June was Jumpin'

Lil Man got to take part in a baseball camp that was directed by Hall of Fame coach, Bill Fisher and Atlanta Braves player ('95-'97), Toby Anglen. JB was really gung-ho about this camp because he played for Coach Fisher and graduated with Toby. It was another hot day, but Lil Man came away with some good tips and skills to try at his next practice or game.

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At the same time, Lil Red and I were at the dance studio so that she could try out for the 8 and Under dance team. I was a nervous wreck but hid it well. I told her to just have fun and do her best. No matter what happened, she was awesome and great at what she does. We found out in the next two weeks that she made the team. I could not be more proud!

We ended our Saturday at the Owasso Splash Pad to celebrate our nephew, N's birthday. He had friends from school and rodeo as well as family. It was a great evening to be outside and let the kids run off some energy before bedtime.

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The next week, we went to the library to see American Indians perform some of their native dances. The attire was amazing with all the detail work and the stories they can tell through dance is inspiring. We also went to another library on Thursday to see a balloon artist. He was funny and kept the kids entertained. Both of these programs, were a part of the Tulsa City-County Library Summer Reading program.

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Lil Man and Lil Red had swimming lessons at a private residence only a few miles from home. The couple is so nice and wonderful with kids and in addition to swimming, they stress the issue of safety with the kids.

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June 14-18 was a big week for Legs. She got to go to church youth camp at Falls Creek for the first time. She has been waiting for this all year since she got back from children's camp. JB went as a sponsor for the boys and they both had a great time. I kept teasing her that she was not going to get the full Falls Creek experience because the tabernacle is now air conditioned and she was not required to wear a dress every night to evening worship. The week she went, our church was only taking the Junior High kids and they got to stay in the second newest cabin. They were bragging how huge and nice it was. Maybe I should go as a sponsor next year.

While they were gone, Lil Man and Lil Red finished up their second week of swimming lessons. I also had my best friend's two girls, A & A while she was at Falls Creek as a sponsor and her hubby was out of town working. I took the kids to the library for a talk about snakes. The kids know I am VERY afraid of snakes and they kept teasing me.

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I was blessed to win four tickets of Wizard Of Oz which was a broadway musical being performed at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. I took the three littles with me and we had a great time. We also were able to send in this picture to the Tulsa Kids Magazine and it was published in the August issue. Woohoo!



Friday night started Lil Red's big weekend of dance. Our dance recital was held at Owasso High Schoool performing arts center. Rehearsal was long and tiring, at least for us mommies, but we made it through. While Lil Red and I were at dress rehearsal, JB and Legs got back from camp and picked up the other two kids from a friend's and went home. We got home sometime after 10pm.

Saturday was a whirlwind. JB took Lil Red and Chubbles on a Daddy/Daughter date at Chick-fil-a. This time the restaurant was decorated like a princess castle. They were given roses and had their picture taken too. Again, the restaurant provided placards, discussion ideas and personal servers for the evening. The girls also came home with little plush cows. I was already at the recital and waiting on the JB to arrive with the girls. I knew Lil Red didn't have to be on stage until #21 so we were okay on time. She had the time of her life! She loved all the costumes and make-up and what a doll she was up on stage. She did her ballet number to a song from the first Tinkerbell movie and her tap number was performed to "Ain't Nothin' But A Hound Dog".

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On Father's Day, we joined JB's dad for lunch as we do every Sunday after church. Then we rushed home to finish packing JB and Lil Man so they could go to the pecan convention with JB;s dad, brother and nephew. I was bummed they were leaving on Father's Day but they had a good time and Papa let the grandsons bid on quite a few things and they brought home some yummy goodies.

Lil Red got to try cheerleading for the first time this summer. I signed her up for a Cheerlicious Camp at Rejoice Christian Church. It was a 4-day camp for two hours each day. At the end of the fourth day, they showed all the parents what they had learned that week. We saw their favorite jumps, cheers and a pom pom routine. They also got to make some fun crafts while at camp. If ever Lil Red wanted to quit dancing, I think she would have a future as a cheerleader.

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One Wednesday night after church we took the kids and Legs' best friend to the drive-in to see Toy Story 3. It was quite humid but what a memory!

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The kids and I were blessed to be a part of a community-wide memorial for Spc. Looney who was a fallen soldier from Owasso. We lined the streets dressed in patriotic colors and waving American flags. We can not thank the soldier and his family enough for what they gave up to help us have our freedoms here in the United States.

