"My best day ever!"

Whew, Halloween is over! I woke up this morning, got everyone ready and headed to Cooper's school to help with his pumpkin party. That was fun AND insane. We came home for naptime and then got ready for our trick-or-treat adventure. OK all I have to say is I am going to LOVE being a mom to a cheerleader....so cross your fingers she WANTS to cheer.

We started at Sybil and Mark's house....like we have the past 2 years. After some yummy food and pictures, the kids were antsy and we headed out. Cooper and Samantha trick-or-treated for almost one whole mile! I was so impressed at how well they did tonight. Cooper said today was "my best day ever!". Everyone ohhhhhed and ahhhhhed at our adorable cheerleader and football player. There were times when Samantha was a bit afraid but Phil was great about going to the doors with her. One house scared the poop out of Cooper and in turn gave him a TON of candy! Overall, it was a wonderful family evening. It is times like these that I know how lucky I am. The sheer joy on our kids faces this evening, their laughs and excitement makes it ALL worth it.
Check out this loot!

Cooper's Bed

Mom: "Cooper, I think you need a new comforter for your bed."

Cooper: "Why mom? But I like my sailboat one!!!!"

Mom: "Sweetie, you have had that for 3 years now and it is kindof yucky. Would you like to pick something out?" I handed him the Pottery Barn Kids and Company Kids catalogs CERTAIN he would choose something with fish or boats on it. After all, those are his favorite things.

Cooper: "I like THIS one mama!!!!"

Mom: "Wow, those are kind of scary Cooper. What about this?"

Cooper: "Nope, I think I will take the pirate one."

Mom: "Really? What if I call and they do not have the pirate one in stock. Do you like any of these?"

Cooper: "Nope, I think I will take the pirate one. Or maybe a new pirate one."

So looks like we may have to settle on this one. I just CANNOT have skulls all over my little boy's bed. Boys......

Little Witches

That picture ould not be THAT hard to replicate????? Right?????? That is what Samantha and I thought when we headed to Winn Dixie today to buy the supplies for our Halloween treat adventure. Cooper/Phil and I are all sick so no one went to school today.

In the process.......

Well, we tried!

Boston

I had a wonderful weekend with Kelley in Boston. We got a TON accomplished and the wedding is going to be amazing. It was great to relax, enjoy being with Kell and read a GREAT book (The Pact). The only downside of the weekend was coming home with Strep!

The picture above is where the wedding will be held in July. It was amazingly beautiful!!!

recall

Check this out!!!! Pass around to everyone you know with children!! With Halloween rapidly approaching, I wanted to make sure everyone has heard about the dangers in Sherwood brand Pirate's Gold milk chocolate coins imported from China . The candy is being recalled after testing positive for the industrial chemical melamine, a substance at the center of the tainted milk controversy in China that has been implicated in the deaths of four infants and the sickening of 54,000 others. These coins are being sold at Costco, Target, CVS, and other places. Please check all of the candy your children receive this Halloween.
Stay safe. http://www.snopes.com/food/warnings/coins.asp

3 wishes....

If you had 3 wishes, what would they be?

Here are mine:

1. Sleep in
2. To have a healthy family FOREVER
3. To live down the street from my family and friends (esp. mom/dad and Kelley

Here are Cooper's:

1. For Santa to bring him the remote control dinosaur he has always wanted (aka, the large one on display at Target)
2. For mom to take "crabby" to the doctor. (His hermit crab died, sort of from 3 year old maltreatment, and he wants me to take him to the doc and fix him. LOL)
3. To stay at school for an extra hour so he can watch a movie with his friends. (meaning he wants to be enrolled in extended day!)

What are yours????

Pumpkin Patch Fun

WOW, my babies have grown. I took a picture of them today and when I uploaded it, I realized how big they have gotten. I have so much to look forward to and so many memories to reflect back on but it is still hard to know your babies are turning into kids. Therefore, I thought I would share some of my favorite pumpkin pictures with you....

2005

(Cooper 10 months old)

2006

(Cooper 22 months, Samantha 5 months)

2007

(Cooper almost 3, Samantha 17 months)

2008

(Cooper almost 4, Samantha almost 2 1/2)

Tagged....

Well, my friend Bel tagged me so here I go- 7 things about me that are quirky, weird, something you didn't know, etc.

1. I lived in Hong Kong when I was little. My dad worked in international business with Digital and we moved from MA to Hong Kong. I was little and we came back to the states when I was half way through 1st grade. In Hong Kong we had an amma (no clue how to spell that but it is a Filipino live in helper and most people had them) named Heisusa (also no clue how to spell that). We were hit by a Typhoon one year, I got the chicken pox, went to a British school and so much more. Great memories.

2. I do not grow hair in my armpits. Weird, I know but GREAT!

3. I kissed Phil the first time I met him! We were at a bar in college, met and talked for a few hours. I left to go home, got in the car (not driving) and before pulling away told JR to stop. I ran inside, grabbed Phil (in front of several of his friends), gave him a BIG kiss and walked away. I did not say anything. This was NOT like me but I am sure glad I did. ;)

4. I have what Phil calls a "pillow fort" when I am in bed. Two under my head and one on each side of me. It started when I was pregnant and not sure why but I love it. I kinda freak out now in hotels b/c they NEVER provide enough pillows.

