all about Brynn

This is not a news flash to anyone who reads this blog or who knows Brynn, but the first thing I think about when I think about Brynn is her love for anything girly or fancy.  Makeup, jewelry, high heels, anything along those lines and Brynn is all in.

That being said, she is still a kid and loves playing in the sand/dirt, running through the sprinklers, riding bikes, and being outside.  She lives life full and is able to be happy in the moment (most of the time).

1st grade has done wonders for Brynn.  To be completely honest, I was really worried about her reading last summer.  It was a chore for me to sit down and listen to her read.  She did not enjoy it (probably because she wasn't very good at it) and she would just guess at words all over the place.  It tried my patience often.  I don't know if something in the last months have made reading click for her or if it has to do with her teacher, but she is reading amazingly now.  It is not a chore to listen to her read and see is getting better and better everyday.  I am so relieved and happy for her.  I have a hard time believing she will be in 2nd grade this coming fall.

Brynn is quiet in class and stays on task.  I get to help for one hour every Monday morning and she looks forward to me being there and always has a hug.

Brynn still does her gymnastics every week.  She is getting really flexible and she is so good at cartwheels and round-offs.  I am slightly unsatisfied that they are not moving beyond this point because she has quite a big rebound off her round-off and I would love for her to get prepped for learning back handsprings.  She is just taking through the rec program and it's month to month so they seem to start over every month as new girls come in.  I have her on some waiting lists for a different program but they haven't had any openings.  She does look forward to going to gymnastics each week and it's a good way for her to get some exercise.

Brynn seems to be content to play with anyone at recess.  She hasn't found a best friend at this school like Taylie at Old Mill, at least no one that she talks about a lot.  We haven't had anyone over this year to play from school (besides Mari who came to her party) but that's probably because she is happy to play with Stockton, Ivy, or Corbin when he comes over.  She does play with a group of girls from her class but I think it is not always the same kids because she also talks about playing with Corbin at recess too.  She is flexible who she plays with and I think that is a good quality to have and hopefully we will deal with less drama as she gets older because of it.

Brynn falls asleep almost as soon as her head hits the pillow.  It takes her a little while to wake up in the morning and I usually have to wake her up three or four times before she rolls out of bed.  She will occasionally still fall asleep in the car if we are driving somewhere after school.

Brynn has more recently started to be interested in chapter books and reading them independently.  She loved the Princess in Black books last year and still does but a few others that she has enjoyed are: The Owl Diaries, Billie B. Brown, Nancy Clancy, Little Sister Karen books, and The Magic Treehouse.  She has also discovered audible books and likes to listen to them when she's going to bed.  I have to make sure I always pick up a couple for her from the library when I'm there.

Still loves warm milk.

Weighed only 31 pounds at her last check-up.  The doctor still does not seem concerned since she continues to grow on her curve (which is not even on the charts) and she has a normal appetite.  She still rides in a 5-point car seat because the recommendation is 40 pounds to move to a booster.  I don't know how long we'll keep her there but she doesn't complain so for now we'll keep it that way.

It's hard to believe that Brynn is not my itty-bitty baby anymore and is actually getting to be quite old-only one year away from being baptized.  I don't know if it's her size or the innocence she carries around with her, but I feel the need to protect her from anything that could take that away.  She is quick to give a smile or a hug, she forgives easily and doesn't hold grudges and I hope she's always that way!

Here is Brynn's birthday interview:
Favorite color: pink and purple
Favorite movie: Leap
Favorite breakfast: pancakes
Best friend: Taylie
Favorite TV show: Phineas and Ferb
Favorite scripture story: when Nephi has to build the ship
Favorite book: Owl Dairies
Favorite game: Sorry
Favorite story: The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Other kids think that I am: Some kids think that I'm nice; my family thinks that I am good.
What do you like about Mom: That she does all the work for us.
What do you like about Dad: That he builds us stuff.
What do you like about Molly: That she wants me to be safe.  She didn't want me to fall off a spinny swing.
What do you like about Stockton: That he's nice and fun.
What do you like about Ivy: That she's cute.
What do you like about yourself: That I can help other people and be kind.
When I grow up I want to be: a teacher
I like learning about: story problems
I want to go to: the biggest swimming pool that I wouldn't have to pay for
If I had one wish it would be: That I could have high heels.
Favorite thing to do: play with my brother and sisters and mom and dad
Favorite song: Teach Me to Walk in the Light