Wise children

Cooper and I were walking through the parking lot of a busy store. He didn't want to hold my hand, and I was explaining he needed to so the cars wouldn't hit him.

Me: Cooper, you need to hold my hand so a car won't hit you.
Cooper: They won't Mama! I will do serpentine, like Mcqueen!

Then he demonstrated and ran into a parked car.


Amelia was being a bit sassy and whining about going out to play in the snow.

Me: Amelia, if you don't stop whining you aren't going to play outside until all the snow melts!
Amelia: Mooooom, then I wouldn't be playing in the snow, I'd be playing in the wet grass.

I love my children, I love my children, I love my children.....I must keep repeating that.

I know, I know!

It's been almost a week since my last post. I hate to disappoint my faithful readers, but I haven't had anything blog-worthy happen this week. It's been a busy one, with school for both kids, work, daily errands and basic chores of life. Let's see if I can list the most boring things I did, so maybe the ordinary will seem more exciting.

1. Filed away all the 2010 papers.
2. Washed a few dishes by hand.
3. I got a haircut. (Boring for you, fabulous for me!)
4. Shuffled through 2010 papers when I realized I still needed some for 2011.
5. Swept out my garage.
6. Put the garbage out, then brought it back in (when it was empty).
7. Sat at the top of the stairs and thought about vacuuming them.

That's all. This weekend should be more exciting, so look for a better post on Sunday or Monday.

Snow fun

The impossible has happened. World peace? A honest president? You-know-where froze over? Skinny jeans look good on everyone? No--

COOPER PLAYED IN THE SNOW!!!! It's true, it's true--take a moment to let the awesomeness soak in.

Amelia wanted to play in the snow on Monday, so I bundled up her and Cooper and ventured out. I explained to Cooper that he had on snow clothes, so snow could get on everything he wore. He did really well until I told him to sit in the snow. After a little more talking and some firm actions, he sat in the snow. He looked around and then said, "I'm in the snow, Mama! And its okay!"

Yes, Coop, it's all okay.

Cooper on top on the snow hill.


Amelia sledding.


Amelia trying to pull Cooper. (He's only 5 pounds less than her.)


Happy kids.




By the time they were ready to come in Cooper had sat in the snow, walked through the snow, sledded in the snow, and thrown the snow. I think he's cured of his snow-phobia. Now to work on walking barefoot in the sand...

Cooper's First Day of School

Cooper is all grown-up and going to pre-school! He started yesterday. Amelia had an teacher inservice, so she was with me to drop him off. I walked him up to his teachers and said goodbye. He looked up at me and said, "I will miss you, Mama." Then took the teacher's hand and walked calmly in. I had a hard time watching his McQueen backpack disappear through the doors. I thought I'd be excited for some "me" time, but I was a bit choked up to realize how grown up the kids really are.

We picked him up later and he said he "wiked school!" He's excited to go back on Thursday. Here's some pics:

Amelia teaching Cooper how to put his backpack on.




His first day. He likes to tuck his thumbs in the straps of his backpack. Now, I know I have a new camera, but the flash is still not quick enough to catch Cooper's eyes open. Plus I'm having major operator issues. I'll work on it.

Amelia's First Gymnastics Meet

Amelia competed in her first meet this weekend. She did GREAT! She was soooo nervous, but remembered all her routines and moves. She placed 5th out of 8, but the girls she was competing against were 9 and 10 years old!! I'm so proud of her! Thanks to Nana, Grandpa, Ben, Courtney, and Andy for coming to watch her, she loved having an audience. Here's a few pictures and videos. The pictures are a little blurry because we weren't allowed to use a flash during the performances.

Amelia in her warm-ups.






Amelia receiving her plaque.


Amelia's floor routine.


Amelia vault.

Advice I Get

Since I've become single, I've received a slew of advice about life, marriage and my "situation" from friends, family and complete strangers. This currently is my favorite:

"You shouldn't be scared to remarry after divorce. All marriages have ups and downs, just like a roller coaster. I mean, just because you threw up on Space Mountain doesn't mean Disneyland still isn't the happiest place on earth."

Good to know, good to know.

Cooper

Cooper is quite entertaining when he's not being a burr. The conversations with him are quite interesting. Here's one we had this morning:

Me: Cooper, please pick up your toys and then go brush your teeth.
Cooper: No, Mama, I want to play.
Me: Cooper, go do what I asked and I'll read two books to you.
Cooper: Okay, okay. You're breaking my heart, Mama.

Friday he was playing with his toys while I was finished some work. He told me he was tired and wanted to relax. It was awfully quiet a few minutes later, and here's what I found:


Yep. He's asleep in the Cooper-sized recliner.

Today I was cleaning up and came out to see Cooper like this:


I asked him what was wrong and he said, "I can't find my white trailer." I said that was too bad, we could look for it later. Then he said in a very sad voice, "It's NOT a Christmas miracle, Mama."

(Background on that comment--throughout the Christmas holiday when he or Amelia would find a toy they'd lost, or something amazing happened I'd say, "It's a Christmas miracle!")

Newest News of the Year!!

See what a difference a new camera makes? Cooper's eyes are open!!


Now, don't get too excited, it's nothing huge. As you know, I'm a MacGyver fan. Have been since I was a child, when the khakis with white sneakers and mullet he sported were fashionable. I was a member of his fan club, and received signed pictures of him. As a grown-up I'm well aware most of his "fixes" never would've worked, proven on an recent episode of "Mythbusters." Thanks for ruining that for me, Discovery Channel.

I received the first season a few years ago, and began watching them over the past week. With the worst of the language being "doggone it", "well I'll be dipped!" and "you've got a screw loose" I allowed my children to watch an episode with me.

They are hooked.

Cooper asks me each morning if we can watch "MacGyver" and snuggle. Amelia mentioned during the opening introduction MacGyver was "very handsome". I KNOW, Amelia, I KNOW. They dance to the theme song, ask a thousand questions, (What's his first name? Why does it hurt his hand when he punches someone? Does he always have that red knife and tape? Where did the doors on his Jeep go? Why did he stare at that girl in a swim suit?) and would watch it nonstop if I let them.

Hopefully no bad will come of their recent obsession, but if Cooper starts to grow a mullet and Amelia want to carry tape everywhere we may need to cut back a bit.



POST UPDATE: This morning Cooper came running into my room while I was getting ready. He told me to "come qwuickly". I ran out, thinking horrible things, and he pointed to the computer chair. His toothbrush was tied to the chair stand with some old curling ribbon. He preceeded to tell me he "fixed" it....just like MacGyver.

Welcome!!

Welcome to our new blog! We (mostly me) discussed what few changes we still needed to make to fully integrate into our new, happier life. Ditching the old blog was one of them! Thanks for being part of our big move, and I hope you'll soon adjust to the new improved blog address! Until then, bookmark it.

If you would all leave a message letting me know you can log on, I'd appreciate it!