Cooper READING!!!!!

One time I blogged about Samantha's first ponytail and how that completely excited me as a mother. Today's post is of a similar nature, Cooper is learning to read! I could not be more excited or proud of my sweet 4 year old boy!!!! We made this video from my phone for Cooper's uncle Ken (who will be equally excited and proud) so it is not perfect quality but will show this fabulous skill Cooper is grasping!!!!

Photogenic.....I think so!

I was going to go get professional pictures taken because I have not done that in a LONG time. Then I took the kids outside, took a few of my own and realized that when you have two extreamly photogenic beauties, why spend the money on the professional photographer? Backyard snapshots seem to do the trick!

Oh and for those who are wondering how I get them to dress up and pose, I took a bag of m n m's outside and everytime they did something I asked (change, pose, etc.) they got one. Voila, it worked! Now if I could only get Phil to respond to the same treat for family pictures we would be in business!!!!

Something smells fishy....

Ever since our arrival in Atlanta, we have wanted to visit the Georgia Aquarium. Since we promised the kids a trip to the zoo, but woke up to rain, yesterday we spend the morning with fish, sharks and sting rays.

I was impressed with the aquarium and it's ability to keep my young children entertained for 3 hours. Cooper's favorite part was the whale shark and Samantha loved the touch pools.

The museum had volunteers everywhere ready to explain things to the kids or do a quick art project. Cooper learned all about shark's teeth and Samantha made 4 fish rubbings with crayons.

And.....of course princess Samantha wore her whale dress and brough baby "Sally" along in her matching attire. What a GREAT adventure we had!

What a WONDERFUL week!

Last week Cooper and Samantha started a new preschool in Georgia!  Although we talked quite a bit about how we would miss Precious Promises, Miss Barb, Miss Hartman, etc. we were excited to see what Kidz Tyme Academy had in store.  

Cooper is in Ms. Cheri's class and seems to really like it.  Her classroom is huge, exciting and full of learning opportunities.  Cooper has adjusted well even though he is the only boy in the class, thus far!

Samantha is taking longer to adjust but I do not think it is all her fault.  She started the first day in Ms. Barbara's class with the older 3's (even though she is a young 3 she acts more like an older 3! ha).  She LOVED it.  The second day we went to school to find out they had cancelled Ms. Barbara's class due to low numbers and Samantha was moved to Ms. Tasha's class (younger 3's).  Since then Samantha has not felt so comfortable at school and we are easing into the idea slowly....one hour at a time.

To celebrate a good week of school, Phil and I took the kids to the cabin for the weekend.  We played putt-putt at Huck's, went bowling at Fannin Lanes and even went tubing on the Toccoa River!  Aside from Cooper and I flipping our tube upon hitting a large fallen tree, it was a BLAST!  Cooper is still talking about the van that drove us to the drop off spot of the river "the windshield was all crashed and the seats were broken!".  Phil and I talked a lot about how fun it is now that the kids are old enough to enjoy some really cool adventures.  As much as we MISS those sweet baby years, each day does truly get better and better!

Q and A with C and S

A few weeks ago my friend posted some questions and answers with her 3 year old. I thought that was cute and thought I would think of a few for my rugrats.

Interview with Samantha: 3 yrs 2 months

What is your name: Samantha "I don't know that name" Surgala

What is your favorite color: PINK

What is your favorite thing to do: Paint

What is your favorite toy to play with: My baby doll

What do you want to be when you grow up? Hmmmmmmmm, a Cooper!

Which is your favorite princess: Aurora, cause her got pink dress.

What is your favorite food: Meatballs and sa-getti

Who is your best friend: Cooper

What do you want to do today: Ummmmmmm, go to Walmart. (ha!)

How do you spell your name: I don't know how. Can you ask Cooper?

Interview with Cooper: 4 years 7 months

What is your name: Cooper David Surgala

What is your favorite color: blue

What is your favorite thing to do: Disney World

What is your favorite toy to play with: my bike

What do you want to be when you grow up: an Army man, the good guy

What is your favorite food: spaghetti

Who is your best friend: Sammy

What do you want to do today: Ummmm, I don't know. Play bingo.

How do you spell your name: C-O-O-P-E-R, Cooper