After careful thought and consideration, I have come to the realization that we must some day have another baby. (In the far, far away future.) Just look at Bennett. He looks EXACTLY like his Daddy. Conversely, look at Simon and Cora. They look just like me. We must have another baby to even the score for Team Matt.

It's only fair, after all.



In other non-related news, school is out for the summer! Yay! No more early mornings! No more spelling tests! No more substituting for me! I big puffy heart love summer time. However, I do not love wild, bored children who complain that there is nothing to do. So the other day during supper, we collectively created a summer bucket list. If you are asking yourself, "what is a summer bucket list?" Have no fear. I am here to help. A summer bucket list is a list of activities, places to go, and other ideas to keep the children from killing each other. Every time we complete something on the list, we cross it off.

Genius. I am a genius.

We might have been a little too ambitious, but here goes:



There you have it. Let the Summer-o-fun 2012 begin. I am hoping to cross send S&B to Great Bend by themselves very soon. We are headed to GB for Memorial weekend and then I am hoping, praying, and crossing my fingers that the boys will want to stay behind for a few days. We'll see. My kids aren't too fond of being way.

So any fun summer plans for my readers? Are you looking to unload your kids at Grandma's house too? Anything we need to add to our list?

Let it be known that make a baby is no where on that list.

She is bigger and better than I ever dreamed possible. When pregnant and thinking about a baby girl - my baby girl- I don't think I imagined anything past the squirmy newborn stage. Admittedly I am very grateful that I have now successfully moved past the future "just the mother-in-law" status. The future me gets to be more than the mother-in-law.

Anything else, however, did not cross my mind. Dreaming of a future together? Kindergarten? Pink balloons with polka dots? Tutus and ballerina shoes? It just wasn't what I thought about. The future seemed so far away until you suddenly wake up and realize that everything has already changed.

When dreaming of my baby girl, I most decidedly did not think of this:






I was not thinking about her first birthday party one year ago. The art of distruption is the beautiful way in which she has changed all of our lives for the better. We are divided and stretched into new people. None of us will ever be the same now that she is here. The only solution, the only answer possible, was to throw her a giant celebration.

Oh happy day. We are so glad you are here, Cora Jane Pool.



We threw an awesome party that just happened to have the prettiest, biggest, best birthday cake ever. I will fully admit that this cake was better than my wedding cake. My friend, Brandi, went out of her way to create the perfect cake for Cora Jane. When discussing a theme, I only requested two things: pink and pretty.

Brandi frick'n nailed it.




Not everyone gets a baby girl for their birthday. I realize that. What are the odds? I realize how incredibly blessed and fortunate my family is to not only be able to throw a party but also spoil their baby with a three-tiered cake and their own personal smash cake. I get it. I am hopeful that for the people who do want babies, they get exactly what it is that they want too. Even if they don't have three-tiered cake or babies on their birthday.  Everyone should know this kind of joy.

