He's A Ladybug ?

Yes, that's correct. Cooper is now a Ladybug. Sounds strange for sure but he's so proud.

Today Cooper moved to a new class at school - fondly referred to as the "Ladybug Room". It's always been hard for me when the kids move to a new room. But this time I barely blinked. I guess that's what happens when you've been taking your kids to the same place for almost 5 years. Cooper made the transition so easily. I thought it would be tough for him to leave Miss Kymme and Ms. Beb. But I think that he was more than ready to move onto big kid things.

Every morning he asks if he's going to school and if he can be a Ladybug. It's almost as if he doesn't believe it's really true. And in an effort to promote a little more independence around here (especially in the mornings) I decided to let Cooper chose his own outfit. I thought he would pick from one of the 4 actual outfits that I had already assembled and layed out. Wrong. Let's just say that you're only seeing him from the chest up in this picture for a reason. I'm proud to say that I actually let him be seen in public in the outfit he picked all by himself. Plus, I figured anyone who saw him at school that day would just assume his father dressed him! Sorry Earl!

McKenna's Off to 1st Grade

The excitement in our house was almost palpable last night. It takes a lot to get McKenna excited. I mean really, really excited. But the anticipation of the first day of 1st grade was enough to do it. I think it's pretty evident by the smile on her face.

Yesterday she picked out her outfit, packed her bookbag and even helped to pack her lunch. And last night before bed she asked if I could set her alarm. Most definitely! She ended up waking up before the alarm went off but it was the thought! I remember last year how she sprang out of bed for the first few days and I was the one excited. I thought perhaps we had reached the point where she would get up and get herself ready in the mornings. Oh how wrong I was! Apparently this kind of activity is typical of most kids but only on the first few days of school. I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

What a big girl compared to last year!

And look, homework due the on the first day of school! I've almost perfected the "shoe box wrap" as we call it. Wrapping paper works the best along with a clear glue stick. You've got to be careful about how you cut and fold the corners though. I've vowed that sooner or later I'm going to make myself a template - then whenever Cooper must decorate a shoebox I'll be able to do it lickity split!

McKenna's shoebox was supposed to tell her new friends and teacher about her. She decorated the outside with stickers - camping, ice cream, dogs, butterflies, flowers- all things that she likes. Inside she put a pretend taco (her favorite food), a sea shell (because she likes to collect shells) and a picture of her family (I hope because she likes us!)

She was first in line at the bus stop this morning. A coveted place when there are nearly 20 kids. However, sadly she had to wait until near the end until her name and seat number were called : lucky number 13 this year!

Finally it was time to board the bus. Notice that she didn't give us a second glance!

I'm happy to report that there were no tears this year from me or McKenna. I can tell already that 1st grade is a good place to be for both of us!

Some days my heart and my arms absolutely ache for this little guy. I can't believe that he has grown so big so fast.

But it's hard to be sad for very long because he makes me laugh so hard.

The next Michael Phelps!


The proverbial bull in a china shop...or in this case Cooper in a ceramics shop. Same thing!

And really, what can I say. Anything for a laugh.

One of These Things

One of these things is not like the other...





Look closely....



That's right, McKenna has lost another tooth! She can officially say that all she wants for Christmas is at least one front tooth!

A Little Taste of Fame

My friend Jessica and I have a little fantasy. It involves quitting our otherwise decent jobs and opening a cupcakery downtown. Other than the fact that Jessica is a banker and knows her way around numbers and business plans we know nothing else about cupcakes or bakery's. However, if you flip your TV past TLC on a Friday evening you'll find out that there are two girls in Georgetown who really did quit their corporate jobs and open a very successful cupcakery.

McKenna and I LOVE to watch DC Cupcakes. Because honestly, who doesn't like cupcakes! So, you can imagine our excitement when Uncle Shane called us this morning and said he was in line (yes, you have to wait in line) at Georgetown Cupcakes. Oh, and, "Did we want anything." Uh, YEAH!

A few hours later these were in our kitchen, signature swirl and all...

And though I don't have the pictures to prove it, I can tell you that they are well worth the half hour wait! And potentially the 4 hour drive.