Grandparent Fun Time

My parents came to J's rescue to take Cooper before I traveled to DC for a business trip.  We had a little fun while they were here.

 Trying to float.

 Watch out Papa, here I come.

 Enjoying a beverage at a favorite hangout.  There were no drops left.

Video

 Backyard exploring by night.

 I hope he didn't bring inside whatever he found.  He was lightning bug obsessed for days.

Red Velvet Cake

My Mom has been on a cake baking fix lately.  So when they came to visit, someone had to have a cake.

If he was this excited over the batter, imagine how he inhaled the cake.

The Birthday Continues

The good and bad thing about not living in the same city as your family is that you never know when a package is going to arrive.  Cooper got to continue his birthday celebration with packages the next weekend from Aunt L and Nana and Papa.

 Look at these presents.  Thanks Aunt L!

 If you can find finger lights, I highly recommend them.  He has been enthralled with them for hours.

 Not sure if we will get enough snow for this toy, but I bet he and his Dad will try.

This package kept him so entertained, I made him wait until the next day to open the second and then I forgot to take any pictures.  Thankfully, the grandparents keep us stocked in clothes, but we all know what kids think when they open gifts of clothes.  Cooper cracked me up with this one because it had a bright yellow and navy shirt with gym pants.  He took one look at it and said "That's a cool shirt."  The kid has style.

Snug as a bug

Someone is finally home, and is

as snug as a bug

in a rug

in his own bed.

While I definitely enjoyed and appreciated a little down from being a mom, I was very happy to see the little guy.  He did all the right things by telling me that he loved me and missed me, but I know he had a blast with visiting family and hanging out with Nana and Papa (who are now exhausted).  I hope I get some pictures from them, hint, hint.

I am so glad that we did this so early on because I want Cooper to be one of those kids who loves spending time with the grandparents and who is okay with sleepovers.  Bless those of you who shared a bed with him because he is a wiggler and a bed hog, which is why I refuse to sleep with him.  But we love him anyway.

All is well

Cooper left a few days ago with the grandparents to stay at their house.  It is his first trip away from us and our house at the same time.  And reports reveal things are going well.  He has been to a children's museum, visited his great-grandmother, been spoiled by his aunt, gone on several tractor rides, put together endless puzzles, and snuggled lots with his Nana.  The plan for the rest of his stay is to ride a miniature donkey and play with some goats, spend the night with two of his two cousins (good luck to my sis) and visit family in Mayberry.

God bless my parents.  I think they are going to need a long vacation, or at least a nap after this adventure.

Yet, another monkey!

On Nana and Papa's recent visit, Cooper got a new favorite item.  He loves those super soft, plush style blankets.  And Nana found him this one.  He was very into hamming it up.

Breakfast of champions

Last summer, the diet of Michael Phelps was the talk of the town. A typical breakfast was "a five-egg omelet, two cups of coffee, three fried egg sandwiches, three chocolate chip pancakes, French toast with powdered sugar, and, to top it all off, a bowl of grits."

Well, the breakfast of Cooper yesterday morning was two scrambled eggs, most of a banana, two servings of blueberries, 1/2 English muffin with strawberry jam, and a blueberry muffin. No, he is not an Olympic athlete. He is almost a two year old.

But, it gets better. Soon after this breakfast, Papa took him to daycare where they were serving breakfast. When he walked in, his teacher put a plate down for him with yogurt and a muffin. In Papa's words "You didn't have to tell him what to do. He sat right down at the table and started eating." Where does he put it?

Today didn't go quite so well. Cooper had many silver dollar pancakes at home. I'm not sure what he had for his second breakfast at daycare, but I have no doubt that he ate whatever was offered. Right after breakfast, they go outside to the playground. Cooper is one of those kids whose face turns red within minutes of running around. So, it's safe to say he was very hot with the 87 degree day we had. Before they transition the kids back inside, they sit them down and feed them ice pellets (think slushy Coke ice). After which, Cooper proceeded to throw-up.

All I can say is thank goodness for Nana and Papa, again. He got to spend the rest of the day hanging out ... getting more spoiled by the minute. Exactly what grandparents are supposed to do. Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday.

Working with Papa

Nana and Papa have come for a normal "working" visit. I never let them rest. The big project this time was to get Cooper's swing set cleaned up and ready for action. A neighbor of a friend gave us one of those tower/slide/climbing wall/swing combos, which I hope Cooper loves. Papa replaced a few of the boards and pressure washed it. I wish I had some before shots. Here are some of the work in progress ... or maybe I should say halted progress as Cooper was trying to help.

Yes, that's a hammer in his hand.
Measure twice, cut once ... or maybe no cutting until I am a lot older.

The after pictures will follow soon. Thanks to Nana and Papa for taking care of me!

Sick Days with Nana

Cooper was sent home from school last Tuesday with a high fever. Reinforcements were called in and Nana arrived Wednesday afternoon. In usual Cooper style, he didn't look too sick, but definitely was not his normal rambunctious self. After a few days of puzzles, books, Noggin, and lots of cuddles with Nana, he was raring to go back to daycare on Monday.

Watching the Wonder Pets with Myrtle. Yes, he is wearing a Wonder Pets shirt with a cape. He thinks he is quite the stuff with this shirt on.

All the farm animals have reported for duty, and Cooper has accurately identified the correct sounds for each.

Hanging with my best buds, Georgia and Ben. Don't tell Nana I am sitting on the dog beds again. She hates when I do that.

Eating the requisite Jello since I am sick. Let's just say I polished it off.

Again, not looking too sick ... but curled up on the couch in my PJs with a bear and a blanket means something is not quite right.

Cooper's Week with Nana

Nana came to help Mom this week. Dad was at school getting smarter by the minute, and I conveniently caught a cold. Nana to the rescue.


Cooper is making Nana read him a cookbook. Sometimes, you just don't ask.

Sitting up at the big boy table, and getting whatever I wanted. Don't I look like I am up to no good.

Waiting for the main course at Starlite. Nana's favorite Richmond restaurant.

Thank you Nana for taking care of me - lots of good food and too many books read to count!!