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Happy 40th Birthday, Brookie.
Part Two . . . There are so many photos, it takes two posts !
This one was first published a few years ago.
Just reminiscing a little about some of the 'events' along the way with Brooke . . .
She climbed up everything including the shelves of the refrigerator. She climbed into everything including the dishwasher. She climbed out of everything including her baby bed. We finally just let the side down so she wouldn't fall so far to the floor in her daily escapes. She ate lots of things . . . I pulled a large black bug out of her mouth one day. It was still alive. She ate the weather stripping off the door. She drank Selsun Blue which resulted in a trip to the ER for Syrup of Ipecac. Consequently, she blew bubbles out her mouth and nose. She painted herself with Fudgesicles.
Nevertheless, she was and still is a delight . . . she was a delightful little girl . . . she is a delightful young lady.
Do you remember where you were FORTY years ago today ?
I certainly do !
Before we commence with the 2,547 photos of my youngest that have been posted below, here are a couple of previous birthday posts:
For an OFFICIAL birthday post:
Travel Down Memory Lane with These Photos
If you are planning to peruse the links above and hang out here to scroll through the pictures that follow, may I suggest taking the time to grab a cup of coffee or tea or hot chocolate or whatever floats your boat. You will be here for awhile.
These photos are in no particular order. For any of you with OCD, and feel the need to put them in order, knock yourself out.
OK, so the first one is in order.
During my pregnancy, I experienced heartburn from Day One to about Day One-Hundred-Thirty.
(She was over due about three weeks !)
An old Indian lady explained to me. "Baby be born with lots of hair. "
She was right !
She was precious . . .yes she was !
In the mornings, when her dad and I were getting ready for work, we enlisted the help of her big sister, complete with pink sponge rollers.
This photograph conjures up memories of "The Princess and the Pea Eraser."
We also enlisted the help of big sister to put her to sleep at night.
The Summer of '81 ~ Red Hill Road
Granddad loved his girls . . .
. . . as evidenced by the smile on his face.
Grandpa loved them, too.
Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's with the cousins.
Christmas at Grandmama Wheeler's.
Grandma and Grandpa Winters
Explaining to Santa that she is three.
Some photos need no caption.
A cute little Halloween punkin'
Nana and Melissa
She loved her . . .
dress that came from . . .
Austria. (Yes, that's Tyler.)
Birthday celebration with Melissa and Landra
Fun at Leenie and Dexie's with Leslie, Sue, and Christi
All Smiles !
Grandmother and Granddad
Haskell, Oklahoma
If you notice an onery look on her face in any of the photos, that because she was is.
Easter at Grandmama's
Another Easter at Grandmama's
A common place to sit
Another Easter at Grandmama's
Blurry but Cute
Still blurry . . . but the plant behind me provides a nice flying nun look.
The usual "corner" for photo ops
Probably another Easter photo
512 NW "B" Street . . .
. . . a favorite place to be.
The red cannas
She adored her big sister . . . still does.
Wayne, Leigh Anne, Michael, James . . . and Brookie
Posing for Grandmother
Waiting for the parade . . . Grandma has Brooke in the background . . . Aunt Joy is there, too.
Ashley, Sean, Sis, and Grandmother . . .
Leah joins them.
Some of these just don't need explanations . . .
Leenie and Dexie
Please note:
Big sis is putting decorations ON the tree . . .
Little MIss Pris is removing them.
Another Easter photo
Mam-maw and Pap-paw Smith
I wish we knew where that green wooden frog high chair is . . . see it in the background ?
Yes, she had a black eye for her first Christmas.
It could have happened when she climbed the shelves of the refrigerator, fell off the door of the dishwasher . . . (Sean is in the background.)
With Dad and Cousin Lissa
(Dad looks like he was attacked by Paul Bunyan while caught in a wind tunnel.)
A bountiful harvest . . . she planted watermelon seeds in the front yard.
They grew, covering the entire front yard. . . ALL summer.
It was quite the talk of the neighborhood.
We couldn't mow because of all the watermelon vines.
It looked like a scene out of Jumanji.
Possibly another Easter outfit OR dressing up with Nana
Record low temperature of minus two . . .
she wanted to go outside and play . . .
so she dressed herself and was headed out the door when this photo was snapped.
One of her favorite places to be.
Her big sis couldn't have been prouder . . .
neither could Mommy, Grandmother Smith, or Grandmama Wheeler.
Grandmother and Granddad usually stopped by before church every Sunday.
All of the above photos were taken before the birthday girl, sometimes known as SwampSpawn, went to school. Below, is one photo when she was a few years older . . .with big sis.
The following photos were taken at Christmas 2010 . . .
The photo below was taken along Pathfinder Parkway in Bartlesville several years ago.
What is a daughter ?
