Siblings

18 months is pretty close in age.  At the time, it seemed like a good idea.  (We weren't getting any younger!)  However, that first year with two was HARD.  Then things got easier (or just different).  I've loved watching them play so well together.  (Next year will be hard to have them apart so much!)  And now we've hit a new stage: Rivalry.  Oh.  My.  Goodness.  It is ridiculous.  EVERYTHING has to be fair.  We're doing the best we can (Because everything does not have to be fair). Some days are better than others.  Heck, some hours are better than others.   I'm sure it is a stage that is here to stay for quite a while.  But what can you do when you are together for EVERYTHING?  Seems like it would make a great first line in a novel.... "We were the best of friends.  We were the worst of friends...."  (haha.... cracking myself up....)

Anyway.... another awesome show at Honeywells.  Jack and the Bean Stalk this time.  And, going to volleyball with Dad.  Both of these events had both "the best of times, and the worst of times"!!  I love them "anyways!" 

My Boy

I get three mornings a week with this little guy who is turning into a big boy right in front of my eyes!  (Except when he is NOT becoming a big boy, and is acting like a baby! ie. baby sounds, noises, and FITS!  Oy vey!!)  He LOVES a good board game.  Candyland was the favorite, but now he is loving the strategery in Checkers, Chess (with Tim - not me!), Sequence, and Connect Four.  I love to watch him "think" and he is getting better at checkers! 

He loves to dress up as a super hero or anything "boy".   This day was for you, Uncle Ben! 

He is waaaay into soccer, so we frequently play a little bit at the Y.  This week he beat me 6 - 3.  Seriously - he is FAST!  I think we may try indoor soccer in a few weeks. Should be fun to watch!!

He is an expert on ground hogs.  Every now and then he'll spout out some random information about them.  Today it was that "groundhogs are afraid of their shadows.  Now, six more weeks of winter."  I love the things they learn at preschool!

And finally, the dentist.  All 4 Drakes had appointments last week, and this marked Coopers first cleaning.  You have to be able to spit to have your teeth cleaned, and we finally mastered it.  It took a little practice even in the chair, but by the end he was a pro.  (the first attempt went right down his front as he attempted to just spit it "at" the bowl from his reclined position!)  Again, those big chairs make them look so little and so big at the same time.  No pictures of Grace this time as it takes me longer in the chair than anyone else!

February 1st.... Wait -What?!?!

Play Pants were a little too short and we had to go with Cro.cks so as not to muddy up our only shoes that fit, (why can't we make it through a season any more?!) but man it was fun to get outside and PLAY!  It's gonna be rough getting them back into coats, hats, and gloves, but it has been awesome!!

 (Last pic - Grace telling Cooper how to do "it" "right".)  (We see this A LOT)  :)

The Countdown is on

I am very aware, these days, that Kindergarten is fast approaching.  :(  Heavy Sigh.

Signs are all over town for round up and the registration packet has been acquired.  (Like 10 pages!!)

Except for the mornings that I think to myself..."All day kindergarten....NOT SUCH A BAD IDEA.", I'm terrified of the fall.  I try to enjoy every moment I get alone with her during our two mornings together.  I love every meaning of this sign someone made for the Prayer Wall at the Prayer house.  :)

And I took her today to Modoc's for some carmel apple cider.  I think we got the last cup of the season!  So perfect!  Gracie-Girl - I love you and am trying to be as ready for Kindergarten as you are!!!

  

This Week....

Grace got sick.  :(  Nasty cold with a 102 -103 fever (with Tylenol!) through the night.  She is very much on the mend, so now we wait and see what Cooper will do.  He has started the coughing.  :(  While she was down, he and I played some Kinect - this is his tough face before we had a boxing match!   Ha!

 With Grace being sick, we went ahead and had Cooper's blood work done a little early for his upcoming appointment in Indy.  (History has shown that if we wait, Cooper will be sick, requiring more medication that messes up the results of the blood work!)  Here he is [after doing an AWESOME job] showing off his Iron (Pronounced I-ron) Man band aid and "my face is shooting flames!".  So tough and such a big boy!   Makes us so proud to show off for the new nurses!!  AND, we saw the mini buffalo, down on the prairie, on the way back to the farm to pick up Grace!

 Oh!  And Monica and Eian are coming home next week!  I got so excited I organized my sweaters, socks, and shoes!  :)

Down on the farm

Grandma and Grandpa got CRAZY and agreed to watch all three grand kids OVER NIGHT!!  I arrived the next morning to find Grace feeding Nicholas.  How hard can it be if the 5 year old is doing all the work?!?!  ;)  (Granted, Grace was not up with Nick in the night.... nor did she clean up Cooper after his accident.... but still.....)

Happy Birthday Great GREAT Aunt Margaret!!