Yellow Belt!

He did it! Cooper earned his yellow belt at Taekwondo yesterday! It wasn't easy but he did it (with great help from his dad who practices with him every day!). He goes to Taekwondo twice a week and loves it. It has been a really good way to teach him self control, discpline and respect. Stop laughing....he does have a little bit of self control. This was a big accomplishment for him and his dad. They have worked very hard! I am proud of both of them!! We have no idea what the next color belt is but when Cooper earns it..I will post it! Kee-yah!

Boys Night Out!

Every January Monster Jam (Monster Trucks) comes to Arco Areana and every year Grandpa Pollmann and the Nelson boys (including Eric) go. They love it!!!! Here are pictures of the night. Gravedigger was the big winner - which of course is our favorite! Apparently Cooper got a little bored and found a way to stay occupied with his new hat. I love that they have this tradition. I hope it is something my kids will always remember about their dad and grandpa. I can clearly remember my dad taking me and my friend Deanna to WWF wrestling when it came to Acro Arena. We loved it. In fact, my dad and I actually went to wrestling a few years ago. Just him and I. It was a blast. I am going to have to find some old pictures and post them of us at wrestling. Yes...for those of you who have known me for a long time...HULKAMANIA STILL RULES!!!!

Connor's last pinewood derby was Friday night. It was a lot of fun, like always. In the past Connor hasn't had much luck with his cars but this year, he made it to the finals. He didn't win but that's ok, he did better than years past and had lots of fun. These pictures are of some of his best friends (Bryce Nelson, Josh Smith and Keelan DeVoogd). I can't wait until these boys are in high school and I can use these pictures against them! Aren't they all so handsome...watch out world..here they come. Oh and my very bestest friend Stefani (our primary president) was there also with her 2 little girls just to cheer on all the racers!

Squirrel Trap

Grandpa Nelson has a squirrel trap in his backyard. Every once in awhile a squirrel gets in the trap and Grandpa has Eric come and get rid of it. Friday at preschool, Cooper made his own squirrel trap. He brought it home and told me all about it and said he was going to take it to Grandpa Nelson's house to help him catch the squirrels. Today, Eric loaded up the kids and headed to Grandpa's. Cooper had his trap ready to deliver. On the way there, Cooper asked Eric what he did with the squirrels that he catches. Eric explained that he takes them far away to a field with big trees that the squirrels can play on and have fun. Cooper said "oh. like Disneyland? Because Mickey Mouse likes animals!" Eric said with a sigh "yes, Cooper, like Disneyland" This is a picture of Coopers trap. The 2x4 was added later once Cooper found a good place to put the trap. (it's kind of hard to see)

No Pets Allowed

Long story short: Our family adopted a cat that had been hanging around our house. She was really skinny and looked like she hadn't eaten in weeks. We started feeding her tuna, hot dogs and whatever other meat we had. She started hanging around more and so we adopted her and named her "Annie" (short for Anorexic). She was always trying to get into the house but we never let her. The boys loved to pet her and watch her eat. We are got a little attached to her (well all of kids did) and even bought her real cat food. For those of you who know me, this was a huge step! I don't do pets!! (AT ALL!) Well yesterday was a sad day for our family and Annie. I saw Annie a few houses down laying in the road. She had been hit and was dead. It was raining the night before so she was totally wet. At first, I wasn't sure it was here but later when I actually looked I knew it was Annie. Then, it happened. Connor came home from school and told me that he had "really bad news to tell me". Before he could tell me he started crying really hard. Then he said "Annie is dead." It was so sad to see him so upset about it. We talked about it and in the end I told him that we weren't going to tell Cooper. Then the doorbell rings! A little neighbor girl is at the door and she busts out "ummm, your cat is dead down the street." Cooper comes running to the door and says "What? Our cat is dead? Where, I want to see!" I gave her the eye of don't say another word and then Connor and I tried to twist is so that Cooper didn't know Annie was dead. I said, "oh no, it isn't our cat" and then the girl realizes that I don't want Cooper to know and she says "I mean he is asleep in the road and she is wet and smashed!!!!" OK AS IF THAT HELPED OR MADE IT ANY BETTER!!! Cooper said "smashed? what? where?" I told her goodbye, closed the door and Connor's big brother instints kicked in. He told Cooper that she was confused and that Annie was ok. It was a sweet moment between them while I stood at the door trying not to bust out laughing! This is only one reason why we don't have pets....anyone need half a bag of cat food?

Homework

I am not smarter than a 5th grader!! This is Connor doing homework tonight...could it be any harder? You can see the calculator in the corner of the picture that I HAD to use to check his answers. So sad.....

Wrestlemania

What can be said besides...welcome to raising boys! Last weekend Cooper took his shirt off and told Brock to take his off so they could "rumble". Although Brock was crowned the Heavy Weight Champion of the World, he did have to work hard to beat Super Cooper. He might be little but man...he is strong!

Blogging....???

Well of the people that answered my poll, it looks like the verdict is to do a blog. I have to admit, I have already changed my background and played with this way too much! I can't let this blog take over all my free time but it is pretty fun!!!! Tessa, if you are reading this you sooo need to do a blog! So, keep checking in on us to follow the busy, crazy, wonderful life of the Nelson's!

Jumping on the Band Wagon

Well, I have given in! I am getting on the band wagon of blogging. I love to read my friends blogs and laugh at their everyday life. I figured with my crazy kids, someone might get a laugh or two from our blog as well.