Golf Pro

This has been a busy week with two birthday parties and the start of Bucknell "Golf School" for Cooper.    He has been waiting weeks for golf to start.  Thursday morning started out a little bumpy.  He was tired and nervous about what the lessons would be like and there were a couple of tears shed before I promised that I would not leave him there by himself.

Once we got to the facility he was all business and didn't give me a second thought.

 

 

 

 

The pictures aren't great because it was so overcast and foggy.

 

Earl has been impressed by how much Cooper's swing has improved after just two lessons.

After the first lesson, Cooper jumped in the car and exclaimed, "That was soooo fun.  I wish I could do that every day."    Oh boy, what have we started?    No, really, we are thrilled that he is having so much fun learning a sport that he can play for many years to come. 

Cooper's 6th Birthday Festivities

In order to accommodate schedule of friends and family, we split Cooper's birthday celebrations into two parties.   We celebrated with family with a little cookout and swimming.  At the last minute we decided to eat lunch instead of supper.  Good call since it started to pour down rain as we were finishing eating.

 

 

 

 

On Thursday we hosted a few of Cooper's friends for a Minecraft inspired party.    Nicole and I collaborated to make the cake.   I think it turned out pretty good for my first try!
If you're not familiar with Minecraft then it probably just looks like a brown square with a green top. 

 

 

Mimi helped out by making the favor bottles. 

 

And McKenna decorated rice crispy treats to look just like the cakes on the Minecraft game.

 

 

We were once again forced indoors by rain and threats of tornadoes.    But with a little prayer the kids did get some time outside in between down pours to run off some energy.  I had all kinds of games planned but they were content to play freeze tag for the better party of 45 minutes.   Fine by me!

Hope you enjoyed your birthday, Coop!

Dear Cooper

Dear Cooper,
In a few short hours you will turn six years old.   I asked you if you thought you would feel differently tomorrow.  You said that you definitely think you'll be a little taller.   I don't know about that but I hope it's true!
On the eve of your birthday I can't help but remember the day you came into this world.  You surprised us, coming four weeks ahead of schedule, on the heels of a hot summer weekend of amusement parks and baseball games.   Apparently you didn't want to miss out on any of the fun.   And fun loving you are !    I love your laugh and your smile and even the mischief you get into.  I can see it form behind your eyes before you even utter a word or make a move.   You have always loved to make people laugh - especially your sisters - although sometimes they get a little annoyed with your tactics. 
One thing that continues to impress me is the heart you have for others.   You are very thoughtful and you think about making things special for other people.   Just this past weekend, while we were visiting family, you colored picture after picture to give to people you barely even know.   And don't get me started on how sweet you were to Daddy on Father's Day.   You sure know how to melt my heart.  I pray that you will always think of others the way you do now. 
Yes, you have your moments where you have to be told to listen or to calm down.  There are lots of times that I shout, "Please let your sister alone!" more times in a day than I care to discuss.   I know we have trials and difficulties and days when we both have less than ideal attitudes.    But I think that it's part of how we learn and grow - you into a young man and me into the mom of a young man.   We stumble every once in awhile but I think we are doing a pretty great job.
This year you've grown taller and more mature.  You've embraced sports with such enthusiasm.   Basketball was a new and wonderful experience for our family and this week you start golf lessons.  Soon, I fear, I will loose you to Daddy and the golf course!  
The year that you turn six is going to be a big year for you.  In less than two months you will be starting school and my time with you each day will be cut a little bit shorter.   I will miss you being here with me during the day or being able to pick you up from school early for an afternoon of movies.     However, I will enjoy watching you make new friends and explore new things.
Tomorrow we will celebrate the six years you have been part of our family.    I, for one, can't imagine my life without my sweet boy. Thank you for making me smile, laugh, care and want to be a better person.   I love you to the moon and back - even when you wipe off my kisses with that silly grin on your face.

Love You!
Mommy

Twin Streams Campground 2013

Warning : This post contains an obnoxious amount of pictures.

We are tired on this Monday morning, having spent the weekend camping with our cousins.   This was Kinley's first time camping and aside from a little bit of bad attitude, she did quite well.   McKenna and Cooper are camping pro's and loved every minute of their time at Twin Streams.
 

I'm fairly certain we were at the campground less than an hour before the kids had persuaded Uncle Frank to take them in the creek.   Truth be told, I don't think they had to do much convincing.   

Zach just loved hanging out with Kinley.   He would have carried her all over the campground and catered to her every need if she would have let him.   Unfortunately, this girl is Miss Independent.

 

Bike riding is a big deal at the campground.  There is lots, and lots, and lots of bike riding.  It was nice this year that the kids were all old enough to ride around the loop or up to the camp store by themselves.

There is always one goofy picture of Earl from our camping weekends.  I'm pretty sure this one wins the prize for 2013.

Meal times were an event with 8 kids and 7 adults. 

S'mores.  S'mores. S'mores.

 

 

All the kids! 

 

It was fun to spend time with Carol and Frank.  We were sad that they could only stay one night with us. 

On Saturday we spent more time in the creek.  The kids love the falls and the little "water slide".

 

 

After the kids were sufficiently water logged we had lunch and sat down to do a craft.  Decorate your own pillow case proved a good afternoon diversion.  Krysta and I even got to sit down for about 5 minutes while the kids worked on their projects.

 

 

Our obligatory camping picture on "the rock" before heading for home.
Camping was the only "must do" on McKenna and Cooper's summer wish list.  We were happy to be able to make it happen so early in the summer.    However, I'm fairly certain they will be begging to go again before the summer is over.

 

Family Pool Time

The weather and our schedules finally cooperated for us to spend some time at Mimi and Pappy's pool today.
 

McKenna and Cooper with their goggles crack me up.   

Kinley loves the water.  Third time must be a charm, as the other kids were slow to warm up to the whole swimming thing when they were younger.

It was nice to spend some time with Mimi and Pappy.  We haven't seen them much over the past two weeks.

 

 

 We are looking forward to the promise of above average temperatures forcasted for the coming week.  I'm sure I will be posting more pictures that look just like these.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

One of our activities this summer has been growing a garden.   It's been keeping us busy and led us to this weeks craft project.  Since our garden is quite fruitful, we needed to figure out a way to identify our vegetable plants.  We chose some big rocks from the field beside our house and grabbed some outdoor paint. 
 

 

 

Tucker picked a shady spot to keep watch over us.  

Cooper painted some very  nice tomatoes. 

McKenna worked on the lettuce and peppers.   We still have a few more rocks to do : cucumbers, zucchini, and cantaloupe.

 

Salad anyone?  Fresh romaine lettuce is my absolute favorite! 

My little gardeners.   They have each wonderful helpers this summer.  Kinley and I love to walk out to the garden throughout the day and check on the progress of our plants.  McKenna and Cooper are my watering helpers.   Our hose does not reach out to the garden so the kids drive their little gator out with a full five gallon bucket and some watering cans in the back.  

This year we decided to try our green thumb with strawberries.  I have to tell you that they are THE SWEETEST, MOST DELICIOUS strawberries I've ever had.  EVER.   It's too bad we only get a few berries every couple of days.
I never would have pictured myself as a gardener but I have come to realize I really enjoy this summer pastime.   If only the garden was bigger.  Maybe next year.