Cook Family Roll Call!

Delaney skis

2009-10-24T20:17:00.000-07:00

So Delaney finally got to go to the slopes with her Daddy this year. She was very excited and seemed to be practicing to be a snow bunny. After skiing she enjoyed playing with her little toy penguins and having hot chocolate. All good events that include snow also include hot chocolate.

How old is she?!

2009-04-12T21:18:00.000-07:00

Its so hard to believe she turns 4 in less than a week! Here's a picture Nate took of Delaney flying a kite. She looks and sounds so much older so often and then she turns into "Looper the cat" and meows and paws at me and I remember she's really just a little thing. She can still curl up into the tiniest imaginable ball on my lap.
Here's our exchange from a few nights ago when she was frustrated with a decision I made concerning her...
Delaney: It just makes me want to fire you!
Me: What does that mean?
Delaney: I don't know.
A little bit later, after being told to pick up in her room, she asked for help. I reminded her that I had been fired.
I've heard her "fire" Jackson before also. He's so earnest; he always replies, "But Delaney, I don't have a job."
And then, Nate just reminded me of an exchange he had with Delaney the morning following a major battle of the wills between two of the most strong-willed people I know....(myself excluded, because I'm not strong-willed...at all...seriously...believe me or else!)
Nate: Delaney, I don't like it when we argue. It made me feel bad last night that we argued.
Delaney: I don't like it either, Daddy. (and then in the sweetest possible voice you've ever heard) Maybe you should just let me do what I want to do.

Uhhhhh.....

She continues to be in that place of wanting independence but also wanting to not be independent. I guess all of us live in that place from time to time in our lives, or for some of us, all the time. She can be so, so sweet, and so, so sour. I just have to keep remembering that's she's still pretty young, no matter how articulate she is.

Drew's walker

2009-04-12T21:00:00.000-07:00

Drew has started walking for real since this video was taken, but I think its worth watching for... A.) his cute smile B.) Nana was visiting and you can catch a glimpse of her C.) you can witness Drew's very low level of tolerence for frustration D.) you'll be encouraged that children don't actually need expensive walkers E.) Nate's high tolerance for Drew's low tolerance for frustration.

Drew plays piano

2009-04-12T20:55:00.000-07:00

Ahhh...the love affair between a small, baldish person and a big, musical instrument. Drew loves the piano. He can not tolerate anyone playing it, if he is not helping. He likes to help play notes, eat...I mean turn the pages of the music, and compose. If not on my lap, his little finger reach up over the keys and he "tinks" away. Look at the joy on that face! We recently had the piano tuned, for the first time in a LONG time and found out its considered a honky-tonk style piano because of its size and the height of the back. I guess I'll have to learn to play some honky-tonk music. (I have a feeling Drew will help.)

Great Education

2009-04-12T20:45:00.000-07:00

If you talk with me on a regular basis, you've probably heard me sing the praises of Jackson's 1st Grade teacher. I admire her greatly and am a little amazed that we've had such great teachers 2 years in a row. As a former public school teacher (although a brief experience), I speak with respect and also a sense of reality. There are lots of great teachers out there and sadly, also a few duds....these seem to be the only ones you ever hear about....the teachers who leave a lot to complain about. Well, I am not complaining! I love this teacher and the great skill and art she applies to her craft. And the children love her even more, at least mine does. Anyway....one of the fun and educational days they've had this year was "Crazy Hair" day - they read a book by the same title on that day. Well, you know Delaney also had to have a crazy hair day when she saw Jackson's hair. I must say he looks pretty cute like this and maybe a little too old.
Below is a photo of Jackson with his Leprachaun Trap. There was a pesky leprachaun in his classroom that kept rearranging things, tipping over chairs, leaving funny notes on the board, and even stealing the homework folders! Jackson's teacher finally asked all of the children to design a trap to catch the little man so they could get his pot of gold. Apparantly, the leprechaun did get caught and as the teacher was ready to pull him out of the bag to show the class, all that was left was some green glittery dust. Tricky little fellow. It was amazing fodder for their journals and vocabulary/spelling lists.

