Recent fishing trips...

Mike recently went on a couple of fishing outings--one with Brooke and one with a friend. The picture of the girls with Mike is the trip he went on with a friend. (The girls were in the process of getting ready for bed when Mike got home, hence the pajamas on Brooke and only diaper attire for Emily) :0) He caught a 5 lb walleye on his first go! Needless to say, Mike was "hooked" after that trip. Previously, he had taken Brooke fishing, but with not as much luck. Brooke didn't mind too much, though, she just enjoys going for the boat ride as much as anything!

Me--through the eyes of Brooke

All About My Mommy: (Brooke was tagged to answer these questions about her mom.)

1. What is something mom always says to you? "Don't touch the garden." (we don't have a garden, yet.)

2. What makes mom happy? "Giving her a hug and a kiss."

3. What makes mom sad? "When dad talks mean (Mike's going to love that)!"

4. How does mom make you laugh? "Tickling."

5. What was mom like as a child? “Mom was a baby.”

6. How old is your mom? “8.”

7. How tall is your mom? (Brooke raised her hand high above her head. ) "This tall.”

8. What is her favorite thing to do? “Cook.”

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? “Cook again.”

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? “If I read the paper.” (?)

11. What is your mom really good at? “Laundry.”

12. What is your mom not very good at? “Not good at fixing a car.”

13. What does your mom do for her job? “Mowing the lawn. Stay home and take care of the kids."

14. What is your mom's favorite food? “Bananas.”

15. What makes you proud of your mom? “ I like to make pancakes with my mom and I love my mom."

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? "Ariel."

17. What do you and your mom do together? “Play games."

18. How are you and your mom the same? “We wear pink shirts."

19. How are you and your mom different? “When we are not wearing pink shirts."

20. How do you know your mom loves you? “Gives me a hug and a kiss.”

Brooke tags Aiden Cottam, Colter Harris, Thompson Goodfellow, and Max Tolman

I Want My Mom...

Brooke has been sick for the past couple of days. For those who know Brooke, she doesn't slow down for anything--even when she is sick (upset stomach, fever, cold, you name it, nothing). I am still waiting for something to slow her up a bit so I can catch my breath! :0) Anyway, usually Brooke keeps on doing whatever she wants to do when she's sick. I know she doesn't feel well by her extra whinning and I can usually tell by the look in her eyes if she is feeling well or not (if that made any sense). Last night we heard her crying during the night so I went into her room to see what was wrong. When I walked into her room, she was crying, "I want my mom. I want my mom." I helped her calm down and got her back to sleep. I don't like to see my kids sick, but it was nice to know that she wanted me when she wasn't feeling well (she is a very independent kid, and rarely "wants" mom or dad for anything).

On mother's day, I stayed home with the girls because Brooke had come down with a cold and cough, sinus infection, double ear infection, and pink eye to top it all off! Mike had a lesson to teach, so I volunteered to stay home. And no, none of this slowed Brooke down, either. Emily on the other hand, she is our little softy. She loves to be held and she loves to be loved. She slows WAY down when she doesn't feel well, or if anything is wrong and she lets you know she isn't happy. She is extremely tender-hearted. In fact, with all the ailments Brooke has been going through, I would say Emily has expressed them the most--you could say she's a sympathy sick-mate, she does the complaining for Brooke. :0)

After Mike got home from church, and after naps, we went for a drive. On our way back home, Brooke said, "Mom, I'm going to throw up." So, we pulled over and let her walk around and gave her some fresh air. She seemed to be doing better, so we continued for home, only to pull over in another few mintues to repeat the whole thing. I was hoping we'd make it home before she actually threw up, but to no luck. About one mile before we got home, she threw up a couple of times. Luckily, though, I was prepared (Brooke gets car sick every so often), so the mess was contained in a bag and didn't get all over the car (we've learned from past experiences).

I told my mom about my "Happy Mother's Day" with staying home and Brooke being/getting sick. She said, "Be grateful you have kids, because if you didn't, it wouldn't be a happy Mother's Day at all." And she is 100% right. I am grateful that I have been blessed with two beautiful girls. There are days when being mom is difficult, but then moments happen when the joy from your kids make everything you go through definitely worth it.

Pictures of the girls

I thought I'd post some pictures of the girls and what they've been up to lately. Brooke has really enjoyed her playdough kit she got from Santa for Christmas. Emily enjoys it too, until she decides to taste it, and then she can't get it out of her mouth quick enough, and yet, she tries it a couple of minutes later and the cycle begins again! :0)
We found a jungle gym/swing set on Craig's list. These are pictures of the girls playing on it. We don't have everything put on the swingset yet, but you get the idea. Brooke and Emily love it, and so do mom and dad!

Ginger thinks she's being left out of all the fun. As Brooke would say, "Poor, Ginger."
Mike has lots of help when he goes outside. The girls are constant shadows. Whenever he goes out without Emily, she just stands by the door and cries. She absolutely is a daddy's girl. She could care less for me when dad is home.