Brooke’s been having quite a third birthday month. It began when she got her swing set a month or so ago and has continued with many visits from family and friends. We’ve made cake, cupcakes, pretzels covered in vanilla and sprinkles. Many good times for my baby girl.

She shared a party with Grandpa (who celebrated his 60th at a surprise party at our house). It was a great day spent with people we don’t see often enough!

This is Brooke making her birthday wish, which is to eat her birthday cake.

And here her wish comes true!

She decides to share some cake with the YaYa Grandma (my grandmother).

She has to walk it across the room

Aunt Denise and Aunt Pam made the trip from Ohio. And friends Bob and Sue and many others made the trip from Midland.

We were thrilled to have Cowboy Miles as a party guest. My friend Marie and her husband Jeff brought Baby Miles for some party fun.

Brooke’s favorite birthday gift is her new swing set.

Here she is taking Flicka for a ride.

She loves hanging out on the little deck.

Here she stops for a song before heading down the slide.

Brooke is obsessed with dandelions. Fortunately, we have plenty. She and Riddle are enjoying the sunshine at our house.

Brooke loves to sing and one of her all time favorites is Mr. Sun!

I think we’re going to have a great summer! Happy Birthday Brooke!

It took us a few years, but Riddle finally got her Schutzhund III at our club trial at the end of May. It was a great day for both of us. She scored 98 in tracking, 86 in obedience and 82 in protection. Thanks to my trainer, Gustavo Sanchez (pictured below), Judge Michael Caputo, and the members of the Capital Area Schutzhund Club for making it a great day.

Here we are heeling during the obedience phase.

This is Riddle guarding the “bad guy” during protection. Judge Caputo is in the background.

This is the back transport.

This is Riddle guarding after the long bite.

This is Riddle looking at me. There is nothing better than having a dog I can put in a Halloween costume to pose with a three-year-old, and later take on the field and get a Schutzhund III. I love this dog. Thanks to Mary LaPorte, Katie McClellan and Becky Clinton for the photographs.
In the name of good office fun, Riddle is also now featured on her own page on the Martin Waymire Advocacy Communications Web site. Click here to see the great place we work!

Brooke had a big day today. She got her very own swing set (or very own playground, as she called it). She had great fun swinging, going up the stairs and down the slide. She stood by the window and waved good night to the swing set before she went to bed!

Brooke was fascinated by the construction and acted as foreman on the job She supervised Daddy, Grandpa Nowicki and Grandpa Goodman.

And it was a huge project! I had no idea!

And in the end we have a beautiful swingset, courtesy of our fantastic family. Thanks to Sean, David and Warren. Your hard work was so appreciated! Brooke will never forget it!

Brooke has been enjoying great spring adventures including a successful visit for pictures with the Easter Bunny!

Cupcake fun!

This is Brooke’s first real Easter. We have colored Easter Eggs, made cupcakes and eaten entirely too many jelly beans. This is a video of Brooke in chocolate cupcake heaven.

New Indoor Garden

Brooke has enjoyed playing outside in the dirt so much we decided to plant an indoor garden to be moved outside when the weather is warmer. She helped me mark all of the cups and we had  a great time making a phenomenal mess Five minutes after we watered them for the first time she asked “Did they wake up yet?” She’s been checking them nearly every 10 minutes since.

The butterflies are here!

Brooke hit the Dow Gardens’ Butterflies in Bloom exhibit in Midland with Grandma and Grandpa.

She was totally impressed.

And she even had a butterfly painted on her face!

Brooke’s friend Flicka!

Brooke loves the pony at Meijer.

She might just have to satisfy one of her mother’s fantasies and get one of her own

And last but not least, Brooke in her favorite spring hat.

Brooke’s spring adventures have included some good times with Daddy. This picture was taken at the playground. She is a happy camper.

They also took a trip to one of her favorite places, the Chelsea Treehouse, an indoor playground in Chelsea.

Here she is being a ham!

And hitting the slide!

And here Brooke is telling me all about Daddy.

Brooke has been having a blast with the neighbor kids, Kaylee and Jordan. They are fantastic kids and I’m looking forward to having them visit a lot this summer. Brooke adores them (she says hello to them in the video below in the Ride Home post).

And here is a video of Brooke’s creative counting during a crazy game of hide and seek.

I can’t decide if I love it or hate it. My Aunt Denise gave me this big storage box made from barn wood for Christmas (after I obsessed about it at an antique show) years ago. It was red and didn’t match my house anymore so I decided to work on it.

Here is the before picture. I didn’t think about taking it until I had already started painting it white.

And a little bit of leftover off white paint and a few stencils later, here is the after picture. Like I said, I can’t decide if I love it or hate it.

Brooke has been making me laugh when we ride home every night. She now sings rather than talks. I thought I’d share

Today we had a shower for my friends Stephanie and Andrew Rockafellow. We had lots of food and fun. Thanks to Andrea, Stacy and Monica for helping with everything. I couldn’t have done it without you!

Andrew was the big winner of the baby animal game. He won a flower

The gang.

Lots of food!

Andrea brought this beautiful cake!

Monica, the game master, prepares for The Poop Game.

MJ (left) laughs at her husband Ron as he gets into the spirit of The Poop Game (which was borrowed from The Girls Next Door).

Kim and her son Drew enjoy a few snacks.

Thanks to all who attended. I had a great time!

I found the deal of a lifetime on new living room furniture. Okay, maybe not the deal of a lifetime… but a really great deal on Italian leather furniture, and I had a great sales person, and I’ve never purchased new furniture in my life, and I had to buy it because it was green. I’m sure I could come up with more, but you get the idea. My parents also gave me a beautiful oak entertainment center. And we had to get a new dog bed, of course.

Now Brooke and I have a new living room, and I can wipe off any number of sticky substances a two-year old can come up with

Here it is!

And my new pal Nya, who made the sale! Good times at the furniture store.