Coop Turns Three

I had plans on putting together this post on Coopy's birthday but it seems as though we do not have the capability of NOT sharing at our house. I've spent the last three days hovering over the toilet and my bed. We're about half way through the family so I figure that by next week we will be ready for another bug...and it better not be the swine flu bug.

We were all healthy (or at least we thought we were) while celebrating Coop's big day. Coop started it out by a stroller date with dad to pick out donuts. Then he made a trip to Home Depot for some supplies that daddy needed and then got to stop by Toys R' Us to pick out his $3 toy from our good friend Geoffrey (the giraffe). He picked out two motorcycles with guys on them. He was in heaven! The rest of the day was spent at the park, working in the yard, and having a yummy dinner and presents.

Sweet baby Coopy ...and what a big boy he is three years later. Pretty exciting present, huh. Coop actually has great manners so this game ought to be a breeze for him. Off to the park for a picnic lunch. Alysee, Nate, and Coop loved feeding the ducks. Alysee and Chloe relaxing in the warm sun. Coop requested pizza and green jello for dinner. It was a pretty tasty homemade pizza if I don't say so myself. We LOVE Coopy!!

I put together a little video to capture a bit of Coop's cuteness. Before watching I must warn you that it is on a tad bit on the long side. Also, though it does not appear so on the video, Cooper does have the ability to not twitch, wiggle, touch his face constantly, and he does in fact look at people in their eyes. I think he might have had a touch of video stage fright.

(side note: Just in case you are wondering after watching this Cooper is not part of the "Blue Man Group"...it appears that the borrowed camera we were using was having a bit of a blue issue, oh well.)

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Take me out to the ballgame...again

Yep, we are inundated with baseball right now. And to top that off we are proud new owners of a new camera, something that we have been drooling over and saving for a looooong time now. The new camera took its first trip tonight to the boys baseball game and boy did it have fun (so did its master Birch).

Toothless Tyler -- last week he lost his first front tooth and topped it off tonight with pulling out its neighbor.
Tyler ready for action in left field.
Tyler had some awesome swings during the fifth inning. That boy's got power!
Nate and Coop enjoying the warm evening.
#1 Fan! Chloe spent the whole evening cheering on her brothers, eating peanuts and sticky licorice covered in grass, and crawling after a big doggy.
Alex rounding third base. He was thrilled to make it home.
Alex's favorite spot on the field.
We're not sure where Alex got his good pitching arm but he is sought after on the mound.
Alex playing first base.

And a couple...just because.

Sweet Chloe
I can't believe she's almost one.

It never slows down

...and I'm not complaining about that either. I'm so grateful for good health and blessings that allow us to stay as busy as ever.

Our days recently have been filled with...

Alysee learning to ride a two-wheeler all by herself. (Note that her helmet is on backwards).

Nate didn't want to miss out on the action so he took off like a champ and in no time was racing Alysee and the older boys around the yard on his two-wheeler.

Alex and Tyler are thick into Little League baseball season right now. An average of three to four evenings and Saturdays are filled with practice and ball games. I've really come to value a good stock of treats and peanuts to keep the younger kids entertained for some VERY long ball games.

The boys are playing on the same team this year.

Alex rotates between being pitcher, first baseman, and third baseman. His favorite position is definitely being the pitcher. As a lefty pitcher he is really valued and has a great record of throwing strikes. He dreams of pitching professionally someday.
You should see Tyler swing! Due to his small size his strike area is so small that he often gets to walk to first base. He made it all the way home at last week's game and seemed to enjoy his glory moment. He normally plays center field or left field but he would love to have a try at pitching too.

Chloe, not wanting to be left out on the fun, broke through her top two big girl teeth. We have been super blessed that our kids haven't really been affected too much by teething. This girl has mastered going up the stairs but still seems to think that face first is the way to go down them. She has only fallen down them once and that was a couple of months ago so I guess we have gotten faster at stopping her before she plummets down face first. Hopefully this month she can conquer going down the stairs feet first.
Cooper is just about the happiest chatterbox ever. He LOVES spending time with his daddy and has become quite taken with digging dirt in the garden. We're working on teaching him what's a weed and what's plant.

This past Sunday Coopy was sitting on my lap and asked me for another piece of gum. I asked him where his piece of gum was that he was just chewing and he couldn't quite remember what happened to it. I asked him if he swallowed it and he said, "no." I didn't believe him UNTIL after church I was standing in the hall talking to a friend when it was pointed out to me that there was some spit-up on my skirt. Um, nope, it wasn't spit up...turned out to be Coopy's smooshed gum. Really appreciated that!
I'm sure you have all been waiting for an update on our dear new pet Oreo. Oreo is still alive and well and seems to enjoy his corner of the yard. The kids don't run to play with it quite as quickly as they did the first couple of weeks but I wouldn't call Oreo neglected either. Do I dare say that I'm enjoying having a living compost eater? It's nice to have all the apple cores, ends of the lettuce stock, and cucumber peels go to a good home. The kids the other day challenged me to touch the rabbit but I held out strong.
Mostly the kids enjoy playing hide n' go seek with Oreo. From the house, to me this looks more like "Where's Oreo?" but the kids seem to think he is just hiding in the tall evergreen trees to make the game even more exciting. The above picture is our bunny circle. This keeps Oreo somewhat trapped but also allows him some outside freedom.

