Splash park

We recently went to the splash park.  Two knew splash parks were just built and we decided to go check one out.  The big kids had a blast, we actually stayed there for two hours!  There were lots of spray areas and water equipment for the kids to play with.  Cooper always makes friends where ever we go.  Beckett wasn't to sure at first but he eventually warmed up to it and started to crawl around and play in the water.  Allison even helped Beckett walk around the park.  Its funny how as moms we remember to put sunscreen on our kids but some times we forget to put it on our selves.  Well guess what I have a terrible sunburn on my neck now!   

Bye..

We went into Midland this weekend to spend time with my sister Courtney and her family before they move to Florida next week.  We had a lot of activities planned into two days.  My sister Heather and her family even drove into town Sunday from San Angelo to spend time with all of us.  There were 13 of us!!  It was bitter sweet hanging all together, like old times when we got together daily when we all lived in Midland.  As I drove away from my sisters house watching her and her husband and children on there porch step I was flooded with memories from the past several years.  If you asked me 5 years ago where we would all end up, I couldn't have even dreamed up how things turned out!  Most people know how close I am with my sister Courtney.  I have tried very hard to put on a brave face and stay busy enough not to think about her big move.  I literally cried driving from Midland to Andrews.  Hopefully we can try to be better with keeping in touch and visiting each other. We already have plans to visit my sister and her family in March. 

A Surprise Party!!!

My friend Dana's birthday was on Friday, her husband planned a surprise 80's themed party.  I was asked to help with a few games and decorations.  I had a lot going on Friday with the last day of school, I even watched there son while they went to the movies.  I was able to finish the decorations/games, make the cake, make an appetizer all while watching four kids.  Richard was able to come home early for me to get ready and leave to decorate there house with there son.  Thankfully with all I had going on everything all came together and we were able to PARTY Friday night!  We had a blast playing a 80's trivia game, dressing up in the photo booth, listening to 80's music, and eating delicious food/cake!! I am so thankful for the friendship that I have with Dana, I have made a life long friend!

Last day 2013

 

Another school year has ended!  So proud of how far Allison has come this school year.  She definitely had a tough adjustment to second grade and her new baby brother.  But Allison and I worked together to make her feel adjusted and I feel like she made it through the school year a stronger person.  I am also extremely thankful to Allison's wonderful teacher, Mrs. L had such a huge giving/caring heart.  I truly felt like she loved and cared about my child.  Allison also made a lot of friends this school year, one in particular is her friend Madison.  I honestly feel like I was up at Allison school all the time!  I've made lesson plans for Allison to work on this summer so she wont get rusty!!  Allison was even teary eyes driving home from her school on the last day.  I've got most of her friends telephone numbers so we can set up play dates this summer.  Although I have to say I am probably the most excited about school being out this summer, because this mama got burned out on making lunches, the constant homework/reading/projects, and driving all over town to pick up and drop off Allison and Cooper.  YAY FOR SUMMER!! 

MOPS

Another year of MOPS has ended, the groups year coincides with the school year.  MOPS stands for Mother's of Preschoolers.  I joined this group last year when I was still new to Hobbs and I was 5 months pregnant with Beckett.  I want to say there are at least 30 women in the group and the women are divided into tables for the year.  I was put on the yellow table this year.  How blessed I was to be placed with kind hearted and giving Christian women.  Through out the year we have a monthly moms night out with the ladies on the yellow table and we just recently completed our service project.  We feed breakfast to the police department.  During the MOPS year we meet twice a month.  During the meeting there is a daycare provided for the children (volunteers from the church), while us mommies enjoy a potluck breakfast and group discussions on an assortment of topics of motherhood.  Cooper has enjoyed MOPS also by making several friends and enjoying several group activities.  I am so thankful for the women that I made friends with through this group.

Cooper's end of preschool party!

Wednesday Cooper had an end of the year picnic/swim party.  I didn't see Cooper the entire time we were there, he played with his friends tell the last second.  Beckett was totally content siting in his stroller watching.  I enjoyed talking to his teacher and some of the kids parents. 

I cant believe that Cooper's preschool year is over.  I was unsure how Cooper would do in school since he has been home with me his entire life but he surprised me.  Cooper's teacher Mrs. Morgan has always told me that Cooper is well behaved, a good listener, a conscious worker, and a intelligent student.  My Cooper is an active little boy and I worried what kind of student he would be but he is behaves excellent under other peoples care.  While in school Cooper made several friends, heck where ever we go Cooper is making friends!  WE still have a lot of things to learn this summer to get ready for kindergarten but I know Cooper is up for the challenging.  I am thankful for his time at his preschool and blessed we had such an amazing teacher who genuinely loved my son.  While we have been in Hobbs Cooper has grown the most.  I remember my brand knew three year old who I still treated like a baby.  Cooper has really worked his way up to be such a great kid and wonderful big brother.  I think that I never give Cooper enough credit, even as an infant.  Out of all my children Cooper has pushed me to grow as a mother, he always keeps me on my toes and I am constantly learning.  I cant believe my baby blue eyes will be in Kindergarten in August where has the time gone..

