A special visit

My oldest brother Chris lives in California. He moved there when I was probably in 2nd grade and has been there ever since. It is always such a special treat when he comes to visit. We typically see him 1-2 x's a year -- the past few years he has been in Indiana, we bribe him to come to Ohio to see us and the Berry's. I think he comes because we always guarantee him a birthday party! His b-day is on December 24th... we tell him we'll actually separate it from Christmas and we'll even buy him gifts :) It has become a fun tradition. We love having him. This was the first year that Henry really got to know him better. Chris always spends time with the kiddos which means more to us than he probably knows. I love that Henry already has memories with his "Uncle Chris from California."

The day Chris left, I was reminding Henry he had to drive all the way back to CA. I showed him on the map how far it was and explained to him that it was kind of like FL in the fact that it is warm a lot. Henry looked at me and said, "does he get to wear shorts all the time?" I smiled and said yes and told Henry that maybe he'd be a good candidate for living in CA :) Henry wears shorts everyday if we're not leaving the house. It's something that other older women have counseled me to not pick a battle on... and I have found we are much happier letting him wear shorts and teaching him how to put them away when he needs to put his pants on.
My mom also let me in on a little secret. She can play the piano. She told me she couldn't, but then she did remind me she could read music b/c she played the accordian like 50 years ago. Apparently she has a very good memory :) I know she has always been more musically inclined, but I was amazed at how fast she sat down and picked out songs and then played two hands at once (something that I know is probably simple but amazes me! I can hardly wait to learn!). It was so great. She began to get a little obsessive and I could tell she had that urge to conquer it!! I loved it. It was a very special time and I can't wait until she comes back so I can show her what I've learned. I was so grateful for the piano. Hearing her play was so fun and I love the sound of it floating through the house.

Merry Christmas!

We spent Christmas Eve with the Berry's - it was wonderful! Dinner, dessert, gifts, and the Polar Express. This morning was fun with the boys... Merry Christmas!

Stockings

We do the 12 days of Christmas for the kids stockings... so all 12 days leading up to Christmas, they get something in their stocking each morning. I almost gave up this year -- but then my good friend encouraged me not to.. and I'm so glad I listened! The boys have an almost fully restocked tool bench now. They are ready to build anything and look forward to their stocking each morning.

When Daddy is home...

... things happen. Like this incredible lego 'fire station' that is symmetrical and color coordinated. I don't how he does this. But Henry loves it! And... he buys things like pianos for birthdays! :) What a big surprise I had this year!! I've always wanted to learn how to play, but when he tells me to take lessons, I shrug and say 'why? If I don't have a piano at home to play, there'd be no use in taking lessons.' I guess after 10 years, he decided that he wanted to make one of those small dreams come true! I always played sports in high school and I loved to do musicals, but for some reason, never took up an instrument. It's always been a regret. While I love sports, especially as a woman, it is hard to participate the older you get b/c of 'life.' But, I've always thought an instrument would be so nice b/c you could enjoy it at home and your family could too. I'm excited to start to learn! We already have lessons scheduled. A girl at our church is giving them -- I told her I'm sure I'll be her oldest student! :)

Memorable Things Kids Say - Volume 7

Anna and Henry are playing right now. First we made cookies. (I did tell Anna to take her fingers out of her nose!) While the cookies are baking, they decide to play "house." This seems to be the popular past time lately. In the last picture, they are "sleeping" - can you see the doll house sitting right by the kitchen table? That is where their "babies" are sleeping. They go to sleep, wake up, come to the house, take care of the kids, daddy (=Henry) goes to work, Mommy (=Anna) stays home with the children. Go back to sleep. Here is what I am overhearing:

Anna: Daddy (this is what they are calling each other), get up! The boy baby is calling your name.
Henry: Baby, go to sleep! Stop calling my name!

Anna: Morning time! Get up Daddy!
Henry: Good morning! It's a great day!

Henry: Mommy, the babies didn't wake up ALL night!! That is sooo good!
Anna: I know!

Henry: I can't go to work today b/c there is a tornado coming... get the babies out of the sandbox!
Anna: Oh no, a tornado! I'll get the babies!

Anna: Night time!
Henry: Good night!

Anna: Oh no... coyotes!
Henry: Are they girl or boy coyotes? If they are girls, you have to fight them.
Anna: They are girls! I'll get them. (she gets up to fight them... very scary!)

Henry: Morning time!

So... just a snapshot in 24-hours of life with Anna & Henry. Last week, they were playing in the basement. Henry came up and told Pam and I they needed a blanket for their baby. He was so serious, we could hardly keep from laughing. I asked why? He said, well, we just got married down there and now we have a baby (at least they did it in the correct order!) and the baby needs a blanket. Wow... all this from kids who don't even watch a lot of TV!!! :)

Scripture Sowers

Henry was very excited to be able to finally start his new Sunday school classes at church. This red t-shirt is for the 'beginners' at church who are in the Scripture Sowers evening program... it's a memory program where they go through a cycle of learning verses, and as they grow older, the texts they memorize build and get longer. Cool! I love it. We have the 'Fighter Pack' from Desiring God.org, but this program will help make it more exciting since he'll be doing it with other kids. It's on Sunday nights -- he got lucky and started on a night they had game night. He was pumped. I think they thought they were welcoming him in! :)
Scary smile!

Another first

Henry and Anna had their Christmas preschool program this past Sunday night. Anna lost her shoe on the way down the aisle and Henry's face lit up when he saw us. He looked very proud! All in all, it went really well until Henry knocked over a microphone b/c he was curious so he reached out and grabbed it. Then it fell over. I'm sure they'll think twice before they put him in the front row again! He was also very excited that Reuben came to see him perform!

a real Christmas tree

We always had one growing up... and Jonathan loves this tradition even though he did not do this growing up. It is SO fun to go out on a crisp, cold morning - get some hot chocolate and doughnuts, and hunt down the perfect tree. We've been doing this with the Berry's now for 7 years, and it's always such a wonderful way to start the season. Now we all have 3 kids to tote along, and we are thrilled to bring them in on the excitement!! Apparently, Jonathan and Devon are getting older b/c it took two of them to finish sawing this year :) The tree was perfect when we got it home... Happy Holidays!

Full Bellies

We had another great Thanksgiving at the Cooper home in Upland. The turkey was a bit ornery, but once he realized Mom was serious, he shaped up and we only ate an hour late! After the feast, the men washed dishes and cleaned the kitchen while the women sat and watched the Packers. It was great! So unusual... :) Henry and Wyatt were mostly busying conquering the wild west down in the playroom... trying to decide who the real cowboy was. I think Wyatt thought he was until Henry came out of the shower and stole his cowboy hat. It was a great 3 days of rest!

Happy Thanksgiving

So much to be thankful for! These turkeys are thankful for the "package" that is coming in July... blue again... or maybe pink? Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Don't Ask, Don't Tell - Volume 7

Does this ever happen to you? I'll be excited to have a new stove someday... but for now, I'm stuck having surprises build up underneat the burner. This surprise happened to burn right before we had a huge church group over to our house -- and it smelled horrible!! I honestly have NO idea what it was... it just kept rising higher and higher. A mystery...

Little Turkey

I took our little Turkey to a metro park "field trip" with Pam. Beth was so kind to watch the little ones so we could enjoy time with just the older kids. They really like it and it was a beautiful fall day!! The farm animals were great - and it was fun to watch the kids listen and try to understand instructions. Henry loved feeding the hens and the roosters. A fun fall day!