June/July

We are having an amazing summer! I love that we didn't over plan things with classes etc. We usually are going every weekend but the kids love socializing with other kids. I rememember how much I enjoyed playing with other kids when I was young. We have been hanging out with friends and family, and of course our neighborhood friends. We have been swimming galore. Anthony and Avabelle are turning into part fish. Anthony had a Lou-ow on Anthony Island(dad's idea I really loved it).

Anthony - He is an amazing wonderful awsome guy. He get's to earn video game time if he reads books. He has turned into a VERY fluent reader. I am amazed everytime he reads me a book. He has so much motivation to read. He wrote all his thank you cards for his birthday(20 of them) for a little guy that's a lot. I can't believe he is 6 now and going to full day kindergarten. He always sits on my lap and hugs me and tells me he loves me.

Avabelle - Her comprehension of stories amazes me she remembers details of books and people. She loves to write mom on everything. She loves to make Anthony and Louie laugh and always tries to accomodate Louie. Her heart is so big.

Louie - He is starting to talk more. He was looking up at Tony on the bed while Tony was reading and he kept telling him, "I love you dada." He is so charming and says hello to everyone.

Tony and I - Love our date nights together they are sparadic but they are wonderful. I respect and admire him so much, he still amazes me with things he can do. We just painted the kitchen yellow(I always wanted a yellow kitchen!)

Anthony

Wow, Anthony has been having so much to say lately...

Anthony: "Dear God, thank you for letting me color in the lines."


Mom: Anthony are you going to have kids when you get older?
Anthony: Of course, so I could be the boss of the video games.
Mom: How many kids are you going to have?
Anthony: 6
Mom: Wow, that's a lot of kids you better make a lot of money to take care of all those kids.
Anthony: Ok, I'll have one
Mom: Well then they'll be all alone
Anthony: I'll have two boys
Mom: Well girls really take care of their dads
Anthony: I still don't want any girls just my wife
Mom: What color hair is your wife going to have?
Anthony: My color
Mom: What color eyes?
Anthony: Blue
Mom: Oh she's going to look like you.
Anthony: Yeah
Mom: What profession is she going to have?
Anthony: She's going to stay home and take care of my kids.
Mom: Well she'll probably want to work when your kids go to school.
Anthony: She could be a programmer with me at home.
Anthony: And my kids are going to go to Ryan Elementary and that's where we are going to live.
Mom: Well thanks for sharing your adult hood with me.

Oh yeah I forgot to add that he's going to have a white mini van and an Acura. Well what an influence we are right now.

April/May

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. ~Abraham Lincoln

I read this quote and was very touched by how much I pray for my children and how much I have heard my moms say they prayed for me.

What a busy, busy month. Every Saturday was filled with a birthday party. The kids loved it! They love to go and have all turned into quite social characters. The always walk in and start socializing right away even Louie with his limited vocabulary.

Anthony - I attened Anthony's conference and was extremely touched by what his teacher had to say about him. She told me that she wanted him to marry her daughter because he was smart, sweet and handsome. She had nothing but wonderful things to say about him. I called Tony and told her everything she said and I cried. He's a great guy!

Avabelle - Ava's conference went well too. Her teacher said that you could tell the children that come from good homes. She said Ava is starting to stick up for herself too. She said that she really loves Ava and that she has good number sense. Her Sunday school teachers just adored her too. Yes, I cried after her conference too!!! My message for my sweet Ava was this, "Happy Birthday, to my best girl in the whole world!!!! You are the sunshine in our house and I love you dearly my sweet Ava!! "
Louie - He now climbs out of his crib. AHHHHHHHHHHHH! No worries the neighbor had a tent to put over the crib that zips. Aunt Jenn and Dad put it up and now he naps again only in the afternoon BECAUSE HE SLEEPS IN THE PLAY PEN IN OUR ROOM AT NIGHT. Sometimes he's charming enough to sneak up in our bed and fall asleep touching his head with mine. He's such a loving little guy. I can't believe how charming he is for a little guy! Dad tried to kick him out of our bed but of course Louie charmed him too!

It was Easter, Mothers Day, Avabelle's birthday and Tony's birthday. WOW! We decided to host Easter and Avabelle's birthday they both turned out great. We have very wonderful friends and family that are always so supportive.

February

Anthony - Anthony got student of the month and I am so proud of him!!!! I told him son I am so happy for you because you got student of the month, which he replied, “But mom could you just please get me my Legos out so I can play with them. “ He wasn’t that excited but when I went to his school his picture was up on the wall by the office and I said, “Hi Student of the Month Anthony.” He giggled and shook his head as he often does at this mom. He also read all the second and third grade sight words. He’s amazing I love that little guy!!!!

