Poor Cooper

Poor little Cooper. . .and his ears.  Since December 3rd, he has been battling a double ear infection.  He has been fortunate and this is only his 2nd one of the year; but its a big one.  He has had two different prescriptions, one shot of Rosephrin, and now that none of that is working, we are onto the sequence of 3 daily shots of Rosephrin.  I'm told this will make him better but its sure not fun having him get the shots.  He got the first one on Wed midmorning and Wed. night he had a fever higher than he was supposed to--thankfully the Motrin got it down.  But we are at home again hanging out today and he got his second shot, and we are waiting to see if a fever develops this afternoon.  I'm hoping he and Mom each get a really long nap this afternoon.   3 plus weeks of not sleeping is starting to wear down this lady.  Tubes are scheduled for January 16th--hopefully we can stay healthy until then and can get all this yuck behind us!

Helper elves

The good weather allowed us to get lights on the house and the kiddos and I got the tree decorated and ready to go today.  Bless Ryan who spent Friday night getting my prelit tree to be 100% lit instead of 75%, and who handled outside light duty.

Thanksgiving

My mom just can't keep a secret.  Doesn't matter if its related to a Christmas gift or a piece of information.  So it was no surprise to me to learn that the recipients of the Christmas aprons became Thanksgiving aprons because she had them done and couldn't wait.  She'd been working hard on them and sewing like crazy to get them done; and then the next thing we know everyone is wearing their aprons and running around.  They look good, Mom--upside down cupcakes and all :)

Christmas Cards past

I am going through old pictures and I have saved Christmas cards we gave received since we have been married.  I feel old as the first few years we received cards from single couples with vacation photos, and now they are family pictures with like 4 kids per family!  I am keeping them by year with the letters and such by punching a hole in the corner and running a ribbon through them to make a grouping with our photo card on top.   Luckily I have a card from each year I have done a photo card.  I'm going to store them with our Christmas decorations and keep them in a basket to look at for fun best the new cards.  It'd fun to see how so many people have changed.

Oh its been a while. . .

I realized I haven't posted in quite a while.  My goal was to keep this updated and get the blog published on an annual basis into the photobooks I see advertised for blogs.  Probably not going to work so well for 2012!  Some things I want to remember from the recent weeks:

• The giggling squeals of my two children on weekend mornings as they run and play in their pjs.  Paige looked at me today and told me she loved playing with her little brother.  Lets keep in mind she also called him a maniac baby later in the day when he was taking her stuff.  I had to correct her and say he's not a baby anymore. 
• Cooper is becoming quite a talker--not super clear, but too us its seems like leaps and bounds each week as more words are clear and the sentence structures are expanding.  He'll randoming say a complete sentence and then Ryan and I will look at each other dumbfounded--like, did I really  hear that?
• Cooper is OBSESSED with Toy Story.  I think I can literally repeat all three movies word by word if I had to.  Plus, we have pjs, a blanket, a pillow, etc.  He likes Buzz more than Woody which I find odd since we live with a real cowboy; but maybe that's why a space guy is cooler.
• Paige is reading everything in site, and I did not know first grade was advanced as it is--not sure what I was expecting; but not this.  Its awesome and she is doing so well.
• Paige is also playing a little basketball--its a 3 weekend camp; and I was told she might have a competitive spirit.  Hmmm, wonder where that came from in her gene pool . . .certainly not from the basketball obsessed family I married into :)
• Halloween was such fun.  6 years old is such a fun age as she is big enough to totally understand things; and she's not scared of strangers or the unknown so much.  She was fearless and I think I could have dropped her off on one side of town and picked her up on the other.  She was polite, said thank you and goodbye, and made a killing with candy.  We still have two huge bowls of candy; and her Dad has been gorging himself at night with it. Cooper tried to imitate his sister and sort of had a version of "trick or treat" but he was still much better than Paige was at 2.  He was excited when he realized he got candy in his pumpkin. 
• I'm excited for Christmas this year; as I think she is at a magical age for it and Cooper is going to understand more this year than just the paper wrapping.  I'm trying to prep now so I am not a crabby Mom come December and can enjoy the baking, decorating, etc. that I can do with Paige.   I think I may do all my shopping online if I can with a few trips to my small local stores.  I get crabby having to do a one day trip to some other town to shop for everyone in a small time frame--so not worth it.

A few of my favorite pictures from the last few months:

 He thought the pumpkin guts were awesome and just kept tossing them back in

the pumpkin his sister was carving.



 A moment that made me realize I have a big kid.

 

First day of 1st grade, age 6.  A seasoned veteran with no first day jitters--it was a fun morning with a lot of excited energy waiting for time to go to school.



Fire

Mom and a link to some of the aerial pictures from the large fire on 10-17-2012.

 

My parent's home is directly to the left of the tall cement elevator.

 

 

Shot facing east of where the fire must have started and the path of destruction it started on.

