Cooper's Rock Collection...

On Monday afternoon, the daycare director called to inform me that Cooper had put a rock in his nose.  She said she tried and could not get it out...but...maybe Cooper would blow it out for me.  I left work and headed to the daycare...I attempted to get the rock out once, and decided I would prefer the doctor do it rather then me make it worse.  Matt was actually on his way to the doctor to get a form for Cooper's new school (story for another day) so he asked them if they could squeeze Cooper in to see Dr. Joe.  Thankfully, they said YES!

You can see the rock in his left nostril...

He was pretty pitiful until I pulled my phone out to take a picture...he then said "cheese".  On the way to the doctor, he repeated over and over...Dr. Joe get it out, Dr. Joe get it out, Dr. Joe get it out.  Thankfully Dr. Joe was able to pop it right out and Cooper didn't even cry...I think he was relieved it was out!  Hopefully a lesson has been learned and this will not happen again...he has for sure proved he is a BOY!

And here is his rock collection we will add to his box of keepsakes.  The one on the right came out of his nose.  I was surprised to find the others when I changed his diaper...we will never know how they got in his diaper...he said he ate them...surely not!

Valentine Happies from the Grandparents...

Most days when we get home, Anna Lauren jumps out of the car and heads to the mailbox...she gets the mail and then checks the front porch for packages (not sure why...we rarely get packages).  On Valentine's Day, she was surprised to see a box in the mailbox and couldn't wait to rip it open. 

Look at this face...can you tell she was excited to have a package from Nanna in the mail?

Nanna sent Anna Lauren a new dress, a coloring book, and M&Ms...

Matt and I each got 1 billion dollars...if only it was real!  (not sure why my pictures are randomly turning the wrong way...ugh)

Cooper got a new teddy bear...believe it or not, he had just thrown up.  Think he just had too much candy at school and on the way home.  Once he threw up, he was just fine.

Cooper got a teddy bear, coloring book, and M&Ms...

The three "loves of my life"...love, love, love them!

Matt's dad was in town this week and brought Valentine's happies for the kids...Matt remembered to get them out of his trunk when he got home tonight.  That was ok though...they were thrilled to have one last treat!

Pop Pop and MeMe gave each of them a bag full of Mardi Gras beads and a Valentine book...

Whew...I think we've made it through Valentine's Day!  Tonight I took all my hearts down and pulled out the Easter eggs.  I do love Spring/Easter time!

Valentine's Day Treats for Teachers and Friends...

I must admit...Anna Lauren and I had a great time looking on pinterest getting ideas for Valentine's Day happies for their teachers and friends.  It's also kind of fun to let her help me "decide" what we should do...she loves looking at different options and getting to have a "say so".

Here are the pictures of our selections...

Cooper gave bubbles to his friends at school...I used twine rope to hopefully make it a little more "boy".

Cooper gave both of his teachers popcorn...

Anna Lauren gave her after school teacher, Ms. Virginia, popcorn...

Anna Lauren gave her teachers, Ms. Wells and Ms. Currie, brownie mix...

And after looking at all her many options, Anna Lauren chose smores for her friends (funny...she doesn't even like them).  I thought they turned out cute!

14 Days of Valentines...

Several weeks ago I was looking on Pinterest for Valentine ideas, and I came across 14 days of Valentines for the kids and thought that would be great fun.  I showed Matt, and he agreed it would be fun.  And after getting the 14 days together for the kids, I couldn't resist...I did it for Matt too!

I will say I felt a little guilty today because I didn't do anything "extra" special for them...14 days is a long time so I was kind of over it by today.  But...they didn't seem to mind...waking up to a surprise the past 14 days has been fun for all of them so they didn't seem to mind that today was pretty "normal" other than their school fun.

Matt and I did enjoy lunch together, and he suprised me with dinner and hotel of my choice one night (Nanna agreed to babysit).  I cannot tell you the last time just the two of us spent time together...I cannot wait to find a night to "get away"!

Daddy Daughter Date Night...

Friday night Anna Lauren and Matt had a date...they went to the Daddy Daughter Date Night at Ridgecrest Baptist Church.  Per Matt and Anna Lauren, they had a great time together...they took pictures, listened to a speaker, ate a nice dinner, decorated cupcakes, wrote letters to each other, did a craft, and danced (of course that was Anna Lauren's favorite). 

Anna Lauren gladly posed for some pictures while she was waiting on her "date" to get ready...

Weekly School Papers...

Every Friday Anna Lauren brings home her papers from the week...this week I was surprised by her work to say the least.  For weeks, she has been doing inventive spelling for homework, and it has not been fun for her or me.  I had convinced myself she was a sight word reader and could not sound out words.  Well, obviously she is "tricking" me because her work from school proves she can sound out words/write sentences.  And especially since she told me she did it by herself...her teacher did not help.

This was not in her weekly paper folder...but...it was in her backpack.  She ALWAYS talks about Daniel liking her, wanting to hug her, etc.  BUT...she does not like Daniel, does not like him hugging her, etc.  Well, obviously maybe she does like Daniel and the attention he gives her a little bit.  My oh my...this is scary...I'm going to pretend I didn't see this, but I had to take a picture for the "memory" book.

So...this is the paper that blew my mind...so proud of her!  And...it is neat...you should see her homework...it is so MESSY (yes, it makes her Mommy cringe)!

This one is not as good but it is still very clear what she is saying...

Bubbles...Bubbles...And More Bubbles...

Daddy, being the "fun" parent, makes the best bubble baths...

And believe it or not, Cooper was scared to get in at first...he does NOT like the jets, which is what Daddy and Anna Lauren turn on to make all these bubbles.

The "Box"...

A couple weeks ago I was laughing at my friend at work because she had to make a Valentine box for her little girl to take to school to collect all the Valentines from her friends.  I was surprised this was not a "school" craft project because Anna Lauren had always just made something at school.  Well, two days later, I got the same note...what I get for laughing at someone else!

So...Anna Lauren and I got to work on her box...she is ready for her friends to fill it full of goodies!

My sweet co-worker/friend, Leah, always helps me with "craft" projects (and everything else)...she is much better than me!  We got these heart boxes from Hobby Lobby and Leah did the names for her little girl and Anna Lauren. 

Anna Lauren picked out several different pages of scrapbook paper for us to cut out hearts to go around the box and then she added some cute foam stickers.

And surprisingly, we actually did this project together with little fuss...sometimes she has her ideas, and I have my ideas and it doesn't go so well.  But this one did, and I think her box turned out pretty cute!

Training For...

Thanks to my supportive husband and encouraging running partner, I am training for my very first full marathon.  Yes, I said FULL marathon...last week I thought I was going to throw up when I registered but this is something I've had in the back of my mind and now just seemed like the "right" time to give it a shot.

After I ran the Blues 1/2 marathon in January, I realized I was 1/2 way trained so why not just continue my training and find a March race?  The date of Georgia just "worked" and it gives us a chance to visit with Matt's sisters and their families in Atlanta for a few days.  I'm a bit concerned about the Georgia hills...but...we'll make the best of it and walk if need be.  I just want to finish!

So until March 17th, I'll continue running, running, running...all the hard work will be worth it when I (hopefully) cross the finish line!