Avabelle – Ava is still blossoming at reading, running and sweetness. She is so considerate of others and always tries to talk and take care of Louie. I asked her why she was so considerate and she replied, “Mom I have so much love in my heart for the whole world.” Of course I had tears in my eyes and pulled the car over and hugged her legs because she was in her car seat and I was in my seat belt. I LOVE HER!!!! She is becoming an amazing reader and the other day while we were waiting for her dance class she wrote cat, hat, rat. The lady who was next to her stopped reading her book and asked how old she was and said her 5-year-old daughter couldn’t do that. Her favorite song to sing around the house is when two vowels go walking the first one does the talking. She is an outstanding little girl.

Louie – Louie loves to get into big brother and sisters stuff. They get so upset with him and now he thinks it’s funny and does it more. He tries to fall asleep in my arms when I lay him down. It’s super cute and then I can’t put him down and he’s a solid little guy. He hugged the new neighbor and the guy freaked out. The mayor of Westminster at work .

Tony and I - We have been together 18 years this month. We have been together longer than we have been with our parents. Hopefully he doesn't send me back to them :-)

Christmas Letter 2010

We’ve moved! Yes we have finally moved. At first we were building a house in Castle Rock, but changed our minds and decided to stay north. It was all very silly and we are finally done. We have moved to a neighborhood that we have been fond of for a long time. The neighbors have been great and there is a cozy sense of community, which we hope will be nice for raising the kids. We are all very happy; even if Tony didn't get his little farmhouse. Maybe when the kids are old enough to start working around the farm we'll let Tony run with his crazy farm idea!
Tony – Tony is still working from home and we still feel very fortunate. He was very busy when we first moved in updating the kids and our bedrooms. Although in hindsight maybe we should have waited to do the kids rooms; since they STILL sleep in our room on the floor with their crib mattresses. Well not all of them, yet, King Louis still has his own bed chambers. Tony still has to travel a few times a year and yes, I still cry every time he goes and not because I’ll be home alone with three kids, but because I still love him so much after 18 years! He is a wonderful and present husband and father, I am very grateful to be part of his team.
Rita – I took another year off and love spending time with the kiddos. They grow so quickly and I feel like time goes by too fast. I hope to return to work in the next couple of years. I miss teaching and hope that masters degree doesn’t crumble into dust, but I would not trade all the time I’m spending with the kids for anything in the world. (Even if it gets super crazy around here!)
Anthony 7-23-05- Anthony is doing well and enjoys leisurely reading. He is a fantastic big brother and is the neat one of the bunch. He likes to put his animals in order and makes sure his shoes are all lined up. He usually is very well mannered and never denies mom her 10 hugs a day. He loves riding his bike and hitting baseballs. Oh yeah and he loves watching baseball; his favorite team is the Cubs (he really started enjoying baseball from watching it with Grandmother and Papo this summer). We took him to a Rockies vs. Cubs game and he thought it was pretty cool, but not as cool as all the vendors with snocones, hot dogs, and peanuts.
Avabelle 5-10-07- Ava is three and enjoys preschool and being around her friends. She loves every one of her friends and treats them all like a best friend. She has so much love in her heart and a great personality! Dad says she is the little girl he always dreamed of having. I like to cuddle and read books with her in the afternoon while big brother is at school, and little brother is sleeping. She is so imaginative and has a mind of her own, she says she will start using the potty when she is 16, but Dad is hoping to cut that in half and maybe we'll have her potty trained by her 8th birthday.
Louie 7-23-09– Louie is one and has a very charismatic personality, he often makes us smile, laugh, awestruck, pull our hair out and exhausted all within 2 minutes. When he is awake he is non-stop busy, busy, busy. His mind and his body are constantly going. He enjoys his older siblings and tries to mimic everything they do, and sometimes he teaches them a thing or two. He loves to play house, kitchen, cars, and sports; he is amazing for being such a little guy. He hits off the T in T-ball, kicks the soccer ball and loves to play catch with tennis balls or footballs. He is also a rock climber at heart; he is constantly finding new and interesting things to climb up. And he loves to be silly and dance with sister and brother when we watch Dancing with the Stars; his dance stage name is "Louie Go Go"
Jasmine 3-16-98– Jasmine is getting old she is 12 ½ years old which is getting up there in dog years. Her health is still ailing, but with the glucosamine she is able to get up and down the stairs without appearing to be in pain. She still has that happy dog at heart smile and loves cleaning the kitchen floors every time the kids spill something. She is still the best kid dog ever, she barks and snaps at Dad when the Kids and Dad wrestle on the floor, she is very protective of her kiddos.
We look forward to seeing all of you in the upcoming year. We wish you a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year from our family to yours. Our mottos around here are, “Life is good, and health is wealth!” We wish the same for all of you in the upcoming year and always!
All our love, The Cobb Family

January

This was a fantastic month for learning in the Cobb house.
Anthony - I explained to Anthony's teacher that we are working on his comprehension. She said, "It doesn't matter because he's a stud." He received an award for Academic achievement, and he did amazing on his mid-term he’s such a smart guy. Lately, I let him earn video game time by reading books we set the timer and how long he reads books is how long he gets to play. This get’s him excited to read to me, and I love hearing him read.
Avabelle – “Who rocks the house, Ava rocks the house.” This is something that has been said again and again this past month. Avabelle knows all her letter and sounds and is beginning to read, but best of all SHE POOPS IN THE POTTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It all started January 15th and has continued throughout the month. She has had a few pee accidents but no poop accidents. I LOVE IT!!!! This was her month to shine shine shine! Writing about it still gets me so excited!!!! I am so happy for her and us!
Louie – We have been working on Louie’s speech he says words but he doesn’t use them to communicate. His new favorite word is cocoa; he says it plain as can be. His 18 month check up went well she was happy with his weight and his motor skills. He was up down 40 times in a minute. She was talking to me and he pushed her stool over to the light and turned it off, it scared her because he is so quick. She asked how I keep up with him. I told her you just don’t rest.