Preschool Graduation

                                                                                               Cooper and Richard's parents

                                                                                             Cooper and his best friend

                                                                                           Cooper and his teacher Mrs. Morgan





Tuesday night Cooper graduated from preschool!!  It was a crazy full day but we were able to be there for Cooper's graduation and enjoy the school program.  I was so worried Cooper wouldn't say his part for the month of October but the kid surprised me and actually remembered it!  Something people don't know about Cooper is he loves to sing, he was loudly singing all the songs during the program it was soooo cute.  The children graduated in order of there speaking parts which meant Cooper wouldn't be at the end!  The director would call the child's name and list what that child wanted to be when he or she grew up.  Some of the kids answers were hilarious "I want to grow up and be the boss of my own remote control!"  The director would then hand the diploma to the child and shake the child's hand.  After the child received the diploma then they would walk across this bridge and stop in the middle and move there tassel.  I was crying like a baby when it was Cooper's turn!  Cooper said when he grows up "I want to be just like my daddy and work at Chevron!"  Be still my heart I love that little blue eyed boy more than I can describe!!!!  After the graduation we took a bunch of pictures and went to dinner with my in laws, Cooper's choice at Furr's Cafeteria!

Play Day 2013

Allison had play day on Tuesday.  The boys, my in laws, and I were able to watch Allison during play day from 8 am until 12 pm.  I figured instead of giving a long drawn out explanation of her day I would give a few highlights.

*It was unusually cold that morning (We actually wore jackets)
*Allison won the soccer ball kicking drill
*Beckett sucked on his first pickle and loved it
*Cooper was such a good boy the whole 4 hours ( he played games on my phone)
* Allison's favorite activities during play day were the photo booth and face paint booth

To end the day the school had a sky diver land in there playground.  Then the fire department sprayed the entire school. 

Family visit

Monday afternoon my mother and father in law drove into Hobbs.  They decided to stay the night at a hotel so that they could be here for Cooper's preschool graduation Tuesday night and to watch Allison during play day Tuesday morning.  As soon as we picked up Allison from school we went to swim at the hotel pool.  Allison of course had a blast jumping back and forth from the hot tube and pool.  Cooper is way to brave with his life vest, jumping in and out as many times as he can stand it.  Beckett even had fun, out of all of our kids at this stage he stayed in his lil baby tube for over an hour! 

After swimming we order everyone pizza and left the kids with Richard's parents and went on a little date night!!!!!!  We went to dinner by ourselves, which was heavenly.  Any chance to eat by myself is wonderful, peaceful, and quiet!  After dinner we had a while before our movie so we went for a walk.  It was so nice to continue to carry on conversations with out interruption, we even got to hold hands which never happens!  Next we were off to see Star Trek 2!  It was such a wonderful day, I am so thankful to my in laws for watching the kids for us!!

Enjoying B

I especially love the first picture of Beckett, his smile is infectious!  I also love how you can see his bottom teeth and kind of see his top two teeth.  This little boy lights up my world and I don't want to forget a thing about this stage.  Boy how I have forgotten,  its like daja vu when I notice Beckett getting into things, or playing with things he shouldn't, or emptying food, or pulling things from drawers.  Its like duh mommy you should remember these things you've had two other kiddos.  I guess my older two haven't been in this stage in so long its all coming back to me.  I've had friends comment how easy going I am about Beckett, which they also comment is unlike me.  I normally am a very structured controlling person when it comes to my children's schedules and activities or the cleanliness of my home.  But I cant help but smile and let B get into things and explore.  Babies grow up to fast these stages just fly by and I refuse to get caught up and not enjoy.

Thankful

 

Today I was feeling extra thankful.  Its important to sit back and take in what's around you.  Richard had this weekend off and we actually canceled all of our plans and decided to relax this weekend!  We slept in, well not really Beckett fell asleep early Friday night at 6:30 therefore Saturday morning he woke up bright and early and ready to play at 6:20 am!  I cooked a huge breakfast ham/hash browns the works!  We worked in the backyard for a few hours.  Went out to lunch with our whole crew.  Nothing to special about our whole weekend.  While we were at church I was happy to look over at my children and husband sitting next to me such peace it brought me.  Richard has said many times this weekend how Beckett completes our family.  I am so blessed to have my family.

