Christmas 2008

T'was the night before Christmas.....

there was a chill in the air.

The kids were getting excited


While mom and dad prepared.

The letters were written,

the reindeer were fed.

Cookies were left,

then the kids went to bed.

After a BRIEF night of rest

they awoke to such joy!

Stockings, a note....

and some new Christmas toys!

Merry Christmas 2008!!!

Christmas Memories

Christmas is so wonderful....for so many reasons. I love that family always gathers together, even if it is a long drive or an expensive flight. Wonderful smells permeate the kitchen, lights drape the house and the tree glows in the living room. The radio blasts carols and the kids are excited almost every day of the month. It is GREAT! But what makes it even better is having children to share it with.

This year we will gather around the tree in my parent's cabin to celebrate Christmas 2008 together. The kids are old enough to "know" what is going on and the excitement on their faces is awesome.

I am looking forward to having my whole family (meaning Phil arrives today) together tomorrow while we make memories that will last a lifetime. Happy holidays to everyone. I hope everyone is surrounded by family and warmth this holiday season.

Itchy mole?

I have an itchy mole....nice right? I googled "itchy mole" like any internet geek would do and I found this:

Have you checked for YOUR moles today?

Snowman Soup

1. Add 3/4 cup hot water to hot chocolate packet

2. Add 2 kisses (Hershey's)

3. Stir with candy cane

4. Add snowman (made of large marshmallows) and snowballs (small marshmallows)

5. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!!!!

p.s. Krista, I thought you would enjoy this 5 ingredient recipe. ;)

Too cute for words!

School pictures 2008! Grandparents, aunts, etc. look forward to these in your mailbox soon!!!!!!! These are my favorites ones so far!!!!!

4 amazing years!

It was March 2004 and we found out we were pregnant! Phil and I were ecstatic. I had just returned from my friend Krista's crazy bachlorette party and knew I did not feel right. Our journey to parenthood began....what a wonderful ride.

In July we named you. We knew we wanted to use a family name and Cooper David fit perfectly. Every time I say your name I am happy!

4 years ago, at 12 am I woke up with pain. I was due on December 18th, so it was obviously probably labor. I waited for a few minutes and woke up Phil. After calling my friend Suzi (a labor and delivery nurse) we woke up my mom (who had come from GA for your birth). We piled in the car and headed to Memorial City Hospital in Houston, TX. After many hours of labor, pitocin and contractions, Dr. Patronella told me to push. 1 and a half hours of pushing later, we rushed into a c-section. Accompanied by Phil, my mom, my friend Suzi and several nurses and docs, I somehow managed to become "ok" with the situation. As my mom rubbed my forehead and your father cried....you were born! 3:45 pm on December 13th was the most magical moment of my life! I became a mother to an amazing sweet baby boy....my lifelong dream!

I brought you home and started playing dress-up. You were such a sweet baby....cooing, cuddling and sleeping all day. We used to say you would be a singer because of your sweet little voice. On Feb. 5th, 2005 I had to go back to work. I can remember the feeling in my tummy even now as I cried myself to my classroom! I finished the school year and never went back. Staying home with you was what I really wanted! You are my best friend and my favorite company.

What a sweet little mess you were. 100% boy mixed with 100% sugar! We hated to give you spaghettio's but LOVED the look of pure satisfaction that came across your face when you dove into them.

Your 1st birthday came while we were staying with our close friends, Bryan and Jennifer Reece. We were on our way to Jacksonville but lingering in Houston for a few weeks. Jennifer made a birthday dinner for you and we cut a small cake. 3 days after your 1st birthday, an ultrasound showed you would be a big brother to a sweet pink princess, Samantha Hart. One of each, how perfect!

People used to stop me every where I went to say how cute of a baby you were! Those dimples, curls and bright blue eyes.......beautiful!

Everyone talks about their babies climbing out of their cribs, not you! You LOVED sleeping...after 14 months that is. I may jinx myself now but I still call you my "napper".

I was scared to DEATH on your first day of school. You were excited but I knew it would be hard on us both. I cam to get you early the first few days....for my benefit! Ms. Barb was a wonderful teacher and loved you to pieces. Even though it was just one morning a week, I missed you!

I saw the GAP ad on TV and thought.....my kids can win that. LOL, that is where the picture below came from. Not sure who was judging but I think this should have won!

Christmas 2006 we went to the Bahamas with Dede, Papa and Ken. You had a blast on the golf carts, boats and rocks in the "hamas". What a great little traveler you have become!!!!

On New Year's 2007, you asked to go potty. I have to admit, you were the EASIEST person to potty-train ever. All my friends warned me against potty-training you right at two, but you proved us all wrong. I still love your tooshie in those CARS undies!