My boys fill me. My girl completes me.



~~~~
Dearest Cora Jane,

My love for you runs deep. I am so thankful that God placed you in our lives. Your brothers adore you, your Daddy spoils you, and your grandparents can't get enough of you. My prayer is that we have another blessed year as amazing as your first. I am not going to think about your 2nd birthday right now, as it will be here much to quickly. I can't believe the fun we have had together. You are more than I ever imagined or dreamed possible., 

Today you are one.

Do you need a last minute gift for your child's teacher? Are you a procrastinator like myself? Do you have hours to devote to Pinterest where you search for the perfect, crafty, present that accurately expresses your gratitude for putting up with your kid? No?

Does Pinterest make you feel badly about yourself too? Good! We're on the same page.




The happy face card reads, "Happy, happy. Joy, joy! You've done so much for our boy! Thank you for all your hard work, it has "mint" the world to us." Nestled inside of the cup is a gift card surrounded by a handful of Sonic mints. The outside of the cup has "My treat!" written in crappy handwriting and an arrow that points to HAPPY HOUR.

Easy and something that a teacher will actually use which is my idea of the perfect gift.

And I didn't even have to search PInterest to find it.

In the past seven days, we have celebrated Mother's Day, dealt with Hand, Foot, Mouth disease, had two birthdays, gone on an over-night road trip, attended a funeral half-way across Kansas, and thrown a huge birthday party with both sides of our families staying at our house. I also substituted two days.

I am so tired.

But it was so, so, so fun.



More to come. Promise.

So many thoughts that I want to share but sometimes, it is just easier to let the pictures do the talking. Our birthday was a fast, whirlwind of activity. Matt had a death in the family, so the day included an overnight trip to his parents' home. His uncle passed away and so we attended the funeral. While a funeral isn't a fun reason to get together, it was fun to see his family nonetheless.

First up, the birthday girls before we ran out the door for a little birthday shopping down Mass. Street. May birthdays are the best because the weather is (usually) beautiful. Cool mornings, warm afternoons, and plenty of sunshine. Every girl deserves to get flowers for her birthday.

FYI.



The day wouldn't have been complete without a photo shoot when we returned. The night before Cora's birthday, I decided to make her outfit. NEVER AGAIN. I do not craft. Hope she enjoys her pink shirt and bow because next time I am going to Etsy. Screw that. I have like zero patience for such shenanigans.
 


Did I mention Cora Jane is a full time walker? Walk she does which makes taking pictures impossible. IMPOSSIBLE. She does not hold still. Please ignore the nasty rash on her chin. We are (still) recovering from a healthy (ha ha) round of Hand, Foot, Mouth disease.



We went to Wichita after school but before we could leave there were presents to open, of course. Cora got a new dress, a wooden push toy, bubbles, a new amber necklace, two balls, and some plastic food. I received an antique camera for decoration, a wooden African mask, new sunglasses, and new flipflops.

We are both officially spoiled rotten.




Another present of mine included dinner out with Matt. Since we were with the grandparents in Wichita, they kept the kids for us. I debated leaving Cora but she was perfectly happy while we were gone. (Or so they say.) We don't go out on dates often, so it was very fun to be away for an hour.

When we returned, there were more presents. Cora loves to "put on" her new clothes and bows.




After presents came the best part: CUPCAKES with pink frosting. Like we would offer the princess anything less than the best.  She was in heaven and a messy girl when we finally took the cupcake away.





One last picture of the birthday girls together. It is shocking that things change so quickly. She was 6 lbs, 12 oz. of skinny, teeny, tiny newborn last year and now she is 20 lbs, 5 oz. of walking, babbling, rolly polly baby. No need to tell you how much weight I gained and lost.

Let's just say that Cora is in the lead.




We are having an actual birthday party this weekend. I hope you aren't tired of seeing Cora Jane's picture because we are going to have even more after Saturday. Our closest friends and family are coming to eat supper, sing Happy Birthday, and watch Cora smash some more cake.

I will try my hardest to not cry. I love my baby so very much.

Best. birthday. present. ever.

One year ago,



this little baby girl was born straight into the hands of her Daddy,









Now we've had one fast {much too quick} trip around the sun, and I haven't stopped smiling yet.



Happy birthday to the both of us. Most importantly, happy 1st birthday to the sweetest baby girl in the whole wide world.

We love you, Cora Bean.

Happy Mother's Day to my wonderful Mom and my excellent Mother-in-Law. My children are so lucky- they each have two caring, involved, and intent on spoiling them Grandmas.

Grandma Cale:




Of course, Cora Bean is in both pictures. Everyone always want to have their picture taken with the baby. Speaking of which, only two more days until her first birthday.

Lord have mercy.

I'll be back with more words and pictures. Today was an awesome day and the week is only getting started. 

So much of my daily attention is devoted to Cora and Bennett. If you look at my Instagram feed, there are only a few pictures of Simon. It's not that he isn't around, it's just that his independence is growing by leaps and bounds. We've even started leaving him home alone for a few minutes at a time.

