The Usher

Shortly after Wade asked Sarah to marry him, Sarah asked me whether it would be ok for them to have Cooper be their ring bearer. I nodded through tears- we were so touched that they wanted him to be a part of their special day.

Sadly, Cooper didn't get the memo. Wade asked him and he said no, thank you.
His reason?
"I did that once before and it wasn't very much fun".
(he's nothing if not honest....and polite)

Poor kid- evidently his memories from when he was 4 1/2 and was the ring bearer at my brothers wedding weren't so good.
Fast forward 6 months and although Cooper never did change his mind about being the ring bearer, he did agree to being an usher.

His specific job?
Walking the Aunt Kathy & Nana down the aisle.
He took his job very seriously- and I know Nana appreciated it so much.



He was also drafted at the last minute to hand out the wedding programs.
He doesn't do well with change- especially at the last minute.



This time though- he did a fabulous job.
And truly....could he BE any more handsome in his tux?



If it didn't cost so much, I might make him wear a tux for the rest of his life!



Great job buddy!
We sure do love you-
(and so do Wade & Sarah)

and they lived happily ever after...

We love you both!!!

darn it, he was right!

I've been telling Jon for months that I really want new carpet.

MONTHS.

And for MONTHS he's been telling me that all we really need to do is have the carpet steamed.
It'll save money...it's not that hard....I'll be amazed at the results....

blah, blah, blah.

And every time he gives me the speech, I promptly ignore him and dream about new carpet.

So tonight, I'm desperate for new carpet and I just can't take it anymore.
So I rent one of these.



There is a reason that they all but fingerprint you and keep your 1st born child for collateral when you fill out the paperwork.

IT WORKS.

Darn it....
Oh well- $45 vs. $4500.

I can take being wrong.

Perfect Saturday

There are some days when you wake up and you know that the day is going to be amazing. You've got places to go and people to see.....you know the drill.

But there are other days that start off like any other day with no expectations at all.
You wake up...get ready..head out the door....and something happens to make an ordinary day turn into something that goes down in the books as an official "perfect day".

Saturday was one of those days.

Jon had a job and was meeting us at the river.
On the way Cooper and I stopped to get these....



A bag for Jon and one for the contractor who continues to be a lifesaver.

Then we got this- which was billed as "primo"



The farmer didn't lie.

Along with the corn, I couldn't resist this bouquet-


It had basil sprigs that made it smell just as incredible as it looked.

And once we arrived, my sweet boys settled in for some healthy competition-



just to make sure that Coop's brain doesn't turn to mush over the summer.

After lunch we hit the pool, shared a fabulous meal with friends and fell asleep wondering how in the world Charlotte plans to save Wilbur's life.


Sunny weather
Good parenting
Farm fresh produce
A little protein
Cheery flowers
Favorite friends
Spending the day with my boys??

Perfect Saturday.

Two Word Wednesday

KEG STAND.


(love you Katie!!)

Simple Math Facts (or- Wade & Sarah's Awesome Party)

What happens when you add the following?


1 big back yard


1 port-a-potty from a woman named Trudy



1 tent, 7 tiki torches and some red, white & blue decorations


1 guy named Stu who can tap a keg


2 bushels of crabs


1 bushel of oysters roasting over piping hot coals


64 jello shooters


5 tents (so nobody gets in trouble after 64 jello shooters and a keg)


lots of friends and family


and 1 happy couple about to be married?

Simple.
1 incredible awesome party to celebrate how thrilled we are that they've found each other!!!



We invited people for Crabs, Corn Hole & Cold Beer....and told them to BYOT (bring your own tent). What's not to love!



Thanks Sarah & Wade for being you, for finding each other and giving us an excuse to help celebrate the beginning of your lives together.

We love you both!!

Nine

Cooper's last day as an 8 year old was spent at camp.
His last day at camp was his 1st day being a 9 year old.
Thankfully, camp ended at noon and I got to pick him up and spoil him for the remainder of the day!

While you're at camp, the only communication is via cards, letters and e-mails that are printed off and delivered to the campers after lunch each day.

This was our email message to our favorite 9 year old on the planet.

********

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COOPER!!!
happy birthday cooper!!!
hAPPy BIrtHdAy CoOPer!!!


Because you're turning 9, here are 9 things about you that are AWESOME-

1) You can shoot a foul shot (and make it!)
2) You can hit a home run
3) You are the funniest kid we know
4) You love animals, especially a really fluffy "dawg"
5) You are a splendid writer
6) You can tie your shoes
7) You are a good friend
8) You love GOD
9) You are the perfect little kid for our family!!

We love, love, love you!!
xoxo,
Momma & Dad


***********

We headed to the river to meet Jon & finish the birthday celebration.

