Field Trip

Cooper's class went to Trader Joe's today for a field trip. The kids met Captain Hutch who is a parent alumni from Tillamook. Both of his sons attended, his oldest was in Teacher Anette's very first class at Tillamook. After a brief circle time on astroturf the kids broke into two groups.






One group checked out the back-room where the boxes are crushed, the walk-in freezer is located and the Trader Joe's artist works. Every Trader Joe's has an artist that does all the signs in the store, they make signs for the upcoming holidays, etc.
The other group enjoyed some snacks and got to run the registers. There were yummy snacks, some of their new items like freeze dried mandarin oranges and zucchini bread.
Cooper enjoyed running the register.









Final photo with everyone and we headed back to school.

Weekly Wrap-Up

This week Sharon received her official start date for her new job. She gave her resignation on Friday and her first day of work is April 3. To celebrate we are going to the coast this coming weekend for three nights. I am so happy for her and she is excited for this new adventure and opportunity!

At preschool this week, I snapped this picture of Cooper and his friend Graham drawing before class.










Cooper and his friend Emory played cowboys on Wednesday and rode the rocking horse we brought downstairs.





On Saturday I went to pick up some free toys for a friend at a basement sale. While I was there I filled up two bags for Cooper too. He loves this Lego train I brought home.






This is a big week, last day of tap class, last day of swim class (I think he will be moving up to the next level after the break), and a dentist appointment. Then we have spring break week. I enrolled Cooper in one camp, a half day, for one day. It's at the Playground Gym, we had a birthday party there a week ago and he had a great time. Hopefully he will like it without me there.
After spring break, Sharon starts her new job and we have Cooper's cousins coming to visit for a week during their spring break.

Thoughts by Mama

Some thoughts about Cooper, by Sharon. She told this to a friend recently.
[He] Cooper says some really funny things. He is getting very independent. He is very proud of all the things he's learning. He dresses himself ( most of the time!!)
He loves to play with his cars, puzzles, sandbox, and now his bike! He loves to be outdoors. He loves his family and his extended family which includes Holly and Dory. He is such a blessing and a joy....& takes a lot of energy!

Sharon

Two more biking videos

Okay here is the first day, first moment when Cooper rode his bike.

Here is the second day. This was Friday. He rode to Aunt Janet's house and back with Larkin and I walk/running to keep up.

Weekend Activities

This weekend besides riding his bike, one of Cooper's classmates had a birthday party at the Playground Gym. This is a great venue to have a party, the staff do fun games with the kids and the adults get to watch and socialize.
Here is Cooper and his classmates.






Saturday night I had a concert with the Gay Band and Janet watched Cooper. It was a good concert, everyone enjoyed it we had dessert afterwards.
Sunday was a lazy, daylight savings day. Cooper and I went to the park with the dogs and his bike (see Cooper bike riding) post. Sharon painted the outside hallway upstairs and landing area. We had Sunday dinner with our friends and our longtime friend Jim joined us too. It was a lovely evening.

I signed Cooper up for a nature
Camp this summer in August at a State Park in the city. I think he will enjoy it, it's half days for one week. They will learn about the forest and specifically beavers.

Cooper Biking

Cooper is pedaling away now on two wheels. The day of the full moon, Thursday, he tried it out and took off. He's been riding everyday since. Here are two videos of him.

Cooper and Luke

I was trying to get a photo of Luke sitting next to Cooper. By the time I took the picture, Luke moved on to laying with his ball next to Cooper. They are the best of buds.

Preschool Days

Today I was a parent helper at Cooper's school and I got to spend the whole morning outside. It was a glorious day, the sun was shining and I did not mind being outside. Cooper also played outside all morning with his friends. I snapped these pictures.

Cooper and a friend talking in the sandbox.


Cooper climbed this structure a few times.


Cooper and another friend on the tire swing.





The morning started out with just a few kids outside, then most of the boys came out. By the end of school, we had all the kids out and skipped closing circle for the sunshine.
It was a glorious day.

Park and Bike Riding

We hit the park today briefly before running some errands. Cooper had a fun time in the playground.










Sharon raised Cooper's training wheels so he could get the hang of balancing while pedaling. He was apprehensive to get on the bike. He finally did get on and had a great time riding around.