California Winter Sky

2009-04-12T20:31:00.000-07:00

Here are two photos from this winter. There are plenty of things to gripe about living in the desert (especially if you live somewhat remotely, like we do), however there are also so many amazing things like the sky! We don't have clouds all that often, but when we do, they're amazing! You can see the whole cloud. And clouds at sunset....well you're looking at pictures of that. We have pretty nice sunsets for a non-beach location.

Christmas 2008

2009-04-12T20:03:00.000-07:00

Okay...so the posts are out of order...it drives me a little crazy, but it is what it is. I think it's fairly appropriate to post Christmas pictures on Easter day though, as I believe Christmas does not hold much meaning without Easter. Anyway...before I get all theological, let me just tell you about these photos. We had our first Christmas of just us at our home this year. I thought it might feel a little sad or lonely to be just us, but it was actually good. Don't get me wrong, I love to be with my family also and it would have multiplied the joy, but "just us" was more than enough joy. Tymaree joined us the day after Christmas. We were glad to have her. I roped her into making sugar cookies with the kids...muuhhahaha. She put on her happy aunt face and did her duty. I think she may have liked it a little too.
We all get to open one present on Christmas Eve. Its normally some sleepwear item....this year it was Snowman PJs for everyone. As Jackson was opening his, he said, "I hope its a toy and not clothes." I guess he's moved onto a new stage were the novelty of having a present to open is outweighed by the excitement and expectation of what is inside the package. I will say he laughed when he opened the box and found the PJs and was actually delighted when he discovered that we all matched. Drew really enjoyed eating the tissue paper. Christmas was right around the time he started LOVING the dishwasher. Like on crack in love. Like can't get enough. Of late, he's transferred most of the obsession to the vacuum cleaner. Delaney was the first to notice the GIANT trampoline on the back patio. During breakfast, she casually said, "We have a trampoline."
This year, Jackson and Delaney made presents for each other. Jackson made Delaney a sock puppet reindeer. Delaney painted a piggy bank for Jackson. It was very sweet to see their excitement in exchanging gifts. They chipped in together and gave Drew set of three plastic trucks, which Delaney promptly adopted and named - they are a family of trucks afterall and she loves families of anything. She has since agreed to leave the trucks in Drew's room, although I sometimes hear her hiding them (in his room) and saying "Oh the trucks are afraid of babies!" when she hears Drew coming down the hall.

Jay visits

2009-03-16T22:17:00.000-07:00

We were delighted to have my brother Jay visit for a short (and I mean less than 48 hours) visit, around a trip for work. We were happy about the visit, not the short. He called me before he came to check on the weather, which had been nice. So I told him...it's been nice. It rained the whole time he was here. Here, where we get very little rain ever (as in, we celebrate and play in rain unless it's cold), it rained and it was cold. We had a nice time staying inside and visiting and watching the kids bounce off the walls, literally. The kids were delighted and couldn't stay away from Jay. He also met the Drew-man for the first time. I think their heads are similar shapes, but I think Drew's ears are from a different part of the gene pool than Jay's.
I miss having my family close by and I so enjoy having time to visit. Even in the rain. Even when it's quick. Even when it leaves me a little sad because it reminds how far apart we all are from each other. Thanks for making the trip, brother. We'll be coming to see you in Hawaii, but it won't be quick.

Go Macaroni!

2009-03-16T21:58:00.000-07:00

Jackson and Nate had a great time planning and creating Jackson's Pinewood Derby car. It won 1st place overall. All of the other cars looked like cars. It was fun to hear people cheer "Go Macaroni!" as Jackson's car raced. Nate has a pinewood derby video posted to his facebook page, if you're curious. Anyway, here they are, after the big win with the car. Jackson is already planning next year's car - it will be him, asleep in his bed, which is actually a car. I love that boy

Jackson Snowboards

2009-02-27T20:12:00.000-08:00

Last year Nate took Jackson skiing and while he had a blast, he spent a lot of time watching the snowboarders and decided that this year he would snowboard. So, they went. It was fun but there is still some learning to do, like you can't ride the same edge the whole time without turning. More fun for next winter.

Thoughts and Proclamations

2009-01-19T20:48:00.000-08:00

So, this is kind of a random entry. A few thoughts to share...

