Gingerbread Houses

Last night, the Jesup Public Library hosted a FREE Gingerbread House clinic. We had a blast spending time together, making patterns with candy, and eating frosting!

 



The Cousins

"Watson" Cousins
Thanksgiving 2012
Odessa (6), Berlin (8), Cooper (4)
Vienna (5), Brogan (3), Carver (2)

Child-like faith...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

With the Christmas season approaching, we are working hard at our house to talk more about the true reason for the season, rather than about the jolly, fat guy. I have heard some pretty funny conversations that I think are worth sharing:

Driving by nativity scenes, we have been discussing each person:

The shepherds (the guys who take care of the sheep)
The wisemen/kings (the guys who bring the gifts)
The baby (JESUS!)
Mary (the mommy)
Joseph (the daddy...."NOOO....God is the daddy!"....that one has been hard to explain...)

Carver is usually the first to yell, "I SEE JESUS! I SEE JESUS!"

Last night the boys were arguing about who "the boss" is, and finally Cooper said, "God and Jesus are REALLY the boss!" Carver's come back was, "Na uh! Jesus is the BABY!" But then Cooper, with his child-like faith said, "But I know what REALLY happened. He growed up, died, and came back alive!" (That sure made THIS momma proud!)

Sunday morning during church, as the advent candle was being lit, Cooper was a bit annoyed listening to the scripture, because, "We already read this part, mom!!" (At least I know he was listening!"

Then as we sang, "Hail, hail, to the newborn King!", Carver whispers, "Mommy, is this Hail AWANA?!" (his FAVORITE song!)

The Santa comment worth repeating is Cooper's constant curiosity about how Santa will get in our house...because we don't have a chimney. He also, matter-of-factly, told me last night that, "I know those presents are from YOU, mom!" regarding the presents already under the tree.

Taking after Uncle James!

http://youtu.be/I92QiGVtlok

100%

 

First Wrestling Practice!

Happy Halloween! Go Chiefs!

 

Family Fun Day

Jesup's Inspired Living Chiropractic held their annual "Family Fall Festival" last month. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon, filled with bouncy houses, the petting zoo, yard games, and the Jesup emergency vehicles. Kayla Christensen & Gpa Tom & Gma Teresa joined us for the day. We ended with a chili supper and pumpkin carving! Cooper's favorite part was the petting zoo. Carver's was the bouncy houses.

 

Fontana Park Outing (Go Hawks!)

Interrogation

Mommy: What's your name?
Carver: Carver (giggle)

Mommy: What's your LAST name?
Carver: Carver James Hinz

Mommy: What's my name?
Carver: I don't know your name, mommy!

Mommy: What's daddy's name?
Carver: Solomon

Mommy: Where do you live?
Carver: At my house!

Mommy: But where's your house?
Carver: Jesup

Mommy: Where do you go to daycare?
Carver: Jolene's

Mommy: Do you have a brother?
Carver: Yup!

Mommy: What's his name?
Carver: Cooper Hinz

Mommy: Who's the best mommy ever?
Carver: YOU!

Just another day in "Brother Land"

No words are needed, right?!

Labor Day

The annual "Watson Family Work Day" continues, even with Grandpa's passing two years ago and without any wood to haul. The last two years, Grandma has just made a list and we have worked on things inside and out of her new house in town. They boys and I have been able to attend the last two years, and it's been a joy to get together as a family and spend time helping Grandma! The boys helped this year too!

Carver collected worms and a toad!

Cooper dug holes for the new shrubs.

They boys helped water the shrubs.

And they both "helped" Grandma Teresa clean out gutters!

Homecoming!

Cooper helped hold the sign for Mrs. Krivanek's class in the Homecoming parade!

Teacher: "Pre-K, Pre-K, let me hear your best!"

Cooper's class: "We the Pre-K from J.E.S.!!"

I promise--he ASKED me to do this!!

Highschool graduation invites? Wedding day slide show?

August: PERFECT park weather!

Pre-K

We have a Pre-K student this year! Cooper started school Thursday, August 16th. He is in Mrs. Krivanek's class, and also has Mrs. Wisecup & Mrs. Fox as helpers. There are 20 students in the class, 13 being boys! He knows a few kids from last year, but has already started talking about new friends, Dax, Dominic, & Carver!

Cooper takes his lunch box, a red folder, and his blankie in his "Cars" backpack everyday. He gets to use his blankie at nap. He enjoys his "cold" lunches in his "Mario" lunch bag. He loves turkey sandwiches and wishes I would pack fruit snacks every day.

