Aren't these pics fun? Luke took the kids on a run and they found these amazing trees!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Cooper is SIX!
Dear Cooper,
Today, you are six. I'm not sure why six seems so much older than five. Probably because it is. One friend said to me today that we have 12 years until college starts. I know you'll want to go to ACU (since we were just there this weekend for our 10 year reunion) so that fact is exciting and completely terrifying. You can't be old enough for us to really think about that! But, if the next six years goes by as fast as these have, we need to gear up.
You are so stinkin' smart, Cooper. I have countless stories to prove this. Not too long ago, we were talking to you about kindergarten. Later, after that conversation, you came up to your daddy and said, "Dad. Can I tell you something? The things we learn in kindergarten? I already know all of that stuff already. Are we going to learn something new?" At first, this freaked us out. Are you in the right school? Is it going to get more challenging? But then we remembered, it's kindergarten. You're learning how to get along with other kids, and everybody loves you at school. You're learning about society and how it functions. Academics will definitely get more challenging as you go, so we're not worried. You love school and your teacher, and that's all that matters right now. This week, we'll work on the state capitols at home, so there.
You're well over half my size now at nearly four feet tall. Long and lean, you are all boy. You love your bike (which dad hopes you'll go on long rides with him someday when you're older) and your new scooter. You're great at swimming, and really fast, too. Too bad the pool is always closed by your birthday!
Cooper, I love you so much. I know we get frustrated with each other a lot, and it's because we are so alike. You're too smart for your own good, and I know sometimes I need to let go of you to do things you know how to do way beyond your time. You have the ability to see right through people (like me), and think ten steps ahead (like your dad). You're brave, intense, courageous, likeable, fun, and independent. I can't imagine a world without you.
I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. Mostly because I just read up on it. Who knew what you would be come six years later? I'm so excited for what God has in store for you in the next year.
Love,
Mom
Today, you are six. I'm not sure why six seems so much older than five. Probably because it is. One friend said to me today that we have 12 years until college starts. I know you'll want to go to ACU (since we were just there this weekend for our 10 year reunion) so that fact is exciting and completely terrifying. You can't be old enough for us to really think about that! But, if the next six years goes by as fast as these have, we need to gear up.
You are so stinkin' smart, Cooper. I have countless stories to prove this. Not too long ago, we were talking to you about kindergarten. Later, after that conversation, you came up to your daddy and said, "Dad. Can I tell you something? The things we learn in kindergarten? I already know all of that stuff already. Are we going to learn something new?" At first, this freaked us out. Are you in the right school? Is it going to get more challenging? But then we remembered, it's kindergarten. You're learning how to get along with other kids, and everybody loves you at school. You're learning about society and how it functions. Academics will definitely get more challenging as you go, so we're not worried. You love school and your teacher, and that's all that matters right now. This week, we'll work on the state capitols at home, so there.
You're well over half my size now at nearly four feet tall. Long and lean, you are all boy. You love your bike (which dad hopes you'll go on long rides with him someday when you're older) and your new scooter. You're great at swimming, and really fast, too. Too bad the pool is always closed by your birthday!
Cooper, I love you so much. I know we get frustrated with each other a lot, and it's because we are so alike. You're too smart for your own good, and I know sometimes I need to let go of you to do things you know how to do way beyond your time. You have the ability to see right through people (like me), and think ten steps ahead (like your dad). You're brave, intense, courageous, likeable, fun, and independent. I can't imagine a world without you.
I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. Mostly because I just read up on it. Who knew what you would be come six years later? I'm so excited for what God has in store for you in the next year.
Love,
Mom
Friday, September 16, 2011
Haircut, birthday, new school year.
Juliet got her first haircut on August 3. She did a great job, mostly due to the sucker(s) and Cooper getting his own haircut behind her. My babes look presh. As I write this in mid September, they both need another trim. Get with it, MOM!
