What's Been Going On!

We have finally settled in to a routine with school and work.  The kids both love school!  The first two weeks; however, Cooper was a holy terror in the evenings!  We attributed it to all the changes he was experiencing and I'm just thankful that he wants to go every morning.  I'm sure the fact that he isn't taking a 2-hour nap every day had something to do with it as well.  He has done well in school, according to his teacher, and has only had to pull a warning ticket twice, for throwing rocks on the playground.  I've been assured that he is not the only child doing this and hopefully, it's under control now.  

A few weeks ago, he was king for the day.....one of the things he got to do was play on the computer while all the kids drew pictures of him.  He then got to bring the pictures home in a book and it was really fun to look at all the kids drawings.  This is a new face he is making for pictures now and mom thinks it makes him look shy...

Kamdyn has become a big time animal lover and I'm wondering if I should be calling her "Ellie Mae" now.  A few weeks ago, I picked her up at Aunt Donna's and had to bring home this turtle that they had found outside. 

She had even decorated the box and named the turtle "Baxter."  I'm not a big animal person so there was no way that turtle was going in my house.  We finally talked her into releasing the turtle in our neighbors yard before we went to the football game that night. 

My friend sent me this picture of Kam catching tadpoles at her pond.  She says she wants to be a vet when she grows up and I'm really starting to believe her!

And, because I'm so behind on blogging, here's a few more pics that are totally unrelated to anything I've been talking about here.  This is Cooper (again with that shy smile), Campbell, and Braxton before the panther game a few weeks ago.  Pretty cute fans, in my opinion!

One of the kids in Cooper's class got glasses and his teacher had a pair of glasses (minus the lenses) for each kid to wear on his first day to wear them.  What a great idea! 

Hoping to catch up on posting some pics from the summer.... hang with me!

I Can See Clearly Now

I took the kids to the eye doctor for their first exam a few weeks ago and was shocked (sorta) when Kam needed glasses.  I didn't think Kam would go for it, but she was sold once she tried on a pair with some "bling" on them!

She's only been wearing them a few days and she says she can see "so clearly now!"  I think she looks adorable in them!  She has since told me that now she needs braces....I told her one thing at a time!

Timber Lodge 2012

I've said it a hundred times I know, but Timber Lodge weekend with the Efird's is one of my most favorite weekends of the year!  My cousins and I all grew up close and even though we don't see each other as much as we would like, we all maintain a close-knit relationship.  Our kids are all close in age and have the best time together.   It's a weekend of fun, food, fellowship,fishing, 4-wheeling, no-fuss, no makeup, no rules.... I could go on and on.
  
Getting ready to zip line across the lake....note to self for next year:  a harness over a swimsuit cover up is neither comfortable nor attractive!

Aidan, Braden, Kylie, Kenzie, Kamdyn, and Kamryn....

Kamdyn and Kylie zip lining....

Cooper's first zip line experience.... he was too nervous to do it last year but couldn't wait to do it this year - until we got to the top of the mountain.  He was fine once we got going and said it "was awesome!"

Sitting on the dock of the lake...

It's always extremely hot when we are there but we always get Mamaw and Papaw out to sit on the dock (in the shade, of course!) and watch all 30-something of us zip line.

Campbell, Kason, and Aidan....

Pop and Coop fishing on the bank.... Coop has developed a new love of fishing and has asked several times to go since... a new fishing pole will be in order soon!

Pop and his boys... 

Mark and the girls fishing across the lake...

The guys always have a poker night at one of the houses while the girls take care of the kids.  There was even a trophy this year and Mark won the first ever Timber Lodge "Chumpionship" trophy... I'm so proud!

This year we decided that the girls would get in on the fun and planned our own activities!  We played "Just Dance" one night and Bunko the next and had a blast!  Both will be annual events now.  Thank goodness there were no cameras around for the dance competition.... let's just say the Chastain girls don't really have it going on!

Finding some shade at the playground...

Playing in the game room...

Cooper's birthday usually falls while we are at Timber Lodge or soon after.... he thinks we go there for his birthday and I'm not going to let him think any differently!

Blowing out the candles....

Annual group picture right before we leave on Sunday.... Papaw always likes to say he and Mamaw "started all this mess!"  Cooper's the only one not looking (just like last year!) but one out of fifteen kids facing forwards is success in my book!

