Thanksgiving!

Now that I look back at the pictures, there's not a whole lot showing how much food we had (we had a ton considering it was, I think, our smallest Thanksgiving ever), but here are some pre-dinner and post-dinner highlights.

Thanksgiving/Strongman dance.

David, Devlin and Cooper.

Nancy (Grammy/Jammy). (I'm sure she'll be embarrassed by this picture.)

Post-dinner/Pre-bedtime reading with cousin Devlin.

Post-dinner/Pre-bedtime reading with uncle David.

More of the same. Just amazingly cute and wonderful to see Devlin and Cooper together.

Uncle Cole!!!

While Pop Pop was on his way through (yet again), Uncle Cole stopped by to visit and we all played a great game of throw. (No catching for Cooper yet.)




I know this one looks like Cooper was trying to catch and things went horribly wrong. In reality, he was throwing the ball to Cole. Promise.

Uncle Cole was nice enough to read to Cooper before bedtime.


This is really unfair of me, but I don't think Uncle Cole's rendition of "Red or Blue, I Like You" was bad enough to warrant the reaction on Tobi's face.

Cleaning and Calm

Here are a few action shots of Cooper cleaning. He really does like to clean (or at least pretend to clean.) We think it's because he watches me clean a lot.
If you think I'm lying about him liking cleaning, you should have heard him throw a bit tantrum when I had to take this broom away because he was accidentally hitting things with it. Wow.


Here is a not-quite-action shot of Cooper sitting in a little rocking chair that was originally (if I have my story straight) her dad's. Or maybe it was her mom's. Or maybe this post will mysteriously change soon. (And maybe I'll start paying attention to what my wife tells me soon.) And yes, the only way he'll sit in a chair like this (instead of his preferred 'turn it over' or 'carry it around') is if he's watching TV. When his mouth hangs open and/or his eyes water because he forgets to blink, he winds up looking an awful lot like his Mommy. (And Uncle Walker).

Basketman and Partial Superwhy

I know it seems like I must be doing this to Cooper, but he really does like getting into stuff like this on his own. Also, I know that it seems from the look on his face that I'm laying into him for doing this, but I'm really not. I think he gets a little camera weary after the first few pictures. (It's like he knows we'll be dragging these out for first date, prom, graduation, wedding....)

Basket man soon gives way to partial-Superwhy man. Around Halloween (and prior) Cooper most definitely a 'get whatever that is off my head right now' kind of kid. So, the Superwhy halloween costume mask didn't make an appearance simply because he would remove it .3 seconds after we put it on.
Since then, he's gradually easing into keeping things on his head. (Including hats, thankfully, since it's gotten really cold lately.)

Superheroes have to stay limber.

The First HAIRCUT!!!!

If only there was a way I could do air-quotes on this post whenever the word 'haircut' was mentioned.

Now, I know that the first 'haircut' is a BIG DEAL for many mommies out there. (And, I also know that what I'm saying/doing by bringing this 'haircut' is INSENSITIVE.) I just think, to me and many other dads out there, a 'haircut' is a functional event (i.e. hair should actually be cut), not an emotional one. So, instead of delicately trimming a few millimeters of hair, maybe we should trim off an inch (or two) from the 5-7" mane he has growing all over his noggin. Just sayin'.


This was, literally, the final result of the first 'haircut'.


Just so you all don't think I'm fudging the facts, here's some video of the delicate styling. Can you hear the nervousness in Tobi's voice?? (Also almost evident, the irritation in my voice because I think not enough hair is being removed from Cooper's head.)