We had a fun visit to the National Cowgirl Museum with Nonnie, Aunt Rachel and Haley. That place it really neat - I recommend it for all ages. Some interesting history lessons there. Later that week the kids and I visited Memaw and Pepaw, who live east of Dallas. It was fun seeing them and just hanging out. What a blessing they are to us and to their family, friends and community, and how awesome it is that my kids get to hang out with their great grands!
Juliet turned TWO on August 21, and we threw her a fabulous party on August 20. Almost ALL of her family and friends descended upon our house to celebrate with hot dogs, watermelon, swimming, and of course, CAKE. I made the cake again for her this year, which was all Sesame Street. She's still talking about it, so I think it was worth the hassle. She had a great time and got some wonderful gifts - a wooden, red kitchen from us, books, stuffed animals, clothes, and kitchen accessories. What a great thing to be able to surround her with all of her family living so close!
Cooper started school the day after Juliet's birthday, and is loving Kindergarten. We had the day off today, and he was sad because he wasn't going to school. Ha. He slept until 8:00, so I wasn't sad. We all needed a day. Juliet started September 7, and has only just now begun to like it. Some crying fits here and there, and potty training gone a muck, but we're dealing with it. This schedule is MUCH easier on Mom and her work with Photo Card Cafe'. Buy some Halloween and Christmas cards, people.
That's all for now. We went to the zoo today and had a blast. The cooler weather is starting to help with our attitudes because we get to go outside without our faces melting off. Thanks, Big Man Upstairs!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Juliet is TWO!
Jules,
I'm mainly writing because I want you to know that even though I may not be on top of many other things in your life, but I am the ROCKSTAR of birthdays. :)
Today, you are two. We've had a great party weekend with all (and I mean ALL - every aunt, uncle and cousin) of your family in town for your birthday party yesterday, complete with a Sesame Street cake and hot dogs. You kept saying, "It's MY birthday!" followed by "get off the pool ladder" or "give me my cake." My kind of girl. We bought you a kitchen for your birthday, and all you've been saying is "Hey. Wanna come play in my kitchen?" or "Look! My kitchen!" like it's a new discovery every day that you've forgotten. I love this about you. You get excited about everything, and that's your daddy in you.
Juliet - You are such a beautiful, hilarious, fun, smart, vibrant young girl, with a personality all your own. Just in these last few weeks, you've really shown your personality a lot more, and I feel like we're all getting to know you again. You know exactly what's going on, all of the time. You like to talk about pretty clothes, cooking in the kitchen, Elmo, Mickey Mouse, fruit snacks, and mostly, your brother whom you love dearly. With him starting Kindergarten tomorrow, I'm not sure how you'll handle him being gone every day. Same with him. You guys love each other so much.
Happy second birthday, my baby. Your heart is so sweet and pure, and I pray it always stays that way. I pray your protection from God all of your days, and that you grow healthy and strong as a super fun little girl. Love ya.
Momma
I'm mainly writing because I want you to know that even though I may not be on top of many other things in your life, but I am the ROCKSTAR of birthdays. :)
Today, you are two. We've had a great party weekend with all (and I mean ALL - every aunt, uncle and cousin) of your family in town for your birthday party yesterday, complete with a Sesame Street cake and hot dogs. You kept saying, "It's MY birthday!" followed by "get off the pool ladder" or "give me my cake." My kind of girl. We bought you a kitchen for your birthday, and all you've been saying is "Hey. Wanna come play in my kitchen?" or "Look! My kitchen!" like it's a new discovery every day that you've forgotten. I love this about you. You get excited about everything, and that's your daddy in you.
Juliet - You are such a beautiful, hilarious, fun, smart, vibrant young girl, with a personality all your own. Just in these last few weeks, you've really shown your personality a lot more, and I feel like we're all getting to know you again. You know exactly what's going on, all of the time. You like to talk about pretty clothes, cooking in the kitchen, Elmo, Mickey Mouse, fruit snacks, and mostly, your brother whom you love dearly. With him starting Kindergarten tomorrow, I'm not sure how you'll handle him being gone every day. Same with him. You guys love each other so much.