Fortunately, I had planned every detail to make the most of his day.
Unfortunately, Jon didn't get the memo....



Fortunately, my sweet kid didn't mind one bit that his cake was a complete disaster.
Unfortunately, he needed quite a few blows to get ALL THOSE CANDLES taken care of.



Fortunately, his presents made up for any shortcomings with the cake.



Unfortunately, our blanket wrapping paper didn't conceal our gift for long!


Fortunately, there was a double rainbow on his big day.


Unfortunately, that meant we couldn't head out in the boat for some birthday fishing.


Fortunately, we were perfectly content to hang out with our river family and enjoy being together again!!


(yes, that's whole milk tied with a bow- Cooper's favorite and a treat that he only gets at the river!!!)

There's no place like home and nothing like feeling & being completely loved!!



Happy Birthday little kid!
We sure do love you-

Swami Says

I was searching for jokes to send to Cooper at camp and found a website that allows you to ask a Swami a question and she looks in her crystal ball and gives you an answer.

I asked-

Is Cooper having fun at camp?

Her answer?

Don't count on it.

Oh dear!
See what the swami has for you...Swami site

Camp

This is a glimpse of what Cooper will spend his days doing this week.



And his nights will be spent sleeping on a bottom bunk in a cabin without AC. I'm hoping the 8" $25 clip on fan will keep my baby cool, that he'll dream sweet dreams and won't be homesick at all.

I'm beside myself wondering how things are going for that little kid.
Lights out in 30 minutes.


If you're inclined to say a little prayer for him, please do.

Nail Biter-

This is the aftermath of a nail biting game that occurred just hours ago. They're so giddy (well, except for my ever so calm #18)!!

Since Jon had to miss the game, I texted him so he'd feel like he was there (there's a teeny bit of sarcasm there....as you can see, his responses don't necessarily match the emotion of mine). Shocking.

7:57pm- Me to Jon (at the end of the 1st inning)
5-3 them. Coop grounded out at 1st. He's not happy.

7:58- Jon's response
Keep the dream alive

8:21- Me to Jon
Coop hit a triple, brought in 2 runs- wait, he just scored too. 11-9 still them.

8:27- Jon's response
Awesome

8:57- Me to Jon
OMG! game tied, Coop hit another triple. the crowd is going wild 13-13

8:58- Jon's response
Go Mets!

9:19pm- Me to Jon
Still tied- top of Mets line up. Coop batting clean up. I'm a wreck. 15-15

No response from Jon

9:25- Me to Jon
The won!!! Game called because of time- 1st run in wins it! Final 16-15

No response from Jon.

WHAT IN THE WORLD???
Evidently he was at dinner and didn't hear the texts. Rats.

Cooper called him as soon as we were in the car.

You know, I never thought I'd get so sentimental over hearing my child relay the play by play of an Little League game to his dad. But I did.

So much pride.....on both ends of the phone.

Final game of the season tomorrow.....I'm counting the minutes.

Messages from home (Thankful Thursday)

Before I left for London, Cooper was beside himself with worry about how long I was going to be gone and what was he going to do without me.

I told him that I was only an e-mail away and when he missed me he should ask Jon to help him log in and send me a message. I never expected that the result would be one of the best gifts I've ever received.

On Tuesday afternoon I got this (exactly as it reads below)-

Dear momma
How was your trip well if it was'nt good i will tell you something extraordinary i got a 100 on my religion test. Things have been going a little weird around hear well first daddy said he could flip a pancake before my eyes. Somehow it turned out great, for him not the pancake. There were little pancake bits all over the stove so being daddy he just put the pan right on top of the pancake bits and it sizzled. After he finished the bits were stuck to the stove. We began to panic, so I came to rescues and brook out the cook top cleaner. That ended the problem.the second thing that happed was we came in the door and spiderzilla was greeting us and guess what was on her back babies. Millions of them. as soon as daddy saw it he threw gypsy so fast i thought i woud never see that dawg again. He stopped on it rapidly picked it up and trew it in the waste basket.

love you

Cooper


Oh my word- that kid is hilarious and sweet and SO MY CHILD!!!!



My response to him-

Dear Cooper-

My flight to London was stupendous. I was able to sleep restfully on the plane and we arrived in England safely.
I am thrilled beyond words that you got 100 on your religion test- that IS extraordinary news!! I'm so proud of you.

Your story about the pancake bits made me laugh! I laughed out loud. I'm so glad you were there to come to the rescue. What would Daddy do without you?

SPIDERZILLA?????? With millions of baby spiderzilla's??? OH MY WORD. Good thinking for Daddy to step on it and then throw it away. Poor Gypsy- that funny dog probably didn't know what in the world happened.

