Cohenisms

I want to record some "Cohen-isms" so that I will remember what he was like at this stage in life.

He has such a sweet personality that just radiates happiness!

He is very easy to please and wants to do exactly what momma and daddy are doing.

He thinks he is a grown up already I guess.

Cohen likes anything that has to do with Toy Story. At first I thought this obsession would be a small one, but boy it has gotten to be a MAJOR obsession! If we see anything with Buzz on it, we have to purchase it. This makes me pretty confident that he will like several of his gifts this year:)

When we say the blessing before we eat, Cohen likes to hurry up and say "Amen" before I can even finish!

I'm going to blame it on the fact that he is really hungry and just wants me to hurry!

He love choo choo trains of all kinds!

Cohen is quite the little talker these days. 

He talks in small phrases, usually stuff that I can't understand!

He is doing just what he is supposed to at his age!

Repeating words that we say and trying to make sense of things.

He is very smart! But sometimes quiet like his parents:)

He loves to be outside! 

It is going to be a long, hard winter trying to keep this kid contained indoors.

But I do what I can to entertain him:)

Cohen also loves to watch movies!

We are very much headed into the terrible two's phase. I hate to call it that because he is anything but terrible, but we are definitely doing some discipline techniques with him so that we don't get to the "terrible" part. 

For the most part, he does what we ask to begin with, but there are times when he wants to get his way.

That just ain't gonna happen!

I'm lucky that Tyler is very much on the same page as me when it comes to discipline. It makes things so much easier.

When we do get onto Cohen for something, he bangs his head on the floor.

It's not funny but I can't help but chuckle under my breath.

Did I do that when I got in trouble too?

He likes to be tickled and to tickle us!

He likes putting a blanket over his head and running around until he bumps into something! (He has also put a trash can on his head and ran with it too!)

Cohen likes to play hide and seek:)

He likes to color.....a lot! He has also discovered that you can color on just about anything, including my new couch!!

Yep, the crayons have to be closely monitored now!

I think he is ready for potty training. He now tells me "I poo poo" so I guess that's a good indicator to start.

I don't want to rush into it though. Having him use the "big boy" potty just to say that he did it is not something I want to do. I want to have all of my thoughts together on how I want to proceed. I have gotten some advice from friends of mine with boys and it seems that consistency is the key!

It's kinda hard for me though because I am not with him all day so the process will take longer.

My goal is to have him potty trained by the end of summer, or somewhat potty trained.

The last Cohenism I want to mention is his sweet nature towards others. Rarely does the babysitter tell me that he hit, pushed, bit, or took something away from another child.

We have worked really hard to teach him how to share and be kind to others.

I am so thankful that it stuck with him!

Being sweet to the baby Jesus:)

Deck the Halls!

Is it just me or is putting up the tree somewhat a hassle?

I mean, don't get me wrong. I LOVE this time of year and all that it entails.

I love Christmas lights, Christmas music, watching Christmas movies. I even love buying Christmas decorations for my home.

But the problem I run into is actually putting them together and putting up the tree.

I guess part of the blame could go to the tree that we purchased a few years ago.

I was looking for a nice slim tree that only stood about 6 or 7 feet high.

Something like this...

Slim and simple.

BUT, that is not what I got.

No, No I accidently picked up the box for a 10 foot bohemoth size tree!!!

Although it looks so very pretty when we finally get it put together, it nearly causes a divorce trying to get the thing out of the attic.

One phrase comes to mind, square peg, round hole.

It is like trying to cram a cream puff into a key whole getting the darn thing down.

Maybe I will just blame it on the size of our attic door.

ANYWAY, once we do finally get everything all decorated I love the way it all looks.

It gets me totally excited about the holiday season!

I think this Christmas is going to be a great one!

He really wanted to help momma with the tree:)

I made this new mantle piece from stuff I bought at Fad's and Frames...turned out pretty!

And I LOVE my stockings courtesy of Bim Kreations!

My tree looks different every year. LOVE the red this year:)

Gotta have a tree in Cohen's bedroom! He liked trying to take the chain off!

Precious:)

(I see you Oscar)

These little cinnamon ornaments turned out to be so adorable!

They make his room smell so good and will last forever...unless Oscar gets them.

Here are some pics of the process:

Polar Express

When I taught Kindergarten, the one thing I looked forward to each December was The Polar Express unit.

