Cheeeeeese!!!

Here we go...now when I ask Cooper to smile for a picture or say cheese, here's what happens!!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Our across the street neighbors had 5 tickets to the Braves v. Pirates game. They are huge Pirates fans, but with a death in the family, were not going to be able to make it to the game in Atlanta (they were in Pittsburgh). Jim had to work the following morning so he didn't feel like he could stay up late and then be a productive employee with only a few hours of sleep. He suggested I call the biggest baseball fan we know...my brother, Ben! Thankfully, he and his family were able to make room in their schedule and met me and Maddox at Turner Field for the game on Wednesday night.

Maddox chatted the whole way to Atlanta...Mom, do you think it will take us long, Mom, do you think it's hot there, Mom, do you think they have popcorn, Mom, what do you think Cooper and Daddy are doing, Mom, Mom, Mom.....you get the picture! I answered his questions and entertained all of his crazy ideas. We always have a good time when it's just the two of us.

Once we parked and found Ben, Paige, and Anna Kate Maddox became silent. I think it all became quite overwhelming for him. He just looked around in amazement at everything...and there's a lot to see! He's been to Monster Jam and other events at Phillips Arena but this was different! It was so fun to see everything through his eyes. Of course, once he had a diet coke and a box of popcorn in his hands he was the happiest kid at the game!! He and Anna Kate had fun dancing and cheering. Maddox cheered hard for the Braves even when he had no idea what had happened!!!

It was a great time and I'm glad that I got to experience the fun with him!!

A Trip to the Mountain...Stone Mountain

The boys and I went to Stone Mountain Park with Wendy, Emma, and Baylor. We had a blast!!! We were able to play in the Great Barn, saw a 4D Yogi Bear movie, rode the train around the mountain, played on Memorial Lawn, rode the sky lift to the top of the mountain, and then toured the antebellum homes with a visit to a "farm". Lots of fun was had by all!!

The Harps+The McArthurs=Fun!

Emily and her kiddies paid us a visit last weekend...we had a fantatic time! They were able to come and stay 3 nights. We didn't "do" a whole lot, but certainly enjoyed each other's company. The kids love playing together. Maddox and Alex are great pals and enjoy lots of the same things. Every once in a while they would let Cooper get in the game with them, but he was happy to entertain Naomi when she wasn't playing with Buddy :). I'd say a good time was had by all!

Biker Babe

Check him out! Maddox learned to ride his bike yesterday evening! It took about 10 mins of Jim running beside him holding onto the back of his shirt for him to get completely comfortable with the idea and then he was off!!!! I was bursting with pride as I watched my baby pedal around the cul-de-sac. I was "woo-hoo'ing" (and trying not to scare him and break his concentration), cheering, and crying all at the same time! I don't know why this has affected me the way it has. I guess it's just one more step of him showing me that he's REALLY growing up. I've been having some panic feelings about his starting Kindergarten in less than a month. He's fine and happy about it, it's my own fears that are making me feel this way! I know deep down in my heart that he will be fine...I just hate that my baby boy is growing up so fast right in front of my eyes!!! BUT, at the same time, I'm so blessed to have a healthy 5 year old who is growing and doing what he's supposed to! I digress....I'm proud of my little man! His interview with Jim at the end of the video was what he came up with on the fly...we were quite amused!

Sleepover!!

We have started a new exciting activity at our house! Maddox now has his buddies over for sleepovers!!! He wanted to have sleepovers last year and Heather Scott and I agreed that when he turned 5 we would let him spend the night with them. Well, 5 came and he tried it out....he didn't make it past being kissed goodnight. He said he just missed me too much. That's fine with me!!! I never liked sleeping away from home either :) However, Dylan was disappointed that Maddox didn't stay all night so he agreed to try sleeping over at our house! Dylan has now spent the night 3 times with us (two nights back to back :)) and the guys have a blast!!!! I do let them stay up a little "late" and they love it. Our nights usually consist of the boys playing in the basement, lots of popcorn, and usually a movie before bed. They always go to sleep easily (maybe it's boys or the fact that they are 5 & 6)....they don't seem to want to stay up and giggle or chat, they just go to sleep. For me, I'd have to say that my favorite part of the sleepover is the morning. The boys get right to playing and entertain themselves for hours!!! It's awesome! Here's to many more sleepovers!

CHEERS!