Let me tell you about London- even though they speak English, it's a little hard to understand sometimes. I have to listen really hard. I've had some good things to eat that are different from the USA- this morning I had a crumpet. It's a little like an English Muffin but more doughy. I liked it but I think I like English Muffins better.

I also had a weird thing happen here- somehow my zipper broke on my pants- it just fell right off in my hand as I was trying to zip up my pants. That's not good at all! Oh well, at least I had another pair.

I'm so glad you wrote to me- I loved getting an e-mail from you.
Hope you slept well and that Gypsy snuggled with you all night long.

Are Grandma and Pappy there now? Tell them I said hi!

I love you Cooper- tell Daddy I love him too!
xoxo,
Momma

And his heartbreaking yet hysterical reply to me on Wednesday.

Momma thank you for replying back to me. Today for dinner we copied a recipe from a cook book from the library BBQed chicken and it tasted so good and i wish you were there. Momma the days here have felt like weeks and i cant wait for you to come home. Once my pants fell down in art class and i walked in the room with my pants on my knees and Mrs. Craig yelled PULL UP YOUR PANTS so lowed i thought the room would split in half. Momma what time are u coming back. me and daddy made bee food. 4 hours earlier daddy put the top of the bee hive on wrong and the bees got mad and almost stung me on the head but my cat like reflexes through them off. Come home that is an order mam.

love Cooper


I am so thankful for:

• safe flights


• the magic of e-mail


• 3rd grade teachers who transfer their love of creative writing to their students


• Dads who flip pancakes with disastrous results


• parents who drop everything to come help make our lives better just by being there


• cook top cleaner


• cat like reflexes


• 8 year olds who love their momma

Just wondering....

Are these the dog days of summer??
Because if they aren't....I'm REALLY dreading what's to come.
Regardless, shouldn't this dog be the poster child for the dog days???

Jet Setting (sort of)

I went to London for a week c/o my company. Awesome...yes. Stressful....yes.

Actually, as I look back, it was a total blur.



I stayed with these friends and had a blast. They were so kind to me- they opened their home, patiently translated Brit speak for me, organized my transport all over the city and shared many a funny story and even more glasses of wine.



And in between working and having fun.....well, there wasn't that much time for anything else. Especially sleep. My word, I was a complete zombie.

I could have planned a little better. My timing was off and sadly, I missed THE EVENT OF THE CENTURY.



The only remnant of this....


Was this...


No matter though. It was such a treat to see everything up close and in person.

Can you tell that I was at the Abbey?


No?
Come on- I was absolutely there!



What about this?


I almost didn't make it home after this one!

Biggest thrill?
It's a toss up.

Either this.....


Notice anything about this couple?

Look closely-


Yup, Louboutins!
Even the senior set is so stylish in London.

This....


Are you kidding me?? Who couldn't use fake grass?

Or this....



A Basil Mint Martini from an amazing terrace bar overlooking the Thames.

Sigh.

Thanks to my favorite expats for making my trip so great!
Can't wait to see you when you're stateside.

The Bees

Jon can't be still, or rest, or slow down or be stagnant. EVER.
It's super admirable especially since I'm close to his polar opposite.
Sometimes it drives me insane, and sometimes I have to step in and call a stop to the madness. Most times I just sit back, accept it, laugh at it and be amazed by it. Sometimes, I even get caught up in the busy.

Spring, Summer and Fall are easy for him to be busy- but Winter is TOUGH. So each year he latches on to something to pass the time.

Last year it was his obsession with RV's, the year before that it was finding THE perfect boat, the year before that it was buying a tractor.

This year? Becoming a beekeeper.
He spent all winter reading books, researching on line and talking about how awesome it would be to have bees. He even offered the honey from his bees to Wade & Sarah to use as wedding favors.

"Honey by Jon"
I told you, obsessed.

On Thursday night his obsession became a reality.
Wade came over and we were outside waiting for them to arrive.



I got a text that said, "Bee ETA 5 minutes"



So exciting.

In these pictures, the opening to the hive is covered so there isn't any danger.

See?


That one bee must have been late getting home because he was stuck outside the hive. He drove for 2 hours in the back of the truck clinging to the screen so that he wouldn't lose his family.

Jon got them all set up on their special "skunk proof" blocks. I wasn't aware that we had a skunk problem, but by all means....let's be on the safe side.



After they were all set up, it was time to remove the safety screening. That meant putting on the bee suit. This picture makes me laugh- clearly bee keeping is very serious business!



Day 1- nobody got stung. Not bad!

Although I have forbidden Cooper to go near the bees until we're more comfortable with them he couldn't' wait to try on the suit.



I'll admit it's pretty interesting, totally green and makes a great story. What's not to love?

Stay tuned for more bee adventures.