It's Miller Time.: Busy week.

I never really had a clue just how much all of Brooke's growth and 'firsts' would affect me. I never realized I would have such a pit in my stomach from nerves when I dropped her off for a 45 minute class that she had to attend without ME. I never thought I would be one of 'those moms' pacing in the hallway waiting to hear if she made it through without me in the same room with her. Whew....I am kind of glad this week is over and Brooke and I are going to sit at home, just the two of us on this Friday evening and watch a Disney movie together and just be....together. I never truly understood the word 'bittersweet' until I became a Mommy. I love seeing Brooke grow, learn, make friends and just flourish in any situation but don't like having to let go already!!

I have officially pre-registered Brooke for a Tuesday/Thursday Parents Day Out Preschool that will start September 1st. Something I have put a lot of thought into and finally took the plunge before there were no more spots available. Now my mission is to get her as prepared as possible for me to "drop her off and leave her" all the while knowing I will be coming back. This seems to be taking up a lot of my thoughts these days. I have always secretly enjoyed Brooke being three and still wanting me to come get her before Bible class is over on Sunday mornings, I love the cuddling and knowing she wants ME! BUT, I am quickly realizing I don't want that anymore....I don't want her to feel any sort of worry about me not being there. Insert my current mission....to get her used to going to these activities and classes through out the summer without anxiety....from her of course, because I cannot get rid of mine just yet!

The picture above was Brooke telling me she was ready to go to school, backpack, momma's shoes that fit her "just perfectly" and all. Then after her first music class without Mommy, see below. The next morning she could not stop telling me she "is NOT a big girl", she "is a baby." She now thinks she doesn't need to go to school without Mommy, instead she needs to steal the pillowcases as I try to fold them and use them as a sleeping bag.

Other things keeping us busy this week have been wonderful play dates with our friends. Although, at one play date she fell off a slide as tall as I am.....it was one of those moments you see it happening and you just cannot get there fast enough. She cried, had a knot on her head and scrapes all down her arm....but she only cried for seconds, sucked it up and asked me not to take her home, but to let her play some more. Tough girl!

The rest of the pics are just fun ones in our backyard. Warning though, mosquitoes are already out here....the only place I didn't spray myself got bit, the bottoms of my feet and my face! UGH!

My little monkey. Why all kids must do this I have yet to figure out. Notice her 'mother hen' Cooper in the background.

For this pic I asked her smile for her grandparents and this is what she did....stinker!

This time of year brings SO much fun outside, but every night we have to wash the good ole Lubbock dirt back off. I should have taken a picture of the water to prove how filthy she gets, but instead captured her in shock over Cooper checking on her.

I think Brooke and I both over committed ourselves this week....or I did it for us both. Yesterday I walked in the living room to check on a really quiet Brooke and saw this. Doesn't she just look EXHAUSTED?!