Memorial Day Weekend 2017

This year we had a low-key weekend. We were all exhausted from the end-of-the-year activities and craziness of completing a school year. We slept in, then went to Freeman Park in Idaho Falls to see the 1,000 flags. It's always such a staggering sight:

Cooper is hiding a 20 oz. 7-UP behind his back. I normally only let him have the 8 oz. cans, so he was thrilled to have a huge one. And yes, he drank the WHOLE THING.

Aren't they just the cutest kids in the world? We still have a lot of activities this week. Amelia will have her final recital for ballet--she has 3 dances this year--and Cooper's birthday party, Yes, it's late. :-)

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!

We had our last day of school today! Cooper is officially a 5th grader and in MIDDLE SCHOOL, Amelia is an 8th grader and in junior high, and I'm a second year teacher. Whew. The hardest of those accomplishments was MINE. I'm happy to have my first year finished. I have so much work still to do, but I won't be as confused or overwhelmed next year. I hope.
Here's some pics:

The last few days of school we had a bunch of field trips. It was fun to have Cooper there with me. I will miss him next year!

   

                                 

As always, we begin and end out year with dinner at Pizza Pie Cafe:

   

 

    

On to a busy, fun-filled summer!

Final Recital and Wax Museum

With the school year ending, we are having all the "final" activities of the year.

Yesterday we went to Amelia's final spring recital for her lessons. Her final orchestra concert was last week, before she went to Lagoon for a festival. Which, by the way, she had a fabulous time and I'll get pictures from her to post. Or you can look at her blog: whatameliathinks.blogspot.com

Anyway, here's a video of her performance:

"Mom! Stop embarrassing me!" At least I didn't get out of my seat, walk around to the front, and crouch down to take a picture like other parents. :-)

She did so well! Afterward they had cookies and veggies as refreshment. Both my kids loaded up their plates and came back to where I was standing. I looked at Amelia's plate and said (a tad sarcastically), "Where's the vegetables?" She smiled a sweet, brace-filled smile and replied, "Still in the bowl."

Sigh. We'll work on nutrition this summer.

Cooper also had his wax museum at school. The wax museum is where they choose a person from Idaho history, write a short presentation, dress like them, and deliver it as  a wax figure. The rest of the time they have to stay still. That's asking a lot of 10 year olds! Here's a few pictures and video from Cooper's fabulous presentation:

This week is the LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL! I wish I could say we have a relaxing summer, but far from it. We're trying to squeeze in a quick vacation somewhere--Cooper has a free pass to all national parks until August. Suggestions? :-)

Cooper's Choice

Cooper is getting ready to register for middle school next year. First, let's just take a moment and let me be a touch sad my little guy will be in MIDDLE SCHOOL in the fall.

Okay, we were going over his electives and trying to decide what he wanted to do. Amelia went with orchestra and has loved every second. Cooper wasn't too excited about orchestra, even though Amelia tried to talk him into it. Band didn't really excite him, either. Nor did choir. So finally I told him had to choose something.  He took a moment, then a huge smile bloomed on his face. He said, "Mom, I'm going to play the guitar!" Whaaaaaat?!

After I got over my shock, I went to work making my little man's dream come true. I tried to find guitar lessons in our town and figured if I couldn't I could use that to try and get Cooper to go with his second choice. But, lo and behold, I found someone who taught private guitar lessons, in town, for not much money, AND he had just had a cancellation that happened to be on the one night we aren't booked. With no reason not to, I signed him up.

On the day of his first lesson, Cooper strapped his brand new six-string on his back and strutted into his first lesson. He's been enthralled ever since. Here's a few pictures:

I wish you could see the head bob that goes with this.

Watch out world--the next Jon Bon Jovi is in training!

Of course, we still have to find him an elective. Guitars aren't used in band until junior high.  Sigh. Rock on, Coop!

Exactly When Did Cooper Get to be 10?!

Cooper turned 10 years old today! TEN YEARS OLD! He's in the double digits now! Excuse me a moment while I stop the hyperventilating. 

Cooper is full of charm, mischief, and outright fun. He is such a happy, thoughtful boy and we can't imagine life without him. There is never a dull moment around him and I love him more than words can say! He's been a charmer since birth, still loves to never wear pants, and has a smile that is contagious and gets him out of a lot of trouble! Happy birthday, Coop! WE LOVE YOU!!!

 

Spring Break 2017

We had a short spring break this year, but packed full of things. We ate lunch at a restaurant where they bring you the food, and spent the night in Idaho Falls at a hotel on the river where we swam for a couple hours.

They named their kickboards Chompy and Bob. 

 

We ate lunch at Red Robin. Amelia was excited to be handed the adult menu. She looked over it for a few minutes, with a disgusted look on her face. I asked her if she wanted to order off Cooper's kid menu. She said, "Yes! They have all this gross stuff on these burgers!" Maybe it's not time to go the adult route on everything.

After all the swimming and excitement, we went to our room, ordered room service and crashed:

Although it was short, it was great to get away for a bit and leave all the stress and responsibility at home. Only 7 weeks until summer break!

What Do You Mean Amelia Is 13?!

Thirteen years ago I was lying in a hospital bed, munching on toast, chatting with the sweetest labor and delivery nurse I have ever met. I had no idea how much my life would change in a just a few hours. 
Later that evening, at 9:11 pm, I was blessed with the most beautiful, caring, talented, loving, smart, funny, determined, and kind-hearted 8 lb. 6 oz. girl I know. And everyone else who meets her agrees with me. :-)  She went from this:

To this:

 While she weighs more than 8lbs now, not much else has changed. She still has an amazing smile, eyes that twinkle with happiness and at times mischief, and is an absolute blessing in our lives. She is dependable, kind to others, a confident little sweetheart and I'm blessed to be her mother.

 LOVE YOU, AMELIA!! Happy 13th birthday! Welcome to the teen years (although you've been adult-like your whole life) ! 😄 

Here she is over the years: