Winter Begins!

That's what my calendar says this morning! And what a fun surprise we woke up to-SNOW!! Thankfully, we don't have far to drive everyday, so we don't mind this white blanket! We got an early Christmas present out-a new red shovel! It was supposed to be for Carver, but I think Cooper convinced him the old yellow one was cooler (so he could have the new one!). He's lucky "brother" is 21 months!!

Daycare checking in!

I kid you not! Daycare just sent me this picture with the caption:

"This is your child!"

Birthday Lunch Date!

Cooper & I were able to go on a birthday lunch date on his birthday. It was originally planned that he and I would play his new "Chutes and Ladders" game, but Carver ended up going along, so we just hung out. Cooper chose Burger King, so that's where we went! He enjoyed a burger and fries and some vanilla ice cream for dessert.

He told everyone there, "I'm 4 now!"

These are his 4-yr-old muscles!

Cheeeze! The "brothers"!

December 17, 2007

Last weekend marked Cooper's 4th birthday. Since I haven't been blogging for 4 years, I thought I would write some memories down about the day he was born (oh and try not to tear up!).

I honestly don't remember a lot, so hopefully there are more details written in his baby book. I do remember we went in to the hospital thinking it was "time", and got sent home. Later, Gma Teresa showed up to help me labor. She was a great coach! We finally went to the hospital when she thought I couldn't catch my breath between contractions (I was a major wuss!). I told mom "this sucks", which was a swear word at our house! I begged for the epidural when we got there. Joni raced across the state to make it for delivery and cut the umbilical cord when Cooper arrived at 7:11 on 12/17/07!

Cooper was a great baby from day one. He started sleeping through the night around 3 weeks-I couldn't have asked for much more! The last four years have been a blessing, and I thank God for giving me such a special little boy!

Gpa Tom at one of Cooper's birthday celebrations-showing off a new tractor & jammies.

The birthday boy with cake and LOTS of candles!

A new backpack! (He was this dramatic during the entire party!)



"I won't tell Santa..."



As many of you know, Cooper could LIVE in pajamas. He's got more pairs than a any child needs, but everyone knows he likes them, so he gets a lot as gifts. Cooper would wear pajamas all day, everyday, if I let him.

Last Saturday we celebrated his birthday. He wanted to wear pajamas. I said, "No, not for your party. How about we bring in your tote (with all the clothes that are either out of season or too big) and see if we can find something "new" for you to wear for your party?"

He agreed, but there he found LOTS of jammies. Believe me, he tried on nearly every pair in the 30 GALLON tote! One pair was actually size 4T, which I didn't realize were still in there. When he finally agreed on an outfit (which happens to be about the only other thing he'll wear besides pajamas-not something new at all), he said, "But, can I PLEASE wear jammies UNDER my clothes!?" I agreed to it. WHATEVER:)

After the birthday party, we were going to see Santa, and so when we got ready to head downtown, we were asking Cooper what he would tell Santa he wanted for Christmas. Jolene piped up and said, "Santa doesn't bring anything to kids wearing jammies!"

Cooper turned around so fast and said, "I WON'T TELL HIM!!"

That night at bedtime, I was asking Cooper about his conversation with Santa, and he said he asked for Hot Wheels cars. I asked him if Santa asked if he was naughty or nice. He said no. Then quickly said, "I didn't tell him I was wearing jammies!!"

Bedtime

Bedtime routine is sometimes hairy at our house. With the boys sharing a room, I still haven't nailed down the ideal scenario. I can't decide if putting them to bed at the same time is better or not. Sometimes Carver waits up-I think he falls asleep better when "brother" is in there. But sometimes, they just play then for up to an hour. Other times, he's sound asleep by the time Cooper comes in, and obviously this is perfect.

Last night, Carver waited up. I didn't realize this, so Cooper & I tiptoed in and by the time I got done praying with Cooper and tucking him in, I turned around and Carver was jumping up and down in his crib! I RE-tucked him in and told the boys "No talking!"

I hollared at them a few times through the door throughout the next half hour when I could here them singing, giggling, and jumping. It takes quite a bit for me to get mad...I usually just tell them to stop talking and tell them goodnight and I love you again.

