Out with Gymnastics - In with Volleyball

Brie is good a sports but isn't super intense and focused. I think she gets that from both her mom and dad. She randomly asked me one day to see if she could take volleyball lessons and I happily signed her up after her friend Hartley introduced her to the sport during recess. On the way side was gymnastics. Too much frustration from her coach Valerie about talking too much, goofing around, etc. So we are going to forego the $99/mo and just do tennis and volleyball. I think that's a good combo of team sportsmanship and individual. She's got the height for a lot of sports so why not?

Mango-Rita

We got a new kitty before Christmas. Mango is a great pet for Brie. She's cute and active and loves to play in her room. She's also open to sleeping with Brie where Mei Mei and Milkshake would not. Its funny to think that Mango will be around until Brie goes to college. It makes me realize that even though Brie is almost 9 I don't have that much time left until she's grown up and ready to fly the coop. In the meantime, we are enjoying little Mango so much!

Christmas Time

This year, Brie is more suspicious and inquisitive about Santa and our elf Twinkle. She's trying to catch them. She put bells in her stocking so she'll wake up when Santa fills it. She's asking me to set up my living room camera so we can see Santa put gifts under our tree. Its funny. She's very into the mechanical aspect of Santa too - how he fits down the chimney and how he can eat cookies at every house without getting sick. I just love her imagination and spirit of Christmas. She makes me feel like a kid again.

Bunny

Brie will be a bunny this year for Halloween along with her BFF Ellie. They have a special language they speak to one another that sounds like a high-pitched squeak so I went on Amazon and patiently waited for two costumes to arrive from China. The costume reminds me a lot of A Christmas Story when Aunt Clara buys Ralphie a gift! LOL

Serious about School

Brie is very serious about school. Wants to be on time. Have all her homework done. Please her teacher. And she'll get upset if she forgets to bring her math book home. I can tell the structured way I brought her up is resonating at school. Shortly after she started 3rd grade, my mom wanted her to fly up to Lake Tahoe and miss a day or two of school. Brie was not liking this idea and actually got upset. Me...I would have gone in a second. I was ok missing school and played sick from time to time. She's the opposite. :)

3rd grade

Brie started 3rd grade this week. She had an ear ache and was pretty sick but showed up with lot of enthusiasm and she's coming home and reading for 20 min each night. She had a tough time with her class assignment. All of her friends ended up in the same class. When I say all...I mean all. So she kept up a great attitude and made the most of it. Gma Jan was in town visiting so it was an extra special week

Dad's 10th Anniversary

As we plan the 10th anniversary trail walk for Brian, its such a time of mixed emotions. Its hard raising his daughter and knowing she missed out on such an amazing human being and there is literally no way to explain it. But we soldier on and we have his 10th annual trail event coming up on Aug 4th. Brie and Grandpa Skipper walked his trail already and she got to see the dedication plaques along the way. 9 years ago during the 1st walk, I was swollen and miserable after suffering from ovarian hyper stimulation where Dr Anderson almost hospitalized me for. I remember being at the walk and looking 4 months pregnant. So technically Brie was with me the 1st time too :)