Lyons

Cooper and I went to Lyons with a BIG secret:

We were involved in the planning of (and lying about!) a surprise birthday party for Grandma Joan's 70th birthday:

The moment of surprise:

And the zwieback that were at the heart of our deception (and were also very, very tasty!):

While we were home, Coop drove the gator:

Exhausted after all the festivities:

September

Coop and I saw a concert at Starlight Theatre in Kansas City:

And he pitched the moon!

Working together:

Holding Jenny and taking a selfie for a lesson in language arts about selfies:

And it finally happened one day... Jenny bit him.  It was a bit traumatic at the time, though everyone is fine and happy again:

Back to school

Coop is starting 7th grade in a new school.  We attended the open house to get a feel for the place.  I made Coop take a photo with his principal Dr. Jones:

We spent some time decorating his locker---he opted for a plant theme:

And we found the auditorium:

Ready for the first day!

The school is just across the street, so Coop will walk every day:

Staring out the window waiting for him to come home in the afternoon!

Comedy

Cooper participated in a week-long camp at Theatre Lawrence, where the kids put on a production of Star Farce, a farcical version of one of the Star Wars movies (I forget which one....).  Coop was a silver version of C3P0, called T14 (I think?):

Celebrating with Orange Leaf frozen yogurt afterward:

Coop and I went to a comedy improv show in Kansas City:

And celebrated afterward with fabulous donuts!

Wrapping up summer...

Cooper has been doing a great job of interacting more with his pets.  Jenny is growing and thriving:

Klinger is still cute and (comparatively) little:

And then we watched Apollo 13, while eating astronaut ice cream:

Baby girl moves on...

But before she goes, a trip to Pet World:

Playing in the living room:

Riding a giant lion:

River City Rock Camp

Cooper participated in River City Rock Camp this summer.  He and four others were grouped together to make a band, assigned songs to play, and participated in a concert at The Granada in Lawrence.

Cooper (keyboard), Molly (bass guitar), Eliza (elec guitar), Delany (elec guitar), Parker (drums).

Dress rehearsal:

A video of dress rehearsal:

Songs:  Hello Goodbye, Wooly Bully, Werewolf in London, Jailhouse Rock

At the concert!

Baby girl loved the free popcorn:

Album cover?