I drop Cooper off at school every morning, and help him get settled in. He has two jobs when getting to school. First, he must move his monkey with his name on it from the "Home" poster board, to the "School" board. Second, he must move his banana with his name on it to show his drink of choice for snack: chocolate milk, white milk, or water. Then he sits at his table and works on whatever is set out for that day-things like coloring, play-do, or building blocks.

Cooper is never afraid to give me a kiss and hug before I leave, but also doesn't hesitate to say goodbye! We're excited about a fun school year!

My little fish!

The boys got to go swimming three times this week. They are becoming quite the little fish! Cooper has absolutely no fear, and Carver does pretty good until he realizes he can't touch. I think the Olympics have encouraged Cooper's curiosity in the pool, and he shows me his "diving" and "swimming" tricks the whole time! Carver enjoys being off in his own little world, running, jumping, and playing ball with himself. He likes to run and jump on his belly and crawl on his hands in the shallow end.

Cooper LOVES goggles!

Swimming is hard work!

Grandma came swimming too!

Brrrrrrrrrrr!

Soccer

Cooper had the opportunity to participate in soccer camp this week for three days. He got a new ball and shin guards, which he is very proud of. He caught on fast, hustled during practice, and seems to be picking it up quickly! He learned drills, dribbling, passing, and throwing in bounds. The last night they played a game. He was on the green team and scored several goals! He is quite the little ball hog and started sliding and falling down in front of the ball when he wanted to stop the other team. (I told him that was cheating.) We've got some work to do, but it will be fun to play at home, and see where this interest takes him!

Fashion Crisis 101

Cooper:

• "No-sleeve" shirts
• Shorts: longer, but not too long
• Some days, short socks; other days, long
• Tennis shoes for running fast, flip-flips otherwise
• Sunglasses

Carver:

• Thomas/Percy underwear
• "Matching" shirt & shorts
• Lately: Hawkeye shirts only
• Must match what Brother has on for shoes
• Sunglasses

Underwear has been one of the main issues lately, especially now that they are both wearing them. 

This morning while I was getting ready for work, Carver said, "Mommy, you have undies like me!" I said, "Yeah, I do!" He came back with, "You have big ones; I have little ones!!" (Thanks for pointing THAT out, pal!)

Strong bodies, strong minds!

This weekend we were all a little under the weather, and the kids insisted I sit with them on the couch the majority of Saturday and Sunday. Needless to say, we enjoyed our fair share of "PBS Kids", as Cooper calls it. As the kids were feeling better Sunday afternoon, they actually did get up during "commercials" to dance & exercise with the IPTV crew! (Boy, do I wish I had a video camera on the forehead sometimes!!)

Dan Wardell is always encouraging strong bodies & strong minds, teaching the kids about healthy food choices, healthy movements, and how to keep your mind strong. Cooper obviously listened a lot for two days, because ever since, every time I turn around, he's questioning whether or not something "gives you muscles" or is "good for you". Sunday night, he even asked if we had an broccoli he could try. We didn't, but I will be thanking Dan Wardell someday if Cooper actually tries it and likes it!

I made some biscuits Sunday and after they had eaten them, Cooper said, "Mom, do biscuits make you strong?" I didn't really want to go into details about the nutrition facts at the time, so I said answered a quick, "Yeah." Carver chimed in...."Jelly does!" (Apparently, the boy likes my homemade raspberry/rhubarb jelly!)

Sweet Corn!

Thanks John & MaryLee for the AWESOME sweet corn!

The Itsy Bitsy Spider

You know "The Song That Never Ends..."?! Carver has turned the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" into just that!

He sings:

"The Itsy Bitsy Spider went up the water spout! Down came the sun and dried up all the rain! And The Itsy Bitsy Spider climbed up the water spout! Down came the sun...."

He's missing a few lines, but he sings it loud and proud!

A NEW Brother

Cooper: Mommy, I want a NEW brother!
Me: Why?
Cooper: Because. I just don't like Carver. I want a NEW brother. One that's cool. And looks like me.
Me: Carver DOES look like you. And don't say that!
Cooper: Well, we can give him to someone else!
Me: We are NOT giving Carver to someone else!!
Cooper: Well, mom. Then I wanted ANOTHER brother.

We're going to "the farm"....

Saturday, we went to Hudson, to the Hansen Dairy Farm. They were having an open house to show off their new touring facility. What a neat family and farm! We weren't there long but we got tattoos, tasted some of their homemade goodies, and got a trolley ride around their farm. The boys would have preferred a much more "hands on" farm day, but that's what Gpa & Gma's house is for! We still had a good time!

The boys got to milk a (wooden) cow!

Cheeeeze! 

They wore their "chore boots" which was handy when it came to their pond!