Something to look forward to...

Since school started (four days ago) Brooke has never expressed feelings of excitement about school. She usually says she doesn't want to go and that it's too long. Yesterday when I picked her up I, of course, asked her how her day was. She said it was okay. Then the following conversation unfolded.

Brooke: I cried a little bit in the morning. (my heart is breaking)
Me: Did the teacher notice?
Brooke: No.
Me: Did any of the kids in your class notice?
Brooke: No. (now I'm wondering if she was actually crying or just felt sad)
Me: We're there tears going down your face?
Brooke: I don't know.
Me: You know what you can do when you feel sad inside?
Brooke: Tell the teacher?
Me: No, you could say a little prayer and ask that you will feel happy inside.
Brooke: I just kept saying in my head, "I'll get to see Mom at the end of the day. I'll get to see Mom at the end of the day. I'll get to see Mom at the end of the day."

As I type I have tears in my eyes. If you know Brooke this side of her just doesn't go with any other portion of her personality. She's a firecracker on the outside, but I'm realizing a real softie on the inside.

So, the past two days I've rewarded her with one of her all time favorite things to do - THE TIRE SWING on the 2nd and 3rd grade playground. She doesn't hold on. She simply positions herself with her rear slightly down and her arms and legs out like she's flying. You can't push her fast enough. Erin likes the tire swing as well, but prefers a milder ride.

We stayed after school today for quite awhile and apparently we stayed just one or two minutes too long because as we were leaving the playground Erin was stung on the face by a bee. She was screaming and then Brooke started to cry because she thought she was going to get stung as well. Once we got to the car Brooke said, "Mom, I wish Jesus never would have made bees."

Bee Sting! on the left side just lower than her nostril

Soooooo Yummy!

The kids are in school, the house is quiet and I'm sitting here eating one of the most delicious salads I've ever had. It is the perfect mix of flavors. I bought the salad cookbook from GreenSmoothieGirl and this is the first one I've tried. It is sooooo good!

C'mon, try it you'll like it!!

Shelley's Tomato, Avocado and Almond Salad

(A note from GreenSmoothieGirl: This is one of my favorite salads - filling as an entire lunch - and it comes from Shelly Abegg's collection. Shelley is a true gourmet, and her raw food recipes can be found at www.rawfoodart.com)

2 cups tomatoes, chopped (I used grape tomatoes and cut them in half)
1-2 cups avocado, diced
1 cup almonds, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped fine
4-5 TBSP. chopped green onion
4-5 TBSP. chopped cilantro
1-2 TBSP. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. agave
1 TBSP nutritional yeast (didn't have any so I didn't put it in)
dash of cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. sea salt


Mix and enjoy!!

First Day of School 2009

On Wednesday (the day before school started) I started to feel a bit melancholy. The summer seemed to race by and it was now time to send the kids off to school. Of course, Erin was excited to go back, but Brooke was free with her descriptions on how she felt, "I'm not excited" and "I hate school" were a couple of them. I think her feelings were getting to me a bit and I was just a tad sad.

I wanted the day to run smoothly so I woke at 6:00 a.m. I worked out. Rex gave each of the kids a blessing. I helped the boys make sure they had all of their summer homework - or I guess I should say that I annoyed them when I asked for the 18th time whether they had everything in their backpack. I don't know why I do this, but I do. Then I drove them to school. Showered. Did they girls hair. Oh, I had a disagreement with Brooke first because she didn't want her hair straightened. Made chicken noodle soup for lunches. Packed lunches. Took two pictures (neither of which I'm happy about.) Put on Brooke's shoes. Listened to Brooke tell me they were too tight - brand new shoes, I guess that's what I get for buying them without her. Ran back to the house for an old and comfy pair of shoes. And as were walking across the school grounds the first bell rings. WHAT? My kids are going to be late for their first day of school?! You've got to be kidding me?! I had a sinking feeling. Rex ran Erin to line up with her class on one side of the school and I ran with Brooke and then yelled at Rex that he had Brooke's backpack. He yelled back that he would bring it to Brooke's classroom. We walked quickly to Brooke's classroom; no running in the halls. All of the kids were seated and it turns out that it worked out best for Brooke. She didn't have time to be sad. She sat down and immediately stood up for the pledge. And I didn't have time to feel sad because I was so disappointed that the morning was so crazy. No tears from either of us. I guess it always works out for the best.

