4 Year Shots

Allow me to introduce my second child Olivia.  Poor thing she is definitely the second child.  You know how it goes, with the first one you try so hard to stay on top of everything and with the second one, you're like "eh".  So apparently we missed a whole round of shots because she never came in for her 4 year appointment.  Ooopsie.  And I would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for pesky public school.  Apparently you can't register for kindergarten until you have all your shots.  So here we are at age 5 1/2 getting her 4 year shots.

 She was so brave.  It was four shots and she was pretty nervous but she did not shed a tear!

Flower Power @ Texas U Can Paint

We finally were able to take the girls to Texas U Can Paint for a paining class.  We were painting a flower.  I was Juliana's partner and Daddy was Liv's partner.

Juj got a little with the paint and I ended up with a blue mustache

Both girls really enjoyed and took so much care in painting their flower.

Taking a break while one layer dries.

She was helping choose colors on her computer.

Summer School

Yes, school is in session.  Okay, not as frequently as last year, but definitely still in session.

 Someone is really really excited!

 Okay - Juj is too!

Working on sight words!

And doing an awesome job I might add.

 And now I think she's had enough.

 Liv is a bit of a teacher pleaser.  She is working on numbers to 100.

 And drawing about her new puppy Grace.

 We also try and do some science experiments.  Liv had the idea to make a poster advertising our "Super Summer Science".

Then she made me make these tickets for everyone participating.  No ticket, no science for you!

 Juliana loves science experiments.  Good thing she had a ticket.

VBS - Colossal Coaster World

Livi's friend Faith invited her to VBS at her church and let's just say she had a blast and learned some great lessons.

After a week of VBS they had a celebration and show for the parents.  Here are these too goofy girls going into the photo booth.

 And here was the show they presented.  Really nicely done with a great message.

Quick Visit from Auntie Laura & Uncle Gary

The El Paso crew was in town for literally like 2 days.  We were sad they couldn't stay longer, but at least there were tons of smiles and laughs had by Auntie Laura and Juliana.

 She brought her some goggles.

 I just love the special bond that she has with her Auntie Laura.  There is no other person in the world that can make her smile and laugh like Auntie Laura.  Everyone should have someone like her!

 And Uncle Gary too!

Reunited and it Feels so Good

Yes, it's true.  The good ol' Mrs. West's Daycare crew was reunited after over a year of being apart for Jack's birthday.  For those that don't know, Mrs. West took care of the girls when they were babies.  But she was much more than just a day care.  She was our family and so were the other kids that went there.  Those kids are connected.  Despite the fact that they have been separated for over a year anytime we talk about friends or who we should invite to birthday parties these kids are always at the top of the list.  

So here is Roger, Juliana and Mr. West.  Just like the good ol' days.

 Faith, Liv and Jack - Truth be know, Liv has a MAJOR crush on Jack.

 Can you tell.  He picked her up so she was trying to prove that she could pick him up too.

 So she picked up Faith instead.

New Addition

Please welcome to the family our newest edition.  She's a beautiful, bouncing, baby puppy.  Her name is Grace and we found her at the Dallas Animal Shelter.  Now I know many of you are asking yourselves right now, "what would the Brooks' need with a new dog, and a puppy nonetheless" or maybe you are thinking "the Brooks' need a puppy like they need a hole in their head"  Well, you are right.  I'm really not sure what we were thinking.  Perhaps we thought, "wow, our life is too easy.  We need to add some spice, how about a new dog."  Not sure but I am sure we went temporarily insane.  Don't get me wrong, she is cute as a button, but she is the equivalent of having a new born baby.  We are getting up in the middle of the night to take her potty, you have to watch her 24/7.  And I mean 24/7 because the one second that you turn your head, she is either peeing, pooping or chewing something up. She fights with her human sister Olivia ALL the time.  Also, unbeknownst to her, she has the sharpest baby teeth which she is always trying to use to pierce your ears, face or any body part.  She is incapable of cuddling at this point because anytime you look at her she just wants to wrestle.  She is getting better, though.  She now knows her name (Grace, Gracie, Baby Grace, Bratty Face etc), potty training is coming along, and she is finally started to learn to play a little more gentle.  Don't worry Gracie - we are not giving up on you.  We will whip her into shape and she will be an amazing dog and companion for the girls. . . . . . someday.

And now for my public service announcement.  Everyone listen.  Puppies are cute y'all, but don't do it!  Don't get one!  You may as well have another baby! Just kidding.  I guess the one perk is that I don't have to pay day care on this little one.

Kindergarten Graduation

Today was Juliana's Graduation from Kindergarten and what an emotional day.  We did it!  We made it through our first year of full mainstream general education.  She was no longer in our little protective bubble. No, she was out in the big wide world.  We were petrified.  Would her teachers and team understand her?  Would the kids understand her?  Would the kids respect her and treat her with dignity?  The answer to all of these was YES!

 Here she is accepting her certificate

This is Ms. Bustos and Ms. Miller or the dynamic duo as we like to call them.  Ms. Bustos was her aide this year and Ms. Miller her teacher.  We couldn't have asked for better.  These ladies pushed my girl so far this year.  She entered a baby and came out a much more mature little girl.  They didn't feel sorry for her, they didn't pity her.  No, they did something far more important.  What these ladies did was believe in her.  And by doing so allowed her to grow and develop and mature.  Thanks you ladies for an amazing Kindergarten year!  It has meant the world to us. 

 Her graduating class.  This is a group of sensitive kiddos with a huge heart.  Kids that I am so grateful God sent to her as friends.  These kids have my girls back, because she is their FRIEND!

 Thanks to all her team at M.C. Lively for all of your love, support, compassion and patience.  My girl has had an awesome start to her education.  1st Grade, you have big shoes to fill, but I can't wait to see how much she grows.

Fun Fair @ CDC

Another last at Children's Discover Center.  This is Olivia's last Fun Fair at CDC.  It is their end of year celebration and I love it because all the activities at the fair cost money.  But not real money, it cost CDC Money!  And you earn CDC money by behaving, being kind and working hard in class.  So proud of my girl, she had a wallet-full! 

Here is the basketball toss.

 Jumping tent

 It was a Livi/Daddy day!  I'm not gonna lie.  I was kind of jealous, but completely out of personal days, so I was glad Daddy could go and that he got to experience the fun.

 Clown toss

 And this my friends was the best part of fun fair.  Olivia Kristene Brooks, daughter of Roger and Kristy Brooks, won the running race.  She beat all the girls in her classroom.  I don't know how she pulled this one off but we couldn't be prouder.