Playing at the Park

Snow in San Antonio

February 23, 2010.
After 3 or 4 times of the weatherman predicting snow... we actually got some.

It last about two mintues, and melted as soon as it touched the ground. Both kids missed it, Camden was at school and Carter was sleeping. Almost like it didn't even happen. Not too exciting when CC is use to snow like this....

I guess there is always next year!

Happy Half Birthday CC

Happy Half Birthday Princess!!I still can't believe she is now closer to 5 than 4!! She is now 4 1/2 and proudly tells anyone who looks her way. And now things have changed so much. She now doesn't cry when water hits her face in the bath, she doesn't mind when Carter climbs on her, she doesn't have to be told twice to put her clothes in the hamper, and when she bumps her back on the faucet in the tub she doesn't cry, all because she is now 4 1/2!!

We had so much fun celebrating her half birthday. It's a new thing this year, celebrating half birthdays. And why not? Who doesn't love birthday cake? Not many rules to the half birthday celebration... no presents, no parties, nothing extreme... just cake. And the birthday song strategically placing half in front of the birthday part. And the excuse to justify doing odd and uncommon things, just because it's your half birthday. Nothing too big, but the kids loved it!

This year I picked up CC from school. No, actually picked her up. I got out of the car and didn't drive through to pick her up like I do every day. She thought it was great. She showed me off to all her friends, waving goodbye to everyone like she was in a pageant. Then we hit up the book fair. Which by the way, has the worst selection, and the most inflated prices. Total ripe off. But hey it's for the kids. And $39.25 later we walked away with this.

Only the cutest book EVER.....

And these two because I thought they were adorable, and they had a one on them. (the one in the corner means that CC can read them almost by herself.) Really, I had never seen these and LOVED them.

And then we stumbled upon Mittens... Isn't she cute? CC loves Kitties, and I Can Read books, so we had to get it. And once again, it had a one on it.

And then just as we were about to check out CC squeals. Yes, I did say squeals. All because she had to have this book. The boy who is assumably from Paris, France turns out to be from Paris, Texas. And as CC says, "he's from Texas, I'm from Texas, and Mommy look it has a one on it."

So we went a little overboard at the Book Fair, but it was her half birthday. After the book fair, we immediately headed to Target to get a cake. CC wanted the Sesame Street cupcakes, the ones that had 36 cupcakes, which she had to have because they had Abby. But we settled for a more reasonably, smaller, less cake to haunt me in the refrigerator, that looks like an Easter bonnet. So cute. And then we headed home for some dinner, and cake. Mark even got home for the half birthday celebration!!

I heart Sonic

I love Sonic! Their happy hour is awesome, and they have the best drinks! Where else can you 3 slushies for 2.97?

never turn your back

So this kid gets into everything!! I went to the car to get another bag and came back to this.....

Although I am impressed with his castle!

A Prayer for Ash Wednesday

A Prayer for Ash Wednesday

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, the all-holy one, who gives us life and all things. As we go about our lives, the press of our duties and activities often leads us to forget your presence and your love. We fall into sin and fail to live out the responsibilities that you have entrusted to those who were baptized into your Son.

In this holy season, help us to turn our minds and hearts back to you. Lead us into sincere repentance and renew our lives with your grace. Help us to remember that we are sinners, but even more, help us to remember your loving mercy.

As we live through this Ash Wednesday, may the crosses of ashes that mark our foreheads be a reminder to us and to those we meet that we belong to your Son. May our worship and prayer and penitence this day be sustained throughout these 40 days of Lent. Bring us refreshed and renewed to the celebration of Christ’s resurrection at Easter.

We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.

Carter's first attempt at bowling

On Mark's day off this week we were dying to do something outdoors. Unfortunately it was in the low 50s and windy. So we decided to take the kids bowling. Sounds fun huh?

Miss Sass striking a pose

Carter's first attempt

I love the way he's looking up at Mark here, so cute!

CC took our picture

About 5 minutes into it Carter was bored, it was super busy, and all he wanted to do was run or climb the stairs. Mark trying to entertain him.

CC girl

The infamous "new happy dance!"

