My Cooper

Oh Cooper, where to even begin!  I guess I'll start by saying how in the world are you already 5?!  Although it seems like forever ago that you were a tiny baby it also doesn't seem possible for 5 years to have past since then.  Well pass it has and what an amazing little boy you have become.  The past few months have been really big for you as far as growing up and becoming more of an independent, big boy as opposed to a hesitant, and at times needy toddler.  We love you dearly but you have been known quite well for your inability to find things and do things for yourself, like a toy that's sitting right in front of you or put your underwear on in the right direction;).  I'm not sure what happened but all of a sudden you started to notice things and realize that you could in fact do a great deal of things for yourself and by yourself!  Your dad and I have had a little joke whenever one of these times happens and we'll look at each other and say, "Welcome to the world Cooper!"

You are the most "chill" of the Bass boys thus far for sure.  Give you some lemonade, a snack, and a tv show, movie, or DS game and you are good to go!  You are very content to sit on the couch and watch tv all day and would do so often if we let you!  You love Carter so much and you guys are best buds most of the time.  You go outside and go on secret missions, spy on the neighbors, make forts in your room, fight Mr. Terry, and genuinely enjoy each other's company.  You are also amazingly sweet and good with Hudson.  You call him "Huddy" as we all do and you love to help him play with his toys or find what he's looking for.  You and Carter are the perfect, patient big brothers for a wild and crazy little Hudson.  You are an incredibly picky eater and stick to things you like and steer clear of anything that you've never tried.  You grow solely on mini muffins or waffles for breakfast, hummus and wheat thins, yogurt, or Chick-Fil-A for lunch, and dinosaur chicken the vast majority of dinners.  You will eat fruit easily but vegetables are definitely your least favorite! Corn is about the only vegetable you will knowingly eat.  You are also probably the most loving of your brothers.  You tell us all that you love us at least 5 times a day but it never once gets old!  You are always the first to tell me how pretty I look even on days when I'm not trying to look that way.  As long as my hair is down, all is right in your mommy world.  All three of you have always disliked my hair when I pull it up actually.  You are happy to snuggle and love to sit in our laps still, which I hope won't change any time soon.  You have a natural ability with sports and always seem to shock your coaches and us by doing so well even though you are shy and scared initially.  We are so proud of you for the awesome little boy you have become and love to watch you grow so much.  I just wish you could slow it down just a tiny bit!

Cooper had a busy but fun birthday.  We went to the zoo as a family, raced back home for baseball practice, had Chick-Fil-A dinner for the birthday boy followed by a baseball cake and a slew of presents!  He was one happy and exhausted kid by the end of the day!  We love you to the moon, our one and only Cooper!

Train birthday cookies for Coop's preschool class.

 This picture was just after Jamey finished pushing all three boys on the connector trail from North America to Africa, which was quite a distance given the load he had to push!

Batter Up

Carter and Cooper started baseball this fall and we are so excited because they can actually play on the same team!  Coop hasn't been old enough for Town of Cary t-ball and Carter would have aged up in soccer so we decided it was in our best interest to let them have one more season of playing a sport together.  It's been so cute and fun for them so far.  Cooper is really shy about things initially so I think it really helps him feel more comfortable having Carter around and thankfully Carter is happy to be there for him!  Cooper also tends to be a little helpless so it's great to have Carter help him find his stuff in the dugout!

This is right before their first game.  Cooper carried his bag for all of about 15 seconds before it was way too heavy of course!  Their team name is the Iron Pigs.

This is Cooper on his first at bat.  The coach pitches 3 balls and then they bring out the tee if you don't have luck with the coach pitch.  Coop was the last batter of the inning and of course the first one to knock the crap out of the first ball pitched to him:).  To say he was cute doesn't do that moment justice!

After hitting it, he wasn't quite sure what to do with his bat so his coaches and everyone else were yelling like crazy for him to drop it and run.  He did and got about halfway down the first baseline and held out his hands as he slowed down and said, "I don't even know what to do.  I've never done this before!"  After a little more encouragement he made it to first base and was just about the cutest little number 9 I've ever seen!

