Around the 4th pictures

Cooper & I on July 4th. Paige was too busy with sparklers for pictures!

Cooper modelling his swimwear. We went to the pool and his swim shirt did a great job of keepign him warm and not burnt.

Cooper watching Paige and Ryan set off fireworks from inside the house--where it was safe and bug free.

We have a walker. . .

This week Cooper has had showed off a few steps--primarily from me to Ryan or vice versa earlier in the week. There was a sequence of 2 or 3 steps. I called that first steps on the calendar. He's been getting braver all week and you'll see him hang on to something; then let go and stand there--you can see the thought bubble over his head wondering if he can make it! This morning he let go of his inhibitions and was going in stretches that were 5-6 feet at a time. There was 3 or 4 times he did this in an hour; so I am declaring him walking! This all happened from 6-8am this morning; and I told Ryan by the time he came home I was sure we'd be outside running circles around the house ;) We'll see how crazy my day is!

Tee-Ball

Paige had her 2nd tee ball game on Thursday night in Scranton. They did very well and this time she kept her fingers out of her mouth when she was on base! They have a few days of practice left and then they have one last game where they get to play on the big baseball field at night underneath the lights.

97 degrees

It hit about 97 degrees for one day last week so we took that opportunity to play in the water a bit. I am not sure how to handle the city pool with both kids by myself; so we opted for our baby pool and a sprinkler! Fun was had by all and the grass got a little watering as well. Cooper was in his clothes and sort of sat in the water; so we just stripped him down for a while and let him hang out. He is a water boy. He just though it was great to be partially naked, in water, and outside all at the same time! His diaper became soaked with 2 lbs of water; so the swim diapers came out after he crawled naked across the lawn from me. Boys. Paige had fun just running and jumping into the little pool; and she pulled Cooper through the sprinkler in the wagon.

Mischief

"Hmmm. . .Mom's not around and that green thing with the leaves is still there just watching me."

"Dang it! She caught me AGAIN trying to get the plant. She keeps telling me my sister left them alone and wonders why I am so thrilled by them. She has them all over; so I'll just keep trying!!!"

This week alone, we have had to say "no" or "leave that alone" regarding: plants, toilet paper, toilet water, shower curtains, alarm clocks, garbage cans, TV remotes, TV buttons, and dog toys to name just a few that I can remember. Mr. Cooper is very busy, very mobile, and very curious. A triple threat.

The new pickup

So. . .the cowboy is pretty spoiled. Two days before Father's Day and this is in my yard. Last year it was a new riding lawnmower. I am afraid for next year! The brown Ford was possibly going to start needing some repair$; and we had quite a bit of equity in it--so a good time to trade up a few years. We went down in size from 4 doors to this extended cab; but the car seats fit and us 4 have only rode in a pickup 2 times in the last 9 months since Cooper's been born. So for those rare occasions; the kids can 'tough' it out. Cowboys can handle riding in Expeditions; so that's our main vehicle when all four of us are road tripping. I took oa picture of the clean interior; as I am sure its the last time it will be so clean and not have the aroma of bovine!

Tee Ball

The big hit

The nervous finger biting rears its head. . .apparently tee ball is nerve wracking!

Paige has been playing tee ball this year. A challenge since there has been rainy cold mornings; but we about 2 weeks into the small season. They had their first game this past Thursday at 6pm. It was one of the cutest things I have ever been too! They were nervous and so excited at the same time. The neighboring town's team came over. Paige played very well--even from a non-biased Mom perspective! I had a couple people tell me they were impressed with how aggressive she was--meaning she actively ran towards a hit ball and did not just stand in her spot as a few kids nervously did-not moving even if the ball came two inches away. I am excited for our next game, its on the 30th and they get to go to the neighboring town--so its an 'away' game and I think they will be thrilled. I am anxious to see the skill level progress--its been fun to see them over the last two weeks.