Sunday Exploration

This weekend the kids had fun going to a rock and fossil exhibit at ORU.  Okay, I don't know who many kids get excited about fossils and stuff but Brayden saw the sign as we drove by and just about hit the car roof with excitement, it made me laugh hearing my 7year old talk so fast and loud trying to decide what rock he should take to show them or what fossils they might have.  Ron ended up taking them Saturday afternoon and they came back having learned about all the things people have discovered in the Arkansas river.  Lots of arrow heads and other different types of rocks the Indian's used as tools....and of course and beautiful Geode for mommy!
   Since the  water level has been so low in the Arkansas river I thought it would be fun to take the kids and explore seeing as they had just heard and seen all this cool stuff people find there.  So, Sunday afternoon we headed out.  Some how I forgot that it is still blazing hot here in Tulsa and before we even made it to the river I knew it wasn't going to be a fun time.  Okay, bad attitude but I had sweat poring off me and James was not a happy camper.  We made it into the river bed and began our wandering.  I was left with Andrea who after two steps began complaining about everything down to the sand in her flip flops.   It really is a pretty neat place to walk and explore but with the sun pounding down and no breeze I felt like I was in the middle of the desert.  Becca and Brayden were quickly discouraged when all they found were shells.  After a while I heard Becca yell at Ron.."WHY IN THE WORLD ARE WE DOWN HERE, THERE IS NOTHING HERE!!"   NO big finds were discovered and I ended up dragging Andrea and James back out of  the river along the path back to the park.  Ron managed a little longer with the other two but by the time they all made it back to the car each kid had a face so red they looked ready to explode.  Lesson learned....summer goes long (you would think I would know that by now!) here in OK and just because school starts doesn't mean the weather cools down!

The one find besides for Brayden's tire.

A couple funny comments

I never know what the kids are going to say....this can be kind of unnerving at times especially if they are talking/telling a story to someone we don't know.  Anyway, just a couple funny things I wish to remember.

Andrea- I am hoping that her speech class starts soon because she has been talking up a storm since Becca and Brayden have started school, making me realize we need to get back to work!

Today we had a special stop at a new donut shop, just Andrea and I, Me and Andrea, as we say.  After biting into a pink swirl donut and finding it filled with pink icing she looked at me and said, "We are NEBER, NEBER(she can't say her "V's") telling Decca, Brayden....it's our secret place."

She also loves to sing and having the car and music to herself she has been enjoying singing to her fullest.  Today after requesting her kid's songs she told me..."Mommy, I am going to be a contest singer....because I practice soooo much.

Becca, I usually have to pry school info out of the kids after I pick them up....this is one of the conversations I had with Becca this week.
Me: "So, what did you learn about today"?
Becca:  "We learned a lot of new rules "
Me: "oh, what were they"?
Becca: "hmmmm, I don't know, I'll remember them tomorrow"

Becca also is not a big fan of socks and shoes, thankfully we found a pair of shoes that doesn't result in a daily morning meltdown.  I didn't really realize how much this bothered her, at one point after her first day of school she told me that since she was in kindergarten she couldn't take her shoes off anymore (in pre-K they took them off for rest time).  Then the second day of school after she got in the van she yelled, "can I take off my shoes???"  after I said yes she gave a big sigh, "good, because me feet and soooo hot."  This is now the first thing she does after she climbs in the van.

Brayden, no funny story's this week from him...his thinking is getting a little more logical so not so many crazy comments from him.  Although he did lose a tooth this week, making for a lot of excitement first for the tooth fairy and second because he was able to get his name on the tooth chart at school.

 The  kids are on the hunt for the tooth fairy.  Once again I almost forgot to deliver the goods under his pillow, but managed to kick Ron out of bed to do the Fairy job.  At 4am in the morning Brayden wakes me up-MAD, arms crossed, "MOM, THE TOOTH FAIRY DID NOT COME!!" I groggily told him the fairy did come and to just go back to bed.  I heard him fiddling around in his room to I dragged myself to his room-now I am mad because I didn't want James awakened.  Where do you think he was looking???  He was looking through all his toys half way across the room-4am in the morning!!  I told him he was nuts and to get over by his bed....there was the money plain as day on the floor by his pillow which he had thrown off the bed.  Crazy kid!

Time.....

Where to spend my time???  Lately all I see is clutter and mess around the house, the closets are stuffed, shelves overflowing, and the dog is always shedding.  Between laundry and meal preparation the house can become all consuming,   I have been telling myself now is the time to clean out the closets, organize and clear out the kids clothes but some how at the end of my day it just never gets done.  The laundry barely makes it out of the dryer these days along with the dishes out of the dishwasher.  It is a never ending cycle which seems to be picking up the pace.   I find myself reminded to spend time with Andrea and James, the kids are not an endless cycle and I know I will soon be longing for their company.  So, if you make it to my house do not be surprised at it's lived in appearance....Today I have chosen to spend time with the little ones.  oh, yes....it is so much more fun!