 

The area directly above and around Bucyrus.

Camping with the Clarke's

We spent this last weekend camping with the Clarke's up at Lake Rafferty in Canada.  To say my kiddos had fun is an understatement.  Paige loves the boat and fishing--she even had her first time on the tube this weekend.  Cooper liked the boat as well; but once there was a fish in the live well that was more entertaining.  We had a nice swimming area with a nice sandy area; so lots of sand was shovelled and a few gallons of sunscreen used--except for on the tops of my feet which are bright pink :(  It was a great weekend.

May 2012

So I looked at this blog and realized I am not good at putting things on here anymore!  Here is a quick recap of items since the end of April.

 Cooper acquired a pair of boots--a size too big so he can't wear them out of the house, as they fall off.  However, he will find them and wear them whenever he can--not matter what is outfit is.  Elmo butt and cowboy boots, its a classic.

 Danielle graduated this last weekend--Uncle Ryan feels really old!

 Paige and her hero

 One of Paige's last days as a kindergartener--the night of their spring concert.

Cooper having a zen moment in front of some cartoons--loved the animal and trucks lined up with him like a little Forrest Gump beside them!  He is in love with Toy Story and Woody and Buzz. 



What a beautiful day

Its been a busy week at our house.  I had a birthday on Wed; Ryan's work had their biggest event of the year on Saturday (their annual bullsale); so we haven't seen too much of the cowboy this week.  He's a tired guy who,  as I am writing this,  is passed out cold in the living room.  He was watching Toy Story with Cooper and fell asleep.  I watched Cooper poke at his face, climb all over him, and climb off of him; and the poor guy didn't even move.  I had a nice day; and received some really nice roses (which are still alive), a few great homemade cards from my daughter, and a Nook Color from my Mom.  Oh how awesome she is to spoil me.  I have downloaded 2 apps, 2 books--read one already, and am teaching Cooper how to color on it today. 
I have some good pictures from the past few weeks; but am trying to get them off of my phone.  I wish Shutterfly had an app for Droid; but not yet.  I am downloading them as I speak; so here is hoping.  We had a busy day playing outside, planting some seeds, hosing off the patio sets, went for a walk, and just ran around in general.  I had tired dirty kids tonight.

Easter

 The best family picture we could get--Cooper had just woken up after passing out during church; so 3 of the 4 looking at the camera counts :)   We attended the Luthern church to watch our good friend's son get baptized.

 Going through baskets this morning; the bunny left some good books, bouncing balls to bounce on and a good supply of chocolate.

 Cooper and Paige

 Cooper figuring out the eggs had CHOCOLATE in them, and that he could peel the foil off.

Dying eggs on Saturday night.  Paige is a pro at this by now.

Almooooooost 6

My baby girl is almost 6.  In 12 hours to be exact.  Six years ago I had been told by the doctor I wouldn't make the week and told to make sure I had a bag packed.  I wasn't due until the 21st and thought--what the hell does he know.  Let's keep in mind he has been a doctor longer than I have been alive (he was there when I was born.)  Yup, he knew what he was talking about as my water broke in the middle of the night and we began our quick trip to the hospital and parenthood.

I was tucking Paige into bed tonight and told her she'd be 6 when she woke up.  She sort of thought about it and said she would miss being 5.  Then she said she'd sort of like to be 4 so that she still fit in the bathtub without bending her legs.  Oh, the problems :) 

Here is hoping for a wonderful sixth birthday tomorrow; we have a busy day with a birthday party after school and 4 little classmates coming over. 

Spring has sprung

What a great weekend to . . .

 play outside,

 chew on some sand and rocks until Mom reminds you that they are 'icky',

chase the puppy around,

go up and down the slide a zillion times,

take a few walks and bike rides,

eat some lunch outside on the picnic table,

have Paige swing super high and have Cooper walk right in front of her and become airborn at impact--not a great thing, but a valuable lesson learned by Cooper to give the swing some space.

Mr. Cooper

Mr. Cooper turns 1.5 years old in a day or two.  Where did 18 months go?  I have much better pictures of him but seemed to giggle at this one because it sort of captures him right now--into things, curious, hungry!  I don't have stats on him as he goes for shots next week--but I know he's at least 25 pounds, as he feels like a little tank to lug around.  He's on the go and babbling constantly--what a shock.  Certain words are perfectly clear--Mom, Dad, go, bye, eye, and quite a few more.  He's constantly poking you in the face pointing out eyes, nose, ears, etc.  He loves the dog, his sister, and more importantly--his sister's stuff!  We switched daycare this week and he's adjusting well; now just taking the one nap after lunch; and hopefully soon is back to sleeping better at night and not being awake at 3am like he has the last two days!  But this week is also full of drool, a runny nose and bad diapers due to some more teeth popping up. This last weekend he had his first sleepover without Mom or Dad present; and he did quite well with Gramma Shelly--even though he doesn't like her without her glasses in the middle of the night.  Mr. Cooper, you keep us busy and on our toes--we love you!