We all agreed that this was one of the best years we've had!!  Timber Lodge 2013 is already on the calendar for next year and I can't wait! 

Cooper's 1st Day of School

As with Kamdyn, we had to read "The Night Before Kindergarten" to Cooper before bedtime.  I forgot to buy Coop his own book so we could write a note to him in it, but luckily he didn't realize we were reading Kam's.  He will have his own soon!

Kamdyn was dying to read to him and he finally consented to her reading "Kindergarten Rocks" to him.

This boy normally pops out of bed but he was a little slower to rise this morning...notice he goes to bed in his bed and wakes up in mine!

Breakfast of champions before the big day....

My big kindergartener!  Where has the time gone?

Backpack ready to go...

Surprisingly cooperative for the pictures.....isn't he a handsome kindergartener?

Silly...

Back to serious... well, sorta.

Cooper and Mark...

Posing with Sissy....notice they aren't too close together.  I had to coax him on over her way.

More silly faces...

 Trying to stay away from her and stay serious...

This little boy is really not so little in size... he's almost as big as me, but he will always be my little boy!

I think from this pose you can tell that Mark's getting a little tired of all the pictures... 

First day pic with both my babies...

Kamdyn's first day of second grade and Cooper's first day of kindergarten...

Pulling up to school...still has that same smile on his face!

Walking in with Daddy... sometimes I think I miss participating in moments because of my camera!

Heading to Ms. Mac's room...

When I asked Cooper to get one last picture, he ran to Mark.  My heart stopped for just a moment thinking that he was going to cling and not want us to leave....but he hugged us both quickly and was ready to head to the playground with Ms. Mac.  His buddy was waiting there for him...but I didn't get my picture!

After visiting with several other parents, Mark and I decided to be playground stalkers and watch for a while as they lined up to go inside.  He looked fine to me which made it much easier to leave.    

He went to Aunt Donna's after school (for some reason they didn't want me to pick them up!) and had a great first day!  He didn't get in trouble and wanted to go back the next day so I call that a  success!

This girl did too, even though you couldn't tell it from looking at her here.

Talking to Pop about his first day of kindergarten...

I love Cooper's teacher who texted me about noon and said, "doing good, Momma!"  I was dying to know how he was making it and I really appreciate her thinking of me.  Later that afternoon, she sent me this picture of him...

Melted my heart!  I'm so grateful to Ms. Mac for making his first day (and mine!) an awesome one!  I think it's going to be a great year!

The Night Before Kindergarten

Dear Cooper,

Tomorrow is your first day of kindergarten and I can hardly believe it.  It seems like just yesterday that I brought you home from the hospital.  You've always been a "Momma's boy" (despite how much your daddy teases you about it!) and I hope that will never change. You have turned into the funniest little boy ever who can make me laugh endlessly with your silly faces.  As a matter of fact, you know that and have used it many times to distract me if I'm ever getting on to you. 

I think you are excited about starting school, but you don't quite show it like your sister did.  You've not really gotten into the backpacks or new clothes, but I think you are pretty pumped about your new lunchbox and tennis shoes.  My prayer for you tonight is that you wake up excited in the morning about school.  What a great adventure you are about to begin!

Although I'm excited about you starting school, I'm a little sad as well.  You're my baby and I'm not really ready to let you go.  I'm not sure how I'm going to ride to work without you in the car with me every day.  I will miss you running up to me and shouting, "Mommy!" when I picked you up every day at Mrs. Mae's.  That was always one of the highlights of my days and I have always dreaded the day when you stopped doing that.  You see, that would mean that you're growing up and I know I keep saying it, but I'm not ready for that.  I'm hoping that tomorrow when I pick you up from school that you will still be as excited to see me as I will you! 

As I said, you are about to start a great adventure!  You are more than ready for kindergarten and I can't wait to see you learn and thrive as you make new friends.  I know you're going to blow your teacher away with your math skills already!  :)

Cooper, you are my special gift from God and I'm so proud to be your Mommy!   God knew that I needed you before I even did and I can't thank him enough for the blessing and privilege of being your Mommy! 

I love you to the sun and moon and back, Cooper Bear!

Love,

Mommy