A stop for ice to put in my sports bra was a need, not a want. Ten miles @ 8:27 averageā¦ 7 solo and 3 with Andrew!
I listened to this during my solo time. I love a good memoir.
They ended up catching a lizard (and then releasing it a bit later) and I loved the list of names they came up with…
We drove back home and then got right into normalcy again with back to school night and soccer practice.
Finished off with a pizza night at the neighborās house.
Letās get into todayās tangents and start with the most important:
*I cannot comprehend how the last 11 years have passed so quickly.
Brooke is 11 years old today. I feel like so many of you have been her aunts over the years. I love her so much and canāt believe the incredible person she is today.
Off to celebrate every waking second of the day with her.
*Currently reading:
*This blog post is from my good friend, Ashton. She is an incredible writer, and this post brought me to tears.
*He actually snuggled me at Andrewās grandparentsā house. It felt so good.
What is something you do every day that you wish you could skip?
If you want to wish Brooke a happy birthday, Iāll have her read the comments today!
Memoir recommendation for me?
Have any tangents?
43 comments
Cheryl Acevedo
Happy 11th birthday Brooke!! I hope you have the best day! šš
Ashlea
Happy Birthday Brooke. I hope you have the best day filled with all the things you love ā½ļø ā¤ļø š š
Jan J
Happy Birthday, Brooke!! Wow, 11 years old! Iāve followed your mama all this time & remember when you were born! And when she said your name was Brooke that made me so happy! Itās one of my favorite girl names, and I would have a daughter named Brooke if my husband wouldāve agreed to it (instead we have a Grace š).
I hope you have a very happy day! ššš
Amy in PA
Happy Birthday Brooke! I hope you have a fantastic day with your family :-)
HeatherD
Highly recommend Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive by Stephanie Land. It’s a limited Netflix series too. She’s really inspiring.
The Hungry Runner Girl
Thank you for the recommendations, adding them now! Have a beautiful day, Heather!
WendyMI
Happy Birthday, Brooke!!! I have watched you grow up for all 11 years into a beautiful young girl! I hope you have the bestest day!
Meghan F
Happy birthday, Brooke! I can’t believe you are 11. Wishing you the happiest day and most amazing year ahead!!! You’re a bright light!!!
Jenny
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROOKE!!! That 11 years went by much faster for us than it did for you : ) I hope you have a wonderful day filled with all your favorite things!
Karla
Happy birthday Brooke! I hope you have the best day. I can’t believe it’s been 11 years. I’ve been reading this blog since before you were born
Mariah
Happy birthday Brooke!! Hope you have a magical day!!!
Erin
Happy birthday Brooke!!! I hope you have the best day!!
I wish I could skip the waking up part of the day and just be wide awake automatically lol. Itās a daily struggle!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Oh, that would be the best… this morning I felt nauseated when my alarm went off haha. Hope you have a beautiful day and thanks, Erin!
DawnMarie
Happy Birthday, beautiful young lady! Itās been so fun watching you grow and excel at life. I know you make your Mom proud every single day! Excited to see what adventures the next year has in store for you šš
Wendy
Happy Birthday Brooke!! Wow 11! You are such a a kind sweet girl. Keep being amazing!
Martha
Happy Birthday, Brooke! Hope you have a wonderful day!!
Annemarie
Happy birthday, Brooke! Have a fabulous day and keep smiling that beautiful smile š
emily l
Happy 11th birthday, sweet Brooke! I hope your birthday was as amazing as you are! I don’t know if I recommended Michael J. Fox’s memoirs to you (he has 2, if not 3), but they are amazing. He has such an incredible story, an optimistic outlook, and he is truly a great writer. Definitely recommend his books/audiobooks. Happy Tuesday, Janae!
The Hungry Runner Girl
OH my goodness, we watched his documentary and it was so beautiful and inspiring. I cannot wait for his memoirs, thank you thank you for the recommendation. Thanks Emily and I hope you have a great day!
Renee
Have a wonderful birthday, and even better year, Brooke!
