Coop's first Christmas program

Last week Cooper had his first Christmas program at preschool and very first program to take part in!  They had a Spring performance last year, but he was home with a fever.  It was just as adorable as you would expect a Christmas program with classes ranging from 3-5 year olds.  It was short, sweet and perfect for the age group.  Each class performed one song and I know the teachers have been practicing for months with these sweet angels.

 We were off to a good start.  He didn't want to get "dressed up,"  jeans and 2 shirts!  He wouldn't pick out shoes, so I grabbed his cowboy boots.  On the way he kept telling me that he couldn't dance in them.  I kept saying, well, good thing you are singing and not dancing.  

 He perked up as soon as he got to his classroom with friends and teachers.  Of course we were running late so we were in the back row.  It was actually perfect since Doodles just wanted to run.  They keep the front rows open so when your child is performing you can go up front...great idea, huh?!  

 The Fimmens were up front and Cooper was clearly excited to see them.  Couldn't stop waving :).  We were cracking up.

 He either spotted Adam or me and Doodle Bops in the back.

 He had a ball!  Their class song was Christmas Makes Me Sing.  In the weeks prior I kept asking Cooper about their song and of course he would give me no answer.  I mentioned this to his teachers one day and they laughed telling me that he was one of the first to learn all the words and sings it all the time at school...go figure.

 Christmas makes me laugh,

 Christmas makes me smile,

 Christmas makes me cheer!

 We had cookies in his class afterwards.  

When I can figure out how to get videos from my video camera on to my computer, I will upload the insanely cute video for you all to see, I know you are dying ;).

one-sided conversations

A few weeks back at dinner I told Adam that I felt I couldn't keep up with Laney.  Not physically (well maybe somedays), but mentally.  It's like the sand is flying thru the hourglass and I can't keep up with each moment.  She is growing up so fast and everyday it seems she is doing/saying 15 new things.  The latest of these moments is our one sided conversations.  She totally gets what I am saying!  How and when did this happen??  When asked, she brings me her shoes, gets Lola's toys, goes to the book nook to read with me, and others.  It really is the best because there is no talking back yet :)

Another thing...girlfriend loves to eat with a fork.  Sometimes at meal time she will be fussy, trying to tell me something-then I realize she doesn't have fork.

  

A Girly Post

Have I mentioned that Miss Laney Faith is at that crazy 15 month age?  If I attempt to clean/do anything while she is awake, she is 15 feet away creating another mess.  You know what they say..."if you can't beat'em, join 'em."

 The other day I needed to do laundry so I invited her to help and she actually did!

She totally loved it!

Ooh, I love those thigh rolls!

I have a friend who is a teacher and so artistic.  In fact, she took some pics of our fam over Thanksgiving on my Grandparent's farm.  I will post those soon :).  Anyway, she just posted this on Facebook last night and I had to share!  

Here's her words...

Are you shopping for a toddler this holiday season? I might have just the perfect gift for you!

I made a set of pretend make-up for Ellen for her 4th birthday ... it was a hit! The make-up won't spill, stain, or even come out of the container. It's the perfect solution for a little one that loves to pretend but tends to be a little messy :)

If you're interested, I'm making these sets for just $15

. You will get everything included: 2 palettes of "make-up" (18 different colors), a compact mirror, a set of 3 make-up brushes, a comb and a sleeping mask. I can put the entire set in a small gift bag, or you can wrap all of it in one of those extra cosmetic bags you have laying around. (Seriously ... you know you have about 20 of them.)

If you are in town, I'd be happy to hand-deliver it when I'm done ... and if you live out of town, I can ship for an additional $5. Let me know if you are interested. The sooner the better so I can get started making it with plenty of time before the holidays!

Seriously, how cute is this?  Laney isn't quite there yet, but I am thinking this will be perfect for her 2nd birthday or Christmas next year.  I talked to Betsy tonight and no surprise, she is swamped with orders!  Depending on what response she has over the next few days, she may not be able to fulfill all orders before Christmas.  But, how perfect for Valentine's Day or birthday gifts!?   So, if you are interested, you can email her at betsymcknight@yahoo.com.  

Our Budding Artist-stripes, name, and a Jayhawk

Until just recently, Cooper coloring meant scribbling for about 2-3 minutes.  He is now asking to color and coloring with a purpose...meaning he picks out something specific to color, really works on it and is so excited to show me what he did.  These are the most exciting...

He brought home his L sheet and we were talking about it.  He decided he should color the lizard and brought over all the markers.  I said, lizards are usually green.  He said, my lizard is going to have stripes.  I love his striped lizard!

