Oh, funny girl!

We've had a pretty funny week around here.  Maleah has really been on a roll.  I really need to carry a notebook around with me to write down the stuff she says before I forget it.  I've been saying that for four years though and haven't done it yet.  It's not looking like it's ever going to happen.  But who knows!?

For those of you who keep up with me on Facebook, you've already heard this first one.  Maleah always likes to talk about "what-ifs".  So she is always thinking about what we are going to name a baby if we were to ever have another one.  I am not pregnant but she just likes to talk about it.  She told me this week that she really likes the name "Crystal Bowersox for a girl because it is a beautiful name" and for a boy she still likes the same two boy names that she had picked out if Carissa had been a boy - either Mark Weber or Michael Phelps.  She just loves those two names and likes to say them a lot.  Funny kid.

She also told me that she is not going to have kids when she grows up.  I asked why.  She said in a very matter of fact voice, "because I'm not ever going to move out.  I'm always going to live with you and Daddy."  Okay.  I should've recorded that so I could play it back to her when she's sixteen.

Right now she is wearing a ballerina outfit with tutu, a pink necktie, a tiara, two green St. Patrick's Day barrettes, and carrying a trophy.  She is standing in front of the tv (where we will be sure and see her) and saying "I'd like to thank my friend Amber and all of the people for making me the winner of this great dance competition."  Then she bowed.  Her tiara fell off.  She doesn't even have a friend named Amber.  She forgot to thank the Academy.

Tonight we went to Applebee's for supper.  It was delicious!  We told the waitress that it was Maleah's birthday this week and they sang to her and brought her dessert.  She was so excited!  She sat there and smiled and giggled while they sang.  It really made her night. 

Carissa has quite a few new words in her vocabulary now.  But one of the cutest ones to hear her say is "mine!".  She says it with complete authority and confidence.  Even though Maleah was talking in sentences at age one I don't think she ever really said "mine!".  She didn't have to.  There was no one there to say it to.  Carissa, on the other hand, makes it known that some things are her's and hands off!  My other favorite word to hear her say right now is "grandma".  Pretty cute.  She picks up the phone and says "Grandma, Grandma!!" so sometimes I go ahead and dial up Grandma Debby and it thrills Carissa to hear her voice on speaker phone.

I had some pictures to add this week but I keep getting an error message and can't get them to upload.  I will try again next week.   One is of the two girls in the "Schwinn" or at least that's what Maleah calls it.  It's actually a double jogging stroller.  I've been walking Maleah and Carissa in it when I take Maleah to school and then back again to pick her up later.  It's quite the workout!  Maleah loves it!  Carissa tolerates it well.  She doesn't get quite as excited but that's okay. 

On Friday we went shopping for birthday presents.  Maleah is getting a new loft bed for her birthday.  Unfortunately, we had to order it.  We found one but they didn't have it in stock.  It was a long drawn out day of furniture shopping that just didn't feel very productive at the end of the day.  She did manage to entertain one of the furniture salesmen enough that he told us we should put her on tv.  I could totally see her doing commercials or something.  But maybe all parents think that about their kids?  I don't know. 

Carissa got a new necklace.  She now has a "Carissa" necklace that matches the "Maleah" necklace that Maleah wears every day.  I was a little disappointed that Carissa's seems a little bit smaller but there's not much I can do about that now.  It is still very pretty and looks adorable on her.  I wish I could post a picture of it!!  Errr. 

I should have a lot to report next week after Maleah's birthday party on Saturday.  She is so excited about it.  Her friends are going to be there and she can't wait to skate with them.  I hope to have a lot of pictures on here next week! 

200 Questions

Hi again blog readers.  It's hard to believe another week has came and went.  Phew.  They fly by fast around here.  We have been in the middle of planning birthday parties this week.  And it is a lot of work!  I've been a little stressed out trying to get everything done.  My girls' birthdays are four days apart.  The good thing about that is that we get birthdays over with in one week.  The bad thing about that is it is a lot to deal with all in the same week.  Maleah had her heart set on having a skating party this year.  And you only turn five once, right?  So she's having one and she wants to invite everyone she knows.  She is so excited!  She can hardly stand it.  It should be a lot of fun.  The following weekend we're going to have a family party and celebrate Carissa's 1st Birthday.  I can't believe my baby is going to be one!!

In other news, Carissa is now officially off of formula.  Woo hoo!  That stuff is expensive and I'm glad we don't have buy it anymore or mess with it.  She is still not a good eater but has tried a few new things this week that she likes.  Her favorite thing is a baby cone from Dairy Queen.  If you hand her one of those, don't expect to get it back.  She won't let go of it for nothing.  They're a little messy and not the healthiest choice but at least she's getting some calories in her.  She ate two strawberries today.  She thought they were pretty yummy.  And she also ate a few bites of spaghetti yesterday.  I wouldn't think she could be full from as little as she eats but maybe she's just going to be like her Daddy and eat like a bird for the rest of her life. She definitely doesn't get it from me.