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Lil Man finished up the month at a FREE golf camp at O'Brien Park (Tulsa County Parks). It was a 4-day camp for two hours each day. He picked up on the game quite quickly and we may be looking for golf clubs for his birthday in August.

May 2010

Legs started out May doing a service project with her Sunday School class. They got together and worked on cleaning out flower beds and washing screens for the local Baptist Children's Home and Retirement Village.




On the third and fourth of May, Legs took her first ever standardized tests. Classical Conversations offered the service and provided Stanford Tests for any homeschool students for a fee. I know exactly what Legs has studied and how she would do but I wanted to get her used to the idea of these types of tests so she would be prepared for later in life. Once I got the results back, what I knew and expected was exactly what the scores showed. She seemed very relaxed each day I picked her up which was my goal all along.

Our whole family took the day to spend with our best friends, the T family, at the Renaissance Fair in Muskogee. We had an overcast day until the end but not too hot or muggy. The kids really enjoyed themselves while on a quest for the king and queen.

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I got the chance to be escorted by Lil Man to Chick-fil-a for a Mommy/Son date. The restaurant was decorated like the inside of a treehouse. They provided all the sons roses to give to their mommies and we had our picture taken together. Then all the sons had to escort their moms to their tables where we found personalized placards and suggested topics that we could discuss during our time at dinner. Instead of ordering at the counter, on this special night, we had personal waiters and waitresses who took our order and brought our food to the table. The highlight of the evening was when Lil Man got to take out the money daddy had given him at home and paid for dinner. What a little gentleman I have. I will always treasure moments like these.



The following night JB and Legs had their Father/Daughter date at our church. The girls were asked to wear semi-formal dresses and arrive an hour early so they could be pampered with hairdos and makeup. Legs passed on the makeup but she still looked like an angel. The dads were to arrive about twenty minutes early in coat and tie and wait in another part of the church for their dates. Once all was ready, each daughter was introduced and met at the double doors by their dads who presented them with white roses. Then they had their pictures taken together. Their evening included dinner, encouraging talk and a "dance" production to Steven Curtis Chapman's song "Cinderella" which brought tears to JB's eyes. I pray that this night holds special memories for both of them as they grow older.

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One of our wonderful moms planned and organized a Field Day for our homeschool coop. It was originally supposed to be at a local park but lots of rain changed our plans and we moved it inside at a local church. We had the 50 yard dash, relay races, potato sacks races and the long jump. All the boys and girls received ribbons and some of them had coupons for free food to Chick-fil-a and Red Robin. Of course my competitive children were encouraging and screaming for their friends all morning.

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Lil Red got to dance in Mayfest again this year. I may just be a little bias but she looked so cute up there on stage.

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A big oops! Lil Man accidently got Lil Red in the face with a hand shovel or spade. So off to Urgent Care I went with Lil Red and 3 stitches later she just added to her list of stitches in her lower lip, stitches in the knee and a broken wrist.



I organized another field trip for both of our homeschool groups, Heritage Homeschool Coop and Tulsa Area Homeschoolers. We got to go see a Tulsa Drillers Baseball game. We had general admission tickets which meant we sat on the grassy hills behind left or right field. We chose to sit behind right field because it was right next to the wonderful playground inside the complex. It was perfect for my kids. We also got to enjoy typical baseball food like hot dogs and Dippin' Dots. It was unusually hot for May so my family only stayed for about two hours. Chubbles was getting cranky and the others were getting whiney which is a sure fire sign it is time to go.

April Memories

Even though it can be stressful, I love when April starts out with Easter. It is such a special holiday for our family that we stretch it out over two to three days. Of course, I had already planned for the big day and worked on coordinating our church outfits for the last month.



I extended the Easter story at home by sharing it bit by bit and used the Resurrection Eggs to help tell the story. The kids and I also made Resurrection Rolls to help us get a "sweet taste" of the story and what Jesus and God did for us on that special day many years ago.

I do not like to rush around after church on Easter or ask anyone else to do the same, so I host the annual Easter dinner on the day before. No one has to be as dressed up or feel rushed or overwhelmed as we would if we had it all after church on Sunday. JB and I like to spend time with just the kids and make sure we really are spending that day in rest.

My parents and JB's dad joined us for our dinner. After dinner, JB, Legs and I went outside to hide the eggs. This is the first year Legs didn't hunt, she only hid them but she did assist Chubbles when it came time to hunt the eggs. My rule is that once they are in 6th grade, they do not hunt the eggs and Santa does not leave you gifts. Of course, she got to be in on all the fun of planning and keeping secrets.

