Birthday Wrap-up!

We made it through birthdays!  I still find it hard to believe I have a 14 year-old and an 11 year-old. Here's a few pictures from the celebrations:

First, Amelia's birthday:

BEST. VIDEO. EVER!

Second, Cooper:

Next up: final recitals, concerts, and field trips!

Oh My Heavens, Cooper's 11!

Cooper Flynn turned 11 years old today! ELEVEN YEARS OLD! He's knocking on 12's door! Excuse me a moment while I stop the hyperventilating. 

Cooper is full of charm, mischief, and outright fun. He is such a happy, kind, thoughtful boy and we can't imagine life without him. There is never a dull moment with 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!!!

 

Bon Jovi 2018!!

I am happy, excited, thrilled, ECSTATIC, that I was able to go to my THIRD Bon Jovi concert s few weeks ago. I was ON THE FLOOR, 20 ROWS AWAY FROM THE STAGE. I could see facial expressions, I could see guitar strings, I COULD SEE HIS MARACAS!  I went with my friend Shari and had a fabulous time! I thought being on the 20th row would be the most satisfying concert ever, and it was--but now I want to be close enough to actually make eye contact with Jon someday! It was a great concert, and I am so happy I could go! Here's a few pictures:

Can't wait for the next one!

Can You Believe Amelia is Fourteen?!

Fourteen years ago I was lying in a hospital bed, munching on toast, chatting with the sweetest labor and delivery nurse I've ever met. I had no idea how much my life would change in 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 14th birthday! I'm so happy you're not a sullen teenager.....yet) ! 😄 

Here she is over the years:

March Happenings

The month of March was a fun one.  Cooper had a choir concert, Amelia spoke in church, and Cooper had DARE graduation. Most importantly, Amelia had her 14th birthday, but I'll do a separate post for that. :-)

First, Cooper has his second choir concert. He did a wonderful job and it's hard to believe he's finishing up his 5th grade year. It seems like after my kiddos pass the 4th grade the years speed up! Here's a pic:

Cooper is gaining on Amelia height-wise. I think he'll pass her this year. All Amelia said about it was, "Guess I'll need more high heels."

Here is his DARE graduation picture. Amelia loved seeing all her old teachers!

Amelia had another orchestra concert. I'll try to post a video of them playing "Pirates of the Caribbean." She did a great job. Here she is with her friend (who is NOT shorter than Amelia, Amelia is just wearing heels) and a photobomber friend:

We also visited family a bunch:

That's it! After birthdays we get into the craziness of school ending. I can't believe another summer is almost here. We have girls camp, youth conference (she's 14 now!), scout day camp, family reunions, swimming lessons, and lots of sleeping in!