Brooklynn's First Day at the Spanish Schoolhouse

Let me start by saying that yesterday was a day that both Brooklynn and I had been waiting for. It was her first day of preschool! :) After numerous run throughs with the nap mat, trial runs with the thermos, labeling, packing, and books about the joys of preschool we were ready to go! Despite having a hard time waking up yesterday morning (my child is not an early riser) the morning got started off great with lots of hugs, kisses, breakfast, primping from mom, and a little play time with Dad. There were no tears when we dropped her off and she was very excited about her classroom. We had already met her teachers so she was familiar with them and happy to see them. They said she had a wonderful day. When I picked her up I could tell she had not only enjoyed herself but was comfortable there, which provides a wonderful feeling for a parent. Once Brookie got in the car she immediately starting telling me something in which the only part I could understand was "dos". I didn't realize that I would have to brush up on my Spanish so early in the school year! As a treat for being such a great little preschooler mom treated Brooklynn to her favorite smoothie on the way home. Needless to say, Brooklynn slept like baby last night from a full day.

Brooklynn's practicing how to use her nap mat the night before her first day of preschool.

A little play time with Dad before we left for school.

Check out all my preschool gear!

"Mom, enough with the pictures!"

Brooklynn and one of her teachers Senorita Angeles.



Brooklynn's little school basket.


Brooklynn's classroom

Brooklynn's classroom

My little preschooler.

Having fun!

"I think I like this school thing!"

"Mom, are you still taking pictures? Let's go, school's over!"

My Little Shopper

Brooklynn has become quite the little grocery shopper lately. Thanks to the kiddie shopping carts at our local store, Brooklynn has developed a love for grocery shopping. It's not exactly the type of shopping I thought she'd inherit from me (I despise grocery shopping) but it's shopping none the less! Here are some pics from a late night run to the store last night (yes, she's in her pajamas!).

Park Fun!

This morning's weather was perfect for an outing to the playground! As you can see Brooklynn enjoyed herself.

Missing Pics of Brookie?

So, you might have noticed I haven't been posting a lot of pics lately. Well, a few weeks ago Brooklynn went to a friend's birthday party which happened to be a pool party (great party Rosalyn, by the way!). Brooklynn went down one of the water slides a little faster than mommy would have liked and of course mommy freaked out (suprise, suprise). So I jumped in the water to save my baby( it wasn't as bad as it appeared to be at the time) while still holding on to my camera. My poor camera didn't recover from the incident and I haven't replaced it yet. I should have a new camera within the next few weeks and I can get back to posting pics.

Happy Birthday Susan!

Today is one of closest friends birthday and I just wanted to wish her happy birthday. She is truly one of the most amazing women I've ever met and I thank God for blessing me with our friendship. Thanks for laughing with me, crying with me, and for just being you! I love you girl!!!!

2 Year Stats

Today Brooklynn had her 2 year well visit. Here are her current stats:

Height: 35 1/2 inches (90th percentile)
Weight: 30 lbs. (80th percentile)
Head: 19 (70 percentile)

Brooklynn did wonderfully at the doctor (due in part to no shots this visit). She loved picking out her sticker (Dora, of course) and sucker at the end of the visit.

Southern Fixins with a side of History

My family has been vacationing on Hilton Head island for almost 20 years now. Summer after summer we come to this amazing place and enjoy shopping, bike riding, golfing, restaurants, and going to the beach. One aspect of Hilton Head island that is often overlooked is its history and the culture that originally inhabited this now popular resort location. This island along with others on the coast of South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia were originally inhabited by the Gullah culture. Unfortunately, their culture and people have been slowly erased off the island and replaced with resorts, big vacation homes, and tourists. I'm blessed to have a family that is extremely aware and appreciative of the islands tradition and culture. Therefore, when we heard that the islands only Gullah restaurant had opened we had to make a visit. We heard nothing but amazing reviews of Dye's Gullah Fixins and couldn't wait to check it out. This place is so special that the word on the island is Oprah is scheduled to make a visit to check it out. To say the food was awesome would be an understatement! We enjoyed homemade cornbread with syrup (homemade syrup, a true southern tradition), collard greens, mac & cheese, ribs, candied yams, green beans, sweet tea and fried chicken. Dye was amazing, she's such a wealth of knowledge on the Gullah culture and more than willing to share what she knows. Below are some pictures from our trip to her restaurant.


Me, Brooklynn, and Ms. Dye


Brooklynn loved her "southern fixins"


Brooklynn fell in love with Ms. Dye's chicken



Mom and Dad(a.k.a. Nana and Papa)


Brooklynn