Clumps

Life happens in clumps. I had a pastor tell me that once...perhaps not with those same words. But it is SOO true! This week, I had well-baby check ups for both kids, Nate is traveling, I'm not feeling real well, Cooper started coughing today, and my very favorite sitter's aunt died, so I had to use a backup. (The backup is also GREAT!! It is just not "routine" for me, and anyone who knows me knows that I flounder outside of routine...)

So today, after lunch, I cleaned Miles up and said, "Go gang up on me with your brother." I want the two of them to be friends, so if it takes ganging up on me, then great! (But really, I didn't expect him to do it!) I proceeded to clean up the dishes, and I heard Cooper yell out, "Mommy, we are making a HUGE mess!" Uh oh. I went to see what he meant. They had pulled all of our linens out of the linen closet. (Praise the Lord they worked together and didn't argue!) But wow - what a mess. I had Cooper attempt to clean up his mess, and when I had watched unfolded towels being tossed onto the shelf long enough, I told him to go play in his room with Miles. As I was finishing the last towel, I noticed a black-eyed pea on the ground. Hmm...we had black-eyed pea casserole for dinner last night. This is not looking good. My fears were confirmed when I went and found Miles with marks all over his backside. So I got him completely cleaned up and changed, and the floor between the bathroom and Cooper's room cleaned up just in time to load up and walk out the door to the sitter's house. I got the pack 'n play, the diaper bag, Humphrey, Coop's blanket, Chavez, Miles' blanket, and the boys all inside. As I hugged Cooper goodbye, I felt it. A fever. So, load the pack 'n play, the diaper bag, Humphrey, Coop's blanket, Chavez, Miles' blanket, Coop and Miles back in the car...drive home. Dang. I could have really used a 4 hour Mommy break today...

I know this is just life, but MAN! Clumps are for the birds.

Today Cooper and I were having a conversation about Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. He asked lots of good questions. He asked if Jesus had blood, and I told him that he did. Then Cooper asked, "Did God say, 'It's okay, Jesus'?"

Cooper is 3!

Cooper had an awesome day today! After breakfast this morning, Cooper opened his gifts from us. His favorite gift was a John Deere Semi Truck with a trailer holding a combine. He was so excited to open it - can you see him straining to smile? He was really excited...


After gifts, Cooper got to try chewing gum. Even after much hype about how big he would be to chew gum and how we chew and chew it and never swallow, the gum ended up in his tummy. Oops! I guess we'll have to try again on his fourth birthday!

Nate took the day off today to spend with Cooper. They went to Duck Creek this morning just to talk to people. Cooper took his new combine to show everyone. Did I mention he's pretty excited about his new combine?

When the mail came, we had a few new gifts to open. Aunt Hanna made him a really neat book explaining all kinds of tractors and machinery. Very cool! (Thank you, Aunt Hanna!)

We had dinner at El Rodeo, Coop's favorite. He ate chips and salsa for dinner. That's really all. And then we let him eat birthday cake for dessert. Yikes!

A few friends came over for Coop's John Deere birthday. Here is the cake and dessert "display."

Memorable Quotes from today:

At nap time..."I can't sleep in my pack 'n play. Three-year-olds don't sleep in pack and plays!"

Random question at lunch..."Mom - can three-year-olds still cry?"

Getting ready for bed..."Will I still be three tomorrow?"

It has been too long...sorry about that. Much has gone on...so we don't lack for materials. I just haven't taken the time to update the blog. So here are a few random stories...

Miles started saying "hi" on Tuesday. We were playing out front, and Miles saw our neighbor Wilma and her son Steve. He raised his arm and said, "HI!" great big and took off down the street to talk to our neighbors. Cute.

When Aunt Hanna was here, a t-ball rolled down the street and into the drain. Cooper is now really, really nervous about other balls being out on the driveway. He freaks out when we bounce balls, and then quickly bats them into the grass so they will be safe. The other day, we were playing t-ball and a ball started rolling down the driveway. Cooper panicked. I said, "Cooper, calm down! Just relax. I'm going to catch the ball." Cooper answered, "Mom! I can't relax!" Wow - I have no question that Cooper is my child.

See the difference between Cooper and Miles has been encouraging for me. We bought a pair of Old Navy sandals for Cooper last summer. He looked at them and liked them, but didn't want them anywhere near him. Eventually he warmed up some, but it took several weeks before we got the sandals on his feet...and at least the first time he had socks on with the sandals. We got the sandals out of the closet for Miles to wear yesterday. The child laughed the entire time I put them on his feet. He just cracked up!

Here's Cooper driving a John Deere tractor! John Deere is his favorite! Several times a day he says, "Mom, do you know what my favorite color of tractor is? GREEN!"

Miles has given up his morning nap, but he isn't quite ready to make it to the afternoon to fall asleep. He fell asleep in his highchair mid-bite.

More Banff Pictures

Banff, Canada

Carey and I returned today from our extended weekend in Banff, Alberta - Canada. It was great to get away for a few days and while there is much to tell, I thought I'd share a few quick pics.

More Maggie...

She wasn't always so innocent...



She and Harley were such good friends!


We bred Maggie, and she had 6 babies. We named them Vicki, Winston, Duncan, Lydia, Edmond, and Captain.


That Maggie is a sweet girl. She will enjoy having people love on her...

In Honor of Maggie

Today Maggie went to live in a new home. Our neighbor, Dwight, has taken her on. She was being completely neglected in our family, and she deserved to have a home where she would be loved. I admit it broke my heart to see her go! But it was a needed change. Here are a few pictures of the good times:

This is when Maggie first came to live with us:


Maggie slept in our bed as a puppy:


Or occasionally she napped on us:


She loved to help me work:

Puzzles

Cooper was working on a puzzle, and Miles approached him. Cooper started saying, "No, Miles! No!" and he quickly pushed all the puzzle pieces under him. I walked over, and Cooper was still upset that Miles might get his puzzle. He said, "Mom, if I open up my bottom, Miles will get the pieces!"

The Pond

We went to the Tweedy's pond on Tuesday night to enjoy time with their family. Cooper and Miles got to throw rocks in the pond, feed the fish, enjoy frogs that Brent caught, ride a riding lawn mower, and check out pumpkins that the Tweedies planted just for them! What an evening!

At one point, there were several "country" noises around. Cooper paused, and then said, "Hey! I think I just heard a kangaroo!" Hmm...