Vranicar Family: Party of 5

Christmas is coming early to the Vranicar house this year.

I have to admit- I get behind on this. It feels like I blog, we get busy with everything and then I realize I should update. Updates- Volleyball has once again started at Lord Fletcher's. Team Rina Dillard :) is back in action with new teammate John Shonka. It's nice to be outside and active again! We plan to bring home the trophy again this year. Fargo 10k- the 10k run is this Saturday in Fargo. Mindi and I will be running again this year. I will also be walking the 5k the night before with my sister and aunts. Hoping the weatherman is wrong and that there won't be rain- at least not on Friday. I don't mind the rain when I run, i hope to push Cooper in the stroller for the 5k and with rain that can't happen. Cooper is still the best little boy in the world. Kevin made it back in one piece from his annual golfing trip to Okoboji, Iowa. He came back wind burned and tired. Par for the course I suppose...lol And...if you are reading the blog post as a note in Facebook....

Happy 1 1/2 year birthday Cooper! I can't believe how fast that went! Our not so little boy had his 18 month check up recently and staying on trend he is "above average" :) Weight 29lbs - 90% Height 35 and some odd inches - 97% He is expanding his vocaublary everyday. It seems that he is repeating everything now, but he still has his go-to words: Car- this is by far his favorite word, toy and activity! Bye - his version is more like "bye eeeeeeeeeeeee" Hi- !!! Airplane- "Pane" Pie mama daddy- "daddyyyyyyyyyyyyy!" Angelica- "ca" Grandpa- "pa" Taz ( Angelica's puppy) "tap" Yes- "ha" with a big head nod Pool Deck Outside- "side" Treat- "teat" Popcorn- "pop pop" (he isn't eating it, but we play it with him on the trampoline and when we jump on the bed- see the video) and the list goes on. Favorites: Pasta- hence the spaghetti face Milk Black beans String cheese Sausage ...

Several weeks ago I was asked to be a guest speaker at my high school. I would be speaking to the 7 th and 8 th grade girls about self confidence, how to develop good self esteem and a strong sense of self, making good decisions and my experience being part of the Miss America Organization. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to talk to this group of young women! I remember so well the feeling of being their age and not knowing exactly where I fit in the world. Of looking up to the older girls in school, of worrying about how I looked, what I wore and what others thought of me. I immediately began brainstorming what I would say. My notes started with thoughts of what I used to think being self confident meant; being boastful and conceited. And that thinking I was good at something and celebrating that equalled a self centered attitude. I wrote down notes about being your best self, about not giving into peer pressure and how your decisions now will impact your future. I took pages...

Cooper's vocabulary seems to be growing everyday. Thanks to our wonderful Jill he is signing a few words: Please Thank you More Eat All done And now he is speaking some new words as well. Some of the favorites include: Book Sock Car Ma Bath Da (dad) Mamamamamam (mom) Kacker (cracker) Up and once, we swear he said broccoli :)