Toothless

 Miss Paige lost tooth #2 today. . .at school.  According to her, that is the best place to lose a tooth because the teachers put the tooth in this cool necklace shaped like a tooth so it doesn't get lost.  Her friend bumped her at recess and the tooth fell out in the snow, but they found it.  She was very excited and likes that she can now stick her tongue out with her teeth closed.

Tooth Fairy pillow-other side has a message and this side has the tooth pocket for the tooth to go into.  Great invention and better than a glass of water on the counter!

Happy Valentine's Day

Plush Animal Zoo

Crafty project finally done--our plush animal zoo.  Its a verson of something I found online that stands up and is 2 story--he wanted $125ish dollars.  I have spent way more than that on tools for Cowboy; so I thought they better be put to use and make us something.  We modified it to hang on the wall and to be up high away from little brother's curious fingers.  Ours is also only one story; and it will hold alot.  I figured the critters in here would fill it up; but there is plenty of room to bring more up from downstairs.  Paige and I were going to make a sign; but her friend and her got the markers out and decorated it.  We had a misunderstanding of make a sign meaning "go color directly on the freshly painted boards."  However, its washable marker and will come right off.  Plus, it makes it hers.

Ice Skating

We finally made it to the ice rink for a bit today.  Paige's double bladed skates were great for her and she only fell once.  The ice was pretty bumpy, but it was a nice afternoon.

 Cooper thought the snow on the side of the rink was pretty great.  The poor kid hasn't really gotten a chance to play outside in winter weather.

Tea Parties & Chocolate

 Downstairs on Thursday when Mom was going crazy trying to organize a closet, they found it more fun to play tea party.  Cooper did quite well but didn't like his sister taking his dishes and swapping them out for different 'foods,' he didn't quite get that part.

Cooper has yet to meet chocolate he doesn't like--but the frosting on the brownie is better than the brownie as it got ate first.  Reminds me of someone else I know. . .



First Tooth Fairy Visit

Miss Paige is now one of those toothless kids!  She announced yesterday morning it was loose; and when I checked she could move it back & forth with her tongue.  Last night she tried to pull it out but couldn't get a grip on it, nor could I.  We told her to just keep working it with her tongue, and then about half an hour later, there was an shriek and an excited 5 year old.  We discussed where to leave the tooth--deciding against under her pillow since it could be hard to find in there and we didn't want the tooth fairy to wake her up.  She was worried if the tooth fairy would know where she lived; and Dad informed her that the Easter Bunny, tooth fairy, and Santa all hang out; so yes, she would knw.  She earned $1.00 for her first tooth, and thinks the tooth fairy took the tooth to give to some little kid that doesn't have any teeth yet.  I like the theory :)

What a horrible day

You know your day is going to start badly when you are awake with a baby from 12:30 am to 1:30am--who then falls asleep with DAD in less than 10 minutes with him.  Continue to 7am with Paige's gunky eyes from her cold and my mom decision to keep her at home today.  Visit to clinic tells us its pink eye, and oh yeah, Cooper's antibiotics from last week didn't cure his ear infection--its still red.  Cue the awake in the middle of the night alarm.  Sigh.  Drop off prescriptions, go do groceries, back to drug store, then home where its past lunch time and I have a hungry crew.  Realize the dog is slinking back in the door that is supposed to be closed and keeping her from the toy room.  Find chewed up toys for the first time ever.  Take dog outside, where she gets all wet and then finds the powder fine dirt to roll in.  Guess she's grounded to her room since she's all dirty.  Get the crew fed and get ready to dispense meds.  The drug store sent me home with a bottle of powder--they forgot to do their Rx magic to.  Luckily Grampa Rick came and got the meds and ran them back to the store so we wouldn't have to all load up.  Oh, throw in the first loose tooth of Paige's life that hurts when she eats--cue the "I can't eat" phrases.  I give it one more day and its out--maybe tonight if Daddy gets a look at it!  I feel like I ran a marathon and its only 5pm.  But I do have two sleeping children who will awaken soon and supper is in the oven.  We will see if I can get anything accomplished during the next few days since Paige is banished from school.  Here is hoping for some sleep tonight :)

Whew, what a month

Wow, where has January gone?  Its been a busy month and I found only a few pictures on my camera.  Here's the big stuff. . .

Bison victory--we were all decked out in our finest for the big game.

 

 Ryan's birthday--with the cake Miss Paige helped bake and frost.

 Cooper and Gramma Jane sharing some birthday cake--where there is chocolate,

Cooper isn't far behind.

Last weekend was spent in Williston, we got to see the basket ball star in action. 

Cooper testing out Aunt Bobbi's new bathtub--Mom was jealous!