I love this one.  It's so Cooper, with his shoulders down and shy while everyone around him is saying how great he did.

 Doesn't he look thrilled to be on base the next inning?!  His favorite coach has since taught him how to stand after he's on base so that he's ready to run!

I think I like this baseball stuff after all!

Carter's turn at bat.  He hasn't quite figured out the whole coach pitch part yet during the games but we know he will!  Carter thinks so hard about doing everything exactly right that I think if he'd just swing like he does at home he'd have better luck.  We'll see!

Coop was pitcher one inning and the coach kept joking with him that his cleats must have been bolted into the mound because he wasn't moving after any balls!  Once he realized he could roam a little more, he actually got to a few balls and made good throws to Carter at first base to get some outs.

Carter fielding a ball at shortstop, his favorite position!  He does great in the field and loves getting people out.

Cooper's new stance on first base!

Happy after their second game.  This has been so much fun so far and I hope they continue to love it for the rest of the season.  Go Iron Pigs:)!

Happy Birthday Brian!

This past weekend Brian and Sarah came to visit and it just so happened to be Brian's 35th birthday!  My mom had a party for him at their house and I think we all loved seeing everyone and hanging out to celebrate the birthday boy.  

I can hardly believe I used to babysit this guy!  His name is Christopher and I used to watch him when I was in high school.  His dad and my dad have worked together in the past in Fayetteville and in Greenwood so our families are really close.  It was so good to see Christopher and his parents, Gene and Caprice!  They were the life of the party, with the exception of Brian's friend Bill but I don't think I'll go into detail about him - it would take all day!

The boys thought Christopher hung the moon and loved climbing on him and wrestling.

Time for cake!  I think my mom is saying damn this thing is heavy!

Getting a little help with the candles;)!

I'll help too!

Love this one with their puffy cheeks.

Silly Coop.

Ride 'em cowboy!

Happy Birthday Brian!  I hope you had a great day and a great party, we sure did and thanks Mom and Dad for all the hard work!

Back To School

It's official, all three boys are in school this year!  Carter started first grade last Monday and has really enjoyed it so far.  He has a few friends in his class, including his good buddy Brandon and he acts like he likes his teacher, Miss Cillian.  He loves to come home and tell me who got into trouble and what they did and although I don't encourage it, I love hearing his little stories too!  CJ was mean to a shy girl who couldn't get her words out just right and Terriana was pretend burping, both of which were "no no's" in his class;).  He told me Miss Cillian is really nice but she isn't going to "tolerate" a lot.  Love it and hope he doesn't cause any trouble!  My arm was twisted into being the room parent for his class.  Carter acts like it's Christmas while I feel like I'm being sent to detention.  We'll see how it goes!

Cooper and Hudson both started preschool today.  Hudson will go two days a week and Cooper will go for four.  They were precious this morning and seemed excited to head to St. Paul's once again.  Hudson has two teachers and eight kids in his class so it's great that they get so much attention!  The preschool director stopped me in the hall on the way to pick him up to say how amazed everyone was that the toddler class did so well.  Very few tears that ended quickly and then lots of happy time playing which is what every parent wants to hear!  Honestly Hudson acted like he probably would've been happier to stay in his class and play than come home with me at pickup time!

Cooper has Miss Jenn, who is probably our favorite teacher at St. Paul's.  Carter had her as a 4 year old and loved every second of school because of her.  Cooper was asking me today on the way which teacher Carter liked the best and I told him Miss Jenn because she was so nice and Cooper had to add, "and so pretty!"  I think I have a little lover boy on my hands - lately all he wants to talk about are pretty girls!  Cooper had a good first day and told me he was a little shy but that he tried his best;)!  I love these boys!  Sorry for the picture quantity as always but Hudson needed a little preschool love!