Fire Station Field Trip, Brookie Time, Food, and LIghtning Storms...

 Just after the 10th anniversary of 9/11 Brooke's preschool class had a field trip to the fire station.  She was so excited to finally get to ride on "one of those giant yellow school buses."  I followed the bus over to the fire station just down the street and stayed with her for the first 15min.  I had to leave early so I could give Craig a ride to campus.  We are down to one car and probably will be until Craig gets a job after graduating in December.  The joys of being a student.  I was glad I got to be with her for part of it though.  The firemen gave us a tour of the station.  They showed us where they sleep and cook and hang out.  The kids had all sorts of questions but mostly they wanted to know "Where is your dog ... ya know ... the one with spots."  Because isn't every fire station suppose to have a Dalmatian? lol  He explained that they could no longer have dogs at the station because lots of kids come to see them and if one of them got bitten they would feel sad.  One little boy just kept insisting that they needed a dog and that they should just put a muzzle on it or put a band aide on the persons owie if they got bit.  The fireman kept trying to change the subject but this little guy would not let it go.  It was really funny.  I missed them getting to tour the fire trucks but Brooke told me all about how cool it was.  She said he even let her help turn on the big hose.  She was a little disappointed that they didn't get to see them put out a fire but she knows what to do if her clothes are on fire " STOP, DROP, ROLL"  - she's been telling me all day.  She has been loving preschool.  Ms. Rademacher and Mrs. Turzyn are fabulous with her.  She blows them kisses as she leaves every day.  Today she had show and tell and she took her teddy bear.  She also LOVES the fact that she gets to have chocolate milk EVERY day in preschool at snack time. 

Brooke blowing me a kiss as she got on the bus.

Brooke with her class and teachers.

Fire fighter Brooke to the rescue.

After I pick up Brooke from preschool we get to have 'special' time together.  We did bubble baths and painted nails one day, did play dough another, and today we played "camp out".  Camp out is a game that Brooke made up.  I took a break from the dishes and squeezed my giant pregnant body into her tiny Princess pop up tent (I'm pretty sure capacity is 2 small children) where we had a picnic of pretend food that she packed.  We pretended to change into our jammies and then we thought we heard a bear so we went on a bear hunt. Mostly we were just scared of the bear so we hid in spots all over the house.  I love being a stay at home mom.  I love these special moments with my daughter who is only going to be 4 once.  She has the biggest imagination and I love how she uses her hands when she speaks in order to emphasize what she says.  I love that yesterday my biggest decision was "What kind of cookies am I going to make with my kids today."  and that some days after lunch me and Brooke fall asleep on the couch while watching The Little Mermaid or Tangled.  Naps are lovely. . . especially when you are growing a baby. .. and according to Brooke we both are. lol :)  Hers is kicking up a storm lately.  I love this little girl SO much it hurts! 

Another thing that I love about Brooke is the fact that she LOVES to eat healthy foods.  We make a green smoothie together every day after preschool because she asks for one.  She gobbles up zucchini, spinach, and whatever else I make for dinner with gusto and always tells me "You are the bestest cooker in the whole world!" 

Jace on the other hand has turned into Mr. Picky!  I feel like lately he doesn't like anything but cheese pizza, meat and potatoes, hamburgers, chocolate chip cookies, cake, popcorn, and blueberries.  I have to force the veggies down him.  It's so frustrating.  The other night he told me that my dinner smelled like throw up.  It was pasta with red sauce and a side of sauteed zucchini w/ garlic.  Any advice out there for kids that are picky eaters?!? 

 The other night we went to The Golden Corral as a family.  It was funny to see what everyone picked out.  The kids got to choose what 'they' wanted.  Jace had nachos with cheese sauce, salad drowned in ranch, and cheese pizza.  Brooke chose noodles in cream sauce with a side of cooked carrots, corn, green beans, and brussel sprouts.  Brussel Sprouts - REALLY!  and she ate them too ... and liked it.  Craig had a plate of salad with ranch then like 3 more plates full of just meat... sausage, steak, etc.  I had shrimp pasta with veggies and some fried fish w/ tarter sauce.   It was a fun night.