Maleah is doing great.  She has really been enjoying the weather.  She loves to play outside.  She rode her bike on the driveway tonight and had a great time.  Then she took her Hannah Montana lawn chair outside and stuck a water bottle in the cup holder and sat down and said "I'm just going to sit here and relax a little bit while you clean out the car."  And that is exactly what she did.  It doesn't matter what I do, I always have an audience. 

My sorority is having their annual Beta Sigma Phi-ve K and Half Marathon on March 20th.  If any of you blog readers are interested in running, send me an email and let me know.  We are also accepting walkers for the 5K.  It should be a lot of fun and hopefully a beautiful day!

Here's that picture I was talking about last week.  We finally found Maleah's camera.  Where was it, you ask?  Behind her bedroom door under a purse and a hat, of course.  I cleaned her room from top to bottom and found it.  It is amazing how messy that room can get.  Aren't these girls cute in their matching shirts?

I answer hundreds of questions a day.  I'm serious.  One right after another around here, all day long.  Except for the two hours and 15 minutes each weekday that Maleah is at school and then her teachers take over for a little bit.  I know you've heard of 20 questions, but around here it should be called 200 questions.  Here are a few of the funny ones for the week:  "Are leprechauns real?", "But if they're not married, how are they going to have a baby?", "Spring is here?  I hope you're not getting ready to tell me that pre-k is over and I have to go to Kindergarten?", and "Why on earth would someone want such a loud motorcycle?".

Here are a few more pictures from Maleah's camera.  The one with the lips cracks me up. 

Yes, I let her take her camera into Walmart.  I was hoping she would take a really funny picture of somebody so that we could send it to the "People of Walmart" website.  I think it's a good idea to have a camera ready while you're in Walmart.  You just never know.

We're going shopping this weekend for the girls' birthdays!  Can't wait to show you guys what they're getting!

Ahhh, Oreck Heaven

We have had such a busy week it's been hard to even find time to get on the computer!  I think I'm going to give up on getting the blog done on Sunday nights.  Wednesdays seem to be working out for me right now.  Here's what's been happening at the Cooper's since we last spoke.  ; )

Thursday we had playgroup again!  Yay!!  We started going to playgroup when Maleah was a baby.  Our playgroup consists of a group of my friends that all have children around the same ages.  We meet in our homes and the kids all play while the moms sit around and talk.  We all have school-age kids now instead of babies and it has gotten harder and harder to get together.  So now instead of meeting every Thursday morning, we meet once a month or every other month.  It was so much fun to get to see everyone and get all caught up with what we had all been doing.  Maleah loves getting to see her friends and going to playgroup and Carissa loves everything, so all in all, we had a great time! 

And on Friday I headed to Tuscola with the girls and my mom in tow!  Maleah now has clothes that fit!  Yay for that!  Carissa got some new clothes too.  I took the cutest picture of the two of them in matching shirts.  It is on Maleah's camera though and right now she can't find it.  So as soon as she finds it, I will stick it on here for all you to see.  How blessed am I to have two girls who love to shop??   Blessed and broke is how I'll probably end up. 

And on Saturday I went wedding dress shopping.  How fun is that??  My cousin Andrea is getting married in June and I got to go along with her and her mom (my Aunt Patty) and her sister Abby to pick out her wedding dress.  Oh my gosh!  We had the best time!  I love to see all of the pretty dresses and she looked fabulous trying them on.  The one she ended up buying is absolutely beautiful.  I can't wait for her wedding.  The girls stayed home with Daddy that day and I think they had a pretty fun day too.  It involved Dairy Queen so it was good.

Maleah's funny quote this week was "Put her to bed, Mom.  She's a mean baby."  Carissa was getting tired and only wanted to touch Maleah but Maleah did not want her to at all.  Sisterly love.

I went back to the doctor today and proud to say that I am completely healed up and am feeling great.  Whew!  I am so glad that is behind me.

I am back in Oreck Heaven too.  Goodbye, Dyson!  I hated your guts and I'm glad you are out of my life.  The reason Dyson commercials say "they never lose suction" is because they never had suction to start with!!  People who love Dysons have never had an Oreck is all I can say.  A couple of years ago, my old Oreck died on me and instead of buying a new one I decided to give Dyson a whirl since I had heard a lot of good things about them.  That was a mistake that I have now remedied.  I bought a new Oreck that I love, love, love!!!  It leaves the Dyson in the dust!  (lol.  pun intended.)

I hope you all have a great week!