2011 Christmas Memories - Day 9

We were jam packed full of fun today.  The older kids had their last day of co-op classes for the fall semester.  Harlee and Jordan were in choir and p.e. classes while Hannah was in a geography class.  Today they were studying Israel and Jerusalem.  Hallie Jo hung out with me away from the rest of the group so we wouldn't pass on any sick germs.  She was SO bummed she could not go to her classes too.

Hallie Jo's booty is worse and she started crying every time she needed to pee.  I made a doctor's appointment to rule out whether it is rash causing the pain or a bacterial infection.  We didn't have success obtaining a sample in the office so now we have to try to do that at home and deliver it to the lab ourselves.  Oh, the joys of parenthood.

After co-op, I took the kids to Shepherd's Cross to visit their live nativity, have a snack during a short film, make bird feeders and listen to a story from "Elizabeth".  We had a pretty good time but Jordan said he was disappointed that the nativity was silent, no talking at all.

We finished off our day at the local Christmas parade.  Jordan's scout pack walked in the parade.  He said, "That was totally wicked!"  He even did a great job of tossing candy and making sure he had enough for the end of the parade to share.  Jimmy got the great job of walking with the other leaders and boys while the girls and I enjoyed it from the sidewalk.

I must have worn out the kids because Jordan and Hallie Jo fell asleep before I could get dinner fixed after the parade.  In the meantime, Harlee and Hannah got to open and read our books and we talked about where we found Gundy earlier today.  He was playing Star Wars Trouble with Optimus Prime.

Join my friend ShaRhonda and her family's elf, Charlie over at The 4-Crow's.

 

Drillers Game Field Trip

I arranged for our homeschool group to go on another field trip to a Tulsa Drillers game in May. We went last year and sat on the grassy hill behind outfield. This year our family opted to buy seats with backs. I am glad we did because the hills were packed with people. J also got to join us on this field trip.

Black Hawk

The weekend after Easter, Lil Man and J got to go with the Boy Scouts to visit a Black Hawk helicopter. This was an opportunity not heard of due to security. Lil Man was overcome with excitement because one of his top favorites is anything to do with the military.

Philbrook Museum of Art Tour

Our homeschool coop went to the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa on a field trip. The museum broke us up into three different groups based on ages so I went with Harlee and Hallie Jo who were in the younger group.

We got to visit most of the lush garden area and even shared a story about butterflies while outside. I was amazed to find out that the museum grows vegetables on the museum grounds for use in their lunch menu. Now I look at vegetables in a whole new light.

At the end of our tour, our group got to make butterflies in one of the museum's classrooms. There was so much to see that I plan on going back by myself and then another time with the kids.

Oil Well Drilling

JB had hernia surgery on March 16th. He has been suffering with an umbilical hernia for almost a year but we did not have health insurance. We praise the Lord it was not more serious and require an emergency visit. Once the doctor started to repair the hernia, he found two more hernias that needed to be repaired. When JB does something, he goes over and beyond.

The day after the surgery, JB's dad was having an oil well drilled so JB wanted to take the kids to see that. He always enjoyed watching it as a kid so he thought the kids would too. I did not object, it was a field trip for school.

It was so noisy and pretty warm. When we got there, we parked a good distance away and left Chubbles in the car seat since she fell asleep on the way. It was interesting to see what came out of the ground as it was drilled. Lil Man got to help turn some dials with the workers and they all got to see some samples under a black light to check for oil.

Fire Station Field Trip

Another mom in our homeschool coop arranged a field trip to the local airport. There was such a big response for this one that we had to split into 4 groups. Legs went on this same field trip about three years back. I was about one week from delivering Chubbles so my dad came and went with her to the airport.

This time around I signed up Dude and Lil Red. When the time came, Dude opted out of going which disappointed me because he was the reason I initially signed up. Oh well, Lil Red and I had a great time with our friends and we learned so much.

Feb Girls Group Meeting

Lil Red went to her monthly Girls Group meeting. This month they made bookworms to be used as bookmarks. A very cute project!