First, you might notice that I've added a few more blogs to my list. One is a blog I picked from my friend Tracy's list. It's from a pastor in Brooklyn. He writes about life, his family, and then throws out some scriptures and challenging ideas sometimes too. He has a great post about Gomer. You should read it.

Another new blog I've added is from my childhood friend, Erin. She was my best friend in elementary school and good part of middle school. We moved to different places. The last time I had talked to Erin was in high school. She recently found me on Facebook. She's rather clever, I must say, as I don't have my maiden name on my account. Erin is so familiar with my life though, that she knew how to find me through my brother's family. I remember her as thoughtful, creative, and as having a presence. We used to play Narnia together. And now....she's still that same person, only cooler, with more presence and heart. Her blog is worth the read. It will move you to think about others, especially children in Africa, and maybe even influence your heart to do something good. We were never purposefully "not friends", we just moved away. I'm so grateful to be active friends again. We're going to get together for coffee one of these days.

Okay...and now facebook. I joined a little while ago. Holy Moly! Why didn't someone talk me into it earlier? I've reconnected with so many people there. It's a great tool for keeping up with friends. (It can also be a great tool for wasting time and procrastinating if you're not careful.)

So....I think that 2009 will a good year to be reconnected with friends and loved ones. Also this year (I write this here so that I'll be accountable to you.)...

* I'm getting back into those skinny jeans. You know what I mean. We all have a pair of skinny pants. I've given up on the pre-baby skinny pants, I just want into the ones that make me feel good about my fitness level and acknowledge that I've carried three babies around in these hips.

* We're getting our finances in order. Enough playing around. It's time to get serious. We may not travel as much this year, but a little discipline this year should allow more travel later. We're going to enjoy and relish what we have without worrying about accumulating more of the greatest and latest (remind me of this later.)

* I'm going to enjoy the children more and worry less about if I dusted before you came over. I apologize in advance. Not that my house has always been pristine, but I'm not going to feel guilty about it if the time was spent enjoying the little people who fill this house with life or if it was spent building and cultivating my relationship with my amazing partner. (If I was watching TV, I reserve the right to feel guilty.)

Those are probably enough grandiose proclamations for now. I don't want to be accountable for too much more. I just wanted you to know why I'm eating carrot sticks in a dusty house and can't fly to see you.

Another one bites the dust

2008-12-25T23:15:00.000-08:00

Well, the boy got one last Christmas present tonight, in the form of a lost tooth! He bit into something this morning that really loosened it, and it's been getting looser all day, until it was really hurting him this evening. I gave him 3 minutes to twist, and if it was still in, he was to leave it alone tonight. Three *seconds* later, it was out.

Fortunately, signs point to this tooth coming out in its own time, unlike the top two, which Jackson personally extracted with great, bloody glee 9 months ago! Perhaps the new one will grow in before his next birthday. :)

There was great rejoicing and excited straining to go to sleep so the tooth fairy could make the exchange...

Snow in the Desert

2008-12-23T22:47:00.000-08:00

It really happened! Snow! Enough to close down the base for a day. Jackson was delighted to build "a frosty". Check out Nate's beautiful photos of the view from our front yard into the desert just after sunrise. Don't be fooled by those rooftops in the photo. They aren't from neighbor houses. They are some sort of storage sheds in some fence-enclosed, but otherwise uninhabited lots.
The kids had a blast; the dogs too. I'd forgotten how much the dogs love snow. Kobi, who won't get her feet wet if it's rained, totally frolliked in the snow. It was like a shot of energy hit Bear too, who ran around like a puppy before flopping down to lay in the snow.

Crawling...

2008-12-23T22:16:00.000-08:00

Drew started crawling the week after Thanksgiving and then started pulling up a few days later. He is now trying to traverse. Here's a little video clip of him crawling with camera lust in his eyes....its metal and shiny and must be eaten. Please note Delaney in the background. She's playing some kind of game with some animal making a baby noise. She was needing a little mommy attention.

