Sweet, Sensitive, Thoughtful Cooper

I must say I have the sweetest, most sensitive, and thoughtful seven year old on the planet! Why? Well, the story goes a little something like this.

Yesterday was rough. Church starts at 9:00 a.m. and I try to get there early to set up a table to promote Enrichment Night and activities. Normally I like to try and be out the door by 8:30 - this gives me enough time to load the kids, load the stuff, unload the stuff, set up the table, unload the kids and get them to primary...yes, there is much loading and unloading! So, we didn't get out the door until 8:45 and in my book, WE ARE LATE! And, I don't do LATE. (Don't get me started on being late...that is another post all in itself!) Surprisingly enough, I get everything taken care of ON TIME and I am feeling pretty good about things. I have just a few minutes to get the kids out of the car and into primary when someone "says something" and totally hurts my feelings. Yeah I know, sounds childish, but I do have feelings and they do get hurt. I walk out to the car doing my best to hold in the tears, but didn't make it to far. Cooper sees me crying and is insisting to know why I am sad. I told him not to worry about it, I was okay and to go to primary.

And the church day continues.....

We get home and Cooper is still persistent. He wants to know why I was sad. I told him someone said something that made me feel bad, but I was okay. He apologizes and gives me a hug and then wants to know WHO it was. I told him it didn't matter, it was over with and just to forget about it.

Conversation with Cooper later in the day:

Cooper: "Mom, what time do you wake up in the morning?"

Me: "Around 7:00 so I can get you guys up and ready for school. Why?"

Cooper: "Because I am going to get up early, I have a surprise for you."

Me: "Okay! (with excitement)

And that was that. I didn't hear anything else about it the rest of the day. We go to bed, I go to sleep and I am sleeping pretty good - I was stinkin' tired!

Alarm sounds at 7:00 a.m. and I hit the SNOOZE button, I needed a few more minutes...eight to be exact! Then all of the sudden I hear a shuffle and a soft whisper "Mom. Good morning!" I open my eyes to see Cooper and Charlee standing by my bedside holding a plate of breakfast. I sat up with a smile, looking down at what they so sweetly made me! An Eggo waffle with syrup, a Dove chocolate on the side and a can of Coke! (I would have taken a picture because it was so adorable, but Charlee managed to break my camera...yep, she's in BIG trouble!)

I don't think it gets much sweeter than this! I truly have wonderful children! Thank you Cooper and Charlee for breakfast in bed!

Charlee Turns Five!

WARNING....LONG POST!!!
It's not everyday your only GIRL turns FIVE!


Yes, we have had our share of birthdays this month! Charlee celebrated her 5th birthday and everyone should know that 5 is a MAGICAL number!!! Why?? Because she is now old enough to go to KINDERGARTEN!!! Hip, Hip, Hooray! But seriously....HOORAY! I love my little Charlee Boo so much. She has more energy in her pinkie than a whole group of five year olds! She is emotional, hysterical, silly, a cuddle monster and a beautiful little lady! I am so grateful I have a little girl who loves shoes, purses and clothes as much as I do. I couldn't have asked for anything more!

Charlee and I have been talking about her birthday for the last several months. We have been party planning, shopping (window shopping!!) and preparing for her 5th Birthday Carnival Bash! Yep, you read it right....A CARNIVAL! But first...the day of her birthday!

Everything was PINK and BLACK with Polk A Dots! Very cute and very girly!

Charlee getting ready to BLOW OUT THE CANDLE! Candle? Isn't she turning 5? Why yes she is, but her mother forgot to BUY candles and could only find ONE lonely leftover candle in the pantry....sorry baby girl! Your mama is somewhat forgetful in her old age!

Charlee was showered with many gifts on her birthday! She got a swimsuit, clothes, a movie, an Iraqi camel (STUFFED ANIMAL) from Daddy along with a makeup mirror, combs and lotion! I have never seen a child get so excited over a makeup mirror, but leave it to Charlee to be delighted! Charlee wanted to open her presents in the morning when she woke up. I let her open a few but saved the BIG ones for later in the evening. Grandma and Grandpa wanted to be here and I wanted to increase the level of SUSPENSE! She was about to die because she couldn't open ALL of them! So later, when Grandma and Grandpa came over for some cake and ice cream we opened the rest of the presents! She FINALLY got her PINK Nintendo DS and a few games...because she is now FIVE! Grandma and Grandpa gave her a FANCY NANCY dress, FANCY NANCY purse, and FANCY NANCY books! Along with PINKALICIOUS, PURPLICIOUS, and GOLDILICIOUS books!

The first thing Charlee did after opening all her presents....RUN to her room and changed into her FANCY NANCY dress...with matching purse and sunglasses! Here she is posing for us all! I love that Scoti follows Charlee around mimicking every move she makes! Charlee put her sunglasses on so Scoti needed hers...Charlee leans up against the wall to pose for the picture and Scoti is right there by her side! They are BOTH just TOOOOO cute!

So, Charlee BOO had a GREAT birthday and LOVED turning FIVE! But, the party isn't over! Because Charlee had her birthday on a Thursday, we had to have the BIRTHDAY CARNIVAL on Saturday! We had games, food, candy, cotton candy, treats, prizes, drinks, a bounce house, FUN, FUN, and more FUN. I had so much FUN planning her party...I hope everyone had a FUN time!