The children all wear their pajamas to school.

They decorate a box to look like  a train car.

They sip on hot chocolate.

And they intently watch the movie, Polar Express!

It was always so much fun to have a very LONG train in my classroom.

So, it occurred to me that it was that time of year again.

Except, I don't have a class of my own anymore.

Who am I gonna do Polar Express with?

Ahah!!

Cohen!

He is somewhat obsessed with trains currently, so this will be perfect!

I worked hard decorating his train box at work today..when I should have been working:)

The weather could not be more perfect to sit all cozy in front of the Christmas tree and watch this wonderful movie!

I made sure he had "Hot" chocolate to drink...his was not warmed up quiet as much as mine.

He even had his bell necklace!

This little activity was a success!!

If you have a little one, this is something you should try.

He drank to cup fulls of that hot chocolate:)

Thirty Days of Thankfulness: Days 22-23

Day 22- I am thankful peace that passes understanding.

Day 23- I will be more than thankful when Fantasy Football is over.

Can't. Take. Any. More. Football.

(At least not professional football anyway)

On another note...I just realized that the two thankfuls up there have nothing to do with one another.

But, it's my blog and I write what I want:)

Thirty Days of Thankfulness: Days 9-21

I need a slap on the wrist.

My blogging has really fallen by the waist side and I have only myself to blame.

Do you have pity for me now?

We have been super busy around our house the past few weeks.

I blame the majority of our busyness on C-Spire and the release of the new I-Phone. (Sorry Tyler)

They have kept the hubs very busy which in turn keeps me busy with the little guy all to my self.

So, enough with the self loathing and back to my Thankfulness blog.

Day 9- I am very thankful for the Dad's in my life. Most people have one or none, but I am blessed enough to get two! Both of these men have been a major influence in who I have become and I feel so lucky to know them both. I love my daddy's very much!

Day 10-Thankful for my sweet nephew Cooper and niece Ellie. They are both super adorable and precious children. I am mostly thankful that Cohen will have them both to grow up with and love as much as I do:)

Day 11: Thankful for the In-Laws. Well, let's be honest here, these people are not really my in-laws, they are my other set of parents. I have never met such kind and generous people as them. They are genuinely sweet and would do anything for anyone. There are not enough nice words to say about them. So, let me say that I Love yal and am so very thankful to have you as my family:)

Day 12: Thankful for my friends. Where do I begin? I truly believe that the Lord put me at Richland Elementary not just for the student's that I teach, but for the people I work with. These girls have been by my side for every special occasion that we have had in the past 6 six years. Wedding, baby shower, birthdays....they have all been a part of it! I love these ladies so much and will always be thankful for them:)

Day 13- Now that I have covered all of the sentimental aspects, let's go on to more materialistic things that I am thankful for.

Our home.

I love our home. Not just because it has all the amenities that one could ask for, heat, cooling, tv's, comfy furniture, etc.

But I love this house so much because of the memories that it holds.

When I lay my head down at night, I thank the Lord this home and all it entails!

Day 14: I am thankful for a nice hot bubble bath in a nice quiet room.

Enough said.

Day 15: Let us be thankful for good music.

Music has the ability to bring you up when you feel bad.

It can pump you up when you need that extra boost.

Great music can change your whole attitude.

Day 16: Thankful for Tory Burch.

I just love her shoes, but I wish she would drop her prices.

Come to momma!

Day 17:

I am thankful for caffeine.

Day 18: Thankful for Cohen's sweet little laugh.

There is nothing that warms my heart and makes me happier than hearing our kid laugh hysterically.

Now, that is something to be thankful for!

Day 19: I am thankful for vacations with my Hubby. We don't get to take them very often, but we enjoy them so much when we do.

It's like being a newlywed all over again.

Fun times:)

Day 20: Thankful for Buzz lightyear.

He doesn't know it but he makes my little guy so unbelievably happy!

I can't wait for Cohen to meet him in person at Disney World.

(No, we have not confirmed our trip to Disney, but it is in the works!)

Do the people at Disney know how happy they make children?

If not, they need to go on Youtube and watch the video's of children who find out they are going!

This video is the best!

Day 21: I am soooo thankful for Thanksgiving break!!!!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness: Days 7 and 8

This blog post is gonna be a two for one deal.