A daughter is a day brightener and a heart warmer. She is a bundle of firsts that excite and delight, giggles that come from deep inside and are always contagious. She is everything wonderful and precious and a mother's love for her knows no bounds. A daughter is a treasure and the cause of sleeplessness. She is a gift of love. She is a little girl who grows up to be a friend, a partner, a mother's closest ally, an extension of herself. A daughter is a miracle that never ceases to be miraculous . . .full of beauty and forever beautiful . . . loving and caring and truly amazing. A daughter is one of the most beautiful gifts this World has to give. She may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart.
What is a daughter ?
She is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future.
Am I a proud Mommy ?
You betcha, I am !
She is a contributing member of society with a business of her own, a devoted wife, a loving-caring Mother of two . . . and in her free time, she went back to school and completed a Master's Degree.
Am I a proud Mother ?
You betcha, I am !
There are, of course, many many stories that come to mind, so while my mind can still remember them, here are just a few:
Our friend and doctor, Herbert Rowland called Brookie his little grubber.
One reason is because she was responsible for eating all the weather stripping off our doors. The good doc said, "A little roughage never hurt anyone. "
Then there was the time when I could tell she had something in her mouth, so like any good mother, I reached in with my fore finger and pulled out a black bug. A LIVE black bug ! We discussed possibly discontinuing our contract with Orkin since we had an in-house bug eater.
Then there was the time her grubber-instincts sent us to the emergency room. She got-a-hold-of a bottle of Selsun Blue. How much she drank, no one knows. This was during the era of Syrup of Ipecac. Lawerence Welk would have welcomed having her sit behind the orchestra because she blew bubbles out her mouth and nose for an extended period of time.
Then there was the time I was unloading laundry from the dryer, and I accidentally tried to knock my funny bone off my arm. If you've ever done this, you know how very painful this can be. I dropped the S-bomb and as I turned to sit on the floor to regain consciousness, there stood my two-year-old. She had no problem repeating that word . . .over and over and over again. A few hours later, my parents arrived. The doorbell rang and as I opened the door, Brookie greeted them with, "Mommy said shit-shit-shit."
Then there was the time she wanted in her sister's bedroom. It was a rule at our house that a closed door must be knocked upon. She loved more than anything to be in her sister's room. I heard this little knock-knock-knock on LA's door and her sister asked, "Who is it ?" Brookie replied, "It's yu-aah Muth-ah."
Then there was the time it was a typical morning with everyone trying to get ready, eat breakfast, find back packs. . . you know the drill ! As I picked up a towel in the bathroom, noticing a glob of black something or other drop out of it, I heard a scream from the kitchen, "M-o-o-o-o-m-m-m-m-m-m !" The kind of scream that makes a Mother's hair stand straight up on the back of her neck. Brookie had instructed her older sister to, "Feel right here." Right here was where her bangs used to to be. She had taken some very sharp shears, laid them flat on her head, and whacked-whacked-whacked-off her bangs. This was prompted by a conversation she had heard between LA and me that she didn't want bangs anymore and planned to "grow them out." Brookie, wanting to be just like her sister, speeded up the process, and did away with her bangs in three whacks with the scissors. The glob of black that fell out of the towel was her bangs.
Then there was the time we were making brownies. Brookie was about four. The teacher in me was always ready for that teachable moment, so we proceeded with step-by-step instructions. She was instructed to "grease the bottom of the pan."
She took a handful. . .
a h-a-n-d-f-u-l. . .
I said a H-A-N-D-F-U-L
of Crisco and greased the BOTTOM of the pan.
Not the "inside" bottom of the pan. The "outside" bottom of the pan.
I won't mention that she was a biter.
No, I won't do that.
I could go on and on and on . . .
. . . but I won't.
I just finish with this . . .
Am I a proud Mommy ?
You betcha I am !
*********************************
Dear Brooke,
I know you love this picture, so here it is:
Happy Birthday, Sweetheart.
I LOVE YOU,
Mom
Happy 40th Birthday, in advance Brookie !
There are so many photos, so many stories, so many memories . . . this post is in two parts.
Reposted from about thirteen years ago.
A Happy Birthday Post to My Youngest Daughter !
The following is in no particular order...just typing away...
Once Upon a Time... "Dear Santa, I want a baby sister."
compassionate and caring - speaking your mind with diplomacy - strong yet vulnerable - a little impish - a lot sweetish - smiles and tears, giggles and guffaws - not too shy - growing up so fast - paving your own way - a quirky little look that melts hearts - sometimes having to follow in a big sister's footsteps - always making your own footsteps along the way - understanding and questioning - sensitive almost to a fault - considerate and kind - the epitome of everything a mom wants in a daughter - now you have a daughter of your own - all grown up but never out growing my heart - smiles through your tears - funny and serious - joyful moments of the present, hope and promises of the future, happy memories of the past: look at the head of hair on that baby - not much of a sleeper - couldn't keep you in your baby bed - dr. herb called you a grubber - let's see, there was the weather stripping off the door - the black bug that was still alive - dirt and rocks -the Lawrence Welk bubble incident with Selsun blue- blowing bubbles out your mouth and nose - 'trimming' your bangs - murals on the walls - a bit of a biter - always my baby - always my best friend - always the little sister - defending like a mama bear - we've been to hell and back - the three of us - we learned survival - we learned to enjoy the moment - we hold fast those memories - kissing that bald head for good luck - we learned from mistakes - we anticipate the future - we were a team - we still are - it's difficult to stop writing because there is so much to say - I have to stop - just know that even though your dad and I had disagreements - there is one thing we do agree on and I know I can speak for him - WE LOVE YOU !
