More Cousin Fun

Wednesday we took the dogs to the Sandy Delta again until Cooper took a face plant in a huge puddle. After lunch we went to OMSI to see the Lego exhibit. Wednesday evening Chloe came with me to band practice while Sharon took the boys to the Casino (nickel arcade). They had lots of fun there and got 3000 tickets from some nice patrons. Noah picked a glass chess board and Cooper a dartboard. The kids played chess the rest of the week. Noah was great and taught Cooper how to play.






Thursday I had Wyatt in the afternoon so I took all four kids to the mall for something to do. It rained all week and I didn't want to stay home with all of them. We spent a lot of the time in Barnes and Noble, Chloe read and the boys played with the train table. Then we hit the mall play space for a bit before heading home.
Thursday night Chloe and Noah's mom came into town from Washington. The five of us went swimming at the community center Friday morning then went in search of a good candy store.
Saturday I was in bed with a cold. Sharon and Cooper spent the afternoon together. The kids and their mom went downtown to Saturday Market and Powells Books.
Easter Sunday was a beautiful day, weather wise. We all went for a walk on the Columbia River waterfront.









We also went to a nearby park before bringing the kids' mom to the train station. Monday was our last day with them, Noah caught the cold and was miserable all day. Another nice, warm day we played outside in the morning.



Then hit a park before heading to the airport.
Cooper was really sad when they left. He got in the car and was so sad his cousins were not with us. It was a nice visit, we are looking forward to seeing them this summer.

Cousins

It's day 4 of the cousin visit. Cooper is having a blast with them. Chloe is 13 and Noah is 8, they are on spring break and visiting from California. This weekend we took the dogs to a big muddy dog area just outside of Portland. The kids and dogs had a blast.
Sunday we went and saw Richard Scarry's Busytown Play at the Children's theater. It was a great show, all the kids enjoyed it and Cooper even dressed up.



Intermission





Sunday afternoon we took them to the indoor pool near our house for some swimming. They had a blast there too, it was crowded with lots of kids for the big kids to play with and Cooper swam by himself with the noodle in the whirlpool mostly. Sharon and I took turns watching Cooper while the other did some laps.
Yesterday Sharon took everyone to the Gorge to visit Herman the Sturgeon at the Bonneville Dam. They took a tour and fed the fish while they were there. They stopped at Multnomah Falls too and walked up to the bridge.
Today, Cooper had preschool and Sharon started her new job, yay!
Chloe got some boots at Goodwill and after lunch we went and bounced our energy out at Jj Jump in Vancouver.

Biking

We are biking a lot around here. Cooper's confidence continues to rise. Today Riley, Wyatt, Cooper and I went to a nearby school to ride around during a sun break. We also played hopscotch and Cooper played on the playground a bit. Riley enjoyed running after Cooper on his bike.









Later Cooper wanted to ride out front so we did that until it started raining again. At about 5 pm he started riding out front and wanted to take a walk. I got on my bike and we rode our neighborhood route for about an hour.
Today I watched Wyatt because Waylund went fishing. He took Luke with him and won't be home until 9. We miss our brown baby but I am sure he is having a blast.

Beach Weekend

We spent the weekend at the beach and we lucked out with great weather. Cooper rode his bike all over and can now get started on his own. He is really proud of himself and wants to ride everyday, rain or sun.
The dogs loved the beach too, Luke enjoyed playing with Riley and meeting other dogs. We walked/ran a lot, watched movies, played games and had a great time.

Reading

Auntie Sonya bought Cooper these three books a few years ago and he loves looking at them. There is a tractor book, construction vehicle book and fire truck book. Tonight he read all three to us at dinner. I captured him reading us the fire truck book on video. Thanks Sonya for these great books!

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.