The folks.

The kiddos and I spent Thursday evening over at my parent's house.  It was a fun, relaxing evening... with yummy dinner!  Thanks Mom and Dad for letting us crash your house and hang out!

Five Year Check-up

Cooper had his five year check up this morning.  He is very healthy and almost square, weighing in at 39 pounds and 41 inches tall.  He had fun pumping up the blood pressure cuff himself and listening to his heart beat through the stethescope.  He had one immunization today and was very brave, but broke down afterwards.  He doesn't handle pain well :(  I tried to cheer him up by telling him that most kids get 3-4 shots at one time (we delay and selectively immunize), but that didn't help.  So, we hit Target afterwards and a new Cars race car for his collection seemed to help put the pain behind him.

He actually took his Cars collection to school this past Wednesday to share with his class.  It has been fun to see what all the kids have brought in on their "collection day".  Everything from crystals to Barbies!

On my own.

I know there are lots of strong women out there whose husbands travel for work often.  These women amaze me.  Fortunately for me, my husband does not have to travel for work more than once or twice a year.  When he does, he is gone for 5-6 days at the most and then he returns home to us.

I used to really stress out about him leaving.  Justin and I co-parent and share all the responsibilities, so when he is gone, it adds a lot to my work load with the kids.  Last week was a really rough week for me, I was PMS'ing, Piper wasn't feeling well, so she wasn't sleeping well at night, and I was just stressed out.  Justin was apprehensive about flying to Atlanta this week.  I think he feared for my emotional well being.  Of course, he had to go anyways and leave his unstable wife behind to fend for herself with the kids :-)

This week, while it would have been nice to get a break (especially since I've been sick), has gone really smooth.  Children (and mom) were fed, bathed, and where they needed to be- on time!  The dishes have been done, the garbage has been taken out, and homework has been completed.  I've survived.  I've come out alive.  And, I'm not even stressed.  I've missed Justin, don't get me wrong.  He is my best friend, my partner, my lover, but I've realized that I'm stronger and better at this parenting thing than I give myself credit for. It feels nice to know, for myself, that I'm capable. I guess it is time to stop doubting myself.

Five!!

Cooper turned FIVE last week!

 We had a small party at Chuck E Cheese for his birthday.  Just cousins and family friends.  It was very laid back and relaxed... just my style!

 Piper and her BFF Keri saying "cheese!"

 Fun for the whole Duncan Family! 

Cooper with all his loot!  It looks like a small toy store!

The progression of a popsicle

Chloe's Bakery

We gave Chloe a donut maker for Christmas and she has been putting it to good use! Last night, she made about 40 mini donuts to sell at her third grade student market*.  They were glazed Funfetti (cake mix) donuts-- so yummy!! This is the recipe we used- although we decided not to frost them, they were already a total sugar rush! http://cookiesandcups.com/double-glazed-funfetti-donuts/

*All the third graders at her school earn "money" from their teachers for doing different things.  They have a school bank that they can make deposits and withdrawals from and on the last day of each month, they can bring in homemade items that they've made and sell them to other students, to earn more money.  They seem to have lots of fun shopping from their peers!  It is a good lesson in money management and business.

Treat night!

We don't have many days, especially Saturdays, when there is NOTHING on the calendar.  Today happened to be one of those gloriously relaxing days!  It was so nice to have nowhere that we needed to be or be needing to watch the clock to make sure we get a kid off to their scheduled activity.  We had a relaxing day together, ran a few errands, played outside for a bit, had yummy meatloaf for dinner (made in my new Perfect Meatloaf pan that I got for Christmas), and then went out for a special treat of dessert at Dairy Queen!  Everything was half off for "Customer Appreciation Day," which made the treats even better!