Happy second birthday, my baby. Your heart is so sweet and pure, and I pray it always stays that way. I pray your protection from God all of your days, and that you grow healthy and strong as a super fun little girl. Love ya.
Momma
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Graduation - "I wanna be a ...."
Here's the funny video I talked about in the previous post. Love that kiddo.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Yeah, I know. I'm starting to feel bad.
What with Facebook being so much easier to update nowadays, I'm definitely finding it a chore to update the blog. But I need to. My kids will be mad at me later if I don't.
Let's see. I think I need to start at EASTER. Yikes. We went to hunt Easter eggs at Derek and Jayce's new house, which was a ball. The kids loved it and all got into it this year. We missed Mason and Landon hunting eggs this year, but maybe next year.
Cooper graduated from preschool! It was a cute little ceremony, complete with the teachers asking the kids what they wanted to be when they grew up. See a video below of what Cooper said. (He didn't know.) Seems like a smart little kid to me. He's had a great year with his teachers in pre-k, and we're really excited about kindergarten. Eight weeks. Whoa. Juliet loved her preschool class as well, and will have the same teachers next year, since they've been asked to move up. Yes. No craziness there.
Then, the pool warmed up. And boy, has that kept us un-bored. The kids LOVE to swim, and the adults love to watch them swim. They're getting really great in the water, thanks to some awesome swim lessons from Luke's coworker, Meredith. We've had lots of friends over, and we always have something to do! No regrets on the pool, at all.
Memorial Day weekend we had our annual Marble Falls lake trip with the Dishmans and Ocheskeys. Six adults, eight kids, and crazy times! It was a lot of fun. Cooper got to go fishing with Colt and Camden, we ate well and just hung out. Good to see old friends. In the picture below, you don't even understand how many pictures this one picture took. It was the best one. :)
In the beginning of June we went back to Lake LBJ for the annual Hejl family lake trip. What a blast! We hung family from out of town, ate, slept, talked, played games, and laughed a lot. The kids had a ball hanging out together, especially the boys. I don't think they sat down the whole time, until we made them go to bed. We always love this trip, and can't wait until next year! (You'll have to check my Facebook page for pics on this one. I didn't take any good ones, but Janie did!)
While we were on the trip, my dad had another knee surgery. He's doing better, and a lot of the infection is gone, so it looks like he'll keep his leg, which is a blessing. But, he won't be able to walk normally or without a walker or brace for a very long time. Next year, he'll be able to have the chance for another knee replacement. It's a lot of waiting, but hopefully it'll be a good outcome. Two days later, my Aunt Donna died of a brain tumor. It was a good funeral, and everyone seems to be doing well, but it's a sad thing. Our family has got to stop with the only-getting-together-at-funerals thing. Four in the past two years.
We've been playing with Nonnie, Rachel and Haley since their summer has started, and been to VBS, birthday parties, and of course, swimming. It's been a great summer so far, and I feel it slowly starting end. As I type this, Cooper goes to Kindergarten in FOUR WEEKS.
What they're doing: Juliet says the cutest stuff. She's getting extremely vocal and becoming more helpful. At the same time, however, she has definitely hit her "terrible twos" early - just in the past couple of weeks. Man, she's a screamer. We'll make it through ... :) Stuff she says:
- Swimsuit = "sip soup"
- "I want a cookie, please."
- My personal fave: "AGHHHHHHHHH!"
- "I DO IT!"
- "Juice and water?"
- Swimming = "simmin'"
- "Riding! Riding on da boat!"
- Watermelon = "waddermayon"
- "I won't tear it, I won't tear it, iiiiiit is God's WOOOOORD."
- "Whatssat?" Also used for "Who's that?" interchangeably.
- "Cooper, you take a shahwah?"
- "Cooper nice."
