1st day of 1st grade!

 Cooper gets to walk to school this year!

 Mrs. Thompkins and Cooper

Kindergarten Graduation! Class of 2022!!

Logan and I went up to Cooper's school to attend his end of the year class party. Then LJ got a treat and was able to go play at recess with Cooper and his classmates.

Cooper and his classmate Serena

Logan showing off his awesome soccer skills.
*** See video below for more awesomenss***

Cooper playing with his brother.

After recess Cooper, Logan and I met James in the Kindergarten room for the graduation portion of the day. I can't believe I got teary watching my little boy grow up. Please take a moment and watch the Pomp & Circumstance of it all.

The Graduating Class of 2022.

Cooper and his teacher Ms. Shaw and Ms. Withers, and fellow classmate.

After school we went out for a special dinner at Red Robin, and icecream at McDonalds. What a great day!

Celebrating at Red Robin with Grampa Dave and Grama Pam!

Cooper recieves Award Writing/Language Arts

I went to Cooper's school today for an award assembly. Cooper recieved and award for Academic Excellence in Writing/Language Arts.

Notice any teeth missing???

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 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.

Pre-K Graduation

After our visit to meet Cooper's new Teacher, going to the doctor and running a few pre-camping errands, we went to Game Farm Park for a picnic and Cooper's last ECE field trip.
After our lunch we had a graduation ceremony.Class of 2023
(did I do the math right?)After a quick ceremony, we loaded up the kiddos and left for Sun lakes.

Class Pictures 2009

No goofy face this year. But still oh so cute!

McTeacher night.

Tonight was Gildo Rey McTeacher night at McDonalds. I thought it might be fun to take Cooper to go and see Ms. Deanna. When we pulled into the parking lot the boys were all excited about going to McD's. However, I reminded them that we were only here to get apples, (we hadn't eaten dinner yet) and to see Cooper's teacher. When we went to the counter and Cooper saw his teacher, he kinda got a puzzled look on his face, the one "What are you doing here?" look. Anyway, it was a good chance to support our school and our teachers who do so much for us!

Pre-K Christmas Party

This morning was Cooper's class Christmas Party. It was similiar to our Halloween party, as we did lots of crafts. We even had a special visit from Santa. MacKenzie walked right up to him no problems, she's not shy. Cooper and Logan on the other hand needed a little time to warm up. They wouldn't sit on his lap, so I put a chair next to the big guy in red, and things were much better. I couldn't choose which picture to put up for Cooper, so I decided on both. Once in his chair, Cooper and Santa had a good laugh together and talked about what Cooper wanted for Christmas. Cooper whispered something, and told Santa not to tell. I'll have to email him later to find out what he said. Logan would NOT go near Santa without me. I told him that Santa passed Mama's background check. So, here we are talking with Santa together. Logan gave him High 5's and even a hug. It's nice to know I'm still needed for somethings.
MacKenzie asked Santa for some Real make-up and a new baby stuffed elephant.
Lot's of crafts to do....Cooper was working on his frosting tree,
(Cooper finished project.) while Logan took a chance to do some watercolor painting. MacKenzie went to work on some foam ornaments.

The class got together to sing "We wish you a Merry Christmas." They used instruments to keep the beat. Logan was off stealing cookies and juice.

Once the marching started Logan joined the whole group.
And finally one last picture with Santa.

Once again we had a good time and made lots of new crafts.

Thank you to our wonderful teachers. Merry Christmas!

Thankgiving Social...

Today we went to a Thanksgiving Potluck w/ Cooper's class @ school. We got to see the Turkey with all the family feathers on it. It was so cool. Cooper's feather is in the top right corner.

Below is a closer view.

We were also able to enjoy a yummy Thanksgiving lunch with all the trimmings. Here's a picture of all us mid-mouthfull.
Afterwards we had time to talk with the other parents, while the kids played with the toys.
LJ found the books and a little couch to sit and relax.
Cooper had fun with all the musical instruments...at one point, he was playing marching band with a few of his friends.
The Smith family used to have a tradition of the men doing the dishes after a holiday meal, I didn't have to ask Cooper, he just started doing them on his own...good boy!

We had lots of fun at this month's get together. Thank you, Ms.Deanna, Ms. Erin & Ms. Karlan.

Shoo fly....

The following is a short story as told by Ms. Deanna, Cooper's Pre-K teacher....

The preschoolers are singing "Shoo fly, don't bother me. Shoo fly, don't bother me, shoo fly, don't bother me. I'll tell you want I want to be." All the kids are motioning shooing the fly. Then the song continues "I crawl, I crawl, I crawl like a bear." All the preschoolers except Cooper get on the ground and start crawling around. Cooper is still standing, but now he is holding something very imaginary, but oh so very treasured to him. I asked him what he is holding. "The fly. I caught him." Cooper continued to proudly hold the fly until the song was over. When we started the next song, he wanted to put the fly in his pocket so it would be safe. We helped him open his pocket and carefully, I mean CAREFULLY, put the fly inside. All day I kept thinking what is Sunny going to think when Cooper gets home and carefully takes an imaginary fly out of his pocket.

Thank you Ms. Deanna! I did wonder why he was saying "shoo" to me...now I know.