5. I am obsessed with the smell of Samantha's head. I find myself smelling it a few times a day. I cannot explain this one, it is just WEIRD!

6. My two favorite foods are queso and banana/strawberry smoothies. Yes, I could live on those two things alone. Healthy, huh?

7. I move the furniture in my house at least once a month. There is not ONE room in here that is the same as when we bought it almost 3 years ago. My friend Sybil laughs every time she comes over and asks "What is new?". I used to do this in my classroom as well. My Kindergartners thought I was NUTS!

OK, so that is all folks. ;) Hope I kept you entertained.

I am tagging:
1. Krista (we became friends because she dated, later married, Phil's best friend Dennis. We miss them so much!!!!) because I know her list will CRACK me up!!!!!

2. Lindsey (my high school best friend's sister....she just became a mom to sweet Ashlyn) because maybe this will let her think about something other than mommy-hood for 5 minutes.

3. Jennifer (my best friend from Texas) because she has the best stories!

4. Mel (we met online and became close friends) because Bel tagged her and I figure if both of us do then maybe she will do it!!!!

5. Marianna (my teacher friend from Texas) because she is an awesome blogger and inspired me to become one too.

DUH....

I have written about 15 blog drafts and deleted them all. I am having bloggers-block. LOL. Really I think I have a million things on my mind and no clue how to put them into a cute little story. SO....here is some of those wonderful thoughts for your enjoyment.



I miss Phil. (He is in Cleveland at his uncle's funeral.) The past two weeks we have gotten really close. I know you are always supposed to be close with your husband but sometimes life gets crazy (aka, you have kids and stop taking enough time for EACH OTHER). Anyway, we have spent lots of great time together and I feel more in love than ever. So, I miss him!



Raga, my neice-dog is sick. Her spleen ruptured yesterday and she was rushed into emergency surgery. She should be fine but I have her (and my brother) on my mind. I wish I could give her a kiss.



Cooper and Samantha are so dang CUTE it is sick! I know, I know....every mom LOVES their kids. I just love mine more. LOL.

Cooper Story: Tonight after bathtime Cooper stayed in the tub for a bit. I got Samantha dressed and ready for bed and went to check on him. He was standing in the back corner of the tub on his tippy-toes trying not to take up any space. He told me he was watching his "be-vention" (his name for invention). He said his "be-vention" was magical because the bubbles were slowly going down the drain and he was figuring out why. I think he may be a scientist like my big bro!

Sammy Story: Today a random lady asked the kids what they were going to be for Halloween. Cooper answered "a football player". She turned to Samantha and asked her and she looked at her very funny. Then she smiled and said "a princess football player". I guess that is her way of saying "cheerleader"!



I had a friend, whom I had not spoken to in about a year, call yesterday out of the blue. It was very special. Life is good.



So folks, that is what was on my mind. Hope you enjoyed.....

Such a simple skill....

Who would have known the amount of effort that goes into teaching someone to use the bathroom ON the potty. I mean, as a teenager I never even thought twice abut going to the bathroom, it was just one of those skills I had mastered. As an adult, using the bathroom was just another part of the day. THEN you become pregnant and have to use the bathroom seven million times a day.....maybe that is God's way of preparing you for what is ahead- millions of diapers and eventually potty-training (basically an obsession with pee and poo).

Cooper wanted to be potty-trained the MINUTE he turned two. About 2 weeks, a few accidents, lots of chocolate and a few dollar store prizes later, he was successfully potty-trained. At this point Samantha was 6 months old. So as you can imagine, 10 short months later when Samantha showed interest, I told her we would just wait. What kind of mom does that????? I was just not in the mood to do it all over again. Samantha has been half-way potty trained for about a year now. But the time has come when she is ready, willing and I am finally sick of the $38 every few weeks for diapers.

For anyone who does not know, this is what potty-training is like:

7:00 am take off diaper from bedtime
7:15 sit on the potty
7:30 eat breakfast
7:45 sit on the potty
8:00 play
8:15 sit on the potty
8:30 play
8:45 sit on the potty
9:00 play
9:15 sit on the potty

(toss in a few loads of laundry due to accidents and a few rounds of the steam cleaner.....)

So do get the point???????? Anyone wondering where I am this week can be confident that I am most likely in the bathroom with my naked 2 year old singing the potty song and doing the potty dance while handing out chocolate and dollar store prizes. Wish us luck!

Impressions....

Isn't it amazing how people can change your life? You meet some people and never talk about or hear from them again. Then you meet others that will forever become a part of your life....happy memories.

I am thankful for those people, the ones that have left "footprints on my soul". I see it with my children as well. People have come and gone in our lives and it is amazing the ones that leave impressions on my kids. I find it interesting that Cooper and Samantha talk about certain people over and over and over again....sometimes many months later. I guess THOSE are the ones who left footprints on their souls.

