. Nope, she has found the "post-it" notes do just the job for her.

In case you need help reading 1st grade writing:
Pink note
Don't forget to take your hair out and put this head band in your hair. To Brooke From Brooke. (I had braided her hair at night after the bath - she wanted the wavy hair do)

Blue note
This is the blue colored pencil that I was using for the monster. to Brooke. (she was completing her homework and didn't want the color to be wrong when she got back to the assignment)

Brooke's Promotion to 1st grade!

Brooke made it! Our principal, Bill Vogel shook the hand of 120 Kindergartners. Today he had many more 8th graders, but I know whose back is paying for it tonight.

The school did a nice job of showcasing the students through songs and verse. I wish the kids could have been on a stand because they were very difficult to see.

They started with the procession.

Brooke's teacher is seen here to the left. She has been wonderful and a perfect match for Brooke. Crossing my fingers that we keep making matches as the years go on. It is hard to see your baby move on, but she refuses to stay little.

Crazy hair day at school

Another spirit day at school had us using lots of pony tails and colorful holders.

Libby wore her district science day shirt along with her crazy hair.

Today

Isn't every day special or unique in some way? Every Sunday we wake up before 8 to attend church meetings that start at 10. Why it takes us that long to get ready I have no idea. If we get a later start than that, the morning consists of chaos.

All of these children are unique in their own style and make sure that I know about it. Libby loves this outfit because her Grammy and Gramps bought it for her baptism.

Sage is happy in polka dots and most of all the boots!

Brooke even tells me hot to do her hair. The one curly strand down the side of the face and a slight side ponytail.

Libby wanted to take pictures so I am not sure why she has this look on her face. She doesn't usually show it to anybody but me (it seems). Perry helped her with the necklace and she even put on her own tights. We have come a long way.

Today, as I stated is special. I am in awe at the things children and myself included learn each day from our experiences and those around us. I am grateful for today, which is a "present" to each of us.

Team/Sport Jersey shirt day at school

Our elementary school has days where they encourage team spirit by allowing kids to wear a team jersey or the school's spirit shirts.

Sage and Brooke decided to wear shirts their Dad wore as a kid playing soccer. They just both happened to be green. I love that Brooke is wearing a team shirt for the "shin busters"

Sage is happy to be playing soccer lately for a city park league. I think she knows this would make her Dad happy.

This soccer ball has been popular at our house for a few years now (Uncle Scott, another soccer player gave it to her).

Table dance

or is it a Tap dance? You know when you bring out toys from 6 months ago your kids just want to play with them like you just bought them? Well, we moved our picnic table off of the patio to wash it and these two came up with a great idea. They put on their tap shoes and put together a routine in a few minutes. I thought it was fun to share.

Earth Day

On Earth day, our school recognized the day by allowing the students to wear green or brown instead of the regular school uniform. Sorry that I only have pictures of Brooke, but the others left to school before I thought about it.

The school's PTA also asked that the students create an art project from recyclable materials. All 3 girls participated, since they do this kind of stuff all the time. Their projects, along with maybe 20 other projects will be on display next Friday (maybe some small prizes). I will post pictures later. Sage told Libby that she thought Libby had the best one and that it would probably win. I love when nice comments are not prompted by me :)

Brooke's project was a telescope made out of a plastic cup and TP roll. As well as a slide for her little pencil buddy topper things.

Night Owl Brookie

I'm laughing now, but not 5 minutes earlier. It is 10 at night and I'm checking on the girls before I close their door for the night. It is dark and I'm counting 1, 2, ...and no 3! I get a flashlight out and can't find Brooke. Her bed has transformed into a canopy of babies and animals and no sign of Brooke. Sage and Libby are sound asleep. My heart is racing now and I start to call her name in a loud whisper and she starts to giggle, that contagious giggle (the lights are still out). I can't help but laugh and just hug her and shed a tear that she is WIDE awake changing her nightgown behind the door.

I asked her why she wasn't asleep and she said she was making a place for her babies.