Sweetness

2008-12-23T21:59:00.000-08:00

So here's the deal....when Drew is happy, he is happy AND absolutely delightful and sweet. Like "could I really be enjoying more today than yesterday? I thought I had maxed out on how much I could love you and adore you yesterday but clearly you're setting a new, higher level today." sweet. Know what I mean? Here's a drippy, wet bath boy. He loves his bath. He tries to squirm out of my arms into the bathtub as soon as I set it down. He splashes, squeals, and explores all facets of his little tub.
The reverse is also true....when Drew is NOT happy, he is NOT HAPPY and you will be aware of it and reminded. I sometimes take pictures of him screaming. Is that wrong? I'm a little conflicted about posting these pictures though.

The Election

2008-11-04T19:51:00.000-08:00

Jackson got to "vote" for President at school last week in a mock election. When asked who he voted for, he gleamed, "Barak Obama." You have to understand that Nate and I haven't really talked politics in front of the kids. I was curious about his choice and asked why he voted for Obama and he said that he had heard more about him. (Is my kid listening to the news while I'm not watching?!)

So we're sitting at dinner tonight, listening to election results roll in on NPR as we eat. Jackson wanted to know how Nate and I had voted. (We both voted Obama - catch your breath, Dad, you'll live.) We told him that we didn't HAVE to both vote the same way; that each person has a choice and that's part of what makes this country so wonderful. We mentioned that Papa and Grandma had voted for McCain.
Jackson then asked Delaney who she wanted to vote for. She said, "I don't want to be President." Jackson said, "NOOOOOO, Delaney. (This is one of THE MOST often spoken phrases from Jackson) WHO would you vote for - John McCain or Barak Obama?" She said, with a sly grin, "John McCain."

It's hard to know if she choose McCain because he's the opposite choice from everyone else at the table, or because her Papa voted for McCain, or if she has some secret political savvy, of which we are unaware. I know her Papa is so proud.

Feel free to comment on the cuteness of the children, but comments related to our political choices will not be published. This means you, Dad.

Happy Halloween

2008-11-02T10:58:00.000-08:00

We had a fun Halloween with a costume parade and party at school, followed by pumpkin carving and trick or treating with friends. Nate and I made Jackson and Delaney's costumes. I think they turned out pretty well for all materials coming from our garage, craft closet, or printed from the computer. Jackson was very excited to be the only Wall E at school. During the costume parade, one of our two-year-old friends tried to run out and hug him. Delaney enjoyed being Eve (using Eve's voice), but got tired of actually wearing the costume after a while.

Jackson with carpool-mate Nadia. Nadia's mom, Alexia, is very creative and industrious and made this beautiful costume for Nadia. I believe she was the only Indian Princess at the costume parade also.

Here's the Drew puppy dog. The kids wanted to dress Drew as the cockroach from Wall E, but I just couldn't find it in me to dress the baby as a roach.

Here's Eve. "Directive."

The pumpkins...Jackson designed the jack-o-lantern on the pumpkin and Delaney designed the little pumpkin with the shapes cut out of it. Nate executed the designs beautifully, I think.

Our oldest children

2008-11-02T10:46:00.000-08:00

We don't always talk about the dogs. We do still love them and play with them and even take them for walks. They have been with us for more than 10 (Kobi) and 9 (Bear) years. If you've never met them, Bear is the big one. They're hips hurt them - it hurts me to see Bear get up from lying down. They sleep a lot these days. However, at least once a day its like they revert to puppies. Bear will fetch until he can't run anymore, lay down and rest, and then bring you the ball for more. Kobi doesn't play outside - she only plays inside. We often joke that she's the wisest creature on the earth. She frequently looks at us with an expression that says, "You people exhaust me - I clearly know the answer to your dilemma if only you were smart enough to understand me."

Anyway, I used to take many more pictures of them than I do now. I took these last week and thought they deserved the honor of being blogged (the dogs deserved the honor, not the pictures.)

Being 3 can be tough

2008-11-02T10:18:00.000-08:00

Here she is, the pouty princess. Her mood can turn on a dime sometimes. I don't know if it's her, being three, or some combination of both. Most of the time, Delaney is lovely. I think she was probably sleepy and tired of waiting on Mom to go down the slide with her in this pictures. People often think she's four because she is such a clear talker, trying on words like "suspicious" in fairly odd ways. She is generally so helpful and mature that I forget sometimes that there's still a good portion of her that is baby. Even when she's being ugly or pouty, I just want to devour her whole. My husband thinks its strange that I want to nibble on the children. Maybe you understand what I mean. Sometimes I look at them and am filled with such love I just want to consume them - be filled with them; be that connected to them.

