Lazy Weekend

We had an extremely l-a-z-y weekend!  Mark was so exhausted from working so much the past three weeks and I just honestly did not feel good all weekend.  I think I went into "pity party" mode on Saturday.  Wrong, I know!  

We did go eat quickly after school and work on Friday night.  I took these pics of the kids right before we left...

I love these of Cooper racing his hot wheels....

Did you notice that he's even wearing a "hot wheels" shirt?  I think he looks like a little Gap model myself...

And they're off!!! 

 

I talked Kam into laying down in the grass for a few shots. I'm not sure about that shirt off the shoulder though...if she were older I would almost call that pose seductive! 

Not too bad if I do say so myself!!!  I am loving my new lens but definitely need to learn to use the settings...

We did go outside for a while on Saturday.  Mark even mowed a little bit.  I'm ready for spring but I absolutely dread mowing!  It takes Mark about two nights a week to do it...and he still won't let me give it a whirl!

We tried to straighten out the garage, which is a mess!  Cooper decided he'd rather shoot hoops than help...

I love his facial expression here...and the backwards baseball cap is my fave!

That is a headboard project that I am working on behind Cooper....working is probably a stretch of the truth.  I bought the headboard in May, stripped what I could off and now I'm waiting on a sander to do the rest.  I just keep forgetting to go get the sander...will eventually get it done though!  

Ah ya yah!!!!  This girl dressed herself again, didn't brush her hair and got extremely dirty while playing outside...

This had to be the highlight of my weekend though....  Kam actually let me fix her hair and she even WORE A BOW to church on Sunday!  

She kept pulling it down but it was a major improvement over normal!  Mimi had to take a picture of her and Campbell in their matching bows.... This morning, she was back to normal on the hair restrictions but I'll take what I can get!!   

Happy Kids!

Although they don't look it here, these two kids are extremely happy that their daddy is finished with his work project!!!  

For the past three weeks, Mark has been working 24/7 on a project, which  means the kids are in bed when he gets home.  Kam doesn't take this well and she's probably had 2-3 meltdowns a week since he started.   Mark reminded me that last year this project took 8 weeks.  Ah...ya...yah!  How did we survive that?  So grateful the project is over and done with and life can return to our version of chaotic normal!! 

Parent Teacher Conference

At Kam's last parent teacher conference, her teacher told me she was going to test her reading to see what level she was on because she was advanced.   When I went Thursday night, she told me that she is reading on an END OF 2ND GRADE LEVEL!  

Her teacher told me that they only get readers like her every once in a while.  I knew that she could read but I have wondered off and on if she was memorizing more than anything... However, I have noticed her reading some of my things and reading them well.  She has always loved books and her teacher says she's just a natural reader.  We are so proud of her!!

Burdened....

I had a few funny stories to tell about the kids today but they will have to wait for another day...

Today my heart is so burdened for people around me--mostly people I don't know, but friends of friends, etc.  I would particularly like to ask you to pray for this family.  Holly Norton is a close college friend of my friend Sherri's.  She was just diagnosed with cancer of the liver, colon, and lymph nodes. It is stage 4, I believe, and inoperable.   She has been at MD Anderson this past week and the doctor told them that only a miracle could save her now. 

Holly has two children - a five-year old daughter, Julia, and another child who turned one this week.  My heart is particularly burdened for Julia, who is having a hard time dealing with this.  I've been told that she won't play at recess and goes to the corner and prays.    I simply cannot imagine.... maybe it's because Kamdyn is her age and I know how she would react to news of this sort.... she's been upset missing Mark with him working a lot lately so I honestly cannot even fathom how this mom and dad must feel trying to explain this to a child.  It's almost more than I can even think about....


Please join me in praying for a miracle for Holly (because God is able!) and for peace for these two children who desperately need it right now!  

Weekend Wrap-Up

We enjoyed a very relaxed and laid-back weekend!  I took Kam and two of her friends to see the Justin Bieber movie on Friday while school was out.  I will definitely post my thoughts on that soon.  We went to a birthday part on Saturday afternoon, church on Sunday, and that was pretty much it!  It was nice to be at home and relax.  Mark broke out the grill on Saturday night and made my favorite grilled vegetables!

On a completely different note, we've been trying to deal with Cooper's aggression the last few weeks.  My new nickname for him is "Raging Bull,"  which suits him well lately.  Cooper's pretty laid back to a certain point.....and then you better watch out!  He goes for blood!  I've witnessed this with him and Kamdyn recently.  Of course, she instigates and provokes but you will miss that if you're not paying attention.  We have her number though....

When he gets mad, he crosses his arms like this and makes that "hummpph" noise like a certain little drama queen I know....

I know I've mentioned that for the longest time, Cooper will only spike or "faux hawk" his hair for church.  Well, he's actually gotten a little better about doing it during the week, but he always comes home, goes to the sink for some water and rubs it down.  It never fails....