Rob and I were listening through the wall when all of a sudden we heard a bang (like something hit the wall). He got up (Mr. Tough Guy) and went in there. I heard him say "Who did that?" Cooper said "Carver did it!" Rob said, "Carver, did you hit the wall?" Carver responds, "Cooper did it!" The next thing I hear is all three of them burst out laughing! Rob couldn't even contain himself. (I knew sending him in there was the wrong idea-he ends up playing or laughing with them every time!) He got as serious as possible, and told the boys again to go to bed. By the time he got out of their room, he bust out laughing again...he just said the boys' reactions were priceless!! (I bet it was another 20 minutes at least before they were both finally quiet!

Older, bigger, bossier...

It depends on the day at our house, but quite frequently there are comparisons, about who is older, bigger, bossier, etc.

Last night after Carver barked some orders, Cooper clarified, "YOU'RE NOT THE BOSS CARVER! MOMMY IS THE BOSS OF US AND I'M THE BOSS OF YOU!!"

Carver was quick to respond, "BOSS-Y!"

I just laugh and shake my head...

Just following a conversation with someone about how Cooper seems overly "mouthy" lately, he walks up behind me in the kitchen with his new flashlight and says, "I'M GONNA SHINE THIS IN YOUR EYES IF YOU DON'T GIVE ME A COOKIE!"

It caught me so off guard. I just laughed hysterically.

The Always Expanding Vocabulary

Since starting school (I'll be blaming school for the next 12 years!), Cooper has come home with all sorts of new words (and sometimes meanings!).

He's constantly asking me if something is "cool" or if something makes him "look cool".
The other night he told me he was not "proud" of me, because I wouldn't change the TV to his station.
He is frequently asking if something he said was "using good manners".
I've found him recently saying "You're not talking nice to me, mommy."
And often says to Carver, "Stop it! I don't want to hear you!"


Carver is saying and repeating EVERYTHING!

He loves to say "Go Chiefs" or "Go Hawkeyes".
He has starting telling me that something "scare you".
He frequently pretends something "bi-choo" (bite you).
He's quick to say "Cooper hitted!".
And often tattles about kids at daycare, especially, "Taylor naughty" or "Taylor cryin".

McDonalds

Cooper was begging last week to go to McDonalds and I kept holding him off. Sunday night he asked again, so I finally said, "How about we go there on our way to Grandma & Grandpa's for Thanksgiving?" He finally agreed to going Wednesday (tonight) on our way north for the weekend. Monday, I picked him up from school and the first thing he said was, "Mom, we're going to McDonalds for Thanksgiving, right?" (All I could think was...I sure hope he didn't tell his teacher that!"

OCTOBER IN PICTURES

Cooper (dragon) @ Halloween.

Playing w/ the cousins after "Pumpkin Land".





Playing with Cole Beran's coon dogs.





Horsey ride with Lydia Beran.



Carver loved to lay in the leaf pile.



Short sleeves and barefoot-October 2!

Like Aunt...Like Nephew...

"Big Daddy" Fans:

"Hey Carver, what do ya want to eat- a cheeseburger?"

"30 packets of ketchup!!!!"

Too tired

Sometimes I feel "too tired to parent". Last night was one of those nights where "anything goes".

I told the boys to get in the tub and I started the water. Instead of taking them into the bathroom, and putting them in, the process drug out and I waited for it to just happen. Finally Cooper got in, so I went to Carver, stripped him naked in the living room (all the while thinking...I shouldn't be doing this) and walked away...repeating "Carver, let's go potty and get in the tub."

I went to the bathroom to turn the water cooler for Cooper, and finally decided to pick Carver up and take him to the bathroom before he peed on the floor. By the time I got to him in the living room (no more than a minute or so could have passed), he was holding a toy covered in...yup, poop. And at his feet? Several small addition piles, one stepped on. He looked up and me and said, "yucky?" ...oh, child!

I apparently didn't get it wiped off very good before putting him in the tub either, because by the time the bubbles settled, Cooper was screaming, "MOM, GET ME OUT. CARV HAS POOP COMING OUT OF HIS BUTT!!" (It was really just some left-over!)

The $1 bike...$11 investment...PRICELESS!