He's a big kid. He just doesn't need what his siblings need.




Don't get me wrong, he still has needs that we must meet. For example, his need to be heard. He has loved to talk since before preschool. I can clearly remember his (2nd) preschool teacher laughing about the things that Simon said in class. He's still the same to this day. I used to tell people that if Simon is telling a story that seems unbelievable, it is probably true.

The boy loves to talk. He loves to make noise. He loves to make people laugh. I have no idea where he gets it from.



He has other needs. Needs that I struggle with sharing about simply for the sake of his privacy. I want to share, however, because I am proud of him and the growth that he has made. We live with his anxiety every day. Some days are easy breezy and nothing comes up. Other days I feel like pulling out my hair.

Lately? No problems. In fact, he spent the entire night away with his friends at a hotel. This is the same child that refuses to sleep alone at Grandma's house. So a night away is HUGE for him. He also ate dinner and breakfast with his friends. This is the same child that will go without eating rather than eat in a strange place. Granted, he's not up to eating at restaurants yet but still.

Huge progress. Huge, huge progress.



I know that this battle will always be two steps forward, one step back but I am hopeful. Hopeful that issues we struggle with today will eventually be non-issues. I constantly am learning on how to be his parent and I want to help him succeed. I don't have it all figured out yet. Starting with the fact that I am not perfect and I yell a lot. It's a good thing he is forgiving.

I've given myself a daily challenge to hug him four times a day. I don't always meet my goal and I fail frequently. It's hard when he's gone at school all day but I am trying. Sometimes at the end of the day, he will point out that he only got two (or less) hugs. He remembers. He notices. He needs to be touched.

Trees aren't the only thing that I love to hug.



Afer the morning we had today, he's already be given a hug. He woke me up at 6:55 to ask if he could use my computer. My whisper-hiss voice was in full force. The answer was no but I can promise it didn't come out that nicely. There might have been some wild arm flinging to signal him to GET OUT BEFORE THE BABY WAKES UP. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.

I want to hug him. I don't want to yell or pull out my hair. While my attention is often focused on Cora and Bennett (and sleeping), I am trying to intentionally be a part of his life. I want to whisper that I love him.

He might be a big kid, but he's still my baby too.

Comparisons between cousins are bound to happen when born close together. Correct? Matt's brother, Josh, has a daughter named Lucy. Lucy was born 11 days before Cora and will forever be forced to compare to Cora.

They both started out looking like little, wrinkled, barely 7 lbs little ladies:


Cora has always, always been envious of the hair, however.




The differences seem larger now. Lucy is walking, eating with her many teeth, and (as if you didn't notice) has a head full of long, silky hair. Cora is a crawling, toothless, big, bald headed baby. Cora is catching up though- she spent most of today walking. She also has three teeth trying to poke through on the top. Unfortunately, there is no hope for the hair. Lucy has her beat.

I can't believe our babies are already a year old. Time certainly does fly.

I will openly admit that I am glad Lucy was born first. Why? Because Simon is the oldest cousin on both sides of our family. He is always the first to do everything. When the cousins do get together, he leads the show. Everything is always his idea and everyone follows behind him. I have always felt pressure as his mother because of this fact. Pressure for him to do the right thing and make good choices.

Now when Lucy and Cora get together and steal Grandma's make-up? We can totally blame Lucy. She's the oldest, after all.



Happy birthday, Lulu Bird! We love you!

Quick and dirty pictures from my phone last week. I straight up started this post on Friday and didn't open the computer again until right now (Sunday night). My bad, my bad. If you would to follow the feed and see pictures in a more timely manner, you can find me @thepools.

SO! Last Saturday, we went to the spring football game on the KU campus. Part of the fun is taking a free bus ride around town. Matching shirts are optional.


We also spent a few minutes daydreaming about the best school in the State. Rock Chalk, my friends. Rock Chalk.


School is almost over, thank goodness. My kitchen shelves are full of projects brought home and Simon has taken 33 spelling tests this year. 33. I know. Do you know how many times we've had to study spelling words? 33 TIMES. In other news, Bennett is learning how to draw stick people and Cora is finally learning to use a sippy cup. They ALL need more practice.


Speaking of Cora, she can also be a complete pain in the butt. Don't come over and ask to use our toilet unless you don't mind grabbing a hand full of TP from the top of the toilet. Keeping it classy here!


Lastly, we almost have a walker on our hands. She can walk 10 or so steps before crashing down. She hasn't met the requirements of her Aunt Tara but she is pretty darn close. I am thankful that her sore little knees are getting a break. 


~~~~
This weekend we went swimming, let Simon stay the night with friends (an event that deserves a post in itself), and we went to Manhattan. Today we went to church, had a picnic, went to Art in the Park, and spent the rest of the day outside. We live such a blessed life.

How did I get so lucky?