It's a Pirrrrate Parrrrty

A talented graphic designer, a little photoshop work and voila. We think it's the perfect invite to a second birthday parrrrty.

The Puffin Picture

Last week, the kids and I went to the Aquarium. This time however, Ellie packed her messenger bag with crayons and paper and brought it with her for the trip. I thought it was cute but wondered when she actually have time to color anything.

Well she showed me. After we watched the puffins for a couple minutes (they were having a fabulous time swimming around and were probably the most lively I've ever seen them) I guess inspiration hit her and she sat down in front of a huge aquarium tank and drew this pic. Luckily there was room for Jonah to run/crawl/be a wild child/jump around while she drew. Inspiration struck again during the dolphin show where she felt compelled to draw smiley faces on the dolphins. I guess she thought they were a happy lot.

Ewww, I Abhor Parasites!

Today Jonah went to the doctors office. Again. Quite honestly, I'm kind of tired of going there every week. But whatever. Have to keep them in business I guess.

Anyway, today's visit was due to a nasty, disgusting, good-for-nothing tick. Bleech! I can't tell you how much I hate, hate, loath, and despise ticks. Luckily, I wasn't the one who had to deal with it. Dave located the nasty little bugger during his shower with Jonah Boy this morning. It came out easily but left a huge lump on the back of little J's head.

So of course I freaked. Jonah has been running a temperature since Thursday morning (although today it's only 99, woo hoo!) and the knot on the back of his head immediately caused my mind to jump straight to Lyme's Disease.

The kids' doctor talked me off the edge but did agree to see him. She said I could even bring the tick in if I wanted. So I wrapped the horrible little thing in two baggies. Dave of course made fun of me, as is his way. "I broke out of the ziplock. Hooray. OOOhhh! Foiled by the second bag.". Apparently he doesn't think a tick can burrow out of a plastic bag. But I wasn't taking any chances. I mean, hey, they burrow into your scalp right? Why not through a thin little bag?

All in all it was a pretty mild trip. Jonah wound up on some antibiotics, more for a funky ear thing (that was discovered during the visit...surprise, surprise) than the tick thing, but I guess it makes me feel a little better. The doctor said it's not Lyme's Disease, but the lump is from some type of foreign body reaction. That might help me sleep a little better tonight. But I'm sure I'll be checking the kids for any sort of slight sign of illness. It will become my new neurosis. At least I can substitute one neuroses for another now.

I am happy to say this though: Cooper family 1. Tick 0.

The Mother's Day Song

Last week there was a Mother's Day Luncheon at Ellie's school. The children all worked very hard preparing the meal, making decorations and presents for all the moms. It was really sweet.

One of my favorite things was this song that the teachers taught the kids. It goes something like this:

(I think it's sung to the tune of A Bicycle Built for Two)
Mommy, Mommy
You know that I love you
You're my best friend
No one else will do
Oh Mommy we work together
We have the BEST time ever
Oh Mommy it's true
I do love you
Nobody else will do.

On mother's day she sang it to both her grandmothers and her great-grandmother substituting their names in for mine. Is it wrong that I was a little jealous? On second thought don't answer that.

Anyway, here are some pics from the Mother's Day Luncheon...





























A self portrait















Ellie's Mother's Day Butterfly . Each of the kids had one and the reasons they loved their Moms. There was everything from "because she lets me watch movies in the van" to "because she lets me sleep in her bed for 80 ages."

A Couple Pictures

Lunchtime Chatter

Me: What do you guys want for lunch? Are sloppy joes okay?
Ellie: No.
Me: Why not?
Ellie: They're too messy.
Me: Honey, that's why they're called sloppy.
Ellie: Well, I just want joes then.

A Month

Wow, it's been almost a month since our last post. Geez, you would think we were busy or something. Well, you'd be right.

But never fear, we'll get you caught up in no time!