Cincinnati Cottle Crew: July 2011

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Looking for rainbows

My cute oldest has been giving us a run for our money lately. Totally and completely. In fact, some nights I lay awake thinking about where we went wrong or what we have done to make him throw fits like he does. It's crazy to me that he can be so sweet and loving and be such a little terror in the same hour of the day. And I just want to think of him as this 100% perfect, innocent, happy, smart, content, polite, loving little boy. Which he is a lot, but lately, I'm just not sure I can handle all of it. I feel so terrible that he asks me what day it is everyday. He asks because he doesn't like Sunday's and he's afraid that's what day I'm going to say it is. Maybe having the rules for Sunday we do has bitten us in the bum-and he is going to fight us every Sunday as a teenager too. What kid do you know doesn't like primary? Ugh. I hope we leave this phase soon.

Needless to say, a good friend of mine can relate with a strong willed child. And she knows just when to call me. She called the other day and asked if I wanted to take a parenting class (Love and Logic) with her. I hung up the phone and just had to smile. I also had to say a quick "thank you" prayer. Things like that have been happening all around me lately. I know God is in the details of my life. He does love me and on really hard days--I realize that I have the best husband, family and friends a girl could ask for.

I have a friend who is going through her 2nd round of cancer. She likes to look for rainbows in her life and in her daily battles. We saw a great big huge rainbow the other day and I was hoping she was outside looking. Funny how rainbows and bright sunny days make everything feel better.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

"Let's Wrestle"

Each night lately, Big brother C says to Mark, "Dad, instead of reading, can we just wrestle?"

The boys love when Mark gets home and cry when he leaves! I really love the attention that the boys get from their daddy. I am so ever thankful that the boys get this time. They will only be little for so long! Then when they are done-Mark gets them on his back and takes them to bed.

Little C-18 month pics and stats

Oh this little boy brings a lot of joy in my life. He just has the funniest personality (that sometimes really scares me!) He doesn't talk a lot, but we really know just what he is saying. He is such a daredevil too! Last weekend at my sisters house swimming, he went on the water slide 3 times by himself! Caden would never do something like that. Needless to say, I'm enrolling him in swimming lessons tomorrow :)

He still has the best laugh ever, and he still eats like a champ and is the most loveable little guy in the world. He also loves big brother C and I have so much fun watching them play together. AND this guy feels the beat! He totally got his groove on at the Centerville parade last weekend. He stole the show for my family. When the marching bands came by-he put his arms in the air and did a little boogie! It was too cute.
Here are his stats:
Head: 18.4 in (20%)
Weight: 24.12 (25%)
Height: 31.5 (25%)

*Thanks Holly for the pictures!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Mrs. Megan's Preschool

Mark and I met this cute couple in Logan shortly after we got married. We had such a great group of newly married friends then. Mike and Megan were in that group of friends and we just love them. Big C was lucky to have her as his first preschool teacher this last year and he just loved it. He talked about his new friends and things they were working on throughout the year. I loved watching him grow and learn. He started the year not reading or writing anything really-and ended writing his name, mom, dad, conner and can now read! What a little smartie. I am so thankful for Megan and am lucky to have her as a great friend.

These pictures are from the graduation. They did a cute little program. He didn't sing much, but he did a lot of the actions. Funny kid!

Cutest Brothers in the world

I {heart} this picture. Besides their daddy, these boys are my favorite in the entire world.

Little pups

Cado loved the batch of pups Candy had this year. If I couldn't hear him inside, I could look outside and see him get them out and run around with all of them. It was so cute! I loved these pictures of him with one of the pups.

Soccer Time!

When I was young and played soccer-I always dreamed of someday becoming a "soccer mom" This doesn't really qualify as real soccer, but it came close. My cute friend Cassie and I got our little boys together on the same team.

Big C's friend CM are best friends and worst enemies and everything in between, but playing soccer together was something I think they both had a lot of fun at.

They were Team Dynamo. Their coach was this really nice guy. They played 8 games in the Rec Center (which I was WAY glad for because it has practically rained the entire month of March and April) The kids didn't really get it, they just ran and kicked the ball as hard as they could when it was by their feet. Caden got lots of exercise and his favorite part of the game was at the end-The Treat! (As you can see by his face in some of these pictures)

Cute Merrills

Big C and his Coach

Best $25 spent! I love these great programs the city offers for the little ones. Caden really looked forward to those games. He did great too!