Although bowling sounded like a lot of fun, it was more work than fun. CC ate popcorn and mozzarella sticks while she waited for her turn. Carter ran around like a maniac trying to press every button, climb every stair in the place, and touch every ball. I think we'll wait until Carter is a little bigger to try again.

Happy Valentine's Day

Our kids have become obsessed with Sesame Street, well Carter loves Elmo and CC loves Abby. I don't think they have ever sat through an actual episode of Sesame Street, but they love the Elmo movies. So for Valentine's Day we thought it would be fun to surprise them with tickets to go see Elmo Live in Austin. The show is on February 21st, and CC is counting the days until we go. Let's hope Carter has fun! Here's the kids enjoying another Valentine's Day present....

Strawberry Rice Crispy Treats and their new plushy dolls... ya this is what I get 99% of the time I try to get a picture.

Cook Family Updates

CC GIRL
CC has been busy at school. Her teacher says she is in the highest reading group, and doing well. She is also student of the week because of how well she has been doing. She is also the line leader, something she has only done once! We started a new sleep regimen, mostly to get CC to sleep in her OWN bed, and not ours. We are using pennies to rewards her for sleeping the whole night, in her bed, by herself. She has gotten 18 pennies so far, and is doing great. She adjusted well, and puts up little fight at bed time. She can’t wait until she gets 20 pennies. Then she is allowed to go to the Mickey Mouse store and get whatever she wants!! We had a little scare with her glucose levels. We had started to notice that food was affecting her behavior and were worried about low blood sugar. We took her in to Dr. Austin for a glucose check and evaluation and everything seemed normal. Which is great news!! CC should find out what little league team she is on in a few weeks, and practice starts next month. She is still doing dance, and getting ready for their recital in June. She loves dance, and really wants to try gymnastics.

CarCar

Carter is all boy!! He is super athletic and loves being outdoors. Rain, shine, sleet or wind he wants to be outside playing. He still loves baseball. He loves to play catch and has a really good arm. He throws everything! Balls, sippy cups, food, you name it. He is still the sweetest boy, with a huge heart. He loves to give kisses and hugs. He hates to get into trouble, but can be very mischievous. He’s a little monkey. He climbs on everything and is impossible to contain. His favorite character is Elmo. He loves him. He also really likes Olivia, Yo Gabba Gabba, and Manny. He is still a very sweet, quiet, reserved boy. His vocabulary has started to expand, and he starting to use more words daily. Dada, Mama, CC, Carter, Cook, Elmo, please, YES, help, up and down, juice, fish, snack, more, no more, all done, baseball, football, basketball, catch, throw, stuck!, eyes, ears, head, hair, hat, bath, bubbles, let’s go, truck. We just got his eyes examined by Dct. Cohen for the second time, and he says that everything looks great. Carter is still tilting his head, but not consistent enough or long enough to be a problem. We go back in two more months to triple check.

Jenne & Mark:
I have had asthmatic bronchitis for the last two weeks, and is finally starting to feel better. Such a scary thing! I have joined a couple mom’s group in SA, and look forward to becoming more active now that everyone is healthy. I pretty much spend my days taxiing kids to and from school and activities , and love every minute of it. I anxiously await Mark’s days off so we can explore something new in San Antonio. We just experienced our first San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. It was so much fun! We took the kids during the day to Dollar Days. CC wanted to ride every ride, which surprised me big time! Carter got super frustrated because he was 4 inches to little for almost everything. So we spent most our time eating, and riding the train. Mark and I went back that night and watched Lady Antebellum, they were awesome!! San Antonio is big on festivals. We can’t wait to experience Fiesta, and the Corn Festival in Helotes. Mark has been super busy at work! The store is doing great, it’s always busy! We’re hoping he can take a few days vacation next month to recharge.

Let's Rodeo San Antonio

Mark and I took the kids to Dollar Days at the SA Rodeo. The kids had a blast. The weather was awesome, sunny and 70s. We walked the carnival, ate dollar hot dogs, and rode the rides.

I love this picture. Carter in the petting zoo.

CC. "look Mom it's bigger than me!"

Mark and CC at one of the fun houses

Ladybug ride

CC, Mommy and Carter on the only ride Carter was big enough for...

So... we found other things to do...

YES... CC is in that fire truck!!

More train....

Pig races, CC was a cheerleader for pig number 1!! The winner!!