Memorial Day

We opted to spend Memorial Day the way many around here do, out on the lake with friends. We invited the Hitchings, Ellner, Smith, & Koenig all out to little Lake Herington to enjoy some sun and take in some water sports. Pat helped get out the jet ski & pontoon boat and all was good. Captain Brad gave all a tour of the lake. The kids enjoyed splashing around in the lake. We ate a picnic lunch and enjoyed some beverages. Jill really tested out the jet ski and showed off her mad driving skills. Afterwards we ate dinner, visited the horses/ponies/donkeys, and played in the playhouse. Brad & Chad's allergies were flared up beyond repair, so Hitchings and us stayed the night. We woke up to rain, so we traveled home. All in all, it was a fun way to spend the day and enjoy time with friends and the whole family.

Another Lost Tooth

We knew it was loose and would come out soon, but that Cooper just can't wait. She really has the Dental Field in her future. One morning it's just wiggly and then all of the sudden she has pulled it out. Thanks to Aunt Kelly's great lesson in teeth pulling, Cooper is a professional now. She has one more to go and continues to be excited for her visits to the Orthodontist. We'll see what happens at next year's appt. The tooth fairy was good to her, so that always helps.


Missing top right tooth.


Campbell wanted in the picture of course!


She wanted to know when she & "Red Puppy" would loose a tooth.

Flower Girl & Candle Lighter Dresses

Cooper and Campbell have been asked to be in Jeremy & Beth's wedding in July. Cooper will be a candle lighter and Campbell will be the flower girl. They are both excited and I hope they both do well. We are looking forward to the big day and can't wait to celebrate with Jeremy & Beth. Here are the girls' dresses for the occasion.

Last Day of 1st Grade

Today was the last day of school and the last day of First Grade. Cooper passed with flying colors, she enjoyed every minute in school, she received Perfect Attendance, and she is so confident and proud of herself that she is a very happy girl. We couldn't ask for more. So now on to summer vacation!! To celebrate I took the girls up to the Club for lunch and some swimming. It was perfect last day of school.


Cooper on the last day of First Grade!


Cooper on the First Day of First Grade! My how she has grown up!


Cooper & Campbell at lunch on the patio.


Campbell & Cooper at the pool.

SATC 2

Two movies are being released this summer. Two great, can't wait to see them movies.

1. SATC 2
2. Eclipse - Twilight Series

So tonight Michelle, Jill, Dana, Julie, and I are all going out to dinner and then off to see the movie. I am totally excited and glad to share it with someone. When SATC 1 was released, I went to the movies and watched in all alone!!

**Update**GREAT MOVIE!! Loved it.

**Update**Michelle had to leave early because Addy was in the ER getting stitches. Guess we'll have to go see it again.

Netbook

We started a Kids Pay Program for Cooper when she was 5 years old. There are 5 wallets (Angel, Plan, Wealth, Fun, & Learn) that she puts money in. The money comes from her Kids Pay amount, which we decided on and is then divided up into these wallets. The Angel wallet is for Charity. The Wealth wallet goes into her Savings Acct. The Fun wallet is for stuff she wants to buy or do. The Learn wallet is used for book orders and flute lessons. The Plan wallet is used to save up for something she really wants. During Kindergarten she saved up for an American Girl Doll. Now during First Grade she is saving up for a netbook. Finally today her netbook has arrived! She is super excited!

On to Brownies

Cooper is in Girl Scouts and has completed two years as a Daisy, so tonight was the Bridging Ceremony as the Daisy Scouts moved up to become Brownies. The setting was perfect, with a bridge over a stream. Each girl walked across the bridge to receive her Brownie sash and badges. Afterwards they said the Girl Scout Promise and sang a song and did a dance. It was a nice evening for a potluck dinner and we roasted hot dogs and smores. It was a fun time had by all. We are thankful for the great troop she is in now and luckily will have again next year.


Cooper walking over the bridge to Ms. Sara.


Cooper receiving her Brownie Sash.


Cooper & T officially "Brownies."

Bachelorette In Kansas City

So today was Amy's surprise Bachelorette party in KC. Her mom planned everything, invited everyone, and lined up the surprise. We just needed to help her pull it off. It was amazing to see her face as we jumped up out of the back seat of the car and yelled "SURPRISE!" She had no idea and innocently thought she was going shopping with her mom in KC for the night. The whole weekend was great. Fun friends, yummy food, old stories, lots of drinks, some shopping, silly gifts, and of course well wishes for long and happy marriage. So glad I could be a part of it. Looking forward to the wedding in July. (Also, this was my FIRST Bachelorette party and I must say it was a perfect one.)


