Oliver's Obsessions

Oliver really likes playing with the cash register

 and is happy playing anything if he's sitting on my lap.  Always on mama's lap.  His favorite phrase is, "mama hold you!"

 He likes puzzles.  He's feeding the owl here:

 And do not be deceived by that cute happy face in the car (he always smiles when he sees me pull out my camera!) he is pretty much obsessed with high pitched frustrated screechy screams in the car.  99% of which are because Cooper is doing something or making sounds that Oliver doesn't like...fun stuff...

 But his favorite thing by far is COOKING!!

 He likes to make "side dishes" while I make dinner.  This one is water, pepper, parsley, and gold fish crackers.  Every time I add an ingredient to his bowl he says, "Oh thank you mama!" and stirs and stirs.

Coopey and Ollie

  Coopey loves preschool!

Ollie loves his new boots!

 And every once in a while, I find an activity that they both love doing together!

Lynden City Park

I was quite happy to find such a fabulous park only 15 minutes from our house.  Cool newer play areas built right in the middle of the Washington trees I love so much.  Poor Ethan and Madeline had to go to school, and Todd to work, but my little boys and my parents and I had a blast.  I'll have to take the rest of my family there sometime.  Definitely worth repeating. 

Cooper's Birthday

He started the morning off with a treasure hunt to find 12 diggers hidden around the house.  It was a pretty fun way to start the day!

 He also opened some new construction wall stickers.

 And then had his favorite breakfast: cold eggos!  Straight from the freezer.

 Cooper spent most of the day playing with Bapa.  I don't think he would have wanted it any other way.  We didn't go anywhere but he seemed happy all day just how it was.  And he was thrilled to get "a mighty front loader".

 He also got some super hero costumes

 that all the kids enjoyed!  Oliver even has taken his turn walking around in one of the capes.

 Cooper was very excited to get a real fishing pole too from Grandpa and Nana (made Ethan jealous) and asks every day when he can fish with grandpa.  I wish I had taken pictures of Cooper with his grandparents...

Happy Birthday!  You cutie!

 And here are a few more pictures from earlier in the day, my attempt at a photoshoot was...very much the way you'd expect with Cooper!  Silly.

I can't believe this kiddo is 4.  I love you Cooper!

Digger Cake!

Cooper came up to me a week or so before his birthday and was so excited.  "Mom!  I have a great idea.  I want a digger cake for my birthday with diggers on it!"  I had to laugh because he had no idea that he had had a digger cake with diggers on it the last two years!  So this year, I decided to make it a little different.  Cooper also requested skittles on his cake.  I had lots of fun with the round cakes and adding the excavating site on the side.  And of course, lots of skittles!

 When he saw his cake, all he could say was, "Perfect!"  Made me happy!

 What a fun and easy cake to make.  I wonder what next year will bring!

Happy Birthday Cooper!!

Today you are 4!

You've always made our family happy.

You always make us all laugh.

You still love diggers best.  And dirt.  And being outside.  And you're always picking apples.

You love preschool.  You love projects.

You love to work.  You were born loving to work.  You stick with jobs others don't.

You love attention.  You are loud.  You have more energy than anyone I know.

I am grateful every day you are my buddy, my helper, my son.

Happy Birthday kiddo.  I love you forever!

Blaine

We had fun taking Bapa and Mimi to Blaine!

 The walk along the ocean is just beautiful!

 We enjoyed throwing rocks in the ocean and finding shells.  And of course playing on the playgrounds there too.

 It was a beautiful evening.

Back at the cars, we ate donuts.  I really like donuts, just sayin'...it was a fun night!

Random Fun

Oliver really likes playing at the kitchen sink

and he really likes brushing his hair too!

Cooper has been counting down the days until Mimi and Bapa come and until his birthday!

He likes to make giant piles of toys and things in his bed during "naps" and big messes in his room!  I'm just glad for the quiet time, even if he never sleeps anymore.

And we finally put the clouds on his wall!  Hooray.

Oliver also likes to try on everyone's shoes.  He really likes Madeline's Sunday shoes!

And when Dad is out of town, why not play Clue at 9 PM on a school night...

Waiting for Mimi and Bapa to arrive!!  He dumped out all the toys, climbed inside and grinned.

Hooray!!  Mimi and Bapa came to visit.  We have been so excited waiting for this day to come!  The kids all wore their smiley face shirts and waited at the mailbox for them to drive up.  We had so much fun giving Bapa the tour and playing and later enjoyed a lovely walk down our street.  I live on a pretty street:

And of course, looking at pictures and watching shows with Bapa feels like home.  Hooray!

First Day of Preschool

To say he was excited would be a major understatement.  He knew preschool was after lunch and so he tried to convince me to eat lunch at 10 so he could go!

 My older two were shy and nervous, but Cooper was just excited and ready and chatty with his new friends and teachers.

He was so proud of the paint stains on his hands when he got home.  And was sad when he found out that school for him isn't every day.  

I can't believe he's old enough to leave me.  Even if it is just for a few hours twice a week.  They grow up so fast!  My favorite part was when we got home and as he jumped out of the car, he looked up and said, "Well!  It sure is good to see you Mom!"

I'm so glad he loves it, and so glad he loves coming back to me too!