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We got to enjoy some amazing April weather during our field trip to Woolaroc in Bartlesville. We started with Mountain Men demonstrations and followed that up with a tour of the museum. There were many artifacts in the museum but Lil Man was enthralled with the gun room. He had an explanation for every single one of them. Lil Red said her favorite was all the dolls.

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A week later we joined our homeschool coop for another field trip. We got to tour Will Rogers Museum in Claremore. The kids and I learned a lot about Oklahoma history and Will Rogers himself. I think I enjoyed the many quotes that were posted all over the museum. The kids really enjoyed the interactive children's area.

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During our school work this month, we made butter. Yum!

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Chubbles got to start a gymnastics class this month also. I work one night a week and taking helped her break up the boredom of 4 hours at the gym with mom. She LOVES Miss Corrie.

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We were busy the last weekend of April. We spent Friday night at the State Gymnastics meet in Oklahoma City. This is a tough meet and our girls did their best. We decided to drive on home late that night because the next morning, JB took Lil Man to the Tulsa Air and Space Musuem Rocket Show. I think everyone in this general area was there because they had to park over a mile away and got drenched on the way back to the car. Lil Man said it was worth it though to see those planes in the air.

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Saturday evening Legs and her friend E, got to participate in Takeoff weekend with our church youth group. They went to Incredible Pizza and then back to the church for music and fun. They ended the evening in assigned host homes and joined their families again at church the next morning.

We also got a new furry member of the family. It is a Husky named Pretty Girl. Her previous owner is a friend of the family but they just could not keep her anymore. JB has always wanted a Husky and now he has one. This will be JB and Lil Man's dog but of course we will all love on her.

March Overview

Our March included two birthdays, a field trip, a play, two gymnastics meets,a cheer class, a tea party, and the start of the baseball season.

Our biggest event was Legs' birthday on the 2nd. She decided on dinner at Napoli's. J had gone out a few days before and bought her a cell phone and I had programmed the phone with contacts and numbers. I had also asked her friends and friends' parents to start calling about 7:15 on her new phone. We had already arrived at the restaurant and ordered our drinks when her wrapped gift starting making a noise. She had no idea what it could be but once she realized it was a phone, she could not get it opened fast enough.

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On the first first Friday of the month, Legs and a few other friends put on a play for the rest of our homeschool coop. They performed Kirsten: An American Girl and Legs played the part of "Pa". The girls worked hard on their lines, helped create their costumes and gathered the props. Legs said it was fun to do with her friends but she didn't think a life in the theater was for her.


The following Monday I took Lil Red to the library for a Fancy Nancy Tea Party. This was a reservation only party and Lil Red took her doll and they wore matching outfits. The girls made butterflys, heard a story, shared snacks and drinks and got to walk the "runway".

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Our family got to go back to our old stomping grounds, Stillwater, for a gymnastics meet. It was a rather small meet in comparison to others we have been in this year but the girls did really good and we are so proud of them. After the meet, many of the families chose to eat at the famous Eskimo Joes but we knew that would be a mad house and we have our own little favorite, Bad Brad's BBQ. It was the closest to the meet and it did not disappoint. The bbq is really good but J and I go for the cobbler. Yum!

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During the second half of the month, I organized a field trip to Jasmine Moran Children's Museum in Seminole. Our family has been two other times in years past but we hadn't been since the museum had added the maze outside and expanded the building which enabled them to include more weather and health learning activities. We spent a lot of time in the mechanic's shop due to my Nascar-loving son.

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I got to take Chubbles to Sesame Street Live for the first time this year. She was so excited and had a hard time sitting still waiting on it to start. Once the lights dimmed, she climbed into my lap to watch but she was jumping up and down and squealing very loud when Elmo came out on stage. She didn't stop moving or talking except during intermission. We were blessed to get to go with a friend and his grandma who got us all excellent seats. We were sitting on the first row off of the floor and some of Elmo's friends came right up next to us. Chubbles wasn't too sure about that and grabbed onto me tightly.

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Later that same day, Lil Man got to play his first baseball game of the season.

On that Saturday, Lil Red got to try a cheer class thru the local YMCA. She really liked it and can't wait to go back.

We finished off the month with a Sectionals gymnastics meet in Claremore. All of our girls qualified for the state meet. It is hard to believe that the season is almost over. Only one more meet to go. That was also my birthday so we ended the evening at Cracker Barrel, one of my favorite restaurants. My dad took all the pictures at the meet which are excellent but I haven't gotten a copy of them yet. I am finishing off this post with a picture of Legs with her Lego creation and one of Chubbles starting a new adventure.