Papa in the ball pit with Joel and Jennah
Singing Happy Birthday
Cooper & Jacksen the the maze

Cooper's first big boy bike & helmet

Cooper's 4th birthday party was a huge success. I love having parties at my house and was disappointed we hadn't moved into our house by Cooper's birthday. The search was on to find a spot that wasn't overly crowded, but one that could entertain four year olds and adults too. We have a great local family owned entertainment center that had everything. Inside was a huge 2500 square foot indoor playground complete with a "ball pit." The kids spent the first hour playing/wrestling/chasing each other until complete exhaution. We stopped for pizza and cake then gave the kids 20 tokens each to run around the arcade part of the place and spend as they pleased. With the birthday package we got each kid had a running start of 100 tickets each to add to whatever they won in tickets the rest of the night. There were minimal meltdowns and it seemed that the place had something for everyone. The men complained about missing the big game, but they even had a huge big screen TV with the game playing the entire evening.

This was the first year Cooper was able to invite friends other than his family and we ended up with three other boys from church that Cooper hangs out with. The best part for me was ending is all by gathering up all the presents and cake and LEAVING. No clean up! I was very thankful to my family for driving a couple of hours away to come to the party. It meant alot to me and I know Cooper loved hanging out with his cousins.

Brian and I got him his first big boy bike with training wheels. I didn't even know Cooper could ride a bike until he came home for school one day and told me that is what he does on the playground. One night we went to Toys R Us and found a bike just his size and off he went down each aisle peddling like he had done it his whole life! Brian had put the bike together earlier in the week and we had it outside on the front porch when Cooper woke up from his nap. He was able to open another present from us that was a helmet. "I don't have a bike!" he said when he opened it up. He was told to look outside where he found his bike.

We were rethinking the birthday gift and wished we would've waited until Christmas to give him the bike. Since his party we have spent many times outside riding around the parking lot of the apartments. Believe me, it isn't the safest place to be:(

I love how my baby boy is growing up. He is able to have conversations with me and you can see his little mind working to figure out this crazy world we live in. He questions most things that happen and will be assured with only the words we give him. It makes me want to learn as much a possible since he thinks we know it all! He loves God and accepts who He is with each story he hears. Having faith like a child becomes real to me as I see a child's faith like Cooper. He has been a wonderful big brother for Wyatt. He is very cautious and wants to make others happy, whatever the cost.

I love you with all my heart Cooper, you have allowed me to see what a small amount of time I have in this world and how I need to have focus on God, because I want to spend eternity with you. Thank you for being you!