Taken at Surprise Baby Shower at Burrage's...( I was growing rounder and rounder as we waited thinking you would be here 'just after Christmas.' You did come 'just after Christmas'...about 3 weeks 'just after Christmas.'
Dad and LAW waiting patiently. We didn't know if you were a boy or girl...
A baby girl with a very large voice...
Was she a Princess? Ask LAW about the pencil eraser...
Early morning feeding...
Napping...
Long John's with a drop seat...
You could be found in any number of places...
A collage of memories...
Above: Your favorite place: with Grandmother while she sewed and your favorite look
Below: More precious memories...
Left: Dressed for Tea
Right: Dressed to Play in the Snow (It was 2 degrees below zero outside.)
You liked to do everything yourself, "Me do, it...Me do it." From planting your own garden in the front yard, later known as "The Famous Watermelon Incident" and Blow Drying your bangs so they stood straight up...later you whacked them off...
Your favorite cousin Melissa...Wayside Elementary...no teeth...
The memory you mentioned about Junior..."Aspen's Main Street...very cold..."
The Fishing Expedition...Cimarron...Taking the Shortcut...Fishy Mouths...
High School Graduation...Edison Tulsa...
Having fun with Best Friends...at OU...Where?
Three Best Friends...
Another Best Friend...Oklahoma State University...Go Pokes...
You are beautiful inside and out...
And now you are a "Mommy, Too". . .
They call them 'teachable moments.' I lived for them, and at one time, I had a captive audience: my students . . . and my two daughters who also didn't have a choice to escape. They still don't.
It's at this point, you might want to just wander away unless you want to be bored with my ramblings about today's 'lesson.'
Most lesson plans require an objective that speaks to what the students will learn. That's not the case today. My objective is to create a diversion from whatever it is that's making me crazier these days.
So, for the next hour or so I'm going to immerse myself in developing a lesson plan about coyotes, of all things. If you're one of those parents whose child is virtually learning or needs a topic for some assignment, this post will follow the framework of Howard Gardner's Eight Multiple Intelligences.
Let's get started with all eight intelligences:
VERBAL-LINGUISTIC: How do you pronounce coyote?
1) kai-yo-DEE
2) kai-yo-TEE
3) kai-yoht
4) other
MUSICAL-RHYTHMICAL: How many of you have heard the song, "O, Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie?" Probably most of you are now singing . . . 'O bury me not on the lone prairie. Where the coyotes howl, and the wind blows free. In a narrow grave, just six by three. O bury me not on the lone prairie.' (Please note how you pronounced coyotes when you sang that verse.) If you have now involved your child/student, it is worth the time to listen to this and maybe introduce them to a new genre of music: Country Classic Western
Enter. Stage Right: The coyote that spent a fortune on 'Acme' products trying to feast on a skinny roadrunner could be one of the reasons so many people add that extra syllable at the end.
Wile E. Coyote. How did you pronounce that? Have you changed your mind on how to pronounce coyote yet?
Wil-EE Kai-oh-TEE or Wil-EE Kai-yoht
VISUAL-SPATIAL:
Always have your camera ready because you never know when a coyote is about to capture a 'roadrunner.'
Once again, the roadrunner escapes.
How close was I to our resident neighborhood Canis latrans?
This mammal?
This omnivore?
Is a coyote nocturnal?
Is a coyote diurnal?
Is a coyote crepuscular?
See. You can be sneaky and add vocabulary words like this.
LOGICAL-MATHEMATICAL:
How far do coyotes roam ?
Mean distances traveled at night are approximately 8.24 kilometers.
Mean distances traveled during the day are approximately 6.51 kilometers.
Convert the above kilometers into miles.
What is the definition of the term 'mean' in the sentences above.
What does the word 'approximately' mean?
INTERPERSONAL:
If you were going to interview a coyote, what questions would you ask it?
INTRAPERSONAL:
Do you keep a journal?
You should !
BODILY-KINESTHETIC:
The Coyote's Dance by Austin Gilkeson
Dance of the Coyote by Bill Hotchkiss
Coyote Dance by Francesca Mason Boring
Inquisitive minds will 'Google' at least one of the above to see what the book/poem is about.
NATURALIST:
The following video has nothing to see, but lots to listen to.
As you will see hear, the coyotes were not intimidated by Stella and Peek-a-Boo's barking.
There you have it.
I hope something here might have inspired you to learn more about coyotes, regardless of how you pronounce it.
At any rate, I had fun putting together this 'lesson plan.'
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