Lions, Tigers and Bears Oh My!

Last weekend (I know but seriously better late than never right?!) we packed up the little man and headed down to Columbia to meet Poppa Bruce, KiKi and Reid for a fun day at the Riverbanks Zoo. We thought Cooper would love the animals. He loves dogs and birds, so zoo seemed like one of those things we should do while its not too hot. And guess what - he really loved it! (Let's be honest - he really loved all the attention from Poppa Bruce, Kiki and Reid. Really who can blame him.) His favorie animals were the monkeys and then they had a little exhibit with fish and he loved staring at all the fishies.

We walked around, looked at all the animals, rode the carosel, looked at some beautiful gardens, had lunch, rode the tram back to the animal exhibits and really just had a great time hanging out with each other. Take a look at the pictures...

School Picnic 2010

So it was that time of year again. Cooper's school had their annual picnic. If you remember last year they had this and I forgot my camera. Not this year folks! How proud of me are you? I have learned something in a year - always carry your camera. Please take a look at how sweet these pictures are...

Easter 2010

Happy Easter! It's a little late, but better late than never right?!

We had a great Easter holiday. We started with a couple of Egg Hunts, then headed down to Vero to visit everyone. Cooper did great on the ride down to Vero. He actually stayed awake pretty much the entire trip watching Yo Gabba Gabba. (To say we were over that video is an understatement.) He also got to stay in a hotel for the first time. He loved it. He thought it was the neatest thing to just run around the room. Well, instead of writing it all out, how about I just share all the pictures.

Doesn't this make you smile?

This is Cooper on his way in to school this morning. Can you tell he was so excited to go to school?

Picture Updates...

Updates

I know I haven't posted in a while. I am not sure why. There is so much to tell and maybe I just feel like I can't get it all down. So I will try now.

So to remember where we left off - Cooper being a biting machine.
The night after the bad note home I am having Cooper brush his teeth. (Really this entails screaming and squirming while one of us holds his hands down the other brushes...) And there they are. TWO bottom molars popping through. No wonder he is biting everything in sight. Now I am not saying it is ok he was biting other children - I am just saying it made me breathe a sigh of relief that maybe Cooper isn't the bully of the class.

Another thing he has discovered is his shadow. It's hilarious. He waves at it. It is one of those cute moments that you have to stop (even though you are going to be late to church) and get the camera to mark this memory with a picture of your son waving at himself/shadow.

Not that any of you are interested in this, but just to record it, Cooper LOVES Yo Gabba Gabba the show. Honestly, everyone should check this show out. It is WEIRD - but for some reason Cooper loves it - even more than Barney. And well if you only knew how much he loves that Barney DVD with all songs. (Yes Eddie and I know all the words and dance moves by heart. I know you were wondering.)

So the last big thing is Cooper's talking. We have heard LOTS of new words this week. In fact, while talking to my mom the other day I said Cooper wasn't really saying anything. I think he heard me, got offended, and started talking the next day. Here is his total vocabulary at this time:
1. Da Da
2. Ma Ma (the sweetest little voice ever)
3. Juice - sometimes its buice
4. Yes (shaking head at the same time)
5. No (this may include just shaking the head, saying No, or (my favorite) pointing his finger back at you saying no, no, no.
6. jacket (this is a new one - heard it today at school) again sometimes is backet - what is it with the j and the b getting confused?
7. shoes
8. Ba ba - referring to barney
9. ball
10. touchdown

I think that is it for now - but that is alot right?! So now on to what you really wanted...pictures.

Being a parent

It sounds easy right? Feed them, clothe them, teach them right from wrong, love them. Here's the thing, how do you know if you are doing it right? I am a tax person, I like right vs. wrong. Or at least having a position that I can argue. How do I know if I am doing right by Cooper? Will he turn out ok if I really have no idea what I am doing?
Today I got a note home from his school that Cooper was biting again. (Per the note "several times") What do you do? Is he too young to understand? So I give it a shot,almost like a practice run. We sit down (in the middle of the kitchen floor - cooper's new favorite spot to play while I am cooking dinner) and have a little chat. It goes something like this -
Me: Cooper did you get in trouble today?
Cooper: Looks to the ground.
Me: Cooper did you bite your friends today?
Cooper: looks up at me and bites his finger to show me he understands what I am saying.
Me: So you did bite your friends? Cooper we don't bite people. It's not nice. You need to be nice to your friends not hurt them, ok?
Cooper: leans in gives me a hug and then sits in my lap to snuggle.

Seriously this kid has it figured out. He is probably thinking let me just let her think she is a great parent and then let me put on the charm so she will quit talking about it. Mission accomplished.

So how bad am I at being a parent? I think I am in for some trouble.

What a difference a year makes...