At city-wide garage sales earlier this month, I was on the hunt for a bike for Cooper. He still enjoys his "big wheel", but I knew by next summer, that would be Carver's and thought if we could get some practice with Cooper on a bigger bike yet this year, the transition next summer would be easier. I went through the ads and went to two sales right as they started to get first dibs on the bikes advertised. I went with a $10 budget.

The first sale had a red boy's bike, EXACTLY what I thought I was looking for...$10!! I was sold, but another lady was already looking at it. She had already browsed the sale and was paying for her items and I heard her say, "I'll take the bike, too." COOPER WAS ALREADY RIDING IT! I didn't tackle her, although I would've liked to.

The second sale had a John Deere kid's bike advertised. It was small and $30...AT A GARAGE SALE!? No thanks! I was super bummed.

I picked the kids up from daycare and we decided to hit a couple sales that were within walking distance from the house, not really looking for anything specific. The last sale we went to before heading home had a bike laying on the ground right as we walked up the driveway. The sign on it read, "$1 OBO". I turned to the owner and said, "ONE DOLLAR?!?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!" She confirmed and said they just wanted to get rid of everything. There were no training wheels and the back tire needed some air, but I was SOLD!! Cooper was thrilled!

Proud as a peacock on his "new" bike!

Grandpa Tom took car of the air issue.

(Don't tell my dad I put his crack on my blog!)

I had a sore back after doing this for two days!

The Monday after we got the bike we went to Walmart and spent $10 on training wheels. After I read directions and installed them myself, he was set. He's been tearing up the school parking lot every since!

I never thought I'd say/hear these things...

Growing up, didn't we all say things like, "I'll NEVER say that to MY children" and "I'll never be THAT kind of parent". Well, guess what? Reality sets in when you have children of your own.

When Cooper asks me to do something for him that he is completely capable of doing himself, I often joke, "Are your legs broken?" (Something my parents used to say.) So this morning, Cooper (from the couch) hollered at me (in the bathroom), "Mom, I'm done!" (With breakfast I served him on the couch...something I probably vowed I would let my kids do because it was allowed growing up!) I said, "So? Bring your plate to the kitchen counter then." His reply? "I can't. My legs are broken!" (Out of his sight, I couldn't help but crack a smile.) And then I went and got his plate.

Last night I served supper, knowing that Cooper didn't like the main dish. I only put 2 bites on his plate, determined to enforce that everyone eats what's being served or no snacks later (something that was sometimes torturous as a child and is A LOT harder to make a rule that one might think!). Right off the bat, he said "Mom, I don't like that." I explained the consequences of not eating it, and he didn't argue. Carver was done eating supper and getting into the tub when Cooper asked if he could also get in. I said that was fine, and I would leave his supper on the table because again, there would be no snacks until it was gone. When they got out of the tub, Carver asked for fruit snacks and I told Cooper to get his supper finished so they could both have them. He hurried to the table and finished everything except the main dish. He whined a few times about what it was and finally said, "Mom, can I just have a meatball for supper?" (Knowing they were in the fridge from the night before.) I finally agreed to it, warmed up a meatball, and served fruit snacks when the "supper" was gone. (Oh, and of course I ate those two bites of mashed potato casserole myself...I always was that kid who "rescued" others from "cruel and unusual punishment" :) Maybe tonight we'll work on enforcing that rule...oh, and before school Cooper already asked, "Can we have meatballs for supper tonight?" (Hoping casserole wasn't on his plate again tonight!) HA!

Miss Debbie says...



Everything Cooper comes up with these days either begins or ends with, "Miss Debbie says...". That darn preschool teacher is so smart! Yesterday he got in the car when I picked him up from school and said, "Mom, today we learned about fire. Stop. Drop. And roll. Miss Debbie said!"

A couple other things he's said this week:

"Mommy, OBEY YOUR PARENTS!"

An excuse to stall bedtime, "I NEED to brush my teeth so they don't fall out!"

Another stall, "Mommy, I need lotion. My legs are dried out."

Ava & Cruz

Our friends, Ava & Cruz were home from Texas this month so we spent several days playing with them. We went to the park, visited the Amish farm, and took lots of pictures:) Cooper & Ava are 5 weeks apart, so there were plenty of 3-year-old conversations making everyone laugh. Cooper loved baby Cruz and wanted to take him home; Carver, on the other hand, wasn't so sure he liked it when his mommy was holding another baby! The Amish farm brought cart rides, a buggy ride, and a puppy Carver wanted to take home! Overall it was a great week and half!