For instance, our friends Jennifer, Bryan and Jackson. I was so weird to read Jennifer's blog today http://www.jenniferreece.blogspot.com/ because I was just thinking about this very thing. Ever since Destin, Cooper and Samantha have talked about their "new friends". Samantha asks for Jackson to come over and Cooper tells everyone about how Jackson's "big dad" plays the guitar. (It really goes like this "Jackson's big dad plays guitar, just like me!".) Cooper and Samantha BOTH have asked if we can see the Reece family soon, like this weekend, and it saddened me to have to tell them that they live in Texas and it is far away.

Then there is Chase. Chase was Cooper's first "best friend". Chase has been gone for nearly a year now and Cooper STILL to this day cries at times and says "I miss Chase.". Who knew that a boy of barely 3 (at the time Chase moved) could be so saddened by his best buddy leaving! I think he will always remember Chase.

Cooper and Samantha also bonded with my cousin Nik this summer. Cooper calls Nik his "big friend from the beach". Sometimes out of the blue he will ask me if his "big friend" will be there. I always know he is talking about Nik. Once again, after a week with 20 reletives of mine, ONE stands out in his memory.

I guess you never know the impression you will make on others. You could become a sweet and happy memory in the life of a someone and not even know it. We need to walk softly, act kindly and always know that our actions do affect others. There are so many wonderful people in our lives, and I thank God every day for those that have touched the hearts of our children.

Oh GREAT!

Cooper, my sweet baby boy (LOL), is in LOVE! He came home from pre-school today with the news that he has a girlfriend. Her name is Lauren and he is so excited about this new relationship that he put his hands high above his head and said "YES!".

Of course I asked all the important mom questions:

Did you ask her to be YOUR girlfriend or was this HER idea? (I want to know who is chasing who here.....)

Do you play together? Sit together? (The answer to all of these was "No" so I am not sure if he is reciprocating the relationship at this point.)

Does Lauren have any OTHER boyfriends? (He did not have answer for this one.)

So, that is all the news I have at this time folks. I will be seeing Lauren's mom on Friday and will be sure to find out more info. You know the girls ALWAYS talk more.....

New Beginnings....

It's only the beginning now...

a pathway yet unknown.

At times the sound of other steps...

sometimes we walk alone.

The best beginnings of our lives

May sometimes end in sorrow.

But even on our darkest days

The sun will shine tomorrow.

So we must do our very best

Whatever life may bring

And look beyond the winter chill

To smell the breath of spring.

Into each life will always come

A time to start anew.

A new beginning for each heart

As fresh as morning dew.

Although the cares of life are great

And hands are bowed so low

The storms of life will leave behind

The wonder of a rainbow.

The years will never take away

Our chance to start anew

It's only the beginning now

So dreams can still come true.

Our family has embarked on a new adventure. Phil has left Apex after 8.5 wonderful years to look for a new career. We are excited about the future, energized by new possibilities and look forward to what is ahead. Together we know that something wonderful is around the corner. While we look for this "new" possibility, we ask that you keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.

Phil's email with Apex shut down as of today. Please email him at psurgala@gmail.com so he has your contact information.

AND....if you would like his resume (hint, hint) please shoot us an email and we will HAPPILY pass it along for you to share.

Cooper says.....

Lately Cooper has said some great things! I have been meaning to share them......

Cooper has been tracking when I read (pointing to the words), asking me to read things to him and showing LOTS of signs that he is ready to start working on this skill. Of course I am about to bust out of my britches since that is what my Master's degree is in!!!!!! We were sitting waiting on dinner the other night (at a restaurant) and I wrote the word "Tap" on a piece of paper. I showed Cooper how we could sound it out. Then we went on to "sap", "map" and "zap". Then I wrote "cap".

"C......aaaaaaa........puh...........I got it Mama! CRAP!!!!!"

Super!

At school Cooper made the above sign. He was riding home in the car today with it and was spelling his name for me. He writes his name all lowercase with a capital E. It was just easier to teach him that way and I knew we could fix it later on.

"C.....O.....O.......P.......wait a second! Did someone put a "g" in my name?????"

"No Cooper, that is a lowercase e. You usually write your name with a capital E."

"OK mama, I was wonderin'."

Cooper and Samantha know that the first thing they do at a restaurant is hand Phil or I their knife. We started this long ago and it works. That way no one gets hurt! ;) Last week on vacation Cooper unrolled his silverware (use that term loosely since it was plastic) and handed me the knife.

"Thank you Cooper. You know what, I think you are actually big enough to have your own knife now."

The look on his face was like I had just told him I had bought us a new house in the Magic Kingdom!

"REALLY MAMA????? YIPPEE. Well then take my picture with my knife! I am SO happy."

Should we be scared that our son is so happy to finally have a knife?????

I got my hair cut. That has nothing to do with Cooper but I knew everyone would be interested. I did bangs....or "fringe" as Ken called is from Australia. I AM almost 31 and needed a new do. I took the picture myself so cut me some slack.....

I just edited this post to say:

Cooper just looked at this picture and said "Hey Mama, awwwwww, that was when all of your tooths were in your mouth!" OMG, I think I may have warped my son when my tooth broke off.