Nate is great at showing his friends Oreo and feeding it when I ask him to. Chloe gets quite excited and giggly when she sees Oreo. What's better in life than a good kiss from your brother while being entertained by a hopping cookie?

Yes, we are truly blessed. I'll sign off with a mother's day picture Nate drew of me at preschool and a bit more trivia about me from Nate's perspective.

Mom's favorite food is... "stromboli."
Mom's favorite color is..."pink."
Mom's favorite thing to do by herself or with her friends is..."talk."
My favorite thing to do with my mom is..."read books."

The Epitome of Life

It just occurred to me today how often I say the phrase "when you are a mom or dad" to answer my child as to the time frame of when they can do or have something.

Let me give you a few examples:

QUESTION:

• "When can I have a dog?"
  
• "When can you not cut my hair so I can have it long?"
  
• "When can I stay up later?"
• "When can I have more money?"
• "When can I drink a whole pop can?"
• "When can I chew gum whenever I want?"
• "When can I have an Ipod?"
• "When can I have an Iphone?"
• "When can I have a cell phone?"
• "When can I dye my hair?"
  
• "When can I have an Ipod Shuffle?"
• "When can I have a hamster?"
• "When can I buy a motorcycle?"
• "When can I have my own computer?"
• "When can I have unlimited access to the internet?"

As you can see the list is long and deals much with desired purchases. This is a constant struggle for Birch and I to teach our kids how blessed they are but also to provide for them without making it seem like they get anything they ask for. Do you know what I mean? I want them to have the experience of going out to dinner or go to a sport camp or buy a new pair of shoes...but at the same time I don't want them to expect it or to not be grateful when they do get to do those type of things.

Anyway, my sister pointed out the other day that my kids are going to think that parenthood is such a sweet deal that they will all marry right out of high school just so they can get themselves a hamster and dye their hair pink.

Being a parent is hard.

My girls and me

Ami just sent Alysee some pink soft curlers. -- I used to always sleep in pink curlers. I remember most every Christmas Eve going to bed with pink curlers so I would wake up as the beauty queen of the house and look lovely for all those Christmas morning pictures. Alysee didn't love sleeping in them...but don't worry I told her when she is a mommy she doesn't have to.

Just can't get enough of...

S C O U T I N G !

Yes, another scouting entry. Yesterday the boys made some really cool American flags that passed of a requirement for their religious knot. I thought I would share the idea because it really was an easy project and they turned out really cute. This was another double wammy project as it will also end up being a Mother's Day gift.

All you need is:

-10 painters stir sticks
-red, blue, white paint
-sponge brush
-a star
-stain
-wood glue
-wire or jute
-sand paper
-access to a drill

First I glued all the painters stir sticks to the diagonal stick and broke (actually Birch sawed two shorter) sticks to the seven front stir sticks. Then the boys painted the strips and the blue section. The trick for this was only having one color of paint out at a time and then having the boys wash their sponge brushes in between colors so they weren't tempted to go crazy with the paint. The tape really helped keep the blue area crisp. Then we glued the star on. After they finished painting they sanded the flag real quick and then stained it. Then I tied the jute and/or wire through the holes that my awesome husband had drilled. I couldn't decide which way I wanted them to hang so Birch did half and half.

Wham Bam...one hour later just like that a super cheap craft (especially if you wear your scout shirt to the paint store and get all 66 needed stir sticks donated). The boys did a great job! Nate made one this afternoon with an extra kit I had and loved putting it together. GO USA!!

Go Towards The Light

This last week's pack meeting was extra special for Tyler and Alex. Tyler was awarded his wolf badge plus one gold arrow point and two silver arrow points. He also loaded on several belt loops. Way to go TJ!

Tyler pining on the Mother's Pin for the Wolf award. (side note: I don't own a belt so I didn't tuck in my shirt...I'm not pregnant...and I did go in and get my hair done the following day)

Alex earned the highest honor award possible for cub scout's -- the Arrow of Light. This is earned after you have completed many different things required for the Webelos award (which he got several months ago) plus other stuff.

Alex receiving his arrow of light pin. Way to go Alex!

Alex showing off his awards. The Scoutmaster did a really nice ceremony and painted up Alex and the two other boys with Indian paint to remind them of different qualities they show develop as scouters.

Since becoming involved in the scouting program a few years ago I have really gained an appreciation for the things that scouting teachings young boys. I've enjoyed being both Alex and Tyler's leader and have loved watching them develop new skills.

Stand By Me

This is a video of street singers from around the world being recorded, overlayed and mixed with one another while singing the song "Stand By Me." After seeing this link on a friends blog I knew I had to share it. Not only do I love this song but I couldn't stop thinking about my little brother Luke who is serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Paris, France. Luke is one original kid and very talented. He is a lover of people, music, and originality. So this one's for you Lukey!!

Missin' you Luke!



Playing For Change | Song Around The World "Stand By Me" from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.