Potty!

We've been sitting Carver on the potty every night before bath. Nothing happens, other than I make a fool of myself trying to get him to perform. Last night...HE DID IT!! He actually peed!! He didn't have a clue what he was doing and afterwards grabbed himself and wanted to touch the toilet water. (While Cooper & I celebrated around him!!)

Haircuts @ Gma's!

Labor day weekend, Gma Teresa had to help us get haircuts, because Cooper had upcoming school pictures (and I preferred he looked like he had a mom!)

Gma buzzed away while each boy helped, and I vaccuumed hair as it fell. Overall, it was a success!

Just try to look at this picture without laughing!

Mr. Potato Head has lost his glasses!

Smile so you don't cry.

This kid is ALWAYS sick.

I just got done telling someone, "He could live in a glass box, and still catch something!"

The Tuesday after Labor Day we were at the clinic for the millionth time this year, where everyone knows our name. He's deathly (or so he thinks) ill, until we walk in the door...

How can you be mad at this kid? :)

P.S. It was just a virus...suck it up, Carv!

Rain, Rain-Don't go away!

"He's drinking out of Jean's water, mom!!!"

If our nieghbor lady only knew! 

Later Cooper told me he didn't need a bath, because he had taken a shower in the rain.

BRRRRR!!

Carver kept running around yelling "RAININ, RAININ, RAININ, RAININ!!" 

CHEEEEEEEEEEZE!!

My "Lil' Rascal"

"Lil' Rascals" is the name of Cooper's preschool group. I'm sure this is the first of many reports from "school".

Last Friday after his first day of school, I took the boys out for ice cream. At McDonalds. Which happened to be right across the street from our chiropractor. After pointing this out and asking if he could go, I said no and we sat outside eating out cones.
As we were driving out of the parking lot after finishing our ice cream, Cooper said, "Mommy, I had a hard day today. That's why my neck hurts. Can we go to the chiropractor?"
Of course I laughed!

Tuesdays are going to be optional for preschool, and we have decided Cooper will go. He loves it so much, and it seems to be working out so far. There are only going to be approximately 6 kids in the class on those days (versus 15 Mon/Wed/Fri).
Today after class, Miss Debbie, Cooper's teacher, stopped me and wanted to let me know that she asked Cooper to be her new helper with the special ed student in their class. Apparently Cooper has become quite the friend and Brody is connecting well with Cooper. She said Coop was more than willing to move his chair and rug circle next to Brody's! When I asked Cooper about it, he said "Mommy, I'm going to sit by Brody now and be Miss Debbie's helper because I help Brody talk!"
(Yes, I'm pretty proud!!)

Second Day of School

It was raining...

They probably think he doesn't have a mom:)

At least his outfit matched the FIRST day! Oh, bring on the school year!

Silent + Stickers =

I didn't say a word. I just looked at him, and with that smile, his response,

"I DON'T WANT A BATH. EVER."

First Day of School!!

You better believe I'm not wasting much time posting THESE pictures!!

My "big brother" started "Lil' Rascals" preschool today!! He was SOO excited! He will attend Mon, Wed, Fri 8:15-11:30. (We may send him to an additional Tuesday morning session as well.)

Thursday night we went to his classroom to meet, Miss Debbie, his teacher, his classmates, and check out his room. Cooper found his name where his backpack will hang, and his spot at one of the little tables. He had a lot of questions after the "meet and greet" and couldn't wait to get back.

Cooper's small school supply list this year included: backpack, a box of quart size bags, 4 boxes of kleenex, a 4 pack of play doh, and a change of clothes in a large ziplock bag.

This morning the first thing he said was, "I'm going to SCHOOL today!" By 6:55 he was dressed (sunglasses included) in the outfit he had picked out for today and was ready to walk out the door.

Outfit #1 and toast with cinnamon and sugar for breakfast!

Outfit change #1

 

Brothers excited!!

 Glasses on and off-"I can't wear my backback-it's too heavy!"

OH MY GOODNESS-I HAVE A PRESCHOOLER!!!!!!