Today it was snuggling with James, then playing/spinning in the chair-such giggles!

A LITTLE FUN

It is our first full week of school but it still feels like summer.  The kids are doing well but are missing their free time.  Making time for reading, and a little homework is pretty tough after school when all they want to do is play.  It amazes me how fast the day/evening goes by ( funny that just a few months ago it seemed to drag on and on and on..).  Anyway, today we got their work done quickly and decided to head out and have a little summer fun....seeing as it is still in the nineties. 

 This is as close as James would get to the fountain, who knew a little puddle of water could be so fun?



A FUN SATURDAY

School might have started but it still feels like summer.  The sun is out and it is still super hot.  We decided to head out to the fun swimming hole we discovered earlier this summer-the blue hole.  The  kids were excited to head back and knew what to expect-we can prepared with nets ready to catch anything that moved.  Some friends from our small group also made the trek with us-out to no-mans land.  It was a great day of play and easy way to stay cool, although if you were not in the water it was almost unbearable.  The kids loved exploring, Brayden was out catching minnows, crawfish, frogs....  Becca loved exploring but you could also find her just floating in the middle of the water hole in a tube.  James loved walking around in the water throwing rocks-he was much better this time around and even sat in the water with out getting a petrified look on his face.  All in all it was a fun way to spend a hot Saturday in OK.  Oh, by the way thankfully none of the little water creatures made it to our house, actually most of them didn't survive at all!

HERE WE GO, SCHOOL TIME

Well, we start the year out running.....once again I didn't quite leave enough time in the morning, or rather my bed was once again tooo comfy!  Anyway, I did have to wake all the  kids up which they happily rolled  out of bed and got dressed.  The thing with the first day of school is that we all have to be ready because there is an opening Chapel, which I love but there is a whole big difference between having two ready and everyone else just jump in the car (including myself) than everyone dressed and ready for the day.  Well we arrived to packed parking lot and a packed auditorium.  We ended up finding a couple seats to squish although Ron had to sit a couple rows back with James (and I had all the goodies in my purse to keep him happy!)  Anyway, the teachers were all introduced, pledges said and after singing some uplifting songs we were dismissed by grade.  You could feel the excitement of the kids and the anxiety/tenseness of the parents.  Brayden and Becca just took it all in, singing, saying the pledges.  They were not the kids rushing up to see friends but were happy and content with each other.

Brayden was first to be dropped off, seeing as his classroom was first.  He walked in and showed Ron his desk.  We actually had not gotten a chance to meet his teacher this past Wed so we introduced ourselves.  It is just the best, seeing the kids faces the first time they meet their teacher-it is a look of adoration and excitement both kids get.  Brayden is in a big boy desk, filled with book and writing/coloring utensils-it is hard to believe he is that big.  Besides for the soccer and PE class he was most  excited about being able to earn coins for good behavior, he told me his goal is 30 coins.....we will see how he does.

 Belt/shirt tucked in.

Becca can be so independent.  She was telling me that she could just go in with Brayden because she knew where her class was after his classroom.  Today we went with her.  Her class was very quiet and after a quick picture she made a beeline to the rug where everyone was sitting.  It was fun to see her give a couple shy smiles at a couple girls from her preschool class.  She  also like recess the best and when I asked what she liked the most she kept saying, "it was just a BLAST"    Anyway, they both had smiles on their faces....not super excited but both had a wonderful first day.  My favorite part was seeing them come home and play together, I really do think that they are each their best friend (but they will never admit that!)

Once again I am so thankful for this wonderful school and the teachers.  They made this first day of school bearable....I really thought about keeping the kids home as we had such a wonderful summer together.  I am able to trust my kids with them for a good portion of the day and know they are being schooled not just in mind but in Heart guided with God's Holy Word.

Silly Baby

Well he may be silly but the past couple of days he has been just a pain.  Coming back from vacation where he was the center of attention was just soooo fun, sad to say he just doesn't understand why I have to actually work in the kitchen, laundry room and bathrooms.  He is most happy with me or the kids chasing him around the house yelling at him....we just don't really feel like doing that all day.  Anyway, we rotated kids at the table and moved James out of the highchair.  You would think after four kids I would have found one I liked but I just detested cleaning that thing after every meal.  Well, as you can see I don't think things are much cleaner with James at the table, crabby yes but still a goof!

After following me around the house crying while I was vacuuming he finally gave up and climbed into this rocking chair.  He soon found out it was a lot of fun....with is would have not taken him so long to go explore!

WHAT A TRIP!

