Parties, Parties and More Parties

My friend Christy over at Momof2girlygirlz helped me figure out how to post slideshows. Thank you so much. I like this much better than the still pictures when sharing the fun my family is having.

Lil Man finished his golf camp on the first day of August.

JB's dad bought our whole family season tickets to Frontier City. The second of July was the first chance we got to go this season. I expected it to be crowded and hot since it was a holiday weekend but nothing could be further from the truth. It was muggy but not unbearable if you were in the shade or a breeze blew through. The only lines we had to stand in were for roller coasters and not for very long.

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We got to spend precious time with family at JB's sister's house on Independence Day. This is the first time I have ever let my kids light or hold a firework. I know what you must be thinking but I grew up in a city where it was illegal to possess fireworks and all I ever heard was the dangers of fireworks from my parents and grandparents. I was very nervous all evening but the kids had a great time and I think we might have a new pyrotechnic in Legs. JB and our cousin, S are already planning for bigger and better next year.

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On the 10th, the girls and I went to the wedding of A & B. A was Legs' first USA Gymnastics coach and has been a real encourager ever since. This couple spent most of the last fours apart while in school. They weathered the "storms" that long distance relationships can cause and what a blessing to God their wedding and marriage are.


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During the week of the 12-16th, our church had their Vacation Bible School. Lil Man chose to go spend his week with my parents at the same time so it was just the girls and I. This Lil Red's first experience with the huge crowd but the rest of were in the preschool. Chubbles had two great teachers that really made a point to direct each activity to the daily story. Legs and I assisted the Resource Coordinator and had many odd jobs to do. We took care to clean and sanitize toys as they were returned as well as sort out lots of things that had not been touched in awhile like the stickers, colored sand, foam pieces, stamps, etc.

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We had a baseball party to celebrate the end of the season. The sweet "D" couple here in our town allowed us to use their pool for our party.


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Lil Red turned six years old on the 22nd. We spent the day out in the son playing with shaving cream and playing on our homemade slip n' slide. Her choice for a birthday dinner was Cracker Barrel. She got two new Webkinz, a princess book and a bag of kitty litter. She will be getting her new cat, Claws, later this month so I decided to put the litter in her gift as a way to let her know about the cat.

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Two days later Lil Red had her party with her friends at Classroom Corner in Owasso. It was a Fancy Nancy Spa Party. The girls got pedicures including scrubs and nail polish. They made a cute tote bag craft and also played a Fancy Nancy game. Ms. Shelly and her crew did an amazing job on the party and I highly recommend them to anyone that asks.

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We finished off the month with a family swimming party for Lil Man and Lil Red. When I decided to start having a family combo birthday party for the both of them, it became so much easier and less stressful. Again, the "D" family let us use their pool for our party. It was a small gathering but none the less, the kids had a great time. This was also the first time I had bought a decorated cookie instead of a cake but it was quite yummy.

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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.