Proof of Attitude

So, there are people that just don't believe me when I say Cooper is full of attitude lately. Well, he had to go into time out the other night and I got some proof! So HA!!!!! Take that!

First pic is of Olivia - can't leave her out and she was so cute. *Her* attitude has gotten ssssooo much better since starting school last year. I'm really hoping Cooper follows suit! Olivia is so fun to be around and she hardly ever gets in trouble. She's no angel by any means, but definitely the calmer of the two!

Dance night

Ok, can you see the 'tude just OOZING out of this kid? This was his look while he was IN time out! UGH....terrible twos? No way - terrible THREES!!!!!

Oh Cooper.....

Three years ago I would have never guessed that COOPER would be the kid I would have trouble with in school. Nana picked the kids up today and AGAIN, Cooper was in trouble. He hit another little boy (sorry Collin!) and wouldn't talk to the teachers most of the day. UGH!!! I just don't know what to do with this kid. I know it's behavior that he learned at daycare and it's going to take some time to break him of it. Thing is - Cooper has good days and then he has days like today. I just feel helpless. I mean, there's only so much I feel like I can do - he's only 3! It would be different if he were older, but honestly, how am I supposed to go about this? I talk to him - explain why he shouldn't do certain things, but how do I know that will work? Can a 3 year old really comprehend a "lecture"? I don't want to be one of *those* moms with the mean kid in class that everyone dislikes. Cooper can be super loving and sweet but turn right around and be mean as all get out. And I certainly can't sit here and say "oh, he's just a boy" because I know other boys in his class that haven't gotten in nearly as much trouble as him! I just feel like the daycare the kids went too taught Cooper to be aggressive because he's smaller than like 90% of other kids his age and to stand up for himself. Problem is - it's really biting him in the butt right now because it's not behavior that is good for school. I need advice - how would you handle this situation?

THA Halloween Carnival 2008

THA hosted their annual Halloween carnival last night and the kids had a blast. All day Friday they were so excited about putting on their costumes and going there to play all the games. The fact that both of their classrooms are in the gym where the carnival was held, probably added to the excitement! We had a ball though and really enjoyed ourselves.

Cooper eating popcorn while Olivia and Raeva wait in line for a game. This kid's favorite snack is hands down popcorn and if we go ANYWHERE that sells it, you BETTER have money to buy him some!

Olivia playing some color game where she had to jump on the color squares. It was cheesy. LOL

Olivia and Reava - these two have been the best of friends since meeting last year. They stuck together the *entire* night. They are so sweet together and you can tell they really love each other's company.

Olivia and Cooper waiting for the "Fortune Teller" game.

Olivia and Cooper all dressed up.....Cooper refused to wear his boxing gloves though. Are they cute or WHAT??

Yay!

I got my staples out today and they didn't hurt! Yay! Thanks for the re-assuring Emily and Angela. I am sssoo glad to have those things out. =)

2 for 1

I have to give a shout out to my sis in law, Amy. She and Jay brought me a sweet potato pie on Wednesday after my surgery. Well, come to find out, Amy got sick on Thursday and had HER gallbladder removed on Friday. I called her up and said "is the hospital running a 2 for 1 deal on gallbladders?" - LOL. I hope you feel better today Amy! We love you!!!

Thanks to everyone who has sent me well wishes and checked on me this past week. It really means a lot! I feel very blessed to have such wonderful family and friends! I have *never* had surgery before so I was pretty nervous last Tuesday but I am feeling much, much better. I go on Wednesday to have my staples removed - which I'm nervous about because I'm terrified it's going to hurt. I mean, how could it NOT...they are pulling staples out of your skin...think about it....ugh!

Oh, and I wouldn't recommend letting a 3 year old watch "Monster House" either.....another bad parenting move on my part but I think it scared the bee jeebies out of Cooper! =)

Olivia perks me up....

I'm having a good day today - the soreness is much more bearable than it was yesterday and that's a good thing! I really feel that in the next few days, all the soreness and feeling of bloating will be gone. In the hospital I remember asking the nurse, "What's under these three band aides on my abdomen?" and she replied "nothing but a tiny hole that will close on it's own." Well Mrs. Nurse Lady (sorry, can't remember her name) - you LIED!!! I took a shower today and when I peeled those band aides off, I found out I have two staples in each incision! Now I am totally stressing because I didn't realize I had any staples or anything. Geez! I hope the darn things don't hurt when they come out next week. I do have to keep reminding myself to take it easy and not push myself. You have no idea how hard it is for me to sit around "knowing" my house needs cleaning and not being able to do it! Al is doing a great job of tending to the house and the kids - although I know they are stressing him out! I know he's ready for me to get better! =) Anyways, when Olivia got home from school today, she changed into this outfit and it really made me laugh so I had to take a picture. My kids are wild ones, but they know how to make you smile when you're feeling down! My babies rock!