As part of the meeting, we walked to the local library to donate some books and on the way, the girls picked up trash. We ended the walking field trip at a local shop called Scoops and Grinds where each girl got a scoop of ice cream.

Stephen Fite Concert

Back at the beginning of the school year, another homeschool mom arranged for those of us interested to attend the Stephen Fite concert in Claremore on Dec. 1st. I took the three youngest with me and they all had a good time even if they won't admit it.

Mommy/Son Date

I want/plan on taking each of my kids on a mommy date in November, December and January. Lil Man got to be first because I saw a website that showed that there was a display of the OKC downtown buildings all built out of Legos. I knew he would be very excited to see this so it was very convenient that we happened to be about 20 minutes from the display while we were at my parents for Thanksgiving.

We were amazed at the structures and creations we saw. They were very realistic right down to the detail of trim, colors and other details. They had recreated a basketball game in the Ford Arena, had blue and pink "babies" in the nursery of the hospital, a film crew doing a news interview, moving boats and cranes, a parade, pay phones, etc. I was impressed with the OKC Bombing Memorial and Myriad Botanical Gardens. I am not sure if Lil Man was more impressed with all the buildings or that he could build to his heart content with all the loose Legos the event provided.

International Fesitval

In our homeschool coop, there is enough of us that we are asked to plan or organize one field trip a year. This year I chose the Kids' World International Festival. It only comes to Tulsa every other year and I knew my kids would enjoy themselves.

Representatives from different countries set up booths where they share activities from their culture. The kids then tour and experience each culture at their leisure and get their passports stamped at each stop.

Tulsa State Fair

Two days after going to the OK History Museum, we joined my father-in-law as well as my best friend and her kids at the Tulsa State Fair.

I can't decide which fair I like better. The Tulsa State Fair seems to have more to do but the OK State Fair is bigger and has more to see. I have to say that either one is a great place to people watch.

">

Field Trip: OK History Museum

We took advantage of the OK History Museum Homeschool Day on October 4th and met my parents there. I love that we have the advantage of sharing a school day one-on-one with the grandparents.

">

Fire Station Field Trip

On September 13th, our coop went to a local fire station for a tour. Legs has been on this particular tour more than once and Chubbles would not have been patient with the large crowd so I only took the two middle kids.

This is the largest turn-out I have seen for a field trip in a long time. It was nice to see familiar faces as well as new faces. Each family brought an edible goody to share with and bless the firemen for allowing us to see where they work.

Mummies and Custard

Also on September 11th, we finally had a 12th birthday party for Legs. Her birthday was back in March but with sports schedules and other responsibilities, we had to put off the party until she was twelve and a half.

Legs has always been fascinated with mummies and all things Egyptian so when we heard that the Philbrook Museum had a traveling mummy exhibit, we knew we had to go. In the process of planning the party, we found out that this was the last weekend for the exhibit to be in Tulsa and that particular day was FREE for all. Boy was it crowded!

We started out with the girls going on a scavenger hunt on the grounds outside then came back in to look at all the artifacts. Unfortunately, the museum did not allow any pictures to be taken of the Egyptian exhibit since they did not own it. Before we left, each girl got a free art kit box, art supply and art card from the museum. Then each month that they go back they can take their box and receive another art card and art supply.

We went to Freckles Frozen Custard after to enjoy some yummy dessert and let Legs open her presents. She was so happy that so many of her friends could come and it was neat to see friends from gymnastics, church and homeschool to all come together to have fun.

Tulsa Children's Museum Field Trip

The Tulsa Children's Museum is in the process of raising funds for a permanent building but in the meantime, they have traveling exhibits that come and set-up in various places in Tulsa. This exhibit was called Go Figure and it was displayed at Central Library in Tulsa.

I took the three little ones while Legs was at my parent's house. There was five different "stations" where we could read the book together and then do an activity related to the story.

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.

">




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.

">




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.

">




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.

">




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.

">




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".

">




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.

">




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!

">



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.

">



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.