By the way, I caught him here during another mad moment!  He gets this from Mark's side of the family -- not mine! 

It's so hard for me to keep a straight face when he keeps making these faces!!

Cooper's Valentine Party

Cooper's Valentine party was Monday morning.  These pictures will look very similar to last year's but I hate not to document this for the future.  

I thought this was a cute picture.  When I walked in everyone shouted, 'Cooper, your mom's here!" and he just kept on playing.  Finally he said, "I know she's here!"  

Cooper has a great class that is made up primarily of girls.   These boys are definitely outnumbered!

Getting ready to play a game....

Cooper went straight for his drink and then ate a few cheese puffs while all the girls around him tore into the cookies and cupcakes.  I almost couldn't stand to leave them on his plate!  And, for the record, I really wanted to just go eat them myself so good cupcakes didn't go to waste!

One of Cooper's friends has a baby sister that all the kids ran to see.  However, upon further inspection of this picture, I think Cooper is "copping a feel" with Miss A!!!

The Valentine exchange.... "look what I got!"

Every time he got a girl Valentine he would say, "I will give this to Kamdyn" and then put them in a pile.   He was very emphatic in the fact that he did not want any girl Valentine's.  He has no idea how much that will change the older he gets!

Birthday Weekend and Wonderful Weather!

My birthday was on Saturday and we literally spent the whole weekend celebrating.  I must have gained at least five pounds!  We went to Outback on Friday night with Mom, Dad, Brian, JJ and kids....it's been a while since I've been there and the cheese fries were calling my name! 

On Saturday, Mark and I had a date!  Mom and Dad kept the kids while we went to Little Rock for dinner at the Macaroni Grill and a movie (and I slipped a few quick errands in too but I didn't want to push my luck--even if it was my birthday!).  I really can't remember the last time we went to the theater without seeing a kids movie.  We saw "Just Go With It" and I thought it was cute.  The kids ended up staying overnight with Mom and Dad (their choice) so it was nice to have some downtime.....thanks Mom and Dad!

Mark and the kids got me a new zoom lens for my camera that is probably WAY MORE zoom than I can handle.  I tried it out Sunday afternoon and was super excited about it. 

I would love this picture if it weren't for the blasted hair in her face!!  If anyone has suggestions on how I should handle this hair issue with Kam, let me know!  I can't stand that her hair is not fixed cute in all of our pictures.... I long to see a bow in her hair again someday!!!

The kids were anxious to play some ball.  This picture cracks me up!  Even though it's out of focus, you can tell Kam is striking a pose!  She really should pay more attention to the fact that her brother is swinging a bat REALLY close to her! 

I am loving my new zoom lens and I really, really love this picture of Coop....

Action shot!  We've only been out to play ball a couple of times but it is amazing the difference a year has made on Cooper's ball skills.  He might actually have some!   Last year he could barely hold the bat up straight and I am looking forward to watching him play and see how much he has improved.

Of course, my country boy needed a "potty break" and decided to take it in the front yard facing the road!  I cropped the picture so I wouldn't get arrested but notice the car passing by in the background.  What am I going to do?  Mark thinks it's just as funny as they do!

Speaking of... I don't think I've ever shared this story on here.  In late August, Mom and I took the kids along with JJ to the "Welcome Back to School" picnic at Henderson.  They had a barbecue and tons of inflatables set up for the kids. We were sitting under those huge tailgating tents eating when I heard my mom shout, "Cooper Ryan! Stop that right now!"  I was actually sitting a few people away from them but when I looked down I saw that Cooper had pulled his pants down and preceded to "potty" right there beside the table.  Keep in mind that there were tables full of faculty and staff all around us!!!!!!

 I just looked down at my plate and pretended that I didn't know who they were...isn't that terrible!  What's even funnier is that Coop's former preschool teacher was sitting right across from me and I just looked at her and said, "I don't know who that is, do you?"  


Of course, Mark thought it was hilarious when I told him... I told him he wouldn't think it was that funny if he did it right in front of the president of the bank!!

You know what I'm thinking about this hair.... somebody get it out of her face!

Time for a big wheel ride....I love that he sticks his tongue out all the time when he's doing things like this.

 

Scooter race...Hopefully, it goes without saying that Kam picked out her own clothes!

The weather was glorious on Sunday and I am loving these 60 plus temps.  I was hesitant at first but I think I am now officially ready for Spring!!!

Sweet Words

On the way home from school yesterday Cooper said, "I love you Mommy because you're the best!"  It melts my heart every time my kids randomly say something out of the blue like that without being prompted.  The conversation went on and he talked about how he loved his Daddy too but he loved him 50 and me 57...so I couldn't wait to tell Mark that Cooper said he loved me more!  Aren't I just awful???  Kam heard us laughing about it and I asked her who she loved more and she said, "I love you both the same!" 

