My big 3-0

I wasn't dreading turning 30 as much as people probably assume. I'm not a big birthday person anyways, so I wanted it to be real low-key. Anyone who knows me, knows I do not like attention!

Andrew was nice enough to get up with Cooper and let me lay in bed and relax after 7am!  He was downstairs banging all around (I was wondering what in the heck was going on down there). Well, then he brought me a stack of chocolate-chip pancakes and blueberries! Yum!

My sweet neighbors, Jackson (who is Jack's BFF) and Carter rang the doorbell holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers, sweet card and gift. What a surprise!! 

How cute is this?

Then, my co-worker friend, Skip and his wife, Sandy stopped by to bring me some balloons (which have lasted all week and Cooper has loved them!) I was at my favorite shop partaking in some alone time and retail therapy, so I missed them! 

Andrew had asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday - I told him I would love a night out (just the two of us). I had an idea all week he was up to something, but did a very good job hiding it. With the help of my bestie, he planned for everyone to be here before me. I was totally trying to spot cars in the parking lot that I recognized on our way in, but didn't find any. I thought when the waitress picked up 2 menus I was in the clear. Then I was greeted to a GIANT "surprise" when we walked out on the balcony!  I'm ended up being really happy to have all my friends there...I just hate the unexpected.

Here's my friend Michelle and my bro, Bart:

The newly engaged Sean and Carol:

Me and the hubs

Monica and Terry, Erin and Tim and ...check out that view!

The bestie who helped scheme  plan.

My day, from start of finish, was perfect!!

(Did I mention I got to get a haircut, too?)

Our park mornings...our pool evenings

Almost every morning around 8am we find ourselves here: 

We stroll down to the park (we're lucky to have one in our neighborhood) in our red wagon...dog in tow.  Cooper can't wait to get out to explore.

One of my favorite parts about this new morning ritual...besides spending time with my boys...is this huge, old oak.  It's simply beautiful.

Jack comes too, of course.

 

Cooper loves to stomp around...

dig in the dirt...

climb in everything...

and most of all, Cooper loves, loves, loves this swing.

Sometimes, we spend our evenings here:

Just hanging out with our neighbors, friends, and each other at the pool.

Cooper and his best buddy Mason.

Cooper's not a big fan of staying in one place at a time, but this baby pool contains him pretty well.

Last night, on our way back, we turned on the sprinklers so Coop could play for a few more minutes before bedtime.

He's not quite sure what to think about them. He's asking Andrew for "help".

So that's how our days work around here. So thankful to be off in the summer.

Summer is getting in the way

of my blogging!!

I promised myself since I am now fully done with work 'til August 8th, I was gonna blog more. Well...there is something little, cute, spunky, wild, and sweet gettin' in my darn way!!  Seriously, people. I've got some pictures I just can't find time to take my camera out of my purse and put them on here!! 

So, Nana emailed me some pictures she took of Coop from this week when she came over. He is -gasp- 13 months old now!!  (Missed that post, too. Looking like I'll be combining some in the near future).

Here they are...in all their glory. Already on my computer...so I didn't have to do much work.

BTW - I turned the big 3-0 Saturday. Looking forward to spending this decade as a momma. (post on that to come too!!! haha)

Sharing at it's finest

Trying to get my little booger to eat



How can you not love this face?

 See that cut on his chin?? Fell on a tonka truck in our neighbors sandbox. All boy I tell ya. All boy. Cried for...oh...10 seconds...went right on playing.

Pool Party

Nana brought this over:

 

So we filled it up!

Cooper loved it! His favorite part was climbing in and out, in and out.

And trying to figure out where that water was coming from?

Maybe from here...

Oops! This yard is a little uneven.

Must have...

Have you see this on Etsy???

Its from The Laughing Girafee.

I'm just dying to buy it for Cooper. How cute would he look with his blonde hair and blue eyes?

The problem: the price!! 

Can you ask for something for your kid for your birthday??

Hodgepodge and I follow...

this blog everyday. She updates most days during the week and I'm always wondering what she is going to post next! I do not know her at all...which may seem weird...but I love love love to read other's blogs. I must have stumbled upon her blog at some point and just kept reading. You should check it out here. She is me in 30 years (retired, grandkids, travel, and fun fun fun!) Haha!

I also love to read several blogs that are written by my former students....great girls that have an awesome outlook on life. You should check out Taylor's and Jayna's!

Speaking of life...did you see this on O? If you didn't, you should check it out. Get your Kleenex out, yall!

Me and my bestie are gonna watch the final O together. With wine. Sooooo excited!!  

Graduation tonight...then all day with my sweet Coop tomorrow!! 

Pool opens next weekend!!!  

Pumped up for summertime in East Tennessee!

12.

It's hard to believe my baby is ONE. It would be fitting that I'm a month behind on this post. I should of written this a while ago...but things get in the way (i.e. changing diapers, throwing fits, educating the youth of the world, playing in the dirt, cleaning up the food he has thrown across the room, and dang-in... JUST PURE EXHAUSTION). I'm pretty much a month behind on everything!

Cooper is growing like a weed...he comes up with a new "something" everyday. For example, today he decided it was sooo funny to put his head between his legs to look at me!!  Hilarious!! Wish I had a picture but my camera batteries are dead.

Cooper likes to talk and point at everything. Yesterday, Andrew and I took him over to the zoo. He called every animal "Jack" and would point and beat on the glass. He LOVED it!

Coop's a wild man!  He is into EVERYTHING, not scared of ANYTHING. Aka - typical boy. He loves the outdoors, dirt, cords, water, jack's food, climbing into the shower with mommy and eating soap!!  Nonetheless, whomever is watching him is on the move!!  No relaxing with Cooper. He is GO GO GO!

Coop man is also my little dare-devil. He will try just about anything...including jumping off of the bench that Andrew built for him. (More to come on that later...). He thinks that is sooo funny too!! 

Jack is still his buddy. He loves to crawl all over Jack, pull his ears, and pretty much torture him. Jack doesn't seem to mind.

His light blond hair is coming in and he has a better tan than me!! So glad he doesn't have fair skin and will be burned.

Words at this point:  mama, dada, jack, ball, night-night, bye bye (and he waves!)

Coop was still pretty small at his 1 year check up with Dr. Greg. Andrew took him, so I didn't get the low-down, but he is still around the 20% for height and weight (only weighs just over 19 lbs.) and 90% for head!! That big brain is still growing!!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from this 12th month of his life...courtesy of Nana who picks up my slack and takes tons of pictures with her new camera!!