Heaven knows

Round 16: May 2026

Sam Cooper is 48, Grace is 43, Madelyn and Ross are 15 and James is 10.

(Greg is 33 and Jeremy is 15.)

Narrated by Sam.

Ross came out as gay last year and I'd be lying if I said I was happy about it. I didn't say anything to him about it but I guess he noticed because at some point it felt like he spent more time at his boyfriend's house than at home. I'm okay with it now that I've gotten used to the idea of my son having a boyfriend. Seeing him happy is what matters the most.

Breathe in breathe out

Round 16: January 2025

Ross Cooper is 14.

I finally told Madelyn. I had to tell someone and it just felt natural it'd be Maddie. I dragged her to my room after school and we sat on the floor face to face like we always do. I had this whole speech prepared in my head but I got so nervous in the end that I just sort of blurted it out in two simple words.

"I'm gay!"

Christmas lights, 2024

Round 15: December 2024

Sam Cooper is 46, Grace is 41, Madelyn and Ross are 13 and James is 8.

(Jeremy is 13.)

Narrated by Madelyn Cooper.

We're on Christmas break from school now which means we get to hang out more with our friends who are not from our school. Julia is Riley's girlfriend but Georgina is up for grabs. I've been sort of trying to push Ross and her together but it's just not happening.

Chariot

Round 14: Summer 2022


Sam Cooper is 44, Grace is 39, Ross and Madelyn are 11 and James is 6.
(Kurt is 66, Tina is 34 and Tim is 1.)

Narrated by Grace Cooper

Our kids are not so little anymore. The twins are independent enough to get themselves and James breakfast after Sam and I have gone to work. In the beginning of their summer holiday I tried waking them up before I left for work but they kept whining about having to get up so early. Now I just let them sleep.

Belief

Round 13: Spring 2020


Sam Cooper is 42, Grace is 37, Madelyn and Ross are 9 and James is 4.
(Jack is 37, Paige is 36, Nyah and Denise are 34.)

Narrated by Grace Cooper.

I'm still shocked about dad's new relationship. I'm happy he's found someone but getting a stepmother that's 5 years younger than me is not what I was expecting. And they're having a baby too!

The kids are a bit puzzled as well. The twins don't remember their grandma because they were so little when she died and James wasn't even born then. They keep asking all kinds of questions about grandpa's new lady friend.

I stand corrected

Round 12: Winter 2018


Sam Cooper is 40, Grace is 35, Ross and Madelyn are 7 and James is 2.

Narrated by Grace Cooper

We've been talking about getting a pet ever since we moved into this house. Initially Sam wanted to get a German Shepherd because he has worked with them in the military but I thought a smaller dog would be better. He finally gave in and we bought a Miniature Schnauzer male called Oscar.

It didn't take long before Oscar charmed Sam. The kids absolutely adore him and sometimes Madelyn and Ross even start fighting because they both want to play with him the moment they come home from school.

Too many birds

Round 11: Autumn 2016


Sam Cooper is 38, Grace is 33, Madelyn and Ross are 5 and James is 11 months.

Narrated by Grace Cooper

I've been at home with James but I think I'll get back to work next year. He'll be old enough to stay with the nanny then. I've enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom during his first months but I miss work already.

Wheels

Round 11: Spring 2016


Ben Cooper is 38, Denise is 30, Riley is 6 and Liam is 4.
(Sam is 38 and Grace is 33.)

Narrated by Ben Cooper

I'm only working 3 days a week at the moment and Denise only works 2 days a week so that one of us is always at home with the kids. We'll probably start working full-time again next year when Liam starts school. This system is working for us and luckily both our bosses have agreed to this settlement.

Heart-shaped box

Round 11: Spring 2016


Cal and Elissa Cooper are 54 and Josh is 11.
 (Sam is 38, Grace is 33, Danny is 20, Madelyn and Ross are 5, James is 3 months .)

Narrated by Elissa Cooper.

I can tell Josh is getting closer to puberty as he seems to enjoy spending time alone in his room and doesn't want to play on the playground anymore. He's always playing with that PSP that he got from Danny.

Winter 2016 birthdays

Alexa Harper and Will Monroe's first child is due in the summer. They've put their wedding plans on hold since Will wants to make sure Alexa doesn't stress too much.

Autumn 2015 birthdays

Grace Cooper is expecting her third child with husband Sam. The baby is due in winter 2016 so Grace and Sam are preparing the nursery for the newcomer.

Summer 2015 birthdays

Tom Patterson graduated from Brixton University and has moved back to Wellington. He was able to get a job as a Security Guard right after graduation.

Chasing pirates

Round 10: Summer 2014


Sam Cooper is 36, Grace is 31 and Madelyn and Ross are 3.

Narrated by Sam Cooper

We were all so shocked when we heard the news of Olivia's death. Grace took it pretty hard especially since she hasn't been in touch with her family very much during the past few years. The saddest thing is that our kids will never really get to know their nana Olivia because they only met her a couple of times and are probably too small to remember her.

A thing about you

Round 9: Spring 2012


Sam Cooper is 34, Madelyn and Ross are 6 months and Grace Robinson is 29.

Narrated by Grace Robinson

Our lives revolve pretty much around the babies at the moment. Our little ones are already 6 months old so I've gotten back to work at the hospital. Sam and I both work only part-time at the moment so that one of us is at home with the kids while the other is at work.

Autumn 2011 birthdays

Alexandra Hayes goes into labor in the middle of breakfast. Her newlywed husband Quinn rushes over to her side for support.

This is how I disappear

Round 8: Winter 2010


Sam Cooper is 32 and Grace Robinson is 27.

Narrated by Sam Cooper

Grace and I have been apartment hunting for a few months now. We hate this apartment and now we finally have enough money to get a bigger one without taking a huge loan.

Let me know

Round 7: University (Nyah, Paige, Grace, Denise)

Freshman Year (Narrated by Nyah Fielding)

I hadn't met Grace before we all moved to Brixton Academy. She seems really nice though.

Can't change me

Round 7: 2005-2008

Narrated by Elissa Cooper.

We had another boy and named him Joshua, Josh for short. I was kinda hoping for a girl since we already had three boys but I'm not disappointed. We have a beautiful healthy baby and that's the most important thing.

These words

Round 6: University (Ben)

Narrated by Ben Cooper

The first thing I did when I arrived at my dorm was to claim a room and lock the door. I don't want any weirdos harassing me when I study.

Supermassive black hole

Round 6: 2001-2004

Narrated by Sam Cooper.

Ever since Ben went to college I've been feeling a bit lonely. It's not like we were joined at the hip but twins have that special connection. I wanted to go to college too but I didn't get enough scholarships.