What's new with the Kopps

So I think we have established that I am not very good at keeping up to my Blog, but I promise to start writing on here once a week for posterity. So Seth and I just returned home from our wonderful trip to Seattle, WA. It was a much needed break for me to eat, tour the city, sleep late and be as completely lazy as I wanted to be. We were able to take one day and even drive out to Forks, WA and through the Olympic National Forest. It was absolutely amazing, and well worth the almost 4 hour drive. (My husband puts up with so much!!!) In reality though, it was nice to get to spend so much uninterupted time with Seth. We actually were able to have conversations that weren't spaced over the course of several hours because our children kept delaying them. It was beautimous. We were also able to see several of the "sights" including famous "Underground Tour", Pikes Place Market, The Space Needle and the Seattle Temple. Not to mention the fact that Seth did an awesome job with his presentation at the CEC (Council for Exceptional Children) and how proud I was to watch him recieve his award for Teacher of the Year. It was a great week, and we have many wonderful memories because of it. Sunday morning at 0'dark thirty we left our hotel at the Sheraton to drop off our rental car at the Airport and start our journey home. The plane ride was for 4 1/2 hours non-stop to JFK in New York. It wasn't too bad...we watched a movie on our laps, and even played some trivia gaming on the little TV's located on everyone's head rest....Airplanes have suddenly gotten a little more fun....However the connecting flight from New York, to Baltimore was not that wonderful. We basically boarded what I refer to as a "puddle jumper" which is basically a schoolbus with wings. I am serious people....little planes are NOT fun. First of all...there is NO room on these things...not to stand..sit...stow your stuff...anything. Second...I don't even know what the stewardess was needed for, because she sat right in front of us the whole time....Maybe it was because the flight was so short.....35minutes to be exact. But I can tell you, I will not be taking any little planes again anytime soon. I thought I was going to have a panic attack from the lack of space/air/room to breathe. But we made it to Baltimore thankfully, and were greeted by our wonderful children. I almost cried when Jaxon ran up to me and hugged me!!! I had missed that little bugger so MUCH!!!! And Evie!! It looked as if she had grown a foot since we saw her! As soon as she saw her Momma, she had this look of pure joy on her face. I must admit, it was heartwarming. From that point on she would not let go of me for 10 minutes....I had to squeeze in sideways between their carseats so that they could hold onto my arms and hands...The joys of motherhood!!! It was a really wonderful moment to see how much they missed us. Once we got home, it was funny to hear Jaxon talk about his week with Grammie and Pap. He immediately asked us where his presents were....and then showed us the stuff that Grammie had bought him while we were away. Yesterday he asked us the funniest thing.....
Jaxon-"Mommy when are we going to Target?"
I said to him, "Jaxon, we are not going to Target today."
Jaxon-"But MOM...We need to GO there"
Me- "Why do you need to go to Target?"
Jaxon- "Cause, Mom! That's where you GET stuff...at Tar-GET."

And while we are on the subject...here are another few conversations that we have had lately...

Seth was shaving for church one morning and Jaxon was watching him in the bathroom. Jaxon thought that the whole process was quite intreaging. Seth apparently uses clippers to cut his beard down, so he can then shave off the stubble with a razor. Jaxon, sitting nearby notices that Seth's beard hair was falling down into the sink.
Jaxon-"Daddy what are you doing?"
Seth-"I'm shavin my beard"
Jaxon-"But DADDY!!!!! Your FACEFEATHERS are falling OFF!!!!!!"


Another night, Seth and Jaxon were sitting around a campfire at our neighbors house. As they threw on the logs to keep the fire going, the sparks would fly up into the air. Jaxon saw these and commented:
"Daddy!!! Did you see those FIRE SPRINKLES???????"

I will keep you all posted on any exciting new conversations that are to be had with Jaxon...

Scaredy Cats, Sleepless Nights and Bed Tents

Do you remember this show?? I used to watch it when I was probably about 12 or 13. It was one of those 80's Nickalodeon shows that came on. It was about a group of kids that would get together and tell scary stories around the campfire. I recently was able to watch a re-run of one such episode on some re-run channel. I must say, it was rather cheesy/wierd/ yet funny. I have no idea why I watched it other than morbid curiousity and bordom. So recently we have had our own scary version of the show. It all revolves around Jaxon, and getting the child to sleep in his own bed. The miraculous and wonderful powers of a TENT. I really don't know what VooDoo magic it has, but thank you Jesus for allowing us to stumble upon its redeeming qualities. You see, for the past oh...3 months or so. Our wonderful, sweet little boy has been sleeping on the floor in our bedroom. Yes, thats right, 3 long and horrible months. I have no idea how it started, maybe the child was sick. Maybe he had a nightmare, I don't even remember. But I warn you people, NEVER, I repeat--- NEVER let your child sleep with you in your room, because it will always work against you in the end. Needless to say, it caused quite the situation in our home for more than one reason that I will just let you figure out yourself..... So, we had been trying without much success to wrangle that little man into his own bed. And of course we would be greeted with much protest and tears, hyperventilating on both ends, and quite a few sleepless nights for all partys involved. The conversations would go something like this.....

