Happy 11th Anniversary

 

Happy 11th Anniversary.  I love you!

The Field Day That Wasn't - Yet

I have so many posts ready to go for the blog that I need to finish.  But I thought I would get this one on quickly because it's pretty easy.

This morning we were all dressed and ready to go participate in our last Field Day at Kelly Elementary with McKenna.   In all honestly, we were a bit apprehensive because it's 50 degrees and raining.  But we were still smiling and determined to have a fun day.

Just as we were literally walking out the door we received word that Field Day was postponed until Tuesday.   There are positives and negatives to that.   The weather is certain to be better on Tuesday.  However, Daddy will not be able to take off of work to come be there.  Huge bummer.   Regardless, we have had a wonderful 4 years at Kelly Elementary and we will miss spending field day with you, McKenna.   We love you!

 

 So, poor McKenna is stuck in school on this rainy day and Earl and I are at home with these two monkey's.

Good thing they're cute.

Water Ballons on a Wednesday

 

Cooper's Preschool Graduation 2013

In early October of 2007, I packed up a ton of baby stuff and entered Crossroads Discovery Center with my twelve week old baby boy.   Over the next five years, Cooper would spend at least three days a week in the care of the daycare staff.   Cooper has seen teachers come and go, made new friends along the way,  learned ABC's and 123's, but most of all learned about God.

This Tuesday Cooper graduated from preschool.   He has three days left at CDC.  It blows my mind.  I have been taking him there for so long that it seems strange to me that I won't be dropping him off there any longer.  So strange. 

 

We were blessed that Mom-Mom and Pappy Landis were able to attend the ceremonies.  

Kinley enjoyed the program just about as much as anyone.

She yelled, "Yeah Pooper (aka Cooper), " several times during the program.

Cooper received his preschool diploma and an award for being a the class math star.  I SO hope that sticks with him.

Cooper and Jay have been buddies from day one at CDC.   Their birthday's are just two weeks apart and so they have moved up through the school together.   I really hope that their friendship continues.

Cooper and his teacher, Miss Hilary.   Cooper was part of Miss Hilary's class for two years.  It was her first two years teaching and she did an amazing, amazing job.   As a funny side note,  it wasn't until graduation that Hilary and I realized that she grew up in Lewistown and that we attended the same elementary school.  Her father was the preacher at the church where I attended as a young girl and where my grandmother still attends.  Small world!

Ms. Bev has a special place in our hearts.  She has been a helper at the school and for years would ask Cooper if he brought her a hug.   Ever since he was little he would respond by pulling out his pocket and saying, "It's in my pocket."   And at the end of every day she would tell him, "I love you to the moon and back."     I will miss her!

We enjoyed some refreshments after the program.   (Some of us more than others.)

Mimi and Pappy with the graduate.

I have mixed emotions about handing Cooper over to kindergarten in the fall.  Part of me is so excited to see just what he can do.   He's a smart boy and I know he's going to do great things.  But the other part of me just isn't ready to give up my time with him during the week.   I know enough from McKenna to know that once they start school time with them becomes less and less and less.  

Cooper, I love you so much.   The decision to put you in daycare when you were such a small baby was one of most difficult decisions I've ever made.   There were so many days that I left and walked down the long hall with tears stinging my eyes.   I couldn't get to the car fast enough before they were streaming down my cheeks.   Watching you now, seeing the relationships and friendships that you've made, I know that it was the right place for you and the right thing for our family.   You have grown into a sweet,  loving boy who loves his family, his friends and Jesus.  I love you, Buddy.  Happy graduation.

Tea Time with Mom

Cooper treated me to tea this afternoon for Mother's Day.   It was a lovely afternoon filled with presents and cupcakes and songs about how wonderful mother's are.  What's not to love?!

What I really loved most was time alone with my favorite guy.

 

 I was so proud of him as he stood proudly and sang the songs with the other kids.  He wasn't shy or quiet.   He belted out song after song with this adorable smile on his face.

And he even went so far as to pose for one more picture for me.  

In the hallway he showed me the portrait he made of me this morning, complete with carefully curled hair.  

Love you, Cooper.  Thanks for getting this Mother's Day off to a good start.

Not Your Typical Tuesday

I feel like I've really neglected blogging in recent weeks.    I feel like I've neglected everything and everyone in recent weeks.  Save from making sure we had clean clothes and food in the house,  I feel as though I had my eyes glued to student paperwork.  Luckily the semester finished up this week and I've had more time on my hands.   This morning I  walked out of a laundry room filled with dirty clothes, past the kitchen sink that contained breakfast dishes and the office containing mail that needed sorting.    I would have actually loved to tackle all those things today and even maybe get ahead on my list.  But there there are a few special people who deserve a little of my undivided attention.

 

With Earl off to a luncheon with The Dugan's the kids and I packed a picnic lunch and headed to the park.   Well, two out of three kids.  Poor McKenna was in school.   Daddy might have had the chance to meet Bill O'Brien but I had a pretty special lunch date, too!

 We had a beautiful day filled with sunshine and blue sky and more than a dozen heart attacks for me.  Kinley has NO FEAR what so ever.  She is such a change from McKenna and even Cooper.  I'm fairly certain I was coaxing them onto the bigger playground equipment at the age of 4.  Not Kinley.   The bigger the better seems to be her style.   She's going to do me in.  Thank goodness she's so cute when she stands at the top of those big slides and calls my name.

After a walk to feed the ducks and lots of time on the swings we headed home for much needed naps.    Spending a lazy morning at the park really has me excited for school to be out and summer to be in full swing.  I think that we are going to have a pretty awesome time.   If I can keep up with Kinley, that is.

Lunch Date

Kelly Elementary School has a wonderful policy about having lunch with your kiddos.   As in you can go in any day, unannounced and dine with your child on their lunch break.   McKenna has been reminding me of this luxury for no less than 2 years.   I don't know why, but it's been one of those things that keeps getting pushed to the back burner.    So, in light of the fact that McKenna will only be a Kelly Elementary student for 20 more days (sigh) I decided I better get my butt in there.   Especially since her daddy made his lunch debut way back in first grade.

After a trip to the grocery store this morning,  Cooper and I carefully packed lunches for all four of us.   He was excited but guarded and shy.  It's funny to see him like that.  He's not often quiet or shy when I'm around. 

 

 This picture was perhaps the only time that Kinley was quiet the entire time.  She had an absolute blast at the school.  She walked in line with the kids and waved to those who passed by.   The older kids spent a good bit of time telling her how cute she was and otherwise fussing over her.

 The proud big sister chose a seat in between her little brother and sister.  Cooper hardly made a peep, eating his food and listening in earnest as the kids discussed Mine Craft.    When we were leaving he said, "That was really fun."    He's very excited to try this gig out for himself in the fall.

While it's not the best picture, it's will be the only picture of all of them together at the same school.  The way our district is structured, none of them will ever be in the same school at the same time.  Sort of a bummer but I guess in the long run not a big deal. 

After lunch we returned to McKenna's class to deliver a special surprise cupcake treat the Cooper and Kinley picked out at the grocery store for the kids to enjoy.     All in all it was such a great day and so much easier than I ever expected.  I'm so glad that I finally made time to enjoy lunch at school.  I'll definitely do it again!