One of the first pictures taken - not that good.


Walking to school with dad.


Brooke saying the Pledge.


Erin at her desk.


An okay picture taken after school.

Norman Family Reunion Day One

Our first day in Canon City was spent at the KOA campground. My mom organized a raft trip down the Arkansas River. The suggested requirements for a child were 6 years old and 50 pounds. With her shoes and clothes on Brooke weighed just under 45 pounds. When I told her that she wouldn't be able to go on the river trip she was sad to say the least. She is such a little dare devil and I knew she would love it. After a couple of phone calls from Grandma and one from mom to the rafting company, we decided that we would take her over a little bit early and have her try on a life vest, aka PFD. They put on the smallest one, cinched it up and then picked her up by the shoulders of the life vest. She didn't fall out, so they said she was fine to go on the trip. We were all so happy that we didn't have to leave her behind AND from the pictures you can see she LOVED it!!

The scariest part of the trip was the bus ride to the launch point. The guide described what to do if you were thrown from the boat, what to do if the boat landed on top of you and what to do if someone from your boat fell out. By the time we arrived Brooke and Erin were a little tense to say the least. I'm happy to say that no one fell out of the boat.

Erin, Brooke and I were in a boat together. I was proud of Erin that she didn't cry when she was splashed with water. Normally, she doesn't like water in her face even in the bath. Michael and Jacob were in two of the other boats with cousins, aunts and uncles.

We took a break half way through and the guides (we were on four rafts) offered to let us go "swim". None of us really knew what that meant, but followed like a bunch of lambs along a path to a point further up the river. They demonstrated where we would jump off into a fairly deep spot with a swift current. One by one we jumped. Of course Brooke was right there. After several guides fought over who got to "swim" with her - she ended up jumping off with the guide from our boat. She amazes me! She jumped into the freezing water went under twice and then floated down the river with a smile. I was just going to go up and watch, but once I was there I couldn't just walk back - I jumped, too. The water was breathtaking, but it sure was fun to have the current push you down the river.

She did it again.

The weather has heated up here in Colorado which means Brooke has complained a few times about how hot her hair makes her. Since donating it last year it has continued to grow and when I measured it was long enough to donate again. Brooke didn't think twice when I asked if she wanted to cut her hair short and donate it. So, off we went last Monday. After the haircut was done, Brooke looked in the mirror and said, "I think I look pretty good." I do too!!

Little Baker

Erin has become quite the little baker. There's not a day that goes by that she doesn't ask to make something. Although, she usually wants to make something sweet, she did make some bran muffins out of a cookbook given to her by Grandma Norman recently. Today she saw something on T.V. about homemade ice cream sandwiches, so after church I let her try them out. We found a recipe on allrecipes.com for a brownie cookie that looked like it would be flat for the sandwich portion. She made the batter completely by herself with me reading the recipe to her. After the cookies had cooled we filled the sandwiches with mint chocolate chip ice cream. They were quite tasty - a hit with everyone.

My baby graduated

Yes, graduated from Kindergarten that is. Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday I brought her home from the hospital. I love that Brooke is still snugly and will always give me a hug. She is such a joy and there is never a dull moment when she is around. She is so thoughtful (Today she talked me into buying an eight pack of Lip Smackers lip gloss for she and Erin to share. In the car she decided to take all of the "boy" colors so that Erin could have the "girl" colors.) and loves to help with smaller children. Love you, Brooke!

Brooke and her teacher