Cooper James

 

Your daddy knew from the moment we found out we were expecting you that you were a boy!  Having only been a mother to your sister, raising a son seemed a little scary.  You were and still are all boy!  Right from the start you were different from your sister!  You peed on the nurse seconds after you were born!  You even peed on your parents barely a couple days old.  You were a mischievous toddler and curious preschooler!  Your blue eyes have gotten you out of trouble many times.  Your smart and fearless but a bit clumsy.  You have really grown this last year as you transitioned into elementary school.  I love the new independence you've found.  You have always been a mamas boy.  Your dad might have your sister and baby brother, but we've always stuck together.  Your sensitive forgiving heart speaks to me.  Maybe because we are both Leos and share the same signs being 12 days apart.  I thought this would be a problem that we would be to alike.  But it's never been an issue,  I have more patience for you and understand your way of thinking.  I wasn't sure I was ready to be a mom of two but you came to me when I needed you and I am a better mom because of you!  Happy birthday to my baby blue eyes, you captured my heart 6 years ago at 12:31pm.  I love you Cooper James.

Swim lesson's

 

The kids have been taking swim lessons the past two weeks.  It's been really fun and they are learning a lot. Their instructor is amazing and so knowledgeable.  It's been nice going to the pool several times a week both the kids love the water.  I stay busy running after Beckett and talking to the other moms.  Some days are more busy then others with Beckett.  One day Allison got a bloody nose so I was helping her clean up and sit down.  Out of the corner of my eye I see Beckett unstrap his swim vest and took of running towards the pull.  I yell at him no as I am running and the lil stinker looked back at me and jumped in.  Lucky for him someone was right there and scooped him out.  Cooper has learned a lot and has become a very good swimmer compared to the beginning of the summer.  Allison as learned a lot of useful tips and correct swim techniques. 

Soccer Camp

The big kids have participated in a week long soccer camp this past week.  The children are separated by grade level, kinder through fifth grade.  The camp is from 9-12.  They rotate each group through different centers practicing soccer drills and then they scrimmage another team at the end. They also provide free shirts, water, and snacks.  The kids favorite part of the camp is when they spray all the children down with water!  Cooper found a new position as goalie, he caught several balls!  Allison's coach caught me to tell me what a talented player she is, on top of practicing good sportsmanship, and a strong leader.  Her team beat the 5th graders 5-1, Allison scored all 5 goals.  At the end of the camp they gave out awards and soccer balls.  Both kids had a blast we will be signing up again next year!

Harper's baptism

I was so bummed when I found out I would be missing Harper's baptism due to the shower I was hosting on the same day.  Thankfully Richard and the kids were able to go.  I requested lots of pictures and Richard delivered.  I heard that the baptism went smooth and that dinner afterwards was fun!!  Miss Harper is such a blessing to our family, and such tiny beauty!

Dana's baby shower

Last weekend I hosted a baby shower for my best friend Dana.  Since I don't live in Hobbs anymore. I threw the shower at my friends house.  I had been working on decorations, activities, and her gift for several weeks.  The day before was a huge cooking slash baking day.  I made a chicken salad from scratch, chocolate fudge cupcakes, strawberry cheese cake cupcakes, sugar cookies, and dessert popcorn trail mix.  I made the drive into Hobbs the day of the shower and spent several hours pulling everything together.   I had two craft stations with material to make bows or decorate onesies.  We also played a couple fun games.   The shower was a huge success even with all the activities going on that day we had at least twenty people show up to shower Dana and her new baby girl.  I am so happy for Dana's baby girl arrival in less than two months.

Summer Fun

 

This summer has been full of swimming and play dates!  We are lucky enough to have several friends who have pools and invite us over often!  The kids swam almost every day a couple weeks ago!  It's crazy how dark they are getting, those Mexican genes!  We've also enjoyed a few play dates with different friends at our house and parks around town.  Allison had a late over at her friend Sam's last week.  Our friends the Poling's drove in from Hobbs a couple Friday's ago.  We meet at chickfila for their cow appreciation day with a couple of my friends.  I was bummed when two of my friends had already left and I didn't take a group picture, there was about 15 of us!  We also took part of the 7-11's free Slurpee day, my kids love it!  Saturday we had a swim bday party and church BBQ!  The summer is flying by!!!  We've also been to the drive in a bunch this summer watching all the fun kid movies like how to train your dragon and planes!

 

 

Braces

I have a lot of post to catch up on, thanks to a busy summer that hasn't allowed much down time.

March 25th 2013 I had my braces put on.  July 7th 2014 I had them taken off!!

Since I've kind of been documenting through my blog I figured I should share the news. 15 months of braces.  The worst part was getting my wisdom teeth pulled.  I would do braces a hundred times over.  For me braces were a breeze.  I never felt any pain or discomfort.  I would literally get my braces tightened and go to lunch afterwards.  I would be a little soar but in a day or two I was back to normal.  I even has fun with the rubber bands trying different colors each visit.  I think the most annoying part was keeping my teeth clean with braces.  I am so glad I did it because the time flew by and I love the result!  I also have to give a huge shout out to my best friend Dana for watching Beckett for all of my orthodontic appointments.

 

 

Six Flags

 

Allison and Cooper participated in a reading program where they had to read for thirty minutes a day consecutively for thirty days and as a reward for completing they would receive free six flags tickets.  There tickets were only valid during the summer.  Since our original lake plans were changed and we would be in the Dallas area instead of the San Antonio area we decided it was a perfect time to go.

Allison was a inch short of being able to ride all the rides, which I was perfectly happy with!  My daughter is a roller coaster junkie!  Richard and Allison were off together riding the rides the boys couldn't.  Which left me with the boys.  We were able to get a ton of rides in.  Once Richard and Allison rode one rode while the boys and I had rode three!

It was such a hot day by ten am I was wishing I had my hair up.  After going on the aqua man ride and getting drenched I was cooled off for a while.  One of the things I loved about six flags is all the mist stations.  Allison was all about getting soaked at ever station!

Favorite rides
Richard: Richard said he most enjoyed watching me get soaked in the aqua man ride!  Plus all the rides we rode together as a family.
Stacey: aqua man
Allison: Texas giant
Cooper: Judge Roy Scream
Beckett: mini 18 wheelers

Grandma's 4th of July part 2

 

 
 We had to check out of our cabin after lunch on the 4th, and drove back to my moms.  My mom's neighborhood community built a pool, playground, and walking trail.  We took full advantage of these amenities well visiting her.  Before dinner we took the kids swimming!  A new development Cooper has become a very good swimmer, and Beckett has no fear to jump in!  After swimming I made brownies while my mom grilled steaks.  After a delicious meal and brownie sundaes we played a hilarious game of head bands with grandma and papa!  I almost forgot to mention my mom’s dog Toby who just turned a year old.  Beckett loves this dog he hugs, holds, and kisses the dog constantly!  After our game I took the boys for a walk with grandma.  Beckett walked Toby!  We stopped and played at the park for a while.  Before bed we lite up a bunch of sparklers to end an amazing Fourth of July!