Bear World 2012

It was 1/2 off admission this weekend, so we decided to go to Bear World. It was a lot of fun! The kids' favorite parts were the kiddie rides and the petting zoo. It was a perfect day for going, overcast and cool. Here are some pictures:

Amelia feeding a deer in the petting zoo. Cooper tried, but didn't like the feel of the deer's tongue on his hand.

Petting a fawn.

This year's bear cubs.

On this ride Cooper was a little nervous to start with...

...but quickly got over it. When it was over he announced, "I was a brave, not-scared boy!"

More animals:

We had a great time, and only had tears when I made the kids share a bottled water that cost $3 instead of buying each of them their own.

Cooper's Immunizations

Today I took Cooper for his five year well-check and immunizations. He did great through the check-up, landing in the 81% for height and 92% for weight. He is a solid little guy. He chatted with the doctor and told him how to spell his name, how old he was, what he got for his birthday, what grade he'd attend in the fall and his sister's name and its spelling. After proclaiming Cooper healthy, the doctor left and sent in the nurses.

Two sweet nurses came in, looked at Cooper and sent for a third. After all, a boy in the 81st and 92nd was bound to be strong. I held Cooper's hands and one nurse held his legs while the other two administered the shots. Cooper did great through the first two, only saying, "Ow! That hurts!" and squeezing my hands tightly. The next two brought a few tears, but the last one (it burned a little) sent him over the edge. He cried loudly for 15.6 seconds until I told him it was over. He immediately stopped, sat up and said, "I get my chocolate shake now?" (I may have bribed him before the appointment).

I said yes, and he turned to the nurses and said, "It was not nice to do that to me." They apologized and said it would help him stay healthy and one of them offered him a lollipop. He looked at her with tears still on his cheeks and said, "I should get five, because I had five shots." She couldn't argue with his excellent logic and Cooper soon had five lollipops clutched in his hand. He looked up at the nurses, smiled and said, "That's how you are nice to a five year old boy!" He thanked them and we left.

Easter Sunday

It's been kind of crazy with birthdays, baptisms, finals and holidays! Here are some pictures of the kids all dressed up for Easter. Amelia's dress is her baptism dress with different acessories.



This seems to be Cooper's new pose when taking pictures with Amelia.


And of course, a silly one.

Sake's Alive, Cooper's FIVE!!!

Today is Cooper Flynn Rider's birthday! He woke up and asked me for his presents, so I told him to go back to sleep while I woke up Amelia. He opened his presents and proclaimed his "birfday" the "best I ever had". Good to know, Cooper.

We love Cooper so much! He can be mischievous, but it's hard to stay irritated with him when he flashes his charming grin and says, "I wuv you, Mama." He is a great brother and a wonderful son. He is thrilled to start kindergarten this year and I'm sure he'll give Amelia a run for her money for the cutest kid at Kennedy Elementary!







Amelia reading the "very nice card" she made to Cooper.

Amelia's Baptism

Last Saturday Amelia was baptized. It was a wonderful day and I'm so grateful our family and friends could be there to share it with us. Amelia did great and I'm very proud of her!

Amelia in her baptism dress.


And....if we have a picture of Amelia, we have to have one with Cooper!


Amelia and Joey in front of the font.


The kids and I after Amelia's confirmation by Grandpa Call.


A funny part of the day was after Amelia was baptized we met everyone in a room to conduct the confirmation. Cooper came up to Joey and said, "It wasn't very nice to put Amelia down again!" Amelia's toe had come up the first time so Joey had to baptize her again. Cooper thought he was just being mean.

More pictures of the family:






Our family picture:

Spring Break 2012

Today was Amelia's last day of spring break. It started last week, but with her birthday, baptism and finals we didn't have a chance to go anywhere. Today was a beautiful day, so we strapped on backpacks with water and stuffed animals and went to the park and around town. We stopped at the library and then came home. Back to school tomorrow!

A little back story on the first picture. Cooper is allergic to the sun, so every time he goes into the sun he has to wear 50+ sunblock and a hat or he gets a horrible itchy rash. I found this Chicago Cubs hat at the store and showed him. He said, "It's MY hat! It's a "C", like in my name, and it's RED, my favorite color! The store is so nice to make a hat for me!" But it sounded like this (in voice that went higher as the words went on): "ItsMYhatItsaC,likeinmyname,anditsRED,myfavorite
colorThestoreissonicetomakeahatforme!"

I'll clue him into the truth about the red C some other time.




Everyone together now-"Awwwwwwww!"


We stopped to get some frozen yogurt:

It's So Great, Amelia Turned 8!!

Last Friday Amelia turned eight years old! She is such a little darlin'. Cooper and I love having her in our family. She is such a good helper with so many things (including my homework) and loves ballet, school and just about everything in her life. I also believe she'll grow up to be a litigator, because she can argue her side about any subject you present to her. We love you, Amelia!

Amelia about 9 months.


Amelia at 4 years old. Poor kitty.


Eating some birthday cake.


I see a flash of the upcoming teen years...


All the presents opened....and all by Amelia!


Amelia on her new bike. Apparently when you turn eight you start making weird faces when getting your picture taken.