Mud Run....

2008-10-24T09:08:00.000-07:00

Here they are, Adam and Nate, part of the 5-person mud run team from last weekend's race at Camp Pendleton. They all had a good time although some members of the team were disappointed that the marines along the race were so encouraging and nice.

As you may know, there have been a lot of fires in So. Cal these last couple of weeks. Some of Camp Pendleton's housing was evacuated and then allowed back in the week leading up to the race. As we drove onto the station, we could smell the evidence of fire and saw lots of areas charred white, surrounded by patches of green where the fire stopped. It was an amazing reminder of the power of forces beyond human control.

By the way, after seeing the mud run, Jackson (the big idea boy) has plans for our own mini mud run. He spent a lot of time discussing (read: telling) his plans with Adam. Thanks for listening, Adam - we'll let you know when you and Anne are expected to run the course and survive a few more gruelling rounds of "I spy"

Teeth!

2008-10-24T08:54:00.000-07:00

Here are Drew's teeth. He's gnawing on everything like there might be more coming.

A Biologist's Guilt...

2008-10-13T21:29:00.000-07:00

If you regularly read our blog, you know we encountered a rattlesnake at our front door in July. Well, a few weeks ago, I found this centipede in the house. My gut reaction was to take its picture and then pound it to death. I found it in Jackson's room, under the table where he sits to do his homework. It was not a quick mover, which makes me think it was already dying (we actually use an exterminator every other month - this started after I found a live spider in clean, folded clothes - another day's story.) I took one picture (too close and it didn't turn out) and as the camera flashed, this little guy whipped around and showed me his most-hind legs, which are apparently pretty good for grabbing hold of things (or people) - hence this picture.

After I whacked the life out of it, I did a little research and discovered I had killed a Tiger Centipede. These centipedes are actually really good, as they eat spiders (which I really dislike, even though I KNOW they're good and important critters), mosquitos, and are not known to bite humans. Needless to say, I felt a little guilty, but I'll whack the next one I see anyway. They creep me out! Please don't ever give this blog address to any of my Biology students - they think I celebrate and love all creatures equally.

Let me again say, don't let my little findings dissuade you from visiting. I'll photograph it and whack it to death before you'll ever even know its here. Plus, the sunsets....think of the sunsets....and no humidity!

He eats....

2008-10-13T21:09:00.000-07:00

The Drew-man is a spoon-grabbing, very-curious-about-what's-going-in-your-mouth, hungry boy. At four and a half mos., he weighed in at almost 19 pounds and 26 and a quarter inches long. He's been trying to take our food for quite some time, so we started him on solids. He really enjoys cereal, peas, squash, and now green beans. Perhaps what he enjoys most, though, is a good spoon.

By the way, he's also sitting up on his own for 10 minutes at a time and really trying to get his knees under him. He's still a few days shy of 5 mos. Mr. Big Stuff is awfully cute and quite a flirt.

Peanut Bubba Jelly Sandwich

2008-10-13T21:01:00.000-07:00

As the first quarter comes to a close, I figured it was about time I posted some pictures from the first day of school. Look at these cuties! I can't believe the school year is already one quarter finished!

What does this have to do with the title of the entry? Nothing really - I just needed to get the pictures up.

The title has to do with what I just realized yesterday (I know, I'm a little slow on the uptake sometimes, but none of you noticed or put it together either, so there! :))

When Delaney first started talking, she called Jackson "Bubba."
Delaney's nickname has always been "Jelly Bean."
Drew's nickname is "The Peanut."

Therefore, we have a Peanut Bubba and Jelly sandwich.

Weekend at Carlsbad

2008-09-22T20:44:00.000-07:00

I love the southern California light in the late afternoon/early evening. We took this trip to celebrate Jackson's 6th birthday and to have a bit of a summer vacation.