Me: "Jaxon, it's time for bed, we have to do prayers now."
Jaxon: "Noooooooo Mom!!! I can't go to bed!!!! I just went to sleep!!!!!!!!"
Me: "You didn't even take a nap today!"
Jaxon: (starting to get teary eyed)"But Mom! I can't sleep down here, I'll be scared! I want to sleep upstairs with you!"
Me: "No! Your not sleeping with Mommy and Daddy anymore, your a big boy now, and big boys sleep in their own beds."
Jaxon: (Spilling more crocodile tears) "But MOOoooooom!!! I'm not Big, I'm just small!! and I will be scared by myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Me: (the heartless, cruel mother) JAXON!!! GET IN BED!!! YOUR SLEEPING IN THERE TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Ensue alot of tears and emotion as the child runs off to his bed, and close curtain)
Even when we managed to make him stay in his own bed, and fall asleep, the wily bugger would creep up into our room in the wee hours of the night and fall asleep either on our floor, or we would wake up with him asleep in our bed. We have tried being nice and telling him that Heavenly Father and Jesus will protect him...We have tried bribing the kid...We have tried punishing him with all sorts of things, but nothing worked. Finally, one evening my friend Melissa came to spend the night and brought her two kids with her. Seth was camping with some friends, so we decided to have some "girl time" in the form of a slumber party. We set up her two kids and Jaxon in his room, and Meliss had the great idea of making a tent on the floor for the boys to sleep under. This would be the turning point in my life, because the very next night Jaxon asked to sleep in the tent again on the floor in his own room!!! I heard the angels sing at that moment!!!!!!!! I had visions of sleeping in my own bed, without a 3 year old crowding me off of the side! It was a miracle! Needless to say, Jaxon now enjoys sleeping in his room. Since then, Seth has purchased a wonderful new thing called a "bed tent". I remember these things from when I was a kid, and always wanted one, but never got one. Basically, it a tent that clips onto the mattress, and now the kid will sleep in his own bed!!!!! So along with that and what we call a "magic quilt" that also has special magic to keep him safe, I believe that we have succeeded. Thank you Jesus!!!!! And thank you Melissa for opening my eyes to what a restful nights sleep can be.

Halloween Fun!

Howdy folks, just another update on the homefront. I can hardly believe that 2008 is almost over with. Halloween has just passed us, and we had a major blast. Luckily, we were able to dress up for 4, that's right you read it, FOUR different activities. (I have heard that one is more than enough for the normal person, but who are we kidding-- I am FAR from normal.) So we did two church trunk or treats (one for the ward and one for the branch), REAL trick or treating on Halloween, AND our annual party the day AFTER halloween. WHEW!! It was a whirlwind, but we managed it and I had a blast doing it.

Autumn is my favorite time of year..

Did I mention to you all that I LOVE the FALL?? Its the colors of the leaves, the slight chill in the air that calls for bonfires in the evenings, and the way that the earth gives up her bounty to harvest. But, most of all...I love to rake the leaves into piles and jump in them!!! Here are a few pics of the kids enjoying that very same pastime!