- "Feep fops"
- "Ewwwwww! Gross!"
- "Poopie, poopie, poopie, poopie, poopie! Poopie in da potty?"
- "Pay-doh"
- "Mommy! Pay!" = Mommy, play!
- "Baby sad." when baby cries
- Torpedo = "Toh-PEE-doh"
- She can say "Nuh sacks" for fruit snacks, but can say "fruit" and "snacks" just fine. Weird.
- "OooooOOOOOOoooo. Tay-too Mommy!" = Thank you Mommy! and "You weccom, Mommy!"
Love it. In the past few days, she's saying much more, but I'm trying to remember what that is. More and more sentences.
Cooper: What a smart kid. I say that every time, but it's just amazing. So much smarter than I was at this age. He's reading pretty much anything right now, and will be a kindergarten superstar. He has great questions, and is becoming a wonderful little man. He's starting to clean up things without me asking him to, and be more polite and loving with his family. God is definitely at work in him. LORD knows it's not us. Cooper is about 3'10" and in a boys size small. Sad not shopping in the toddler section for him anymore!
July 4th was very relaxing in Cleburne, and Dad is even trying to get up and around more with his knee. Much better lately. The kids had a great time swimming, eating, and doing what cousins do. They're all getting so big.
The next weekend, we went to Edmond to visit Sara and Preston and the kids, and had a Photo Card Cafe' charity event as well. Crazy weekend, but lots of fun. Those kids love each other. We just got back from Vegas actually, and I'll post on that next. The kids got to get away for the week, and I missed them! They both are already bigger ...
Let's see. I think I need to start at EASTER. Yikes. We went to hunt Easter eggs at Derek and Jayce's new house, which was a ball. The kids loved it and all got into it this year. We missed Mason and Landon hunting eggs this year, but maybe next year.
Cooper graduated from preschool! It was a cute little ceremony, complete with the teachers asking the kids what they wanted to be when they grew up. See a video below of what Cooper said. (He didn't know.) Seems like a smart little kid to me. He's had a great year with his teachers in pre-k, and we're really excited about kindergarten. Eight weeks. Whoa. Juliet loved her preschool class as well, and will have the same teachers next year, since they've been asked to move up. Yes. No craziness there.
Then, the pool warmed up. And boy, has that kept us un-bored. The kids LOVE to swim, and the adults love to watch them swim. They're getting really great in the water, thanks to some awesome swim lessons from Luke's coworker, Meredith. We've had lots of friends over, and we always have something to do! No regrets on the pool, at all.
Memorial Day weekend we had our annual Marble Falls lake trip with the Dishmans and Ocheskeys. Six adults, eight kids, and crazy times! It was a lot of fun. Cooper got to go fishing with Colt and Camden, we ate well and just hung out. Good to see old friends. In the picture below, you don't even understand how many pictures this one picture took. It was the best one. :)
In the beginning of June we went back to Lake LBJ for the annual Hejl family lake trip. What a blast! We hung family from out of town, ate, slept, talked, played games, and laughed a lot. The kids had a ball hanging out together, especially the boys. I don't think they sat down the whole time, until we made them go to bed. We always love this trip, and can't wait until next year! (You'll have to check my Facebook page for pics on this one. I didn't take any good ones, but Janie did!)
While we were on the trip, my dad had another knee surgery. He's doing better, and a lot of the infection is gone, so it looks like he'll keep his leg, which is a blessing. But, he won't be able to walk normally or without a walker or brace for a very long time. Next year, he'll be able to have the chance for another knee replacement. It's a lot of waiting, but hopefully it'll be a good outcome. Two days later, my Aunt Donna died of a brain tumor. It was a good funeral, and everyone seems to be doing well, but it's a sad thing. Our family has got to stop with the only-getting-together-at-funerals thing. Four in the past two years.