Or more like a one for two deal...hehehe

Like I said before, trying to post once a day is a stretch.

...................................

I am thankful today for my mom!

I honestly can't say enough good things about her.

What she has managed to accomplished in her lifetime just astounds me!

There is no possible way I could be as great of a mother as she has been to me but i sure would like to try!

She is my source of comfort and strength.

She is my rock!

I could not have gotten to where I am today without her!!

I love you mom!!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness: Days 3, 4, 5, and 6

I knew that trying to do a blog once a day would be a stretch for me.

So, I had a feeling that this might happen.

But in all reality I could probably devote several blog posts and thankful days to my next subject:

Cohen.

(As if this entire blog and virtual scrapbook is not dedicated to him already!)

There is no possible way that Tyler and I could thank the Lord enough for blessing us with such a precious gift like our little fella.

He brings so much joy to our lives everyday and for that we are eternally grateful:)

When we deserved it the least, He gave us the best!

So today and everyday we want to share Thanks for our sweet Cohen!

We love you big guy:)

Thirty Days of Thankfulness: Day 2

I am so very thankful that the Lord thought enough of me to give me such a wonderful husband.

I don't know where I would be without him.

There are not enough sweet words for me to say about my better half...

So I will just say that I love you honey and I am thankful for all that you do for our family!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 1:

 Today I am most thankful for the Living God that I serve, for  his forgiveness and unending GRACE!

 When I deserved it the least, he gave me the best:)

Love

Trick or Treat!

Last night was Cohen's first time to really Trick or Treat and oh my word it was the best time!

He and Lleyton had the only "tricked" out wagon in the neighborhood:)

I must say I was very surprised that he went up to people to get his candy and even proceeded to go into a few houses....

It was so cute hearing him say "tweet tweet" (trick or treat)!!!

Ha it was close enough!

We had way more people come by our house than normal and I think he made a great candy passer outer:)

(you know what I'm trying to say so excuse my grammar!)

Hope you all had a fun Halloween!

Here are some pics from our evening:

"Tweet Tweet"!!

Somebody could not wait to go!

The daddy's get to push and pull the wagon:)

Oooh scary!!!

Cohen and Lleyton kept there eye on that Werewolf!! 

Already breaking out the candy

Perfect Halloween night:)

Heh heh!! look at that diaper shinin' through his costume

He got quite a loot!

The big pixie sticks are always a huge hit with the trick or treaters!

He did so good! 

What a difference a year makes!

Fall 2010

Fall 2011

I can't get over how grown up Cohen is!

This is the most fun stage that we have had with him though...he has such a sweet personality!

(Is the little lady in this picture gorgeous or what!!!!)

Fall and all its glory!

The trees around our neighborhood are so pretty right now.

Cohen thinks the "weeves" are very pretty:)

I mean, it doesn't get much better than this....

nope, sure doesn't!

Cookies and Milk

How special is it when your momma makes you cookies and milk?

It was always the best thing to me when I would come home from college on the weekends and my mom always had cookies for me!

I want to pass that on to Cohen!

Just a little something something to let you know how special you are:)

This makes me hungry!

I think he likes the cookies as much as I do:)

Fall Foodie: Stew

One of my fondest memories as a little girl was the time my dad and I had a day at home when I was around 5 years old.

I remember waking up to go to school.

Going into the kitchen to see my dad standing at the back door drinking his cup of coffee.

He looked at me and said, "Hows about I don't go to work today and you stay home with me?"

Oh my goodness, this was a treat!

My parents worked very hard to support our family and a day at home was not a common occurance.

We took full advantage of the day together.

We watched cartoons.

We played candy land.

(This must have been a favorite game of mine!)

And, we made my favorite meal....

Stew!

I remember it being very cold outside that day and staying inside by the fire:)

I am pretty sure this is one of my best memories with my dad and I!

So...when the weather turned cold last week, it only seemed fitting to make stew just like my dad used to!

This is not something that I have ever attempted to make before, but with many phone calls to my dad about how to make it, I think I pulled it off pretty well!!!

I served it over Mexican cornbread.

It was insanely good!

I should have doubled the recipe and frozen some for another day.

Oh well.

Next time then.

Bubbling goodness

Yumm yumm

Thanks Dad for your help...it turned out so good!