Maccarthy Party!

Last night, for the first time ever, I had the entire Maccarthy family under my roof. Maccarthy is my maiden name for those that don't know. Also, for those that don't know, we are a fun bunch. I kid you not. This side of my family is so easy to be around and always fun.
This was also the first time in many years the Maccarthy's were in full force in one place. A lot of them live in California or Arizona, and up until recently we've had some out on missions. I really wish we could do this more, especially now that there's been many new spouses added to the family that I haven't had the chance to really get to know.

Of course, as in most cases, this didn't happen under the best circumstances. We had all gathered for a memorial service today for my aunt Carolen that recently passed after a long battle with cancer. Her passing was a surprise, not because we didn't know she was incredibly ill, but because she never ever complained, so we never knew she was so close to being done. Needless to say, she will be missed, but I am so happy to be a part of the family that I am that can take any circumstance and bring the happy. And of course we are so happy for her to be reunited with her son along with so many others we've lost.

Emmett the Monkey

This little monkey is always keeping me on my toes. I thought my other two were climbers, but he has put them to shame! It seems as though every time I turn around, he's climbed up something else, including all the way to the top of the ladder on his older brother's bunk bed. Heaven help me!

Buddy Birthdays

This morning we got a last minute text inviting Jake to join our neighbors, Ayden and Lilly, at Boondocks to celebrate their birthday. Jake was a bit nervous and asked me to go with him, and I am so glad I did. Not only do I just love the two birthday kiddos, but it was so fun to watch Jake trying some new things. We had a great time and I am very much looking forward to taking him again soon.

Can't believe he is big enough to drive his own go cart!

Cooper's First Day of Preschool

Yup, they're growing. This kiddo has been talking for weeks about how he's going to go to preschool, and Miss Celeste is his best friend and/or girlfriend, and he's going to playdoh, and so on. He started to get impatient for his turn when Jake started school a full two weeks before him and would get his backpack ready to go every morning, only to be let down.
Come this morning he was ready and waiting. He ate, brushed his teeth, put on his new shark shirt, grabbed his Ninja Turtle backpack and was ready. to. go.

I walked him in, kissed him, and sent him to find his chair. It was pretty easy considering that child only went to nursery at church maybe 3 times ever. And he only stays in Primary because I'm in the back on the room with Jake's class.

Emmett and I ran some errands until it was time to go back and get Coop. It was a bit lovely and strange all at once traveling around with just the one child. I could get used to it.
He was all smiles wearing a cute crown he had made when I picked him up.

He told me all about what he did, but I didn't understand much from his excited tone. Here's hoping it continues to go as smooth.

Stuck! Stuck! STUCK!

It's a double post day because, well, kids.
Somehow, by some miracle, my boys had yet to get their giant noggins stuck anywhere. Not for lack of trying, but they've been lucky. Until today.
Jake was laughing about sticking his head through the back of the chair while I was getting dinner plated. Then he wasn't laughing when he realized he couldn't pull it back through.
I tried pushing a couple different ways, but that melon was not moving.
Enter the SawsAll to save his dome but not my chair.

This is where the panic set it. Yes I took pictures before we freed him.

I'm really hoping neither he nor his brothers try this one again, especially on something that they won't be so easily freed from.

Hypoglycemia for the... win?

About a year or so ago we learned that Coop is hypoglycemic after a few mornings of him waking up pasty, shaky, and throwing up, I soon realized this was only happening when he hadn't eaten a good dinner. My suspicion was confirmed at his next Dr. appointment. Really it's no big, except I can't play the' eat your dinner or go to bed hungry' card for him like I do with his brother. Meh.
This morning Coop woke us up super early, and apparently was telling Jason he was hungry. Jason got him to crawl into our bed and go back to sleep. About an hour later he started to stir again, then BLAEH! bile barfed right on Jason's arm and pillow. He was quickly "rewarded" by mom with a big ol' spoonful of peanut butter with chocolate chips on it. (This has proven to be the only thing he'll eat when he wakes up sick, and it's a great way to get his sugar to go up and stay up, so lucky him.)
Jake gets jealous because he's stuck with real breakfast.

Check Ups

Check ups are like a holiday around here. My boys get so excited! Sounds weird right? But our pediatrician is just that great. They literally ask for her when they are sick or get hurt. I love her for this reason and many others, she's really just that good!
Today we went for Jake's 6 year and Emmett's 1 year well checks.
Emmett is growing up nicely, but not out a whole lot. He's only gained a pound and a half since his last well check 3 months ago, which dropped him from the 24th to the 20th percentile. Height wise though he's growing like a weed. He grew 2.5 inches in the three months taking him from the 16th to the 38th percentile. And in true Cox boy fashion his head is resting nicely just under the 94th percentile. So, to sum him up, he's long, skinny, and top heavy.
He did great with his check up that Jake helped Dr. Lau give him. He didn't even flinch when they poked his finger for blood to check his iron. That all changed when it was vaccine time though. Luckily he only needed two today and nurse Mary is always super quick, so he settled down fast with a quick snuggle from mom.
I think Jake had the most fun at this check up. He's all caught up on vaccines until he's 12, and he knows that so he doesn't have anything to worry about going in. He's the 53rd percentile for weight so pretty average. But  he's a shorty like his parents coming in at only the 28th percentile for height. They don't measure their head anymore, and that's kind of sad.
His favorite part of the visit was when Dr. Lau came in and took off her coat, stethoscope, and badge and dressed Jake up as the Dr. to help her give Emmett his check up. He giggled hearing his heart and especially the bubbles in his belly. It was super cute. Jake tried to get Coop to try but he was far too busy exploring the room to be bothered.