Time sure flies when you are having fun Cooper. You are my little man, my best friend and my pure joy. I know that you were a gift to me....one to keep me humble, keep me honest and keep me on my toes. You love every one and every thing you come across. My sweet son, you are truly one of a kind. The last 4 years have been a blessing....one I know will continue a lifetime. Thank you for being you: kind, inquisitive, musical, honest, loving and smart! I look forward to the next years of t-ball, kindergarten, girlfriends and more but look back on the last 4 fondly.......I don't know what we ever did without you. I love you Coopy. Happy 4th birthday my big man!

You are SO loved!

birthday wishes

This morning I checked my email to find a Hallmark ecard from my friend Krista. Not only was it HILARIOUS, it was so dead on perfect for me. I was laughing out loud at the fact that krista was thoughtful enough to search through a ton of cards and find just the right one....."monogrammed" and all.

Have a look:
http://www.hallmark.com/ECardWeb/ECV.jsp?a=EG2381782963472M277476166Y&product_id=

Thanks Krista!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh and how did you know my underwear is monogrammed???? Hehe.

poor baby!

Monday morning....Phil left at 5 am to drive to Orlando and report to work, I got the kids ready for school and we headed out to the driveway to meet Michelle for carpool. I was so proud of myself for getting it all done....and a few minutes early.


Samantha wanted to put her backpack on, so I helped. When I put it on her she leans forward a bit to remain upright. It is quite a sight to see honestly. We were talking about Santa and Sammy said, "Mama, want to see how fast Santa's sleigh goes?". Then she was off...........flying straight into the CONCRETE!

I heard a loud BOOM and an immediate cry from my princess. I picked her up and we rushed inside. I grabbed a water bottle from the garage refridge on the way to act as ice. We iced her head and decided she should spend the morning with Mommy and not at school.

After loading Cooper into Michelle's car, resting a bit, medicating Samantha and so on, she wanted to go on an "adventure". We were in the car and I called my mom to tell her what her sweet grandbaby had done. I was rehashing the story and got to the "we iced it" part. From the backseat I heard Samantha say "No mama, a water on it!". At least she did not lose any of her personality in the fall.

Poor baby is asleep now. She has had quite a day and looks AWFUL! I am sure you can imagine the "oh what a horrible mother" stares I got in Target today. Needless to say, we spend the majority of the day at home.

Birthday Party!

Cooper has been asking for a "fishing party" since the pirate left the backyard last year. (We had a pirate party last December.) We tried to think of a way to take the kids fishing but since it was cold, the middle of the holiday craziness and there are no good fishing spots close....we opted for backyard fun.

So, Cooper and I started to plan his 4th birthday party. Our orignal plan was to host a few families at the Jacksonville Pier and fish our hearts out. Then life got the best of us in November and it was all I could do to even throw a backyard bash together!

To honor Cooper's dream of a fish theme, I got fish invitations, fishing pole favors and a fish pinata. We painted fish and ate goldfish (with pizza). However, Cooper REALLY wanted a Santa cake, go figure. (Shelly, I know you will be disappointed in that...hehe.)

Overall, we had a blast! Some of the kids were unable to make it due to the busy holiday season, the fact that I made this a "drop-off" party and illness. Phil was a HUGE help and we were cleaned up within an hour afterwards. I would have to say that this fish party was a SUCCESS!

T-Ball

Oh goodness, I just signed Cooper up for Spring T-Ball. When did my little boy grow up????? I am excited for this adventure but kindof sad that this means the beginning of organized sports, after school activities, a social life without mom.....ahhhhhhhhh!

OK, I better go pop Samantha's paci into her mouth and rock her for a bit to keep that one a baby for a bit longer at least! LOL.

Fun Tag!

Tammy tagged me. This time it is very fun!!!!! Here are the directions:

1. choose the 4th picture folder on my computer.

2. choose the 4th picture.

3. explain the picture.

4. tag at least 4 people to do the same.

Awwww, this was the 1st time Cooper slept in a big bed. He was 2 years and 2 months old: Feb. 2007. He always sleeps (still) with that Elmo and those two blue blankets (night nights).

I tag:

Jennifer

Lindsey

Mel

Courtney

Chapter Book

Aunt Sarah gave my dino-obsessed son a chapter book over Thanksgiving break. We came home and read a million books together on the couch last night. I asked Cooper to go get his new dinosaur chapter book and he was THRILLED! Not having a clue what "chapter book" means, I taught him about the fact that some books are longer than others and therefore are broken into easy to read chapters.

We decided we would read a chapter a night. The second page of this adorable book has a map displaying where Dinosaur Cove is in comparison to the village the characters live in. We studied the map for 10 minutes as Cooper asked me a TON of questions. We read TWO chapters because it was making Cooper so happy. Before bed we called Phil and Cooper told him all about his new book and the map. He tried to describe the map to Phil on the phone. It was adorable.

Later when I was tucking Cooper in he asked for another chapter. The first thing he said when he woke up this morning was "I wonder what is happening in Dinosaur Cove?". So, Aunt Sarah....thank you for the great book, supporting Cooper's love for reading and teaching us that kids are never too young for chapters!

Before school this morning Cooper added "chapter books" to his Santa list. What a sweet boy!