Solar System Project

 Hobbs schools love a project.  All three boys have been almost projected out so far.  

Evan loved working on his big project on the solar system, and really needed help.  I was SO happy with how it turned out!

He made a 100 and was, in his humble opinion, one of the best in the class!  

Easter Activities

After returning from my lovely beach trip, I returned to the desert of Hobbs, America, full of wind dirt and smoke and pollen and probably smoke from forest fires in the air.  I developed a cough and cold and had to call in sick to my lesson at church. I had very little energy, but was determined to make our celebrations happen. We had no decor and I almost let go of all Easter stuff.  

As if fate needed to take over, a knock at our front door revealed eggs and supplies for dyeing eggs.  Auntie Deb had also given me change for eggs and a hunt.  Not all hope was lost.  We would keep up a few traditions in this crazy year.  

Thankfully, the boys were ALL on board with my little twist: a competition with money prizes.  Who can make the most colorful, the most creative, and the best overall egg.  

Even Kyle was pulled away from his phone to compete.  It was perfect.   

Stephen had a difficult job as judge.  

Each boy won a prize, Evan: most colorful.  Ryan: most creative.  Kyle: best overall

There was much rejoicing.  

We had a small celebration Easter morning, no baskets with tons of goodies, but a few gifts. 

I found some buckets and Stephen and I acted as the Bunny. 

The hunt was over in less than ten minutes, and everyone got a decent amount of change.  

Ryan found the golden egg inside the entrance to the gas tank of my car! 

I realized the importance of self care this Easter.  I have to give up many traditions and things I love to do with my family at this time of year and was unable to attend church, due to serious illness.  The power of NO was on my side this Easter.

 

Stephen is 45!

Stephen and the boys had celebrated with Grandpa and Grandma for Po and SSC bdays while I was at the beach.  When I returned, we were able to do birthday, part 2.  

However, Steve and Timee had to evacuate their home because of the forest fires in and around Ruidoso.

We were able to all go out for a lovely dinner before they were able to leave and return home.  

There were lots of laughs and love as he opened awesome t-shirts and the rest of. his gifts.  

I love that my man was so celebrated.  HAPPY FORTY-FIVE!!!!!

 

Ryan Finally Does It!

 After disqualifying at his first dive meet, he worked and worked to overcome his fears and finally completed a backwards dive.  Since that checkpoint, he's been moving forward daily.  

Ryan's 12!

Whenever asked what he wanted for his birthday this year, Ryan answered, "I don't know."  So, we all got him random things and Taco Bell gift cards and money.  The boy is trying to save for his entire college costs by the time he's 15.  

 

Birthday Interview

Name: Ryan Andrew Cooper    

Nick names: Little Po and Pollito

Favorite color: red and green 

Favorite animal: cat and seal

Favorite book: A Light in the Attic 

Favorite tv show: The Price is Right

Favorite movie: Encanto

Favorite Song; We don't talk about Bruno

Favorite Food: spicy penna pasta from Princi Italia

Favorite Drink: Sprite, Cherry Sprite from McDonald's 

Favorite Breakfast food: bagel sandwich, orange waffles

favorite snack: bananas

favorite outfit: soft socks

favorite game: Sheriff of Nottingham

Favorite toy: squishmellows

Best friend: Bryce, AJ, Conlin + Brooks and Ayden and Spencer

Favorite thing to do: watch Kyle play Elden Ring

Favorite thing to do outside: Easter egg hunt 

Favorite holiday: Easter and Christmas 

What do you take to bed with you at night? my frog blanket, a squish mellow, and a pillow

Where is your favorite place to go? Disney World

Favorite Restaurant: Princi Italia

Where do you want to go on vacation? Hawaii and Disney World  

What do you want to do when you grow up?  I want to be a veterinarian, and I want to work on he big animals.  

What did you do on your birthday? We had 3 specific days for my birthday.  For the first day, Grandma and Grandpa came over and we played games.  We went to eat dinner, but the restaurant was closed, so we went to Pacific Rim and it was great.  On the 2nd day, that was just a chill day for my birthday.  We played games and went to Rosa's, then I played at Nick's house (diving friend.) On the final day, Mom got home, so we were able to open my presents, and then we ate shrimp, bacon, and rice, and it was good.  I had Granna's Delicious Chocolate Cake.  

Happy birthday, Little PO!  

Hollywood Beach Trip

 My BFF from many moons ago-(7th grade) and I have been talking about a girl's trip for years.  The Wuhan has taken the plan away for several years, but this year was finally right!  We both needed it SO much, and I'm beyond glad it worked out.  

After several ideas of location, I suggested my old stomping grounds in Florida, and was hoping that my favorite beach location back then would still do the trick, so many years later.  

We were able to land at relatively the same time and UBER to the on beach condo together.  It was all great from there. Here's a few of the photos to help me never forget!

highlights:

being ON the beach, breakfast in our condo, walking the boardwalk for meals and shopping, getting the broken beach chair from the condo and my bum sinking into the sand while ON the chair, talking and catching up and laughing.  No reading happening here.  Chrystal running after my cash that flew away, dinner with great live bands, renting a cabana for the last day, hanging at the pool, laughing that our condo building looked like the place in The Shining, face masks and movies, loving every minute of it----until my flight home.  They changed it to where I was on the SAME PLANE FOR ELEVEN HOURS AND SURVIVING ON NUTS AND FREE DRINKS!!!!!!!  The flight attendants beat me off--their day had ended, and I still had a few more hours to fly.  Ft. Lauderdale to Buffalo to Las Vegas to Midland was TOO MUCH for one day.  

However stressful, I still have this to keep me calm.