Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Christmas Eve finally got here and I had an excited boy on my hands.  Bruce had to work nights, so it was just Coop and I headed to Aunt Mary's house in Westmoreland.  There was good food, great gifts and special time with Grandma and Grandpa McDougal too.

 Cooper helped them open their gift before finally giving up and yelled out,

"It's a sink!". 

Grandma Mac reading The Night Before Christmas

We got home late and the elf had left Cooper a note and bag on my bed.  It was the set of footie pajamas he's been wanting, but we could never find them in his size.  (Yea Target!)  He was super excited, which only melts a mama's heart.  He went straight to bed, although he thought he'd stay up and catch Santa...Daddy got home in the morning, woke us up and it was time to open presents!!! I didn't get much, due to his ninja-like speed...

 Before the carnage began.  Neglected, isn't he?

The only picture I got of him opening.  I promise to do better next time!

The rest of the day was spent playing, playing, playing.  We ran to town to get batteries at Walgreens, since it was the only thing opened.  Topeka Boulevard was a ghost town, except for the amazing Hong Kong buffet!  Flashback to A Christmas Story!  We ate and took some home to daddy for lunch.  Then the boys figured out the new RC car and walkie talkies.  It's so much fun to watch them play together!

Notice that the dogs are NO WHERE to be seen?



We've still got the Ek family next weekend and the Reves' on New Year's Day.  There isn't room for what he got today--I've already made a plan with my dad for storage projects while he's here!!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Our elf, Pinocchio/Elfie, had made a reappearance. God bless you elf and the amazing behavior that my son is capable of in your presence!

Tonight was Cooper's school's Christmas program.  He insisted on wearing a tie (which lasted one song).  Side note and Ek family trivia--Did you know his Grandpa Brad was voted "Best Dressed Boy" in high school?  Guess he's taking after him.

 I also love this program because I get to see my favoritest little girls and soon to be neighbors--the Vetsch twins!!!  I was happy to hold and play with baby Sidney, until my necklace, patty-cake talents, and touching Bruce's scruffy beard wore off. 

                                        We love our pretty girlies!

Cousins!

Guess who came to visit their aunt for their first overnight trip???

Tyler

Brandon

The Ek boys

"They are getting wiggly mom!"

The Karate Kid

One day I was feeling guilty because so many kids we hang out with are "in" stuff--soccer, football, basketball, dance, etc.  So...I had the brilliant idea to "TRY" Coop in karate.  Long story short, I was going to do 2 weeks and call it good, but Bruce paid for 6 months...Any who, he had his first belt promotion last Friday and was super excited about it.  He did very well, however it drives me crazy when he sees his little friends and acts like a hyper squirrel because he's so excited.  Maybe it has something to do with being around 20 OTHER little squirrels all day at work.  He did great, was very proud of himself and we are very proud of him! Hi-yah!

Getting his belt from Master Overbey

Yes Cooper, I see you! 

So excited

Nelson/Hubbard Family Pow Wow

My friend, Galenna, is Native American (and a million other things besides...).  She and  her family came to school one day in November and did some of their traditional dances and songs for our students.  I kept Cooper with me so that he could see her boys because they are his good buddies and he's never seen them do their dances.  Sadly, Wheatie was sick and stayed home sick, but Ebb was there to impress us all with his moves. This is a picture of Cooper and Ebb after the program.  Ebb did awesome!!!  Cooper loved it because he thought Ebb looked like a turkey with the feathers on his back!

Daddy's deer

Bruce is a hunting fool!  So far this year (school year in my world) he's hunted elk, deer, ducks and I'm sure there's other things that I don't remember because he tries to hunt on his off days during the week while Coop and I are at school.  This is the deer he got and notice how ALL the "boys" had to be in the picture.

Last Preschool Halloween Party

Today was Cooper's Halloween party at preschool.  It worked out great because I was off work due to parent-teacher conferences all week and Bruce was off too.  His costume today was a knight.  It flips over to another side and he's supposed to be a prince, but he has misplaced the crown.  Oh well, maybe for trick or treating...Here are a few pics of the morning. 

Photo Shoot!

If I wasn't a teacher, I think I would be a photographer.  I have a little crappy camera and a son that is usually a good sport, which makes me a happy camper.  The area around our house is the perfect spot for some shots, so I tried tonight before the sun was too far gone.  Here's what we came up with...

I love October!

October is my FAVORITE month of the year. (It's the month I urged my husband to give up some deer hunting to marry me.) Any way, we have been busy every weekend with something wonderful. We had a birthday/pumpkin carving party with our friends Kaleb and Megan (aka Mini Martha Stewart).

Then we had Boo at the Zoo in Topeka. I've taken Cooper to this before, but I was younger and stupider. Now, I just consider myself stupid. He didn't get to the zoo over the summer, because after the one in Omaha and Colorado Springs, Topeka's is a little sad for me. However, my "Super Mom" cape had been hiding in the closet for a bit and I thought it was a better way to spend a beautiful Saturday instead of cleaning the house or raking leaves. So, here's a pic of my favorite little prince.

Then, of course being a teacher, one of the perks is Halloween at school! These are my friends Tanay, Kristi and I. It was a great excuse to wear sweats to school...Tomorrow will be my third day of parent-teacher conferences. Monday and Tuesday night were school all day and meetings until 7:30. Tomorrow is 7:30-3:30. Friday can't get here soon enough!

Jayhawk Roundball Classic

Those of you that know my hubby know that he played football. There is even a whole little room in our basement that proves it! Surely he keeps up with sports right? WRONG! Well, when we had the opportunity to watch some KU basketball for a good cause I had to take it. It was Coop's first basketball game that did not involve one of my school kids and he was SUPER excited to wear his new KU basketball clothes. (He is his mama's boy!) One of my friends at school recently lost her 5-year-old niece to cancer and this was a fundraiser in Lawrence for pediatric cancer honoring Jayden. It was hot, it was packed, and we soon learned that our son is not good at sitting down, especially when he's trying to keep his eye on Baby Jay...The game was great, but at half time I had to get that boy moving, so we went to get his face painted, which lasted the second half, but we had a happy boy on our hands when it was done!