Jennaishealed.org

Took Cooper again, and had a lot of fun.  At least he did.

Actually it is extremely satisfying to have Cooper and Jenna together.  She has missed out on him so much that the normally precious moments every “normal” parent so deeply appreciates and cherishes, are a thousand times more precious for Jenna, and myself as the person who kind of has to remember them for her.   But just walking around a grocery store with Cooper waving his little styrofoam play sword ($2 at the dollar store, go figure) and just being “Cooper,” and having Jenna there to watch and absorb it, is something akin to bliss.

We got there in the middle of the afternoon and drove up to our hotel in DuQuoin, IL, about 20 miles up the road from Carbondale.  This was due to Carbondale being booked for something at SIU most likely.  We just stopped in to check into the room and so Jenna could go to the bathroom, and asked at the front desk for a good local restaurant to try as a break from the whole chain restaurant (Cooper loves happy meals) thing.  Anyway it was a nice little place in downtown DuQuoin, which itself was a nice little old-style downtowny area.  I forgot my camera otherwise I’d post pics.

Saturday we had breakfast at the free continental thing at the hotel and then went to the “Castle Park,” which is becoming a regular tradition for us, spending the balance of the day there.  Dinner was at the local MickyD’s, where Cooper enjoys the play area.  In case I haven’t mentioned it in the last five seconds, that kid is EXTREMELY social!

Sunday we left a bit early so that Cooper and I could meet up with a friend in Terre Haute and meet his six -year-old son, and get a little tour of the town.  It was a nice little tour and some interesting possibilities were talked about.  Thanks again Jaime!

Unfortunately Jenna has already lost her new $250 glasses, but we are hoping they will turn up asap.  We wont be able to visit again for a few weeks due to financial constraints, but are looking forward to it whenever it might happen.  Jenna did very well this time, and Cooper is very much looking forward to going back, as am I.