Not sure why, but I can't get the slide show of The Birthday Carnival to pull up. Just click on "View All Images" and it will take you to the link where you can see the pics!

Griffin's Birthday Party!

Griffin had an Ocean "ONE"derland party for his first BIRTHDAY!!! I know, I know...it is silly and maybe a little weird, but hey, it's his FIRST BIRTHDAY!!! I looked and looked for something fun and different to do for his party and then FINALLY, there is was! Because seriously, how much fun is an ocean wonderland? Well, in case you were wondering...it is really FUN and so cute and super easy to put together!

Griffin and his SUPER AWESOME FISHY cake!!!
The confused look? He wasn't quite sure why we were all smiling and singing to him!

I made this cute 3 tiered cake holder out of an oatmeal box and cardboard that I covered in paper, ribbon, rick rack, paper fish and underwater plants! Turned out pretty darn cute if I do say so myself! Oh, and a little spray paint....because spray paint is my new best friend!!!

With my other children on their FIRST birthday, I would make a cute cake in hopes that they would be so excited, smile and take a great big chunk and start eating. But to my disappointment Cooper and Charlee wanted NOTHING and mean NOTHING to do with CAKE! So, I made Griffin his cake having no expectations of him wanted to eat it. But, much to my surprise.... HE LOVED IT!

Griffin snatching the first STARFISH off his cake! He is putting it in his mouth! (I am holding my breath...waiting for him to spit it out!) YAY, he likes it!!

He kept eating......and eating.....and eating....until

He looked like this! And the whole thing was GONE!

Wow, who would have known that the 3rd child would FINALLY eat the cake?!?!? Now, not to TOOT my own horn, but I make some pretty darn SCRUMPTIOUS cake and some mighty YUMMY frosting. So, I am pretty sure I know why he liked his cake!

Matter of fact, when he was done picking up as much cake has he could with his chubby little hands, I look over at him and he is licking the tray of his high chair! He couldn't get enough of his mama's DELICIOUS OCEAN "ONE"DERLAND cake!

The Muffster (a.k.a. Kathy, my big sister) with Hope and Sam! Notice they are sitting underneath the AMAZING ocean wonderland...with smiles on their faces!

I have to take a moment to brag because I MUST say, I have the most WONDERFUL family. Seriously! Think about this....between the months of July and August we have 13 birthdays in our family! Yes, I said Thirteen! That is A LOT of birthdays! And somehow we manage to celebrate ALL of these birthdays! I know sometimes it seems overwhelming and we eat a lot of CAKE, but we do it! And WHY? Because that is one of the reasons WHY we have families! To celebrate and be together! Anyway....just thought I would let them all know I LOVE them! Thank you ALL for ALL you do for me!

Happy Birthday Griffin!


Today is the day! My baby turns ONE! I can't believe how quick this past year has come and gone. So many things have happened and Griffin has grown into a miniature little man! He such an adorable little guy with a happy personality. I am so grateful Griffin joined our family, he has been such a blessing and joy!


My Little Griffin Man!

A Total Mama's Boy!

Loves To Eat...Everything! Lucky Charms Are His Favorite! Thanks Aunt Engor!

Never Wakes Up Sad...He Is ALWAYS Happy In The Mornings!

Can Say Hi and Bye Bye!

Likes His Bottle...It's A Comfort Thing!

Thinks Cooper and Charlee Are Pretty Funny!

As Discovered The Toilet....YUCK!

Likes To Play The Wii With Cooper. He HAS To Have A Controller TOO!

Doesn't Seem To Mind Bumping His Head On Things...Gotta Love The Helmet!

Can Go Up and Down The Stairs! Only Occasionally Falling Down Them!

Takes A Great Afternoon Nap!

Laughs At Me When I Tell Him "NO!!!"

Has An UGLY Face He Makes And It's Only A Face A Mother Could LOVE!

Figured Out How To Throw A Tantrum. Today Actually!

Can Walk, But Still Thinks Crawling Is Faster. Won't Take Long To Figure Out He's Wrong On That One!

Misses His Daddy and Can't Wait To See Him!

Griffie, your mama sure does love YOU! I can't imagine our family without you. You make me smile all day and amaze me constantly with how much you know! You are such a happy guy, hardly ever sad, and so content, so pleasant! Your smile makes my day!

The First Day of School

The day I have been waiting for....BACK TO SCHOOL! I enjoyed the summer and the kids were great, but I am probably more excited that school is back in session than the kids are! Cooper is now in 2nd grade and Charlee is starting Kindergarten!

Oh my gosh...They are so CUTE! Cooper is such a great big brother. I know Charlee is going to be taken care of!

And off they go!

The FORT!!!

The kids wanted to build a fort....guess who ended up building it? Yep, you guessed it, ME!! But, I was okay with it because it kept them busy for TWO days! So, two pop up tents and two army blankets later....we had an AWESOME FORT!!!


Cooper - Griffin - Charlee

Peek A Boo

The Three of Them! I am so lucky they play so well together.

Don't know if you noticed, but I must point out....my children have NO shirts on. Some weird thing, they all end up partially naked! Cooper and Griffin...okay. But Charlee??

I Think I Have A Problem!

My problem....??? I have discovered how to make paper PURSE GIFT BAGS!!! Oh my gosh, they are so cute and the possibilities are endless! I was cleaning today and doing laundry all the while thinking of a new way to decorate one of these things. I know, I seriously need to get a life! They are cute though!