More finish work

This is the dynamic duo installing the shower accessories.

Lying

Lots and lots of lying at our house lately. It's actually funny and upsetting. Here is a recent dialogue. Me, "Cooper why did you let Luke in the kitchen?" Cooper, "I didn't do that." Me, "I know you opened the door to let him in." Cooper, "I did it."
It's funny because I know it was him so I know he is lying. It's upsetting because he is doing it all the time. Today he lied about everything. I know this is a phase and I hope it ends soon.

Fun in the car

This morning started out nice and sunny. Cooper asked to go outside and ride bikes at 8:45am. I sacrificed not eating breakfast and we headed outside.
I was able to vacuum the car out and Cooper played with the dogs. When Larkin got to the house we continued to play outside. Larkin drove the car for awhile and Cooper and Luke sat in the back.
Then Cooper, Larkin and Luke sat in the back and I snapped these pictures.











The sun was a great start to Friday!

Cooper-isms

Two funny things Cooper is saying lately.

"Last one wins!" This is said in the "last one there is a rotten egg" chant.

If you say, "got you last." Cooper responds, "got you second."

Ahh love this kid.

p.s. He is counting like crazy these days. He counts everything and is recognizing numbers.

Playing in the dirt

Cooper and I enjoyed spring-ish
weather this weekend. Yesterday we took a walk/Skuut with friends Erin, Teo and Ciaran. We met them in Washington on the river path. We walked a little over a mile to a park in downtown Vancouver and let the kids play.
After that Erin went to eat and Cooper and I checked out the new Vancouver library. By the time we headed back to our car it was sunny outside. All totaled we walked about 4 miles.

Today Cooper and I played with the dogs in the backyard and on the play structure. Cooper wanted to dig so he decided to play in the dirt under the trailer. He found lots of bugs.






Here are two pictures with Luke.






Sharon is busy upstairs. She painted the storage space yesterday so I can start moving things in this week. She's also doing a lot of finish work. I will get a picture of the shower door this week to post too. It was installed Tuesday and it looks awesome.

Also last week, Cooper and I were sick in bed with a cold on Tuesday. Then on Wednesday Cooper complained of his ears hurting. We took him to Zoomcare and sure enough he had two ear infections. His first ever. Good thing we have Sharon, she knew to take him in.
We are both feeling better now and the ear pain is subsiding.

Happy Valentine's week!

Nice day for a walk

I took all the kids for a walk on Monday. Wyatt slept in the stroller, Larkin walk/ran and Cooper Skuuted. It was a beautiful day.






Later that day we all went to the park. Wyatt slept again in the stroller, Cooper, Larkin and I played train and ran around.

Painting Crew

Mama and Cooper started priming the storage room today. Here is a video showing just how bossy Cooper can be :)

Sunny days

It was beautiful on Friday and Wyatt loves sleeping in the stroller so I took him, Larkin and Riley on a walk. Sharon and Cooper were running errands and then she dropped Cooper off at the park to walk home with us.
Larkin walked Riley to the park, she was talking to Riley the whole time.



On the way home, Cooper walked Riley.






Until he found a tree to climb.



Larkin wanted to get in the picture too.



And one more for good measure.

Special Friends

Today Cooper had the choice of inviting any adult special friend to his preschool brunch day. He gave me the invite. It was a sweet fun time where he could show me around his preschool. I hope I keep being his first choice. Thanks C!

Toilet!

Sink and toilet went in tonight. Thank you Dory for helping Sharon!







Here is the grouted shower, we need to get a shower door and it will be working!

Outings

This week we went to OMSI (Science Museum) with Erin, Teo and Ciaran. Cooper is outgrowing the science playground area that is for younger kids. He really likes Turbine Hall that has cranes and boats to play with. He also liked a new exhibit that was on exercise and health. Oh and he still loves the Gravitram, he could watch that thing all day.







Today was Special Friends Brunch at preschool. The kids made invitations and asked a special friend to join them for food at their preschool. Cooper chose Mama and they had a blast. The kids made hats for their friends and they each brought a food item to contribute to the lunch.
Here is Sharon coming home with her hat.