Tony and I – This month was interesting, I am starting to clean out closets and drawers and it feels good. Living the quote, “Less stuff, more love to give.” The less time I spend cleaning the house with all the clutter the better I feel and the more time I spend with my kiddos. Tony is getting excited to start his gardening stuff, and me too. I love how dedicated he’s been. I want to help and encourage him any way I can. I was really thinking about how much our personalities have changed I believe I am more like he used to be and he is more like me. He’s such an amazing human bean who really cares for all of us. I couldn’t have found a more loyal person. I love him!!! I can't think of a time in my life when I've been more happy with everything than right now!

December

We had a wonderful Christmas! I was so excited for Christmas this year. Something about having a 5 year old, 3 year old, and 1 year old makes Christmas magical. The kids were very excited about it and seeing Christmas through their eyes was the best. I never remember Christmas being greater than it is now. A group of people in the neighborhood puts their name in a raffle and who ever gets choosen they get to pick up to 10 kids. Our neighborhood behind us got picked and Santa comes on a firetruck and brings the kids candy and asks what they want and leaves on the firetruck. The kids thought this was amazing. Also, we had a mini lighting ceremony with 5 of the neighbors, we all turned on the lights and the same time and had hot chocolate together.

Anthony - Anthony was so excited about Christmas this year he wanted to decorate the tree early, so we put our tree up a week before Thanksgiving. We all watched the movie Home Alone while we decorated the tree. He asked Santa for a nerf gun.

Avabelle - Avabelle was excited and asked Santa for a camera. Santa spent a lot of money on her camera and told her when she wasn't using it to put in Dad's office.

Louie - Louie asked santa for a doll because he loves to kiss babies so santa brought him a laughing baby. He was at Toys R Us and would laugh every time the doll would laugh and then he would hug her. Aunt Trish started to call him the little politician, she said he's the next Mayor of Westminster. She said she says hello to everyone and kisses the babies on their heads.

Tony and I - We had a wonderful Christmas and Tony decorated the outside so cute. Avabelle said dad did a great job! I don't know who is his bigger fan her or I. Tony always has a lot of admirers. He reminds me of an old heroic cowboy.

Fall

We had an amazing fall we finally are getting settled in the house. We only got to swim twice before the pool was closed but look forward to lots of time at the pool next year. School started and the kids seem very happy to be back in their own house again. I made a lot of pumpkin bread this fall, which the kids absolutely love!! We also had a very pleasant Halloween, we got invited to a neighborhood Halloween party in our cul-de-sac. Some of the kids in the neighborhood go and eat Chili and the pot luck food and then the dads take the kids out trick-or-treating, while the moms stay and hand out candy. I went along because I love trick-or-treating with the kids. The kids had the BEST costumes ever, Anthony was R2D2(thanks to aunt Jenn and Uncle Leonardo who worked very hard on Anthony and Avabelles costumes). Avabelle was princess Leia and Louie was Yoda. They were so adorable I could have left them in their costumes for a year.

Anthony – My Boy! He started Kindergarten and I think I would have had a hard time, but since he is going again next year because he is so young. He’s a great kid, but doesn’t seem that excited about school. He only goes for 3 hours in the afternoon. I really wanted the morning but they didn’t have any open slots. It turned out to be a great thing because we are not rushed in the morning and get to spend the morning together.

Avabelle – My Girl! I love how positive she is. She is definitely the glass is half full kind of girl. I get to spend alone time with her when big brother goes to school in the afternoon, and little brother is taking a nap. We cuddle and read books sometimes we even take a nap. She is so caring and is always trying to accommodate her brothers, and blurts out about ten random times a day that she loves us. She started preschool and really enjoys it. She enjoys all her friends and her teachers. It’s a great place for her.

Louie – My Baby!! He loves his moms attention and if she is busy doing something not giving him enough he will come up and hang on her legs until she picks him up. He is funny with all his mannerisms everyone caters to him and if we don’t he jumps right in to let us know that we forgot about him. He is very generous with, hugs, kisses and love.

Rita and Tony – We are doing well, with the exception of I got sick for awhile but seem to be doing better. I started going to the gym and have been trying to get there at least three times a week. The kids love the play area at the gym, while I work out so it has been extra motivating. Tony had to go to Jersey for a week in October but is back in my arms again. I love my co captian!