second

Dear Jack,
Last night, I was so surprised by your nervous tears.
I knew you were anxious...but I knew you'd be fine today.
I actually knew you'd be MORE than fine.
See, because you are at "my" school, I can hand pick your teacher.
I ALWAYS pick the one that will love you for who you are.
Haven't I always made good choices for you?
You were worried that second grade would be "too hard" for you.
It's a big year...with a big 'ol state test at the end of it.
But, all we want from you this year, is for you to try your best.
Learn new things.
Make new friends.
Keep old friends.
Be a best friend.
Do your best.
And have fun.
Thanks for letting me take your picture this morning...
It's fun to see how you've grown since the first day of first grade:

It's even MORE fun to see how much you've grown since the first day of Kindergarten:

Fingerprint Friday

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God
So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints.
Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them?


I have blogged about Bella several times.
She is still in my heart and on my mind all day.
Everyday.
Will you please visit her blog?
Will you please let them know that you will wrap her in prayer?
She is on a roller coaster of good days, bad days, confusing days...
But they are ALWAYS days of faith.

Please visit The Rusted Chain for more inspiration!

they "help the people"

If you ask Molly what the firefighters do with their trucks,

she will tell you that they simply "help all the people".
It's always exciting to get up close with the engines
at Uncle Joe's fire station.

(one day, I will get all the pictures of Jack with the bell on here. We take one EVERY year)

Whether it's the manager at the pool, a zoo keeper, or a fireman..
It's nice to know people to get such wonderful experiences for our kids!
Thanks, Uncle Joe!

9 years later!

We celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary while in Ohio.
We had a party of 15 at Benihana!
What a wonderful group of people to celebrate with!

Jack and Jordan played Star Wars with the drink sword toothpicks.

But, not Molly. She's ALL business.

The kids meals come with corn...so, we had one HAPPY eater!

Jack, raising his hand to order his ice cream!

Crazy to think of where we were 9 years ago,
and exciting to think of where we will be in 9 years!
Happy (late) Anniversary!

don't worry...

...I'm her mother and I don't know what she's singing.

pool time

(first, I added new video to our zoo adventures post below!)

Another fun highlight was any time my kids were in the pool.
We were lucky that Joe & Cherise have a pool,
and that Ken has a friend who runs the city pool.
This mini-water park, again, made the Cooper clan VERY, VERY happy!

Jack's first time going down this giant slide!
I think he climbed and slid down at least 20 times!.

rhino, giraffe, and hippo...oh my! ****UPDATED WITH MORE VIDEO!

This was definitely a highlight of our trip, so I am starting with our Cleveland Zoo adventures.
My animal loving 2 year old showed NO fear.
Her big brother also braved the animals.
First, Igna, the pregnant rhino.

Then, giraffes...I literally had dozens of pictures from this experience.

Then off to meet Blackie, the "retired" rhino.

Jack was happiest with the butterflies :)

home sweet home

We are home.
Safe and sound.
I am going through the 900+ pictures...and will blog soon about our adventures.
Including:
a camel ride, feeding a hippo, a rhino, and giraffes, a BIG family dinner, another kids museum, and lot of other fun things!

Ohio update

I don't have pictures to post yet ( I thought I could post pictures from the new iPad, but doesn't look like I can).
Let's see if this link works:

So far we have:
- been to church
- had lots of family time
- walked to the famous blue candy store
-went to Giant Eagle and the Eagle's Nest
- had lunch with Ken's former teacher
- played at a beautiful park
- went to Great Lakes Science Center
- flew to Baltimore
- spent the day at the National Aquarium
- visited Fort McHenry
- flew back to Ohio
- met good friend, Melissa and family at Chuck E. Cheese
- ate at Cracker Barrel

One more week to go...and just as many fun things to do!