busy,busy, busy

I don't think busy even describes things right now.....but maybe an acceptance of normalcy.  The last month has brought many changes to our household.  We were presented with doing something outside of the norm, and I am proud to say that I have accepted a full time position in my current role, adding to my responsibilities.  The biggest change is that our kids get to spend the summer with Jim at home.  He is now manager and CEO of the Koops household.  Scary, stressful.....and then a feeling of utter peace.  The kids have been having a fantastic summer with their dad during the day, and I have been able to focus more on work, and lessen one of the hats I am used to wearing. 

Besides those changes we have celebrated Lucy's 6th birthday, had 2 parties with both sides of the family, living room slumber parties, days at Gun Lake, dance recitals, family time, beach time, and backyard fun. 

TJ, theodore, teddy, theo, bubs, has changed every day.  He chooses a unique vocabulary, and the basics are left with points and uhhh uhhh uhhhh.  He has a cute face, which he uses completely to his advantage, shows his muscles, and wants to do everything his big sisters do.  A new word includes "rockstar" which is in reference to his paci. The kid is hilarious......We anticipate some camping, vacation time with the Koops family at "the cottage", weddings, and summer days spent at Gun Lake.  I can never believe how fast summer weekends fill up...and how much there is to squeeze in.  I love every minute of it, and love the heat!

   

May birthday celebration

 

 The big 6 year old celebrating with George her last week of kindergarten

 advantages when daddy is gone for the weekend

 Tj and his rockstar

 celebrating with the greatest daddy ever

 Reagen and Mya's dance recital

 backyard party, slip and slide, pool, sandbox.  All 3 kids need for entertainment

Kady gaining all the characteristics of a little girl...beautiful inside and out

Kadence is 4!

I can't believe that Kady is 4.  She seems so big, and it doesn't help that she suddenly stopped sucking her thumb and taking her "derdy bwankie" everywhere.  The first big step.  She is a sweet, loving girl who lights up a room whenever she steps in. Her favorite color is purple, she wants to be a doctor when she is all grown up, and loves to do her own thing.  She can't wait to go camping this summer and go to school in the fall.  She loves being a big helper, and has to fight for room on a chair to help me cook or bake.  I love my little sunshine with all my heart!  She loves to color and draw, dance, tell jokes, and just be silly. 

Her special day started with a living room full of balloons.  She helped bake and decorate her cupcakes, and got to open a new present every couple of hours.  She got "goggle-eyes", hence an afternoon in the backyard pool, and new water bottle, art set, sparkly butterfly necklace and music box.  Grandpa and Grandma Cochran came for dinner.  She referred to herself in the third person all day as "the birfday gewrl"  She even announced that the birthday girl gets to choose where we sit as we entered Russ' (long story, wasn't my first choice, but was very fun and good), and choose her own booth.  Daddy made it home to give her lots of kisses and hugs right at bedtime, making record time from a week long trip to St. Louis. 

I admire your free spirit, sense of independence, and yet your love for snuggles and special mommy time.  I look forward to having a 4 year old and watching you grow even more!  I love you Kates, Kady-Kate, Kady, Kadence, missy-poo!

Here we are!  Lucy will be 6 soon.  She is almost done with kindergarten at Meadowbrook, and has adjusted well to learning chinese. She has lost 4 teeth this year and just looks so much older.  She still loves to smile, sing, and teach others.  She is sweet, energetic, and shy.

Kadence will be 4 in a little less than a week.  She is also a sweet girl, who loves to smile, joke, and give kisses.  She loves art, just like her big sister.  She is a bit more outgoing than Lucy, but still likes to keep close to what is comfortable.

Theodore is unbelievable and an utter joy.  He is almost 20 months, and now a big boy.  He keeps us on our toes, loves to climb, keep up with his sisters, and learns more and more every day.  He is anything but shy and waves and says hi to everyone. 

Jim and I have both switched jobs in the last year.  I have picked up additional hours and responsibilites and Jim is looking forward to graduation this week after months of hard work orienting and learning about his company. 

Ok--hopefully now on to the every day, fun, nitty gritty of our lives!  I've missed blogging.

I'm baa-aack!

So for any of you who actually still check this to see if the Koops' exist, we do.  Can't believe it has been so long since I've posted.  My excuses started with a new job, Lucy starting kindergarten, pure craziness, a computer downstairs, and a phone that does everything my computer would do, except it takes too long to type without a keyboard.  Recently it has been an increase in hours, Jim's new job, an 18 month old that is a typical boy..etc, etc, etc.  Well I have now fixed the computer problem and am dedicated to continuing my blogging adventure.  I have a goal of figuring out how to get pictures on here, no more excuses.  So stay tuned, there will be more to come!