The Dancing Jacket

Do your kids ever wake you up because they’re having a nightmare? 

About once a week Cooper will wake us up because he’s having a bad dream. Most are pretty normal: monsters, being chased or someone taking his food away. Side note, will someone please tell me why we introduce the concept of monsters to our kids?! As if preschool and broccoli weren’t scary enough! Seriously. 

Anyway… 

You know how you hear about moms being able to decipher their babies’ different cries? Well, Cooper’s nightmares have a cry all of their own. They’re not quite horror flick worthy but they’ll definitely get you out of bed in a hurry! 

Recently, we woke up to “MOM! DAD! (Sobbing.) It’s the dancing jacket! It waves its arms around like wooooo wooooo!” as he frantically flailed his arms. 

Now, it’s very confusing time after you’ve effectively been sprung from your bed and bolted down the hallway in about 0.5 seconds so at first you just go with it and try to quell the fear. “Mommy would NEVER let a dancing jacket get you! Dancing jackets are nice! I love dancing jackets!” 

It wasn’t until the next morning when I spied the culprit:

The green jacket that was so effortlessly flung atop the art easel has become the subject of many a nightmare. Of all things! 

And, since the dancing jacket has become a part of our lives, we’ve been able to capture little gems like this:

 Thank God for the things that make things funny after the fact!

Recap time!

Man! It's been a busy few weeks around here. Hoping a picture really does say 1,000 words and you enjoy the recap…in pictures!

Kyle went out of town, so Kona got a bow!

Cooper went fishing in the street. True angler.

Sister perfected her selfie!

Spring is here! My azaleas are in bloom!

We went to the Houston Rodeo!

That's a happy boy!

Cowboy Cooper!

Farm to table?

Loved the slide!

You know the ghetto cowboy hat had to make an appearance!

 Sister is still cute.

Hi!

Happy with Coop's toys!

And, she dances!

I took both kids to the grocery store…

Then mowed the lawn!

Happy almost weekend!!!

Sweet Sister

Look at this tub o' love!

The other day the cute overwhelmed me so I stripped her down to her bow and diaper cover and took pictures of sweet Sister and all of her squishiness.

Dang. Couldn't you just eat her?!

I think this is my favorite age. Carrington at 8 months wants nothing more than to sit and smile at us, show us her favorite tricks like clapping and blowing raspberries and make every attempt to crawl.

So far, she can only go backwards which presents all sorts of problems like:

Navigating around chairs...

...and, getting stuck under the ottoman...

...and getting hung up on a door jamb!

She'll get it soon. Although, I wish she would just stay still and squishy forever!

Cooper is the best Mommy in the world!

He is, because he told me so.

Most mornings, both kids will play in our bed after waking up and while I get ready for work. Carrington is generally content with a toy, or her brother’s sock or the thread on the edge of a pillowcase. She will play contently like this for about 20 minutes, as typical second children do. I could just eat her up she’s so sweet.

Cooper usually sits and plays on the iPad, builds pillow forts around and on his dog and his sister, and barks general orders at me about things he needs. Typical firstborn. Sigh.

Poor Kona.

The other morning, I was putting on my make-up when I hear:

Cooper: MOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM! I. NEED. MY. IPAD.

Me: First of all, it’s not YOUR iPad (but really, who am I kidding). Second, how do you ask?

Cooper: I need my iPad, now?

Me: Try again.

Cooper: I need my iPad, now, please?

Me: Close enough. [I go fetch it for him like a good dog mom would.]

Me: What do you say?

Cooper: Thank you very much!

Me: [Riding the wave of politeness.] Who’s the best Mommy in the world?

Cooper: I am.

Me: Oh really?! Are you a Mom?

Cooper: Yes.

Me: Then who is your kid?

Cooper: Cita. (My mom.)

Me: …

He really has a way of making me laugh through my exasperation. Such a toot!

Ghetto Cowboy

I'm not sure whether to blame the Houston rodeo or the recent helmet phenomenon, but suddenly I have a kid that's into hats. Weird hats.

Cooper started requesting a "blue cowboy hat" a couple of weeks ago. I was understandably perplexed, as I had never successfully gotten him to wear a single thing on his head before his helmet in his life. So, naturally, I milked it and made him do a few good deeds before I purchased one for him (i.e. not trying to sit on the cat for a full day, allowing me to pick his shoes, other tasks otherwise classified as Cooper torture!)

Once I was sure he was serious, I went on the hunt. Blue was not an easy color for my cowboy fashionista son, but I found something I thought would work on Amazon:

You know, in person, the blue is really more like a blue faux crushed velvet. Yikes.

But, y'all. When Cooper saw it, his eyes lit up and he literally squealed with delight. Apparently this is exactly what he was imagining. He couldn't wait to put it on and even wore it to school today. He was only 10 days late for Go Texan day. Whatevs.

But then he told me "Mommy, something's missing. I need cowboy boots!"

Something's missing alright buddy, but it doesn't appear to be cowboy boots. Looks like dear old Mom forgot to order your matching pimp suit!

Well, at least he's happy! (And finally willing to wear a hat!)

She does cry! See?!

When it comes to Carrington, I often get asked: "Is she always this happy?" and "Is she always smiling?" The answer, generally is yes and yes! I can say that without a moment of hesitation because I've already had my "jinx" baby. Let's just say Cooper was a bit more, uh...demanding?!

There is one thing, however, that is really getting her down lately and causing her to make faces like this:

How would you feel if you were trying to crawl but could only go backwards?! Poor sweet girl.

And if that doesn't pull at your heart strings enough, here's the video! Warning: you might just cry right along with her!

I'm sorry for doing that to you. This should cheer you up! Ahhh, much better!

Back in the Saddle

And just like that, Cooper is back in the saddle again. The bike saddle, that is.

It only took 4 long weeks of gentle encouragement met by dramatic stubborn refusal. Victory?

Anyway, last week Kyle asked Cooper to show him how to put on a helmet because he didn't know how. Well, my firstborn loves telling people what to do and couldn't pass up the opportunity to show his Dad how to do something. (Won't be the last time, babe.)

"Watch me, Dad. You put the helmet on your head and buckle the strap right here."

And that was that. He wears it non-stop. He puts it on to ride his bike and sometimes even wears it to dinner. Now I suppose the fight will be getting him to take it off! It's always something...

Speaking of Cooper's love of instructing people, the day after he started riding again he was talking to my Mom on the phone and just couldn't help but give her the rundown on bike riding. Clearly she couldn't have known how without him telling her!

"Ok Cita. You put your other foot on the pedal." - I don't know why it's the "other foot" but this is always how he explains it.

"Then, you swing your weg over. You pedal with your feet and you turn the handlebar."


"AND, don't pee pee on any dogs."

[Huh?]

Through a fit of laughter, Cita and I asked him to explain. His response?


"That's right. Don't pee pee on any dogs."


No explanation needed. I mean, I guess that's probably a good thing to know?!

This kid.