REID PARK ZOO

Dear Molly,

This morning we set off to the zoo with our friends, Tara and Sophie.

You love animals. You can play the whole "What does a snake say? What does an elephant say? What does a fox say?" game all day long. So, a trip to the zoo for you is like a trip to the candy store for most little kids.

Reid Park Zoo is a small zoo. Perfect size, really, for a couple of two year olds.

We got there early enough that the animals were active and some were finishing up there breakfast.

The monkeys were whooping loudly and swinging from vines and poles. The otters were swimming and diving. The bear was moving from food pile to food pile eating just the carrots. The tortoises and the giraffes were snacking. The elephants and the flamingos were fighting playfully.

And the whole time you insisted on riding in a little umbrella stroller. 

You did get out a few times. 

You watched the monkeys.

You chased the peacocks. 
 

You played the drums.

You danced on the stage.

You got soaking wet in the frog fountain.

And on the way home you and Sophie held hands.

It was such a fun little morning. I'm glad you have such a cute little friend you can play with.

Sincerely, mom 

CAST BE GONE

Dear Brooklyn,

Today was the day we have been counting down to. Today was the day you were able to get your cast off. 

Eight weeks ago today, you fell off the monkey bars at school and broke your arm. That was a rough day. 

But today was exciting. 

Except for the 5 minutes we had to hold you down and actually saw the cast off, and the 20 minutes after that when you realized the skin on your arm was dead and hanging there and we weren't suppose to just scrub it off.

Other than that, it was a good day.

And the best part: swimming!

 

As soon as the doctor handed us your brace and gave us instructions for the next few weeks and months and sent us on our way, we were knocking on Jordon's door with our swimming suits in hand.

You were hesitant to let your arm touch anything. You kind of held it off to the side for a long while. You paddled with your left arm. You used your left arm to climb out of the pool. You wouldn't use your right arm to save your life.

 

But, slowly and surely, you got your groove back. You put your goggles on and swam. Like, really swam. With both arms. 

 

You loved it. Just like you always love swimming. It was so good to see you happily gliding in the water. 

 

I almost feel bad that it's the end of the swimming season and our swimming days are numbered. I'm just so happy you didn't fall off some monkey bars months ago at the beginning of the summer.

I love you, Brooklyn. And, I'm glad you are happy and healthy again.

Sincerely, Mom

OUR LITTLE HELPER

Dear Molly,

You are such a good little helper.

Whether it is putting the dishes away or helping making food or cleaning up toys, you are always asking if you can help. Especially if something is new or exciting.

Today was no different.

As soon as you saw us get out the nails and hammer you were right there to help. First, you handed your dad the nails and soon you begging him to let you swing the hammer. 

Although we went through several more nails because of your "help", you were so cute trying to help your dad.  

I hope this is something you never grow out of.

Thanks for always giving your dad and I a hand. I love you.

Sincerely, Mom

NEW CAST

Dear Brooklyn,

Today we went to your doctor's appointment so Dr. Valencia could check on your arm.

They took x-rays and then your dad checked you and Molly's reflexes while we waited for the doctor to come in.

The news from the doctor was both good and bad. Good: because you were ready to graduate from your full cast to a short cast. Bad, because they would have to saw your old cast off.

As soon as you saw the saw, you freaked. You tried to get away so I put you on my lap and held you while they sawed the cast off. It was a little traumatic so I promised you some ice cream if you were brave.

Once the cast was off you wouldn't move it and you were freaking out a little bit about not have anything on it so I held it still for you while they cleaned your arm and got ready to put the new cast on.

About ten minutes later your arm was decked out with a shiny new, pink cast. It was beautiful and you were finally calm.

We set an appointment for four weeks to remove this cast and we were off to get that ice cream I promised you.

I think that ice cream made it worth it. Ice cream pretty much fixes everything.

Now, maybe tomorrow you will try bending your elbow a little bit...

Sincerely, Mom

KINDA, SORT OF, MINI GOLF

Dear Kurt,

Today we took the girls over to the Clubhouse for some miniature golf.

I pictured it going a little differently.

Brooklyn had to golf one-handed and refused help so basically she golfed a 5,438. I'm pretty sure that's a record.

Molly didn't understand the concept and every time someone golfed she would run after the ball, pick it up, and bring it back to you. 

You and I were competing the whole time. Which mainly consisted of me hitting the ball way too far and then kicking your ball off the course in order to give me more time to get mine in first and then that would result in a brawl at the hole until someone got their ball in.

  It was absolutely ridiculous. Yet, totally fun.

Then a monsoon rolled in and we all ran back to the clubhouse as fast as we could so Brooklyn's cast wouldn't get wet.

Sincerely, Lori

DONUTS AND ICE CREAM FOR DINNER

Dear Brooklyn,

After you broke your arm, your sweet teacher came by our house to see how you were doing.

She also brought a note from you class telling you to get better quick with a bunch of cute little five year old John Hancocks and a gift card to Baskin Robins/Dunkin Donuts. 

So today we met your dad in Tucson and decided to grab an early dinner: ice cream and donut holes. Yum.

We left with our bellies stuffed and sugar coursing through our veins. It was fabulous.

I think every childhood should have a couple of ice cream dinners mixed in with those hospital stays.

Now, let's hope the sugar high wears off by bed time, right?

I love you.

Sincerely, Mom

A BIG DAY

Dear Brooklyn,

Today was a very big day.

Today you turned five years old and you started kindergarten.

You also made your mom cry. A lot.

You woke up excited as can be. 

Breakfast. Dress in your new school clothes. Open presents. Shoes on. Then we were out the door.

We stood amongst all the other new kindergarteners and their parents in the library waiting for your turn to be shuffled off by your teacher with your new classmates.

We knelt down in between mostly empty bookshelves and had a little pow wow. Me reminding you that you are to listen to your teacher and to be nice to the other kids and to stand up for what's right and that I love you so very much. And you telling me that you will learn lots and be good and eat your sandwich first and that you love me too.

I mostly held back the tears till they called your class and in the shuffle to get to the front of the library you got scared and turned back to make sure I was close. I pictured that happening a lot that day. You would get a little lost in the shuffle except I wouldn't be behind you to comfort you. Maybe you can go to kindergarten next year?

That day I thought and worried about you a lot. Too much, I'm sure.

When your dad and I brought cookies to your class at the end of the day I imagined you to be a mess and beg me to take you home and not bring you back till next year. I should have known better.

You weren't sad or upset. No, you were happy and excited and bouncing up and down. On the way home your talked and talked about all the new things and new people and new places. You were in heaven.

Then the real birthday celebrations began.

You decided that you wanted to go swimming. So we did that.

You decided, much to my dismay, that you wanted McDonald's for dinner. So we did that.

You wanted an ice cream cake from Baskin Robin's. So we let you pick one out.

Then the Gardner's and McKinzie and Clair came over and we sang and ate and you opened more presents. 

Soon, it was bed time and you were one exhausted little five year old kindergartener. 

And I will continue to be in denial about that.

I love you, Brooklyn. I hope you had a fabulous day. Happy Birthday.

Sincerely, Mom