Thursday, March 15, 2018

Brooke is 4



Well it happened again, she aged another year. Most times she acts so much older that I forget how little she is yet when I look back at pictures she is truly becoming a big girl. This was the first year we let her have a birthday party with her friends from school. She has been planning a Pump It Up party since the day she turned 3 (true story!).

Birthday Girl

 
Brooke and Brooklyn
 
Brady and Blake on the rock climbing wall (the rooms were glow in the dark thus the weird lighting)
 
Attempting a group picture....



 
We invited Adelyn and Brady to the party because she loves them as much as Blake does.

 
As if one party wasn't enough, the next night we had her family birthday party. She got to sit in the birthday chair at the head of the table.

 
On her actual birthday she woke up to find her present was a new "big girl" bike!!
 
So excited to start riding she wore her helmet around all morning
 
Case in point, eating breakfast with her helmet
 
Finally at the park and on her bike. She loves the basket to take her stuffed animals with. It was a bit difficult for her to pedal (hopefully Daddy can make some adjustments) but fingers crossed she is a pro by the end of the summer.


Brooke's 4 year stats:
37.5 lbs
40 inches
Still loves her blankies
Only wears her hair in a ponytail (even while sleeping)
Refuses to wear socks or underwear (we are trying to fix this!! ha)
Does not like anything girly- according to her "Princesses are ick!"
Is Blake's shadow, she wants to be by him at all times and if not him, Mommy
Likes Paw Patrol, PJ Masks, Legos and Games
Wakes up sooooo early. Girlfriend does not like to sleep. (up around 5:30 am daily)
Very opinionated and bossy
Still wants to snuggle and be cozy. Her favorite is to watch a movie on the couch while Daddy makes a fire
Very independent in wanting to do everything herself
In swim class

She truly makes our family complete and adds so much joy and love to our house. We love you Brookie Bean!!






Thursday, March 8, 2018

Blake's Basketball

We signed Blake up for basketball for the first time in December. He was on a team with Adelyn and Mason and at first he was just so-so about playing. However, in the last few weeks he has really gotten into it and has greatly improved in his skills. His defense is getting really good (in fact a little girl cried that he was guarding her too much). So this weekend was the finale of basketball and they had a tournment game.

My parents made a sign for Blake



His team won and he scored three baskets and had a handful of rebounds and jumpballs. He did so well and is already asking when he can play again!!


Tuesday, March 6, 2018

My New York Adventure

Back in December I was complaining that Louis was going on another boys trip in February and I never get to go anywhere. Then Sean and I decided, we should go on a trip. We have never done a brother/sister trip so we thought it was the perfect opportunity. With the help of my parents buying the airfare and hotel (thanks!!!!) we headed off to the big apple in February (we are risk takers!).

On our way!



 
Sean did a majority of our planning (which was nice for me so I could just relax) and got us a hotel a few blocks up from Times Square. Here is the view out our hotel door.
 
Driving past Radio City
 
The first night we were there, after having some awesome pizza we walked next door to Grand Central Station. It was so pretty inside.
 
Walking through Times Square.

 
The next morning we had breakfast overlooking Central Park then walked through the Park. It was very pretty even in dreary February.



 
Checked out The Plaza
 
Had to head over to Rockefeller Plaza
 
I absolutely love the Today Show. I watch it everyday (I work from home 4 days a week) and I was so bummed they were all still at the Olympics and I couldnt see them. But I still stopped for a picture.
 
After site seeing and shopping all day we got ready and went to see a Broadway show. Sean got tickets for Kinky Boots and oh my gosh, I LOVED IT. It was probably my favorite part of New York. It was soooooo good.

 
The next morning we got up super early to get in line to get prime spots for Live with Kelly and Ryan. Another bucket list item for me! We had gotten tickets as soon as they were available but the line forms early and you are seated based on your place in line.




 
All of our walking around required us to fuel up
 
Times Square at night. It is so bright that it truly feels like daytime all the time there.
 
Saturday morning we wanted to relax so Sean booked reservations at an ancient bath spa. We hung out in salt baths for an hour then got an hour massage.....so good.
 
After relaxing we walked over to the 9/11 Memorial and it was beautiful. I was truly in awe.

 
One World Trade Center
 
We then headed down the street to check out Lady Liberty.


 
In afternoon we decided to take in some final site seeing and went to the Top of the Rock (up 70 floors of Rockefeller Center). And I am afraid of heights..... yikers.

The views though...amazing!

 
Little hard to see but that is the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center and the Statue of Liberty all in the same picture.
 
This picture accurately reflects my fear...
 
Once we were safely back on the ground we hit up the NBC experience store and I had to take a picture with the FRIENDS t-shirt.
 
Then I pretended to be my favorite morning news anchors
 
After dinner we headed inside the Plaza and since it was the 25th anniversary of the Home Alone 2 movie they still had the displays up.

 
The inside of the Plaza. It was so great inside and the bottom floor is all restaurants and shops.

Sean and I had a great time. We walked a trillion miles and explored the city together. Can't wait for our next adventure. Thanks again to Mom and Dad as well as Louis for holding down the fort while I was getting a much needed Mommy break.