I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times - she's hard core baby! =) Nobody can pull off a tu-tu with a black tee w/pink skull and crossbones like OGG!

This is pretty much all I've seen of Cooper since coming home from the hospital. Little turkey.....

I'm alive

Hey guys - I just got home from the hospital. I had to have my gallbladder removed. I got very sick early Monday morning and broke down and went to the ER as soon as Al had took the kids to school. After talking to the ER doctor about my stomach issues and how sick I was that morning, she ordered an u/s of my gallbladder. And that's what it was - I had gallstones, a thickened wall and sludge in my gallbladder. Apparently gallbladder issues are pretty common in pregnant women and after you have a baby so when I first started having issues after Cooper was born, that's what it probably was! To think I've been dealing with this for 3 years!!!! So, yesterday morning at 7am, they took the darn thing out. I'm still really sore but I feel ok. I don't remember a darn thing from the time they gave me the "happy" drugs to the time the nurse woke me up! Ha ha! Everyone keeps saying that I will feel ssssooo much better now and not have any more issues, so I'm really excited about that outcome. I probably won't post for a few more days.....I just need to lay around and relax and get some of this soreness out. And on top of this - Al and Olivia woke up feeling really cruddy today. Not good! Pray that they feel better soon!

Yucky Stuff

I've been MIA for a few days because I've been battling that nasty stomach bug that has been going around. I thought I was over it - Olivia got sick with it on Tuesday and by Wednesday, I was sick again! I feel much better today though but I'm not really putting a whole lot on my tummy. I will just be glad to feel 100% better.....although I feel like I'm coming down with a cold. Something Olivia has too - notice the pattern here?

Nothing new to report on the home front - the kids are out of school today for Parent/Teacher conferences so Al is home with them. They are probably driving him batty at this point. =) The weather is nice out today so I'm sure they will be spending A LOT of time outside. Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE the trampoline Cooper got for his birthday? The kids stay on that thing for hours - it's been a nice addition to the clutter in the back yard. =)

Anyways, this is probably my most *boring* blog ever, but I just don't have anything funny or exciting for you today. Check back this weekend - we do have plans on going to the Sweet Potato Festival in Darlington tomorrow if everyone feels up to it.

Seriously?

I had a doctor's appointment on Friday morning for my stomach issues - I won't go into detail about what my stomach "issues" are, just know that it's been something that I've been dealing with since Cooper was born. I've put up with them for so long because honestly, if they were serious....wouldn't I have lost like....a ton of weight or something? And if you know me, you know THAT AIN'T HAPPENED! So, I finally reached a breaking point - and the fact I had a nasty stomach virus this week - and talked to Dr. B about what's been going on. And the remedy? Metamucil! Yes folks, I, Mandy Griggs, age 30, has to drink a tablespoon of Metamucil each night. Apparently I may need more fiber in my diet.....which is kind of ironic because that's kind of what I thought it was going to end up being. Nothing like a hard dose of reality to bring you back down now is there? I feel like a 100 year old woman typing this as I chug down my orange juice/Metamucil cocktail. Please, don't be jealous. =)

Now I just have to hope that I've been careful enough to keep the kids from getting that nasty stomach bug I had. They have a field trip tomorrow and I would feel horrible if they missed it. Plus, I really don't want to miss another day of work. Please say a prayer that they are ok in the morning. They both have had an upset tummy a few times today so I'm a little nervous!

My beautiful, yet crazy wild babies.

See, I told you they were wild!

Cooper being a "monster" - I think. Notice Olivia in the background with her shirt up over her tummy. =) That pj set cracks me up because the shirt creeps up over her belly constantly. But of course since it has Ariel on it, she just HAS to squeeze into it you know. ha ha!

Cooper's Eye Appointment

Cooper had his eye appointment today and it went really well. He was *terrified* of the doctor, but calmed down when Dr. Mark pulled out all the Spongebob toys. Cooper's left eye looks fine but he is a little far sighted. Dr. Mark said it wasn't bad enough to warrant glasses now, but in 5 years or so, it might be a different story. Let me tell you folks, it was a very LONG appointment and not one that I want to do again anytime soon!