It gets more comical. I tell her she needs to go to bed and she kisses me goodnight. One minute later she comes back and asks if she can sleep in my bed tonight since there is no "ROOM" in hers.

My one wish is that they never grow up :( I have the best job!

Brian Salice - grave marker

Brian Salice is the biological father of my daughters Sage and Brooke, for those of you that don't know. His bronze grave marker was finally ready to be put into the ground. The cemetery was nice enough to let us watch the placement for no "additional charge"

The girls were mesmerized while two men worked on cutting out the grass and then filling the hole with cement. Brooke really liked the oil the man used to shine up the marker. The girls designed this marker and were happy to see it mark the place where their daddy's body rests.

They picked out some live flower plants to leave there.

They wanted to take a silly picture for Daddy. Sage thought he would like that.

I am really happy with Forest Lawn in Cypress. They have great customer service and a nice location for those of us that live in Long Beach. I like to visit, but I hope I have many more years before I need check in. Or would that be check out?

If you would like to visit this spot it is in the Sunset section near the pine trees. Spot 5181, space 2. All are welcome, it is open to the public during daylight hours.

Colin

The girls enjoy holding cousin Colin. It is hard to be patient and take turns. Why didn't Jenny have 4 at a time?

Brooke and school activities

Thanksgiving is a fun time during Kindergarten. Brooke dressed up as a pilgrim for her feast and her friend Jaden dressed up as a native American.

Brooke works really well at her table.

They had relay races for the turkey trot. At this age, they fall and cry and get a hug from the nicest principal. Brooke loved it!

Brooke took this photo of Mr. Anderson, her favorite playground supervisor (shhhhh...don't tell the others). He plays organized games with the kindergartners after they eat lunch.

This is Allie and Brooke after school. We wait for about 50 minutes until the other kids get out of school to go home. Sometimes we go home or even make a quick run to the post office, but mostly wait. There have been times that we play card games and complete HW, but mostly wait!!!!!

Remembering Brian Salice

Reminder: Click on the photos to enlarge.

We still have good and bad days, mostly good. Now it has moved to mostly a few bad moments.

Just a few things that reminded us of "Daddy" during the memorial.

This is the hamster city "gift from God" that I found. While searching the apartment for items that belong to the girls, I heard something moving. It was 2 little dwarf hamsters. These hamsters have helped during this transitional time. The girls were thrilled to know that I found the hamsters!

These are the balloons that were sent to heaven with a note attached for "Daddy"

Sad times in our home...

Sage and Brooke's dad passed away last week. After telling the kids about it on Tuesday, we held a kid-directed memorial for him in our home on Saturday. He was a dedicated Father to his daughters. His love for them was great. While cleaning out his apartment I came across items that will help the girls remember him. One of the best things found, was a trunk filled with letters and photo albums from his mission. His last year he wrote (spoke) his journal into a tape. The girls (including Libby) are enjoying listening to his missionary stories at night while going to sleep.

Sage played a piece on the piano that was her Dad's favorite. She would play if for him on the phone at night. He called faithfully every night.

A video of Sage's balloon going up.

Many friends have sent thoughts about Brian, which I plan to include in a memory book along with family photos for the girls. Please don't hesitate to still write something, it may take me months to get it all together.

Brian's mother is still alive and has been very supportive during this time. Unfortunately, she moved out of state weeks ago, making it harder for the girls to feel connected as they were before that.

And it came to pass...

Less hair at our house

When you are blessed with something good, I believe one is required to share. Sage has donated her hair twice, now it was Brooke's turn to make a good choice. http://locksoflove.org/
Once I felt Brooke had enough hair to give, I explained to her about the "gift" she could give. Today was the day!

She will share the hair and the story with her kindergarten class tomorrow. I am very proud of her decision. Look at how grown up she looks with the new "do"

Libby was also in need of a new style (check out her new glasses as well)

These are the after shots

I kept the longer locks (for the hubby) but added layers to lighten up the heavy load. Sorry, I am not as cute as the girls, but it was noteworthy :)