Amy & I wrapping up the evening.


Amy enjoying some sunshine.


Ester, Kathy, & Amy! All great ladies!

A New Challenge

We are very proud and excited to say that Cooper was excepted into the Gifted Program at school. We had her IEP meeting today to go over her test results and plan the next year's goals. She did so well on everything and exceeded our expectations. She certainly is a special girl and we are so proud of her accomplishments. She is currently reading at fourth grade level and doing Math at third grade level. I'd like to think she gets that ALL from me, but as we all know she is a good mix of both Chad and I. So Congratulations Cooper Maya, we love you so much and are so proud of you. We are ready to help you with this new challenge.

Grandma Debe's 54th Bday

For my mom's birthday we all went out to her house and made a nice dinner and surprised her with a few gifts. The kids love going to Grandma & Papa's house, there is so much to do there. Even though mom doesn't want to be 54, I think she had a great birthday nonetheless.


Cooper, Campbell, Bailey, Ryland, Grandma Debe, & Papa Butch


Mom opening her Open Heart jewelry by Jane Seymour. These ones actually have wings so it looks like an Angel.

Field Day

First grade - Third grade has Field Day in the morning, and boy was it a COLD, COLD morning in May. The kids didn't seem to mind. We all went to watch Cooper participate in a few activities. It was fun to watch. Knowing that field day is here means the school year is wrapping up, I can't believe she is almost done with First Grade.


Chad, Campbell, Me, & Cooper during the races.


Cooper running the race.


Cooper & J doing the 3 legged race.

SOM 1

Chad can do just about anything he puts his mind to, just sometimes he needs a little push. So he left today for Chicago to take his SOM level 1 class & test. Luckily he has a friend from high school, Scott, who lives there that he can stay with and enjoy some time catching up on life. He has 2 days of lecture and then at the end of day 2 is the test. It is a multiple choice test, but basically pass or fail. We are missing him, but wishing him lots of luck!

Here is the definition of what a SOM is:
A sommelier or wine steward, is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional, commonly working in fine restaurants, who specializes in all aspects of wine service as well as wine and food matching. The role is more specialized and informed than that of a wine waiter.

Update****Chad passed his SOM 1 test. He is now officially a Guild SOM.

Mother's Day

As usual and by request my Mother's Day begins with breakfast in bed. Chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, fruit, and hot tea. It's a delightful way to wake up on my special day. The girls are great about helping make breakfast, wrap my presents, and taking care of me that day. I was spoiled this year with new lawn chair cushions and party lights for the back porch. We drove out to visit Colgin and also my mom. It was a great day filled with love and appreciation.

Bridal Shower

Today I traveled to Wichita with Amy and her mom for her bridal shower, given by Jason's mom and her friends. It was a lovely day spent in a beautiful house filled with amazing women all there to share in the joy of this marriage. It made me hopeful that one day I will have that same kind of relationship with my daughters and be able to share in their joy every step of the way.

Flute

Cooper has been asking for 2 years to learn to play the flute, so one day Chad saw an ad in the newspaper for flute lessons and we decided to call and inquire. Ms. Susan is the instructors name and she is a very good flutist. She said as long as Cooper was willing to practice, take good care of her instrument, and work on building her hand & finger muscles-lessons were a go! So we went and rented a flute for Cooper. (Little did we know that we knew so many people that played the flute and would have had one for us to use.)

Her lessons are once a week for 30 minutes. I must say she is doing very well. She instantly picked up how to hold the flute and she learned 3 notes in the first couple lessons. She has a music book and with the little music knowledge I have (I played the drums in band from 6th grade - 9th grade) I began teaching her how to read the notes (lines & spaces.) She is continuing to work hard and learn more at each lesson. She loves playing and practices all the time. I'm excited for her future in music.

Skype

Today I used Skype for the first time!! It was Kayre's 35th birthday and since we couldn't celebrate together I decided to give Skype a try. The download was quick and easy and before long I had completed the set up and was ready to go. Darby secretly did the same on his end and what do you know, it actually worked! Yay, for technology. Happy Birthday Kayre!!