I can recall as a child, the monotonous chore of having ENDLESS leaves in our yard. We lived on the edge of the woods back then too, but for some reason, I think trees had more leaves then or something! My brother and I would be forced to work in the yard many a glorious fall day, none other than raking leaves. So...naturally, we would turn it into a game. I can recall one day in particular that we had been raking forever, and we were trying to devise a way that would make our work lighter. Our chore consisted of raking the leaves into piles, and then stuffing them into a large rubbermaid trashcan until it was bursting at the seams. Then we proceeded to drag the heavy thing all the way back to our back yard far enough into the woods "that my mom couldn't see it". It was torture... I hated it, and it took waaaaaay too long. (A four-wheeler may have been useful here) So, my mind being crafty as is was devised a fabulous plan that included our family dog "Cisco" who was at the time a VERY unruly and strong german shepard. He was technically still a puppy, with a TON of energy to burn....I figured why not harness it?? (Literally) You can see where this is going I'm sure....(Hey the Amish people do it) So I smartly harnessed up ol Cisco, who was clueless by the way, to our brimming trash can. All the while I had visions of myself being just like a sled dog leader, getting ready for his mission. I was giddy with anticipation, and my inginuity. That's where the dream ends. I have no idea why I thought that as soon as I let go of the leash that he would follow me no problem, but that is far from what REALLY happened. As soon as I let go of it, Cisco moved only a foot or so, but then realized that the trash can behind him was actually ATTACHED to him. This did not bode well. All of a sudden he took off like a bullet (I swear that dog must have had some greyhound in him or something) and headed for the back yard, but no sooner had I started to chase him, he had already lapped my brother and I and come around the house again, trailing the huge heavy trash can behind him. Suddenly, the trash can hit some of the large rocks that we had in our flower garden and it pole vaulted it into the air. I felt like I was watching the whole thing in slo mo.....the lid came off and a shower of leaves went everywhere. But that is not where the dog stopped, no, he kept going. This time running towards are large above ground pool and starting sprinting laps around that thing. The whole time, laying a trail of leaves that were spilling out of the now open trash can. Eventually the dog ran out of steam, and we managed to catch him. His eyes were wide, and I was sure he was going to have a heart attack. But for some reason, my brother and I could not contain ourselves after the initial shock wore off, and I think I might have peed my pants that day laughing so hard. (I know you are thinking poor dog, but he managed to survive our antics LOooong after that ordeal and reasonably unscathed might I add. I dont even think he had an aversion to trash cans after that...lol) Unfortunately my Mom did eventually find out....I can't remember if I told her thinking she would laugh about it, or if my brother leaked the info...but I ended up being grounded for my stunt. And I was forced to rake the leaves up that the dog had drug out all over the yard.......The moral of the tale? Don't get caught next time.

The Halloween that Almost Isn't....

As most of you already know, I am just a little into Halloween and all of it's festivities. Sadly though, this year it doesn't quite feel like Halloween yet. Because of all of my new schooling responsibilities, I am rarely given free time. This has hindered my decorating abilities. I am sure that you can realize what a travesty this is in my life. Right now the extent of my holiday decor consists of 1 pack of Martha Stewart paper spider cut outs, and a couple of pumpkins on our porch.......Thats it folks. I think even the "normal" people have more decorations out than I do. And thus, my dillemma. Yes. It has been a very sad month in the life of Amber Kopp. What't worse, is that I have less than 2 weeks to figure out and make a themed costume getup for my entire family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHH!!!!! Now THATS scary. People are telling me, "Amber, it's TOTALLY understandable, your so busy...Just put any old costume on your kids, they won't remember it!!!" I say SHUT YO MOUTH! How could I???? That would be an ink spot on the face of my creativity!!!! So I am going to have to find a way out of this mess myself. I will let you all know what I end up thinking of. In other news...we did manage to paint some pumpkins at the Mannings house for FHE last week. It was a fun activity, and since we are all so busy, we have dropped our group FHE's to one Monday a month. (SAD!!!) But, it really makes it mean alot more when you don't see each other that much. So, even though Jaxon was feeling a little under the weather, we went and spent time with our friends.

HOLY PANCAKES!

Whoa Nelly! Has it really been over four months since I blogged??? I should be ashamed of myself for letting all of my faithful viewers down! Because Seth loves me so much, he recently introduced me to the greatest invention since the automobile..............................Are you ready for this Folks?..............................Pancake Batter in a CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This delightful idea lets my Anti-Rachel Ray, I hate cooking and everything associated with cooking self actually prepare a decent breakfast, FAST, and it actually tastes GOOD! Finally I have another option in the morning that doesn't conflict with my food mantra, "If it takes more than 2 steps, I don't want to do it" You just shake and squirt this fabulous goo onto a hot griddle, and wa-la, in less than 5 minutes you will have light, fluffy mouthwatering pancakes that will taste great and digest easily. And did I mention that it was FAST???? Oh, and that it's ORGANIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, me oh my...I think I may just faint from the excitement! IT"S LIKE MANNA FROM HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I never thought that I would be so happy over pancakes, but you should try them,and you will see! Located in your local grocer's cooler!!!!!