Woo-hoo!!! Cooper is drinking "white" milk!!!!! Praise the Lord!!! He's come so far from the 6 month old that refused a bottle (and for 12 months after that :)) to a big guy who is drinking STRAIGHT MILK! When we finally were able to get him to drink from a straw cup he didn't like regular milk. He needed it flavored...of course, he's Cooper, so choosing a flavor like CHOCOLATE milk that you can get almost anywhere was not possible. He chose to fall in love with strawberry milk or the occasional vanilla! Real men drink pink milk is what he decided and the rest is history. Since he basically survives on and gets most of his calories and nutrition from milk I hated adding the extra sugar of the strawberry syrup or powder, but now I am proud to just pour his milk into his cup and go!!! Please raise your glass (or plastic straw cup)...I'm so proud of you, Cooper!!! You've come a long way baby! CHEERS!

Happy 4th of July!

We had a fabulous 4th of July....the boys laid low during the day to prepare for the evening's festivities! We celebrated with several neighbors at the Schweitzer house. Yummy food and awesome company! Beth was a fabulous hostess as always and didn't disappoint with her yummy dessert!!! The boys loved playing with all of the kids and were both super brave for the fireworks (in the pouring rain) after dinner! A big thank-you to Mr. Jason for putting on the fireworks display for all the kids in the pouring rain! Especially since he had to be at the fire station the next morning!! A good time was had by all!

Cooper's Day

After Cooper's time in Macon with Gram and Grandad, I met my mom at our half way meeting spot (the Steak & Shake in Morrow) to do the switch off. We enjoyed our lunch and then were on the way back home. Jim and Maddox went to "deer camp" to check on a few things so it was just me and Cooper at home for the rest of the day. We did not do as much running around town like Maddox and I did, but we had fun just the same! Cooper is a lot of fun and I think enjoys being the only kid around every once in a while. He is much more talkative since he's not competing with the mouth of the south! He enjoyed playing with all the toys and not having to share! He enjoyed having my undivided attention. And he enjoyed taking a bubble bath in the middle of the afternoon just because he wanted to!!! It was a fun day for us. I love my kids dearly and I know that they love each other. However, it is nice to have some one-on-one time with them. It allows their personalities to shine and to get a little extra special treatment from their number one fan.

Maddox & Mommy Date Night

Friday afternoon my mom was leaving our house to go back to Macon and Cooper began to cry, whine, and beg to go home with her. Actually, to be completely accurate, he was wanting to go home with "him"! Surrounded by boys, I guess he assumes everyone is a "him". So, after consulting with Maddox (who said it was fine to take Cooper home with her), Gram and Cooper drove off into the Friday afternoon traffic!

I told Maddox that since Daddy was at the fire station he and I could go have a date! Anything he wanted, I said...he chose to go bowling at Stars and Strikes! We had a ball!!!! We both decided that we are much better at Wii bowling than real bowling! Maddox had bumpers (and I wish I had programmed them to come up on my turn as well!), a 6lb ball, and some awesome bowling shoes (he loved how slick they were and then, of course, the fantastic tapping sounds they made on the wood floor). He had a very unique, but great style...there was a lot of running and then he'd stop right at the foul line and basically drop the ball complete with ending pose and the ball would eventually make it to the the pins! He got several spares and was very proud of himself. When his name would flash on the monitor to signal his turn he would often turn to me and say, "Watch and learn, my friend" or "want to see how the real master does it?". He doesn't lack confidence, that's for sure! After bowling two games we went to Hobby Lobby and Wal-Mart for two quick shopping trips. He was in heaven in the toy aisles shopping at his own pace! If you have ever been shopping with Maddox, he's very serious when choosing a treat. He needs to look at everything and the go back to his favorites! He didn't have to hurry because of Cooper and we were not on any type of schedule. It was great! He ended up choosing a WWE championship belt....hilarious! We were hungry after all of our adventures and he chose Waffle House for dinner. Because we went at 5:15 on a Friday evening, we had the entire establishment to ourselves. We sat up at the bar and enjoyed our dinner! He got special treatment from the cook and the the servers. He loved it! Unfortunately, on our way home from dinner he got sick in the car so we ended our date night snuggled in the bed watching a movie. All in all, it was a great night! I think we are both ready to do it again!



Ready to bowl!!!
Seriously?

Style!

Come on, come on!!!!

Loving the pose!