Just Curious

We went to a Curious George party this week at the library. There was a HUGE turn out but Grace enjoyed meeting George...and the cake! She wouldn't give him a high five or a hug, but did pose with Daddy for a picture!

She was struck by two things...

1. "George was big. I thought he was little."

(I had prepped her that he would be big, hoping she would not be scared of him.)

and

2. George was quiet. "Why was George not saying anything?"

Let Him Eat Cake!

Aunt Monica was home this weekend so we had our family over for Cooper's first birthday party, a little early. (We'll celebrate again on St. Patrick's Day, of course!) It took him about 10 minutes to get into the cake, but once he did he liked it and had a great sugar high afterwards!

He had a good time opening presents and playing with everyone. Grace, of course, was a good helper with the gifts!! He got lots of balls and cars and lots of "noisy" toys! Thanks to everyone for sharing this special day with us and for loving him so much!!!

I wonder what this could be....

Look what I can do!

I can climb on the Tiny Table.

(Oh, great, a dare devil.)

I can sign "more".

I can climb onto the rocking chair.

I can dance to Sid the Science Kid. (One little foot tapping - so cute!)

(We all love Sid here at the Drake home!)

I can, and love to, play with my sister.

(Yes, sometimes it is just easier to clean up after them if they will get along and entertain themselves for a while!)

"Dad Sleep"

I wish I had the gift of "Dad Sleep". Then I could nap on the couch anytime and could sleep through the night and not awaken at each little cough or roll over. It turns out that there is a "Grandpa Sleep" as well. I witnessed that this weekend while my parents were over. What a blessing they have!

We are recovering from a hellish week of a flu virus. Grace and I started the festivities on Wednesday morning. Tim stayed home with us on Wednesday and we made it ok on Thursday without him. On Friday, Cooper woke up lethargic and FREAKED me out, so Tim had to come home to help me calm down while I waited for the doctor to call me back. She reassured me that I was doing everything right and that she trusted me. He was not himself all day, but ate and nursed fine, and was back to himself on Saturday. On Saturday, Grace, however started running a fever and laid on the couch all day and cried/whined. In the afternoon I hurt my back and could help with nothing after that. At this point it became almost comical. Could anything else go wrong? My parents came and fed us and helped with the kids on Sunday and we are getting back to normal, today. Cooper is not napping well as he was held a lot to fall asleep while he was sick. And Grace is still very crabby when told, "no" and weak, but I think we're getting there. Tim somehow managed to will the sickness away and did a wonderful job taking care of us. I call it the "Great flu of '09" and pray it is the only one this year!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day was a lot of fun this year. I started the week learning how to make and decorate cookies with my mom and some friends. (I know, you'd think being her daughter I would have already learned this, but no.)

Mom made this one. I didn't see an Indiana one, but whatever. (Hee, Hee)

Grace and Tim both loved their cookies!

Sometime during the week Tim took Grace to buy a book for me. (The Kissing Hand - AWESOME book. It made me cry.) He told her it was a secret and she was able to keep it! He said they practiced what to do if I asked about it! She did tell me repeatedly that there were secrets for me in the Jetta. I think I could have gotten it out of her, but I behaved myself and didn't push it.

We made him some flowers from hand prints and hid them in my room as secrets for Daddy.

"I have an idea. Let's hide them in your room under your bed."

(She cracks me up!)

It turns out that on Friday night while I was scrapping at church, Tim took the kids in to pick up some flowers. That is when she announced to him that they should hide them in Mommy's room with the flowers for him!

Oooh, so close!

It was cute, anyway.

When Grace got up on Saturday, she brought me my book. It was a great way to start off our day!

Snow Much Fun

Before the snow all melted we were able to get out and have a little fun!