My creative husband

Jonathan was home with the kids this afternoon. He always has been more creative than me!! I love it!

Some highlights

Wyatt's Smile -- when you say "smile!" - this is what we get. So precious!












Grandma & Grandpa Cooper made a surprise visit to show us their new car! Henry thought it was hot stuff! And we loved the surprise visit... made us feel like they lived down the street.









I watched Anna & Payton today. I left the kitchen for about 2 minutes tops and came back down to find that they had decided to use their hands as stamps. They had pressed them right into the ink pads. They thought it was such a great idea that I was having a hard time being upset with them. Too bad it wasn't washable ink! Sorry Pam! :)

Wyatt at meal time

Henry and Wyatt are so different when it comes to meal time. When Henry was little, I didn't even put a bib on him. He was so neat and tidy and still is. Didn't make messes, didn't play in his food... I could even leave him unattended with no worries of finding something on the floor or in his hair. Then came Wyatt. This kid will put food anywhere. He is such a stinker! He hates wearing bibs -- but he has food down his entire body whenever he is finished. I have learned not to leave him unattended with yogurt or applesauce. It INEVITABLY will end up in his hair, on the floor, down his chair, all over the table... Yesterday I gave him yogurt and graham crackers and then ran into the office to respond to a few emails. He annihilated the graham crackers with his spoon and had yogurt everywhere. I don't what I was thinking... but I quickly reminded myself not to do that again.

It's the little things...

... that really get me excited. Seriously, a new couch... no big deal. New picture frame... somewhat exciting. New shirt... pleasantly surprised. But, an organized pantry with labels to distinguish my trash can from my recycling, you find me getting the camera out! This was a very simple project that was on my list of things to do while Jonathan was busy with his new job. It took my about 15 minutes one morning -- I wanted to take a shelf out of the pantry and bring in two trash cans I wasn't using. Anyways, long story short, this is the kind of stuff that feels satisfying at the end of a long stay-at-home mom day.


Oh, and also this. I've been trying to make the boys meals more exciting. Henry really gets a kick out of this. :)

A very typical morning...

This is what I wake up to about 3-4 mornings a week. Honestly, as much as you don't want your kids to be stuck in your bed, we really don't mind it... there's nothing like waking up to a warm little munchkin all snuggled up next to you. Henry sneaks in and we don't even know it. It's been happening since we moved to this house. A full year. That really was the marker - I think it comforted him at first b/c it was a new environment. Now, I think he likes it as much as we do. And, if you wake up in middle of the night, why wouldn't you find the nearest warm, cozy place and dive in? He almost always cuddles with Jonathan. It's so sweet. We'll be sad when you don't want to come snuggle with us anymore Henry!

Transitions

Henry is in a transition phase of sleeping. He has always been a child who really needs a lot of rest or it dramatically affects his behavior and mood. Lately, we just can't find a balance of when to nap him and when to skip. As a result, on days when I don't nap him, I'm finding him in places conked out... we'll figure it out sooner or later. Or actually we probably won't -- :) I'm just finding myself having to let go of control and know that for awhile the schedule might be a little funky.

Happy Birthday Jonathan

Jonathan turned 32 today. We spent the evening together as a family which we haven't done much of in the past two weeks since J started the new job. It was a really nice evening! We were so happy to just be together with no agenda! And I think the boys enjoyed seeing their Daddy for awhile! :) 32 years of the Lord working in his life. It's amazing to see someone change... and to see what the Lord can do with one life. Happy Birthday babe!

Don't Ask, Don't Tell - Volume 5

Never thought I'd be writing a 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' about an adult. Jonathan's classic line almost everyday is "Where's my glasses?" Well, on Saturday, he asked that question. We had just set up the tent he recv'd for his birthday. His parents and brother were visiting. At the end of the evening, Josh and Jonathan took down the tent. One of Jonathan's forte's (sp?) is fitting big things into small spaces. So as you can imagine, he rolled and stepped and squished the tent back into the nice small tent bag. Not long after, the glasses came up missing. Where were they??? In the small compartment inside of the tent. Oops... that was a very expensive mistake.

I had just made Henry a fruit smoothie.
Henry: Mom, you're the best mom.
Mom: Thanks Henry, that's so sweet of you.
Henry: Sometimes I think you're the best mom.
Mom: Oh, OK.
:):):)

Henry finished breakfast this morning.
Mom: Henry, I'll p/up your plate and cup since you're working on your sticker book.
Henry: Oh, Thank you Mom. I'm really proud of you.

Reuben

Isn't he a doll baby!?!

A new journey...

Last Wednesday, Jonathan accepted a position with the Kettering City SD as principal of Moraine Meadows Elementary. He is very excited about this new journey. This picture was taken on Monday -his first official day of work. I haven't seen him since :) Needless to say, he will be incredibly busy over the next few months learning this new role as well as learning a new district. Centerville was extremely good to him, but we used to live in Kettering and have always heard good things about it too. We are thankful that the Lord has allowed him the opportunity to move in this direction.