Hike, anyone?

The boys and I really have a good thing going right now. Over the past several months we have met some amazing moms and kiddos. Our play dates have been great therapy for all. There's always something to do with someone which is wonderful. Usually, someone posts an idea of what their plans are for the week and we send a blast email to see who's up for joining. This morning, we planned a kid friendly hike in the park. It was the perfect spot and had something for everyone. The kids ranged from 3 weeks old(!) to 4 years old.

As we drove home through the park, I was reminded just how lucky I am that I get to spend my "work day" and "job" doing some pretty fun stuff with some pretty fun little buddies. My job is awesome and I am one lucky mama!

Note: Before you go accusing me of being all sappy and syrupy sweet, I don't always have days where I feel this way. More times then not, I do..........

Farm

Yesterday the boys and I spent the day at Sunflower Farm in Longmont. We went with several friends and had a blast playing, petting, picnicking, pony riding and experiencing "farm" life. We will definitely be going back!














Sandbox Silo, brilliant!









Don't mind the itty bitty toddler climbing above Coop.

Horsetooth Half

It's time to toot Daddy's horn (shhhhhhh, don't tell him). I couldn't very well post about my little run last August without mentioning Mark's first Half Marathon (and first race). The boys and I are so proud of him! Mark ran in the Horsetooth Half Marathon in Fort Collins on Sunday. He finished well under his goal time and rocked it as far as Coop, Cruz and I are concerned. Of course, Mark down played everything as if it were no big thang but this was a pretty hard core race. Most of it was in the foothills with some pretty tough climbs.

The race ended at the New Belgium Brewery with beer, live music and happy crowds cheering everyone on. The boys and I had fun cheering for everyone as they crossed the finish line.  Suprisingly, they were very enthusiastic cheerer on'ers and were very excited to see their Daddy as he ran by.  It was a fun way to show the boys how fitness and exercise can be fun and rewarding. Do I think they picked up on our lesson? Not just yet, but hopefully they will someday.........

Way to go, Daddyo!

Cruz cooling down with the Big Racer

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Coop showing off Dad's medal.

4!

Happy 4th Birthday to our little/big boy that brings us so much love and joy!!!!  April 18, 2008 will forever mark the day that our lives were changed forever.

Birthday Fun

Mark and I kept going back and forth on whether or not we should have an official birthday party and invite all of Cooper's new friends to celebrate with him.  We decided to skip the Birthday Hoopla one more year.  We figured we'd avoid a party while we still could. Not that we didn't think it would be a blast or that Coop wouldn't enjoy it because there is no doubt he would. We figured Coop doesn't quite know what he's missing out on and we didn't want all of his friends to think they had to get him a gift. There will be plenty of time once school starts for the birthday madness to begin.  Until then, we opted for one more year of keeping the celebration somewhat low key.

 

I'm not going to lie, Cooper did ask if his friends were coming over to have cake on Sunday as we were celebrating.  I guess we underestimated Coop's knowledge of what Birthday's are all about.  Not to mention, he now has friends that he wants to celebrate with which is wonderful.

 

We did end up getting to celebrate with friends on his birthday after all.  Wednesdays are usually a play date day for us.  Normally we go to the park but it was a bit (read: waaaaaaay) too windy so we went to the indoor gym instead.  We brought cookies to share and all the kiddos played with the parachute.  Of course, everyone wished Cooper a Happy Birthday and made him feel special so it all worked out in the end.  And one of his little buddies even made him an awesome birthday baton!!!!  It was the perfect gift!  Hand made and from the heart.

Birthday Baton!

Batman Birthday

Although today is Coop's actual birthday, we had the birthday partay on Sunday.  Unfortunately, Mark had a work commitment in Boise that he couldn't get out of on Coop's birthday, so we decided to celebrate a little early.  Coop was on board with that and quite frankly, I think he's enjoyed milking it for all it's worth as we have been celebrating ever since.

Coop has recently discovered Batman.  Or as he likes to call it, "Baaaahtmaaaahn".  Coincidentally, he has also developed what sounds like a Boston (Baaahstaaahn) accent along with this new obsession.  We're not sure what to think about this new "accent" or how it even evolved.  For now, we're just laughing it off and going with it.  I have to admit, I keep waiting for him to tell  me that he 'pahked his cah at Hahvad Yahd' every time his accent thickens.

Coop requested a chocolate Baaahtmaaahn cake.  Luckily, I had some help with the decorating.  I also searched high and low for a batman figure to put on top of the cake that didn't have guns, daggers or other dismembering devices.  That was a very hard feat.  Yes, Cooper is unfortunately discovering "shooters" but we're trying to avoid the topic of weapons as long as we can.  This is going to get increasingly harder to do as we enter into the Super Hero Chapter of our lives.  But I digress......not only do I have to come to terms with the fact that our BABY BOY IS FOUR, but that our BABY BOY likes BIG BOY THINGS!!!!

Here are some pics from our Baaaahtmaaaahn Birthday Celebration........

Special Skype session on the TV with Grandpa Pat and Grandma Linda while we opened their gifts.

The Bat Cave....
basically a plastic Batman Doll House but he LOVES it!

Batman Cake.
Nice Skillz Mark!!!

Batman under wear, of course!

Thinking about his wish.........

Making the wish.....

Tidying up........

Token messy brother pic.........

Sharing his cake with Baaaaahtmaaaaahn.

So long 3!

Bubbye 3.........

Hello 4.......