We've been playing with Nonnie, Rachel and Haley since their summer has started, and been to VBS, birthday parties, and of course, swimming. It's been a great summer so far, and I feel it slowly starting end. As I type this, Cooper goes to Kindergarten in FOUR WEEKS.
What they're doing: Juliet says the cutest stuff. She's getting extremely vocal and becoming more helpful. At the same time, however, she has definitely hit her "terrible twos" early - just in the past couple of weeks. Man, she's a screamer. We'll make it through ... :) Stuff she says:
- Swimsuit = "sip soup"
- "I want a cookie, please."
- My personal fave: "AGHHHHHHHHH!"
- "I DO IT!"
- "Juice and water?"
- Swimming = "simmin'"
- "Riding! Riding on da boat!"
- Watermelon = "waddermayon"
- "I won't tear it, I won't tear it, iiiiiit is God's WOOOOORD."
- "Whatssat?" Also used for "Who's that?" interchangeably.
- "Cooper, you take a shahwah?"
- "Cooper nice."
- "Feep fops"
- "Ewwwwww! Gross!"
- "Poopie, poopie, poopie, poopie, poopie! Poopie in da potty?"
- "Pay-doh"
- "Mommy! Pay!" = Mommy, play!
- "Baby sad." when baby cries
- Torpedo = "Toh-PEE-doh"
- She can say "Nuh sacks" for fruit snacks, but can say "fruit" and "snacks" just fine. Weird.
- "OooooOOOOOOoooo. Tay-too Mommy!" = Thank you Mommy! and "You weccom, Mommy!"
Love it. In the past few days, she's saying much more, but I'm trying to remember what that is. More and more sentences.
Cooper: What a smart kid. I say that every time, but it's just amazing. So much smarter than I was at this age. He's reading pretty much anything right now, and will be a kindergarten superstar. He has great questions, and is becoming a wonderful little man. He's starting to clean up things without me asking him to, and be more polite and loving with his family. God is definitely at work in him. LORD knows it's not us. Cooper is about 3'10" and in a boys size small. Sad not shopping in the toddler section for him anymore!
July 4th was very relaxing in Cleburne, and Dad is even trying to get up and around more with his knee. Much better lately. The kids had a great time swimming, eating, and doing what cousins do. They're all getting so big.
The next weekend, we went to Edmond to visit Sara and Preston and the kids, and had a Photo Card Cafe' charity event as well. Crazy weekend, but lots of fun. Those kids love each other. We just got back from Vegas actually, and I'll post on that next. The kids got to get away for the week, and I missed them! They both are already bigger ...
Monday, April 18, 2011
Stuff they do
Pics, then below is a summary of March and April ...
Here's another mass update. Man, I gotta keep up with this thing!
Cooper: He plays soccer, and really likes it! Their team is called the Flames, and we've met a lot of Flames going to school with him next year. That's good. Honestly (sorry baby) Cooper doesn't pay much attention to the game itself most of the time, but did have a goal assist last Saturday. It was awesome! He just needs a little more practice and confidence and he'll be fine. We enjoy going, too. Juliet is the hardest part, since staying still does not work for her. She runs around the whole time, so Luke and I take turns. Good times!
He also learning how to ride his bike without training wheels. Long process. Sad to say, I believe that from watching soccer and the bike riding thing, I have raised a kid just like me. Oh dear. Poor Cooper. He'll definitely excel in individual sports, so next up is swimming, tennis and karate.
Coop is also reading like a champ. He can read pretty much any kid book you throw at him, which is amazing to watch. He little brain is a sponge that won't stop soaking things in, or asking questions. Too smart for his own good. Last night he asked, "Mom? What are your favorite features of the iPhone 4? What new features do you think the iPhone 5 will have?" Seriously. In those exact words. Oh man - he's either going to be a tech writer, engineer, or car stuntman because of his love of BMWs. Whatever he wants is fine with me!
Really, Cooper is the best big brother to Juliet. He constantly worries about her, helps her out of bed and down the stairs outside, talks to her and plays with her. I couldn't ask for a better little boy.