A honor role and the last AR run

Friday Allison went with all the students in 1st and 2nd grade who made the A honor role to the Park for a picnic!  Good grades are really important to Allison, she strives to make her A's.  Richard went with her and brought her a special lunch.  The boys and I stayed home out of the 100 degree heat!  Richard left and came home.  At two Allison was suppose to run in the last Accelerated Reader run for the school year but a little after one we received a call from the school that Allison got hurt leaving the park.  We ended up picking her up from school, Allison had a huge knot on the front of her head between her eyes.  Apparently she tripped over a rock and hit her head on a pole while lining up.  Allison was upset because she couldn't run but I assured her just because she wasn't running she still made her goal for the year.  We came home and she rested in her bed while eating a bowl full of diced strawberries.

Pinterest take 3!!

I love Pinterest!!  I use it to help me with ideas for parties, church activities, and recipes. These are a few of the recipes that I have made lately all three were a success.  I use Pinterest to help me with Allison's birthday party.  Although I got so busy that I didn't put up half the decorations or take any pictures, but it was fun to make.   I also used Pinterest recently to help plan a women's church activity.  Our theme was pursers.  I found the template that I used to make all the invitations for the party on Pinterest.

 

Preschool birthday party

At Cooper's preschool each month they celebrate all the children's birthday that fall during that month on one designated day.  Any child's birthday that falls during the summer they choose to celebrate there birthdays during the month of May.  I was in charge of planning the party.  Cooper's party was four days after Allison's party, which meant I was one busy mommy trying to pull it all together.  I planned three games for the class a fun pin the tale on the donkey sticker game, a racing balloon game, and summer bingo.  We also had cupcakes/drinks, popcorn, and goodie bags for all the kids.  Cooper woke up that morning asking me where all his presents were!  I told him it wasn't his real birthday, that his school was celebrating his birthday early with all his friends.  Cooper kept saying all day how it was his not his real birthday day, and he wore his birthday hat all day.

Police Station field trip

Cooper had a field trip at a police station last week.  The one thing I love about his preschool is all the cool field trips that the children get to go on.  I am not sure if I have posted about Cooper's obsession with guns, but he has an entire toy chest of all types from nerf guns to a marshmallow guns.  I knew he would love the police station.  I had a meeting that morning so Richard went with Cooper.  It was also raining that's why Coop was wearing his hood.  From what Richard told me Cooper had a blast and asked the officer that gave the tour a ton of question.  He asked the officer where were all the guns, did they shoot people, where were the bad guys???  Lets just say Cooper was entertaining!!!

Mother's Day 2013

                                                        My 3 before church                               

                                            My sweet baby B, holding my hand while he slept

My first Mother's Day with Beckett!!  Last year I was pregnant and getting closer to the end of my pregnancy.  This year I am a full fledged mom of three children.  Friday as I was driving into Midland the car was booming with noise.  I listened and could hear Allison singing loudly to her ipod with her ear phones in, Cooper was listening to Bee Movie and laughing, and B was gurgling and cooing.  I thought to myself could life get any better, well I was missing my hubby at that moment since he actually had to work this weekend.  A friend of mine posted on face book about motherhood and I had to share her thoughts.  "Nothing compares to being a mother! Who else can be bugged, tugged, and hugged all in the same day."  Right know I am smack in the middle of my journey in motherhood.  I am a seasoned mother to newborns I've had three, I've handle two kids in the toddler and preschool phases, and know I am in the middle of raising my kiddos.  I was thinking a lot about the stages of motherhood lately we all struggle at certain points, wither its as a first time mother, or in my case when I became a mother of two.  No two mothers or child are alike.  I cant imagine being any where else than in thickness of mothering my crew. 

"Mother= 24 hours job, no pay, no day off, seldom appreciated, & impossible to resign. But we are still doing it with love."

I loved this quote because its so true motherhood is a 24 hour job there is no quiting time, sick days, or vacation time.  Some times it hard, dirty, and you can feel unappreciated.  But our Father in Heaven trust us to be co-partners with our child/children with him and it is up to us to raise, nurture, teach etc. 

I also wanted to give a special shout out to my Mom, I wouldn't be the women I am today with out you.  You have loved me, taught me, been there for me throughout my life.  I love you so much and thank you for everything, love you Mom. 

Also a big thank you to my hubby and my kiddos.  I came home from Midland with the floors swept and mopped, and a beautiful bouquet of flowers.  This morning I woke up to a necklace that I will forever cherish, cards from each one of my kids and hubby.  Richard even marinated steaks all night took cook on the grill for dinner.  Yesterday was an interesting day.  Half way through sacrament meeting at church Cooper laid down on the seat, I didn't think anything of it at first then I asked him how he was feeling he looked up at me and said "I AM HOT!"   The poor kids ears were bright red, looks like he probably has an ear infection.  With a dose of Tylenol he was out most of the day.  Other than Cooper being sick I got to enjoy such a easy going day with my kids and sweetheart.  Richard came home at three and we spent the rest of the day with each other.

This morning I took Cooper to the Dr and he does have a double ear infection.  Looks like its another day of rest and meds for my lil guy.