This morning while I was braiding Kam's hair she was holding the ponytail holders and I heard her say that she would protect them (because we keep losing them on the counter in the middle of braiding!).  She was acting like a mommy so I said something about mommy's protecting their kids and she said that her Daddy protected her.  So then I said, "you don't think Mommy protects you as much as Daddy?"  Her reply...."but Mom, Daddy's not afraid of snakes!"  She does have a point there!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Happy Valentine's Day to my sweethearts....

 

Cooper and Mark and their hearts... 

 

AAHH!  I love those guys!  Cooper told me this morning that he would be my valentine and I made him promise that he would always be forever!!!

For Valentine's Day, we got each of the kids a Disney "debit card" as Kam calls it that they can use at Disney World this summer.  They were both pretty pumped about it!

"This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:12-13

Ice Skating

We went ice skating at the River Market in December with some of the cousins and had a blast!  We had lunch at Gusano's and then walked over to ice skate.  It was a first for me so I was excited to give it a try.  Not sure what Elmer Fud, um, Cooper, is trying to say here....

Kamdyn and Kamryn--best cousins forever!

We saw this brick wall and thought it would be a great backdrop for some pictures.  Kylie is sitting on Kamryn...

Pictures of us actually ice skating coming soon!

Snow 2011

Mark and Mom have been after me for two weeks now to post our snow pictures.    There are a ton of them so get ready...

We enjoyed the snow immensely and I'm so glad the kids got to experience a really good snow.  It was a first for both of them and,  as you know, we don't get many snows like that in Arkansas!

The snow began on Sunday while we were in church.  We could see huge flakes falling out the windows and everyone was anxious to get out in it.  By the time we made it home from lunch, it was really beginning to stick and accumulate.  Kam asked us at least a hundred times when she could go sledding.  

Mark bought the kids sleds the day before and I told him that he was going to jinx us on the snow when he bought them.  I told him that he wasn't going to buy them and Cooper threw his arm around Mark's leg and he said, "I wuv you, daddy!"  The manager was standing there listening to our exchange and he looked at me and said, "now isn't that worth $15?"  In the end, I'm so glad Mark bought the sleds because they were perfect and the kids could not have had more fun with them!

Unfortunately, Cooper was sick with the stomach virus when the snow began so he wasn't able to go out the first day.

Our neighbors came over to sled and I tried to prop him up at the window to watch but he could have cared less.    As you can see, the snow was coming down in huge flakes and the girls were covered in it from head to toe! 

I begged Kam to wear a hat and pull her hair out of her face, but she wouldn't hear of it.... imagine that!

Cooper felt better on Monday morning and woke up ready to play in the snow...

I have complained about our "slopey" yard from day one but it was the PERFECT place for sledding!  The kids named the two slopes "Rocket Run" and "Black Diamond."

Cooper and I ready for "Rocket Run"....

At some point, we finally let Campbell down in the snow.  Bless her heart...that's all she wanted was to be in the snow!  She loved sledding too, by the way!

 Mark playing in the road...there was no traffic on this day so we had nothing to worry about.  The kids would sled right up to the road.

Mark actually got up and tried to go to work this day but I pretty much threw a fit about it (I had to remind him about the last time it snowed and I stayed in a cold apartment for 3 days by myself while he was stranded in Malvern--that was before kids!) and he stayed home.  He ended up working quite a bit from home that day anyway but still had plenty of time to play with the kids.


Kam carrying her sled back up the hill.... the kids weren't too keen on that part of it!

Cooper and Braxton...

Mark and Cooper getting a little more adventurous...

Cooper after his landing....

 The boys...

Cooper working hard to make it back up the hill....

Jamie's sister, April, was there and the kids had a blast with her.  She's younger and has more energy so I was really glad to have her around!!! 

Cooper and Brax.... Cooper was a little hesitant at first but he had no fear after his first ride down the hill.

Landing is so fun....

Kam and Mark... there really is a sled underneath him somewhere!

On Tuesday, the sun came out and we did sled for a little while but it wasn't as much fun as the first day.  There was more traffic that day as well so we had to be a little more cautious about the kids and the road.

This might be a cute picture if you couldn't see my big shadow!

A few observations about the snow...

First and foremost, if it did this very often we would have to invest in some snow gear!  The kids made it fine for the most part but their feet and hands were almost impossible to keep completely dry.  Kam did great for an hour or two and then she would begin screaming uncontrollably until we got her in and stripped down to warm up.  Such a drama queen!  We did this several times a day each day with her and my dryer got a very good workout. 


I love the snow but could not live like this all winter long.  My former boss lives in Wisconsin and this is an everyday occurrence for them this time of year.  Not for me!!  As I said earlier, we thoroughly enjoyed playing and eating all day and had a great time hanging with the family for a few days though. 


Having said all that.... I really could use a snow day soon (I just want one day at home to veg--no accumulation!) and there is another chance of snow this week and next!!!  I'm keeping my fingers crossed!