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.