Juliet: Whoa. She is growing like a weed (esp. her feet) and talking up a storm. Best phrases as of late are "More ___" (usually food like "orange," "sausage," "snacks," "fruit snacks," "Elmo," etc. She says "I sorry" all of the time, poor girl, and loves to make up sentences. I know she knows what she's saying, but I'm working on it. She also loves to say "c'mon!" and grab my hand and pull. Learned that from cousin Haley I think. She sings "Jesus Loves Me," "The Bible, The Bible, I Love the Bible," "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes," "Itsy Bitsy Spider," and her ABCs. Recently, she had her brother push her in a Cozy Coupe car, and she drug her bare feet all the way across the pavement. We've been working to control the bleeding on the tops of her poor toes. Awwww.
Both: They are SO ready to swim! It's not quite warm enough in the pool, although Cooper gets in every now and then. Brrrr. Juliet is not at all afraid of the pool, so she has to wear a life jacket at all times inside the fence. Cooper is like a fish, so no worries there. Hopefully the summer will bring lots of swimming lessons and a less stressed mom about the swimming thing. Bring on summer!
All in all, we had a great spring break and are excited for Easter next week. School is going well for the kids, and we'll be sad for Cooper to leave his school friends next year.
Here's another mass update. Man, I gotta keep up with this thing!
Cooper: He plays soccer, and really likes it! Their team is called the Flames, and we've met a lot of Flames going to school with him next year. That's good. Honestly (sorry baby) Cooper doesn't pay much attention to the game itself most of the time, but did have a goal assist last Saturday. It was awesome! He just needs a little more practice and confidence and he'll be fine. We enjoy going, too. Juliet is the hardest part, since staying still does not work for her. She runs around the whole time, so Luke and I take turns. Good times!
He also learning how to ride his bike without training wheels. Long process. Sad to say, I believe that from watching soccer and the bike riding thing, I have raised a kid just like me. Oh dear. Poor Cooper. He'll definitely excel in individual sports, so next up is swimming, tennis and karate.
Coop is also reading like a champ. He can read pretty much any kid book you throw at him, which is amazing to watch. He little brain is a sponge that won't stop soaking things in, or asking questions. Too smart for his own good. Last night he asked, "Mom? What are your favorite features of the iPhone 4? What new features do you think the iPhone 5 will have?" Seriously. In those exact words. Oh man - he's either going to be a tech writer, engineer, or car stuntman because of his love of BMWs. Whatever he wants is fine with me!
Really, Cooper is the best big brother to Juliet. He constantly worries about her, helps her out of bed and down the stairs outside, talks to her and plays with her. I couldn't ask for a better little boy.
Juliet: Whoa. She is growing like a weed (esp. her feet) and talking up a storm. Best phrases as of late are "More ___" (usually food like "orange," "sausage," "snacks," "fruit snacks," "Elmo," etc. She says "I sorry" all of the time, poor girl, and loves to make up sentences. I know she knows what she's saying, but I'm working on it. She also loves to say "c'mon!" and grab my hand and pull. Learned that from cousin Haley I think. She sings "Jesus Loves Me," "The Bible, The Bible, I Love the Bible," "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes," "Itsy Bitsy Spider," and her ABCs. Recently, she had her brother push her in a Cozy Coupe car, and she drug her bare feet all the way across the pavement. We've been working to control the bleeding on the tops of her poor toes. Awwww.
Both: They are SO ready to swim! It's not quite warm enough in the pool, although Cooper gets in every now and then. Brrrr. Juliet is not at all afraid of the pool, so she has to wear a life jacket at all times inside the fence. Cooper is like a fish, so no worries there. Hopefully the summer will bring lots of swimming lessons and a less stressed mom about the swimming thing. Bring on summer!
All in all, we had a great spring break and are excited for Easter next week. School is going well for the kids, and we'll be sad for Cooper to leave his school friends next year.
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