Once again the Tulsa heat hit and thankfully we were able and planning on our summer get away to Michigan.  It was our longest time spent visiting in MI and as it turned out this was a good thing seeing as everyone day was filled to the brim with activity.  I don't really know where to start to recap this trip.  We usually try to have a little list of activities we would like to do while in MI, which normally goes by the wayside once we arrive. This at time seems a little aggravating...only to us not the kids, but this year I think we were reminded good and hard why we really make this trip every year. We had such a wonderful time enjoying each day for what it brought us, whether it was enjoying time at the campground watching the kids play shuffleboard and capture the flag, watching them play endless attack games in the sand with their cousins, catching butterfly's, flying kites, playing goofy "minute to win it" games and of course eating tons of ice-cream, and hot dogs. What we have finally learned is that this trip is all about creating those lasting memories and bonds with our family and friends.
    Ron's grandpa passed away about a week into our vacation, actually the morning of Andrea's birthday.  It was a blessing for the family but still left our hearts saddened for his presence will be missed.  He was a man well respected. Seeing so many people/friends from all walks of life come to visitation and his memorial service once again reminded us how important relationships are-crazy how we can get so caught up in our day to day conquering the daily chore of "raising the best kids there are" (for which we are endlessly bombarded with advise) we sometimes miss those opportunities.  Ron's family is blessed with a family who has strong bonds among themselves and within the community.  Those days were overwhelming at times but the love that was shown to Ron's parents and Ron touched my heart.
             
             Link to News Article on Grandpa

   The kids got plenty of time camping with my parents and Aunt Sharon, Emily and Megan (also visiting from CA) with all the activities surrounding Grandpa's passing.  The kids loving making Megan smile and had a fun time sleeping in a brand new trailer....which after having five kids in it over two weeks is, I am sure not so new anymore.
  We ended our time with a Wedding celebration.  Once again we were reminded our fast this life goes by-funny God had this trip all planned our for us.  The wedding was for the oldest child I used to babysit for during my college years.  He was Brayden's age when I started and now, talking to him and his siblings, seeing them all grow into such special, wonderful adults makes me love and appreciate every moment I have with my little ones.   The night was filled with lots of fun.  The kids loved dancing, seeing/petting the horses and eating endless cupcakes and fruit.  The emotions and thoughts felt from this trip where all over the board and for the most part almost impossible to put into words.  We are left with great memories and best of all a re-grounding of our family as to what is important in this lifetime.  As always, God knows best!



I have a ton of pictures from the past couple of weeks, these are just a few tying the whole trip together.

 A full day at the beach, ending with a dinner and old friends, something we have missed the past couple of years.  Amazing to see how families have grown.

 Who could miss the chance for dolls, dress-up, make-up and some tea??

 American Girl dolls....I feel a Chicago trip coming!.

What a fun time getting to know Hazel.  I think she thought my kids were just nuts but had fun catching butterfly's with Uncle Ron.

 The girls love their older cousins.

 Off in the Gator.  James would hear it start and make a beeline to get one-he loved pretending to drive.

 We had a blast at the picnic planned by Doug and Robyn-lots of food, fun games with tons of laughs.

 Even Ephie survived the trip with all the kids.

Cutie Megan

 Can you stack them???  Ron managed to do it by the end of our afternoon.

Emily and her cute smile-loved trying to keep up with the kids.

 Grandpa, able to get Emily to play-then lots of smiles!

Best lake day ever, warm water and waves....we all had so much fun.

James and Grandpa, lots of smiles and laughs as there was always someone to entertain his fun little face.

Wave at the camera!  Kites were flying high along with Mom's camera, Ron was able to get some fun shots.

Grandpa and his kites-sad to say we lost one....still frustrating to us how we could not find such a huge kite!

We were even able to see some friends who made the long drive from Tulsa.

The new trailer.  Grandma had everything the kids could ever want.  The conference Grounds was a perfect stay, ton's of activities for the kids- Bible School, Capture the flag, tie-dye, tag, shuffle board, swimming, candy and ice-cream.  We even managed to win the family sand sculpture contest....yeah for Lucy the Lobster!

Becca got the perfect dance partner.  Brayden and Andrea hit the dance floor hard....Becca needed a little more encouragement.

Becca was so excited to see the Bride in her dress.

It is still hard for me to believe Drew is this grown up-special moments with special people!

Birthday Girl

August five has come and went and I have not had the chance to sit and post about Andrea's big day.  She has been waiting for summer for her birthday, then the past month she has been counting down till Aug 5.  We celebrated a couple days early to have a combined party with her Grandpa and Cousin.  The morning of her party she brought me her countdown chain which still had two more left and said since it was her party she wanted to rip off the last two.  Andrea is such a goof ball and milked the birthday girl privaledged all day, on her party day and then again on her birthday.  We celebrated at the Conference Grounds with Aunt Sharon, Emily and Megan, Uncle Doug and Aunt Robyn and Grandma and Grandpa.....it was a regular party.  She was so excited to open her presents and her facial expressions were too funny.  At one point I think she screamed so loud in excitement I thought she had gotten stung by a bee and was hurt.  She would either pretend cry or jump/dance around in excitment.  She is such special four year old, celebrating with stitches in her chin-not being able to swim most of our vacation time but still full of smiles and giggles.