Four eyes

It is very likely that one day, Brenna will need glasses.  Both sides of the family have them - everyone in the immediate family, so it is probably inevitable...unfortunately.  For now, her vision is great (last time it was checked). But, while perusing the dollar store yesterday, B found a pair of reading glasses that she just HAD to have.  She specifically said to me "I need them for nighttime, like you."  They are small like a child's glasses and have a pretty pattern on them, so I can see why they'd be appealing to her.  So, for the super cheap price of $1, I gave in and bought them for her (after all they came with a case too).  I popped out the lenses and whattaya know, a new toy!  She wore them in the car for a bit, but then took them off so she could surprise Travis when we met him for dinner.  While at dinner, she adopted all the mannerisms of a long-time-glasses-wearer (well reading glasses anyway), pulling them off to make a point, to hear better, to talk to someone. It was hilarious.  I have no idea where she got those mannerisms, I wear my glasses pretty infrequently and once they are on, they are on (or I won't be able to see my hand in front of my face LOL).  But it was adorable!  I think it's fun that she likes them and can only hope that it'll be many years before she actually needs them and that she'll still like the idea when the time comes. 

Parent/Teacher Conference

Today I had the honor of attending a parent/teacher conference that Brenna got to lead!  She was so excited to show me around her classroom and talked about it for days leading up to it.  It was an early release day, so when I picked her up from daycare, she was practically running out the door to get back to school and get this conference started!  She excitedly led me from the office through the hallways to her classroom.  She made sure to slow down as we walked past the library to show me where the book fair was being held (I had promised we'd stop by after the conference).  When we arrived in the classroom, Mrs. Tapia was with only one other student so we got a little bit of chatting in with her.  Brenna took me to her seat/workspace and we began reading the list of things to do.  She showed me how to identify the date and day on the Promethian board (probably the thing she was most excited about); showed me her favorite centers since she couldn't decide which one she liked more; took me to the reading spot and read one of the books to me; did a complete math worksheet while at her desk; showed me two important things that good writers do (use a finger space between words and use periods) by showing me some of the things she's written in her journal; and went over her citizenship review where she rated herself on things such as walking in the hallway, doing her own work, getting all of her work done.  It was so much fun to see her so excited about school and so proud of all the things that she does each day.  She is such a great source of joy and pride and I love moments like this where she can show off.  Not only that, but how much fun it is to be in a Kindergarten classroom!?

This drawing was too adorable not to take a picture, it just had to be documented :) 

Valentine's Day

We started the day with a quick batch of our annual pink pancakes!  Even though it was a school/work day, I managed to squeeze in 4 pancakes before leaving so Brenna could take them to daycare with her - I was struggling with how I would fit it in and kicking myself for not preparing them the night before but I managed to get it in at the last minute and keeping up the tradition makes me happy.  Brenna was very excited about her party to be held at school, had decorated a foam mailbox to collect cards and had written all her own valentines to her classmates. Side note: I was surprised to find that not all Brenna's classmates wrote their own...I mean, they are in Kindergarten, learning to write, but didn't write their own names on the cards?  Maybe that's a little harsh coming from a mom who typically doesn't have all the time in the world to do as many homemade crafts, homemade treats, etc. but i was treating this as an opportunity to have Brenna practice her writing.  Anyway....

She also got to wear the new festive socks she'd recieved from Grandma and Papaw the day before!  That night, we celebrated as a family with a trip to Subway (Brenna's favorite restaurant of the moment) and enjoyed spending time with the ones we love!  Although we are excellent at expressing our love every day of the year, we still enjoyed celebrating this day of L-O-V-E!  Travis brought us both some roses to share, some gummy bears for Brenna and a lovely card.  I'm so lucky to have such a fabulous valentine! 

Mia Lynne

I have a new niece!  Mia Lynne was born on Februrary 7th in Hawaii and she is PRECIOUS!!!  Of course who doesn't say that about their family, but I really mean, she is precious!  It breaks my heart that she is so far away and that it will be quite a long time before I get to see her (stupid plane tickets are so expensive).  When Rylan was born, I was able to visit and see him at least once every month for the first year of his life.  I'll be lucky if I even get to see Mia in her first year, outside of pictures and Skype of course.  BUT, I'm still so very thankful that she has joined our family, and that she is happy and healthy and that her mommy is too!  At this point, I just love to drool over her pictures (which I try to force Jamie to send me every single day).  At one point, Jamie labeled one pic with "she doesn't do much :)" to which I replied, well then send me a picture of her crying or something!  Brenna is also very excited and has been drawing pictures for baby Mia since long before she came into this world.  She asks me every day if I have a new pic of her and appropriately responds with a loving "awwwwwww."  We couldn't be happier to have a new little addition and can't wait to meet her! Welcome little one....

Special Helper

I got the following email from Brenna's teacher today:

"I just wanted to let you know that Brenna is an amazing friend to David in our class. I am so impressed with her. I think she will grow up to be a teacher or even a special needs helper. She is really gifted at helping others. She works on a level with him that is perfect, and she pays attention to how his “aide” works with him. Then she uses those things to work with him too. For example, she and I could not figure out something he was saying. So she said, “Use your BIG voice David”. Then we figured it out. She is wonderful! I try to break her away from helping him so often, but she truly loves it. She goes to him on her own.


I just wanted to let you know what a great helper you have (you probably already know it)."

It made my eyes a bit wet and my heart melt.  It is always wonderful to hear what Brenna is like when she's away from me, because I know that different traits come out than what I always see.  I am very proud of her and although admittedly biased, I believe that I have a very special little girl!  I look forward to seeing what kind of woman she becomes (but not too soon).