Also, in other news, I am now a full-time student at Wesley College. I am finishing up what I started over 10 (YIKES) years ago as a young, fresh high school graduate. As most of you know, I did manage to acquire my Associate of Arts from the University of Delaware some 4ish years ago. Then my wonderful husband decided that it was indeed his turn to finish, and he got his B.A. in History at Wesley and his M.A. at Wilmington College.....Switch back to me. Now 2 kids later, and I am ready to finish! I decided on Wesley's fabuloso History program, and (Lucky Me) their new Museum Studies courses that they are offering. Those of you who know me well, know that I am no stranger in dressing up in old clothes and paying homage to the ol' ancestors. (Put me in a museum, and you have instant cool job!!!) Well, hopefully anyways! So lately I have been uber busy, writing papers on the Crusades/ Controversial Exhibits/ Corporal Punishment in Delaware/ Indian Pow-Wow's....WHEW! So yes, I am pretty consumed right now. Oh, and not to mention that I keep a 3 year old and a 1 year old by my side all day long to help distract me, (Oh, I mean to enlighten my maternal views of post modern female society....or something like that) But, none of this would be possible if it weren't for my wonderful eternal mate.....My other set of hands....my paper critiquer, Seth. He has really responded to the call of duty, and filled my absence in all of its faculties. (Home, work and kids) I love him so much! I'm such a lucky gal!

Olde Dover Days, Mother's Day and the kids

Its sad to say but I realize that I have not blogged in quite a long time....sorry for all 2 of you who read this. Thus being said, I will combine what should have been about 3 blogs that I never got to do.

So around here in the big D state, we celebrate something called Olde Dover Days that I look forward to with great anticipation. Why you ask? Because at this time it becomes socially acceptable to dress in period costume, and people won't think that you're on a day trip from the assylum. I had been looking forward to this year in particular because it marked the 75th year of Olde Dover Days celebrations. In conjunction with this historic event, they also finally finished the remodel of our Old State House on the Green. So to celebrate these two events, Dover decided to throw an Olde Dover Days Grand Ball. Attendees were encouraged to come in period costume during any of the periods that the State House was in existance. Since it was built in the 1700's that meant that one could wear either Colonial, Civil War, or even 1920's flapper attire. Now to me, that was heaven on earth. You all know how I jump at the opportunity to get all dressed up for ANYTHING. So I marched right over to our local Actor's Attic and perused their large costume selection. They had everything from Civil War Ball gowns and soldiers uniforms to all sorts of Colonial fare. Now, when this whole idea started, I had convinced Seth that this thing would be soooo much fun, and it was a once in a lifetime event. After much convincing , and promising that he could be a Union General if he wanted to, he reluctantly agreed to my request. Now those of you that know Seth, also know that his idea of a Halloween costume is an orange t-shirt. He absolutely DETESTS dressing up, but because he loves me he did it. So I dragged him over to the costume shop where we actually had a bit of a laugh trying on the costumes and he faired remarkably well. I was really impressed with how open minded he was, which is why I was so wonderfully suprised for what happened next. While I was looking through all of the costumes....I saw it....the dress of my dreams. I HAD to have it. It was my size.....(lets not make light of it because thats a feat in itself)....It was Blue and Gold...Delaware's colors......It fit me like a dream AND..and this is a big one....It had NEVER been rented before because it was brand new.......All of these wonderful things rolled into one for me spelled "I'll take it!".....Oh but for the catch. It was not manly, soldier Civil War time period but COLONIAL. Now you are sitting there saying why does this matter? and what's the big deal? Well for me there was no big deal, except that the mother of all favors was about to be asked to Mr. Seth Kopp.........Honey, would you mind switching time periods?? I like Colonial better...Um, that means you are goingtohavetoweartights...OH LOOK AT THIS COOL HAT. HONEY THIS IS SO MUCH BETTER.............Seth says, "did you just say the word "tights" to me with a serious face?" Amber says, "Oh HOooooney....PLEASE!!!!!!! I loooooooove this dress and we HAAAVE TO MATCH!!!!" Can you see the look on Seth's face now??????? Let me paint that picture for you now. It's a cross of pain, "what's that smell" and "are you stupid?" all nicely rolled into one expression. Well, all I can say is he was feeling mighty generous that day, (or else I am getting REALLY good at changing peoples minds) because I managed to talk him into it! And he did it graciously and without a whole lot of complaint! So aside from that minor almost catastrophic episode, we agreed on a costume for him as well.

The day of the event was wonderful, There was a parade down state street, children maypole dancing on the green. A TON of wonderful food and craft vendors, and many, many reinactments. Everything from knights jousting, to Civil War guys shooting off their rifles. They even have a fife and drum orchestra that performs in period accurate clothing. I decided to get the "most" out of my lovely dress and wear it during the day as well. And while I'm at it, get the kids used to it early....

So we had a great day...I took a ton of Pictures...(big surprise there) and we had alot of fun. Later in the evening the actual Ball took place. And even Seth said that he enjoyed himself. We ate period accurate food...(Mmmm Bread pudding), learned how to dance the old fashioned way. And even got a candlelit walking tour of the historic "green" . Which is basically the old town square. It was alot of fun, and I am soooo glad that Seth indulged me enough to do it!!!!!!!!!

PS....To be continued..................