Alicia
Happy Birthday Brooke!! Have the best day!!
Samantha
Happy birthday Brooke! I love hearing about all the amazing things you are doing. Keep being awesome and have a fantastic day!
kelly
Herzlich Geburtstag Brooke!!! 11 years old! That went fast. I hope your day is full of all things fun, whimsical, and delicious!!!
Stephanie W
As an OG reader my mind is blown Brooke is already 11!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROOKE!!! I hope you have the most wonderful day :)
Sarah
HAPPIEST of birthdays, Brooke!! It’s been so fun watching you grow up on your mom’s blog! Thank you for allowing all of us into a glimpse of your life and seeing how much joy you bring to your family and this world. I pray year # 11 will be a fabulous one for you! Hugs!
Warren Footz
I’ve tried, but I’m still stuck on watchong the news, all of it..I watch the CNN and Fox and everything else, all the time, I read comments and letters to the editors, and columists…I keep trying to go cold turkey, but, I need to know what’s going on, and then my head explodes…and then I go for a run….running angry….
so cutting that out..and I love dairy, but I need to cut that out…along with eggs, meat, sugar, COFFEE…..but habit? how do you break a habit…..?
and I wish I had a bra to stuff ice in..the heat here is becoming an issue…..
Fiona
I feel you
Stacey
Happy birthday, Brooke! I hope you have the best day ever.
Amy
Happy Birthday Brooke! Enjoy your day to the fullest!!
Baili
Have a wonderful birthday, Brooke! It is fun to watch you grow, and be such wonderful big sister to your younger siblings. Best wishes for the start of school!
Christine
Happy birthday to Brooke!! I taught 6th grade for 8 years and there is something so special about 11 year olds. Don’t let anyone tell you differently! Such a fun age!
Kathy McElhaney
Happiest of birthdays to you, Brooke!!! Hope your day is the best!
ERICA
Happy birthday Brooke. I hope you have the best day doing whatever you want that makes your heart happy.
Michelle
Happy birthday Brooke!!! My youngest daughter is 16 and named Brooke!
Kathy
Happy Birthday Brooke!! 11 years have flown by bc I’ve reading this blog since your first birthday party and I can’t believe how the years have past so quickly. I’ve enjoyed watching you grow and finding your passions! I hope that this is an incredible year and that you continue to grow into the beautiful person that you are already shaping up to becoming.
For memoirs, I highly recommend Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb. It’s an underrated book and the end is so good!
Tess
Happiest of Birthdays, Brooke! I can’t believe how grown up you are getting! You radiate sunshine and joy – never lose that!
Memoir rec: Crying in H-Mart. I started it back in 2020 and had to put it down for probably a year because it wrecked me emotionally (I lost my Mom in 2020 so in hindsight that wasn’t a great decision for me to read it at the moment), but I finally finished it. It’s a tough one, but so, so good if you’re in the mood to cry!
Erica
Happy Birthday Brooke. I hope you had a very special day celebrating at school with your friends, and now with your family!
If you could have any birthday dessert today what would it be?
Susan
Hip Hip Hooray it’s Brooke’s Birthday! What an adorable baby she was with all that hair and such a cutie now.
Kerry
Happy Birthday, Brooke! Hope you had a wonderful day filled with love and animals!
Yoriko
Happy Birthday Brooke! Wishing you a wonderful special day from Japan :-)
Michelle
Happy 11th Birthday Brooke! When your mom was pregnant with you all of her readers could sense her excitement. Then she was over the moon when you were born. It’s clear that her children are the most important people in her life. Hope it’s the most wonderful year for you filled with fast runs and super soccer games!!!
Much love,
Michelle
Amanda
Happy happy Birthday Brooke!! I cannot believe you are 11, it seems like your mom was just doing her little jog in the hospital parking lot with you ( thereby counting as her daily run). I will forever have the photo of you and your momma lying on your back stretching, with your tiny toes up in the air. Hands down, one of the best photos! . šŗ aloha!
Danielle
Happy birthday to Brooke! I have been following for 11 years!