This is a big first for us!  We really don't feel like we know what Coop's capable of because he basically shuts down at home.  He has no desire to tell us what he did at school, what he likes, what he learned, etc.  However, his teachers tell a completely different story.  Apparently he is always participating, paying attention and wants to answer every question.  

Well, one morning after breakfast he was sitting at his table coloring.  He brings this to me with a big smile and says, I wrote my name!  What?!?  Ok-I knew he could do a C and o and spell his name verbally, but to write it?  No way!  He forgot the e, which he often does when verbally spelling his name.  So, we practiced some e's on another paper and then he added it himself.  

What's more exciting than your son writing his name for the first time?  Well, drawing his first Jayhawk!  This weekend after breakfast, he grabbed a red, blue and yellow marker.  I said, good choice, those are Jayhawk colors.  He said, yeah, I want to draw a Jayhawk.  Of course, I had a KU basketball magazine already at the table for him to look at.  This is what he came up with and I think it's perfect :).  Clearly a mother's opinion.  

Hard at work.

Smile Fridays - week 27

This Friday is full of smiles thanks to Christmas cheer.  

We ventured out to the Gaylord Texan tonight to see all the hype behind their Christmas decor.  Well, the hype is well worth it.  I told Adam I just wanted to live there for the month, it was happy everywhere you turned.  I am pretty sure it wasn't Adam's idea of a fun Friday night, but he was a good sport and rolled with the punches.  Cooper and I thought it was so fun and totally awesome, our words exactly.  And we are pretty sure Doodles agreed with us.

 A Gingerbread decorating store.  Maybe it's empty because the cheapest option was $30!  Um, no thanks.

 So many trains and we stopped to check out each one.

 My favorite tree, all KU colors!

 As we walked around I thought, where do they store all this?

 A life size gingerbread house!  Of course it was a candy shop on the inside.

 Laney was saying choo-choo (more like too-too) watching the trains.

 More gingerbread houses.

Everything's bigger in Texas, even Santa's boots.  

I told Adam if we ever move from Texas, I want to come visit here every Christmas.  There is lots more activities for the kids to do when they get older, the place was swarming with children!

15 Months

15 months and a couple weeks.  Doodles had her 15 month check up last week, here's her stats.  22 lbs, 14 oz - 73%ile, 31 3/4inches - 87%ile and her head circumference 47.5 cm - 91%ile.  We were most surprised at her head size, really didn't think she had a big head, but apparently she does :).  You know what they say about big heads...big brains.  

The reason this post has taken so long is I wanted to get some pics of just Doodles by herself, dressed decent and with a bow in :).  It took a couple weeks for these all to come together.  Got these today on our walk out to get the mail.

 Should probably add Pebbles to her long list of nicknames.  This is how I almost always have her hair.

 Our leaves have finally fallen!  She was intrigued.

Here's her latest and greatest at 15 months...

-walking like a pro, practically running when she sees I am ready to change her diaper.

-a great eater.  her faves=milk (she calls Gall), all fruit, edamame, brocolli, mac'n'cheese (eats 1/2 a box in one sitting!), all pasta, the free cookies from the grocery store bakery :)

-goes to bed between 7:45-8:00, usually up sometime in 7:00 hour.  Naps 1-3 hours.  hates to be put down for nap and bed.

-she loves any animal she sees but just adores dogs, especially Lola.  probably says her name more than anything else all day.  definitely gives her more kisses than anyone else.

-words= ball, gall (milk), mommy, daddy, wo-wa (lola), puppy, eat, lovey (her blanket)

-makes animal sounds for duck and cow.  saying ho-ho-ho for Santa :)

-loves to play with her building blocks, love on her babydolls and feed them, play food, read books and do whatever her brother is doing

-is on the go full time.  girlfriend doesn't sit still for longer than 2.5 minutes=she is exhausting, but we just couldn't love our Laney Faith more!!! 

Christmas Tree Pics

Since my kids were all gussied up for Santa Claus, I thought I better take advantage and (attempt) get some good pictures.  Remember, Adam was not here...I always seem to tackle these pics alone.  I am a glutton for punishment.  

 Our simple tree that I adore.  But in my next life I am going to decorate my tree like Jenny Stilley :).  Notice not much on the bottom 1/4, you are looking at the reason why.

 Where's Waldo?  It is actually one of the better pics I have of him recently.

 Apparently I should have turned football off before my photoshoot.

 I wish this wasn't blurry, love.

 Cooper looking, Laney not...

Laney looking, Cooper not.  Apparently I need to get fancy with Photoshop.

None of these are award quality but I love them just the same.