End of First Grade!

This year I was the First Grade Room Mother. When I volunteered I had NO IDEA what I was getting into. I knew that it would be a good opportunity to meet other parents and to stay in contact with Charlie's teacher since we were not too sure what kind of a year he was going to have just coming off of chemo.I organized a few parties and helped with the receptions for the 2nd graders. All in all, I think I will sign up to be a room mother again when Daniel, Ana and Maybe when Michael makes it to Mrs. Gerken's class in 2020! Here are a few shots from our end of year, "Minute to Win It" celebration. A big thanks to Sherri Doyle and Nana for all they did this year with my hair-brained party ideas!

End of 1st Grade Party

Hooper Kids go to a Wedding!

One of the aforementioned religious ceremonies that we attended last weekend in Tyler was the marriage of Angela's cousin, Jeremy.  This was an event that we decided to take all the kids to since we were going to see lots of family that we don't get to see that often.  We arrived at the chapel about 30 minutes early and settled into our seats.  The kids were doing really well, Daniel and Ana were sitting with Mom, Dad and Nana while Charlie wanted to sit with the big kids (Tyler, Tyler, Cole and Brittany).

Nana decided to treat Daniel and Ana to a Tic-Tac, which Daniel loved, but Ana spit out after taking a bite.  However, Ana still wanted to hold a Tic-Tac, so she got another.  About 10 minutes before the ceremony was to begin, Nana frantically looks over at us and let us know that, "Ana put the Tic-Tac in her nose!"  I leaned her back and sure enough the piece of candy was not just "in her nose", it had begun to round a corner.  I placed my finger over her other nostril and told her to blow.  Now, those of you with kids know what happened next.  I got a fine gust of air . . . from her mouth.

We whisked her out of the chapel and came to the realization that we were going to miss this wedding because we would be making a trip to . . .  somewhere.  I was also realizing that I really wasn't sure what to do.  As we were briskly walking out to the car Angela pulled out of her purse, in true Mary Poppins fashion, a disposable, on-the-go toothbrush.  If you haven't seen these things they have a little curved pick on the opposite end.  We both looked at it and gave each other a "What the hell, it's worth a try" kind of look.  Ana was in a little bit of shock I think, she wasn't crying, just stunned.  As we were walking though, she did think it was necessary to tell me, "I have candy in my nose, daddy."

When we got to the car, we laid her down.  Ang held her arms, while I operated.  Luckily, by this time, the candy had started to dissolve a little bit.  I think this was starting to sting her nose as Ana started to whimper a little.  She was still not crying though, despite both her parents hovering over her with God only knows what kind of looks on their faces.  I shoved the pick side of the tooth brush in, careful to go to the side of the obstruction so as not to push it in further.  I forced my hand to insert it in much farther than I thought I really should, but I had to get completely around it and that thing was completely into the boney part of nose, making it impossible to push it out from the outside.  Try one was unsuccessful, but I didn't push it in any further.  Try two moved it out a little bit before the pick slipped off the melty, snotty mess that her nostril was becoming.  Try three made the candy pop out, much to our relief. Ang's Cousin Bill, who we forgot was an EMT until we looked up and saw him, arrived and found us all smiling over a snot covered toddler. In the future, he told us, use Afrin to enlarge the nasal passage to remove the item. Afrin and Wisp toothbrushes will ALWAYS be in our van.

We were able to make our way back to the entrance to the chapel just as the bride was being escorted in to begin the ceremony.  We found our seats after the procession made their way down the aisle and we enjoyed the occasion.  We were a little exasperated, really sweaty, but most certainly candy-free.

So happy Nuptuials Mr. & Mrs. Harris. Ana and Michael's first wedding was definitly memorable!

Saturday Snapshots

I got up with the kids this morning and was able get a few good shots of Michael and the kids.

Saturday Morning Shots

Trip to Tyler

So we took a quick trip to Tyler for some various religious activities, a wedding and a baptism.  Here are some snaps from the visit.

Trip to Tyler

Michael's Baptism 5/17/14

If you are in Tyler please join us in welcoming Michael into the Church.

Ana's Binkie Ceremony

Recently, we decided that it was time that Ana become a big girl and give up her binkies.  We knew this was going to be hard for her, so Mom looked up some good ideas for the task.  The best idea we saw was to take all the binkies to Build-A-Bear and imbed them in a stuffed animal of Ana's choosing.  That way she will always have them close, but she can't use them.

This Saturday we rounded up all the binkies and set out for Ana's big day.  The day got a rough start as we drove all over town trying to find the store location.  Eventually, we arrived at the right place and Ana quickly picked out a Hello Kitty doll.  In true Hooper woman fashion, she changed her mind and finally decided on a pink pony named Pinkie Pie.  We thought this was suitable as we renamed her, Binkie Pie.

Ana was a very brave girl throughout the process as she placed binkie after binkie into the pony.  She was a little hesitant, but she never cried.  At the end, she was very excited to have her new doll.  We knew that the hardest part was yet to come at nap time and bedtime.  Sure enough, nap time was a bit of a challenge, but dad had a good plan for bedtime.  Ana got a "spend the night party" with both Daniel and Charlie Saturday night.  The boys were very good big brothers to keep her company and support her as she fell asleep Binkie Pie in hand.  It was a very successful evening until Daniel got sick and threw up every where, but that's another story . . .

Ana's Binkie Ceremony