6 YEARS OLD!!!

This year Cooper is really into Dinosaurs. You can't really find the perfect Dino cake at the store. So I just had them put green grass on cupcakes and I found my own Dino's to top them off. These cupcakes were brought to his class at school. As you can tell, they were very much appreciated and devoured.

Logan loved being in Cooper's class to celebrate. He didn't want to leave.

Later we met up with a few cousins and friends for dinner at McDonald's and a chance to play.

I thought that a Tuesday night at McD's should be relatively quiet. I was wrong. It was McTeacher night and I think the entire Federal Way school district was attending. It didn't matter though, the kids enjoyed themselves and that's what mattered.

After Dinner Cooper ripped through his presents...what a happy boy!

And oh so patiently waited for his Dino Cake!

When we got home Grama Pam delivered his big present!

Happy 6th Birthday to my sweet boy!! I love you!

Cooper's 1st day of kindergarten

My big boy on his first day of Kindergarten.
(Sorta, explaination below)

And of course little brother had to get in a picture too.

Okay, so here is where the drama begins. Last week, Sept.4 (Thursday) I hadn't heard anything from the school except from the transportation dept. telling us that Cooper would be picked up on the 9th at 8:20 am. No probs. Then, Tuesday at the open house Ms. Shaw told us that the kindergartners would not have school until the 10th. So, thinking that because he was in a different class, she said to send Cooper on the 9th if that is what the bus driver told us. All these pictures were taken on the 9th. This is my boy, looking for the bus anxiously, and starting to get worried. We waited for 30 minutes, the bus never came. And so, I called transportation, and they told me that he wasn't being picked up today. Why would they tell me one thing and do something completely different. I probably should have figured it out and waited an extra day, but I didn't want the bus to come and him not be there. Hmm. Lesson learned. We went into the apartment, and we both cried. Cooper because of disappointment, and me because it broke my heart to see it. We changed his school clothes and went on with our day as best as possible.

Dressed in the same clean outfit, we tried again today. His REAL first day! As the pick-up time came and went my heart sank and Cooper's confidence in the bus actually coming this time was sinking. You can tell on his face. I just kept praying, literally, that it would come so I wouldn't have to see my boy sad again.

Alas it arrived! (only 15 mins. late)
Cooper's face was gleaming with the excitement of yesterday! And I was silently saying a quick prayer of gratitude as
I gave him a hug and kiss goodbye.

While getting on the bus, he turned around and said to me,
"One more picture, mom."

As I watched the bus drive away, a few tears started to well up. Immediately extinguish by the need to console Logan, who was crying hysterically, (with real tears) saying,
" I want to ride the bus too!"
" I want to go with Cooper!"

Does the drama ever end?

Cooper's School Open House

School is set to begin in a couple of days. I'm still in denial that my baby is going to be in Kindergarten. Tonight we went to the school for an open house. He's in a specialized learning class (1 teacher and 2 para-educators) that right now only has 7 kids in it. He will be integrated as much as possible into the mainstream Kindergarten program.

We were able to see where his desk was and meet his new teacher. We were surprised to learn that he would be having a different teacher than the one we met back in June. His teacher's name is Ms. Shaw.
Cooper was a little shy at first, but it happened that we were the only ones to visit the classroom, so he warmed up a little bit to her. It was really nice to be able to talk to her about all our concerns and ask questions.

It seemed he really enjoyed exploring the room. As we were walking around the room I noticed the job chart and asked Cooper to find his name. He pointed right to it! He was really interested in the seasons chart. When asked about what his favorite season was he pointed to winter and said,
"I want it to snow!"

We are so excited for our big boy.

Cooper meets new Teacher

Today we went up to Chinook to meet Cooper's Kindergarten teacher, Ms. Coker. (Not sure if I spelled it right) Cooper had a chance to look around the room and sorta get an idea of what to expect next year. We had a quick hello and had a few questions answered before we had to go. I took the oppertunity to get a picture of Cooper and Ms. Coker together, as I'm sure I won't be able to get one on the 1st day of school.

Kindergarten Round-up

I went to Kindergarten roundup tonight....... I can't believe my baby is going to be a Kindergartener next year, AND he's going to the same elementary I went to growing up. The school seemed so much smaller than I remembered it. I only got teary a little bit...Next month we'll meet his teacher, and I'll be sure to post pics.