Ten on Thursday - Mostly Easter Edition

 1.  First Easter activity of the weekend was the Myriad Gardens Easter Egg Hunt--- sadly, it wasn't as cool as I hoped.  It was mostly standing around for a brief rush.  We did this twice as B was in the older age group, which started later. It was a beautiful day and I love the gardens, but probably not worth it on a busy weekend.

2.  Then we had lunch at the Wedge.  The most notable part of the lunch was that E saw a dog as we were walking from the car and spent most of the rest of the weekend and beyond randomly interjecting -- "The Dog is Nakey...NO..."  Hysterical.  Also, I love M in her Easter Hat and pearls. 

 3.  Then it was off to the farm.  E discovered the oil well.  Unlike when M was little, he did not find it terrifying, but rather fascinating and really wanted to touch it (which is no good).

 4.  It is still a working farm so everyone that wasn't sick worked all weekend.  Even E, who was learning to dig holes for some new trees for Grandma.

 5.  We had the requisite Easter photo shoot.  The great thing about a late Easter was that it was still light at 7pm!

 6.  Mass started at 8pm in Bison. The highlight was the Creation Story, as always.  B & Zane participated and did an excellent job.  Having a buddy helps.  My crew made it through Mass, if barely.  E spent much of the time rotating between the two pews and only really escaped once, but luckily the Mack family caught him. There was, of course, an Easter egg hunt in the dark after Mass ended at 10pm ... we were all exhausted by the time we got home.

 7.  The next morning, the Easter Bunny came with lots of goodies for everyone and cascarones.  These are eggs full of confetti that are perfectly great fun to smash (outside) and result in a very festive yard.

8.  I enjoyed an Easter run on the soft country roads, followed by more yard work, clearing of brush, etc... during naptime.  There was also intermittent cooking and lots of getting messy.  B & M loved going to the woods/creek with Daddy.  Zane opted out, which is when we began to suspect he was sick :)

9.  Right at after dinner the rapidly sickening Korenaks left.  The rest of us had the best egg hunt yet.  Easter Egg hunts at the farm are always the best as there are a zillion eggs and just as many awesome places to hide them.  Able and Kari did the honors. Meanwhile, my mom and I lost track of E and I had to wake Brent in a panic to help me locate him (he was calmly helping Able and Kari outside, obviously).

10.  Then we came back home.  There has been some playing in the sprinklers, loving the spring weather, and a bit of belated Easter Egg dying that the kids all loved so much that I may need to work on using more eggs and perhaps a bit earlier next year.  Today was the final Easter (ok, Pascha) party and thus we begin the spiral towards the end of school... It all goes so fast. 

A day full of Birthday Love

Today, was a very good day. I think it may possibly have been exactly the sort of birthday B would have dreamed for himself.  I am a little teary thinking about the whole of it with the promise of a work day coming soon so I'm going to share the photos here and write birthday letters and other musings later.  There are a lot of photos.  Here is our day in the life, January 20, 2014 - B's 7th Birthday.

First things first, presents.  I made him promise not to open them before I got up and I got to sleep in the latest of everyone this morning-- 8:30!  As soon as we were all up he dove right in.  Lots of Skylanders, books, games, a puzzle, and a LEGO clock so he'll be able to tell when he can get up in the morning more easily. Obviously, M & E helped with the presents. 

Being born on inauguration day has meant that B gets to miss school on his birthday more often than most.  His birthday has fallen on inauguration day, weekends, and, as today, on Martin Luther King Day several times.  Long weekends around his birthday are his happy norm and I love it.  A lot of his day was spent like this playing Wii U. 

Brent & I worked together to make him his preferred Star Wars pancakes for breakfast and then I made him our favorite chocolate chunk cookies for lunch/snacking while they played board games. 

After loving Castle Panic during our recent visit to the Wainrights' Brent bought it for B's birthday.  This lovely threesome played it successfully while I made cookies and E napped.  (It was thankfully shorter than the 5 hour Monopoly marathon of yesterday, which B eventually won). 

There was some counting of Skylanders and considering which ones he likes best as well as more video games while M played a strategy game with Daddy, I read, and E napped.  Yes, little bro occasionally takes up his older brother's excellent napping skills. 

Then it was time for the long awaited ice skating trip.  We had some trouble getting there as streets were still blocked off from the parade, but we made it.  Due to E's age and my problematic feet, we watched from the side lines, but had an excellent time dancing to the music, watching, and snacking. 

 E is a great cheer leader and wants to be in on the action.  He loves his big brother and I love all three of my guys.

This photo was taken accidentally with my phone. I couldn't see a thing due to the glare, but I love it.  Random bonus!

Brent was so careful and patient with them.  B did not want help.  M definitely did.  All of them improved as they went around and round. 

Brent likes ice skating, me, and being a Daddy :)

Close together, my older two who have been through so much of their adventures thus far together. 

Seven, definitely seven.  When reminiscing with Brent about his birth this morning we were discussing that one of the first things Brent told me after B was born was that he had my elf ears (I have bumps on the outside of my ears that my parents refer to as such).  B has them too.  He has little bits of my look even though he mostly just looks like his dad, which is a good thing indeed. 

There needed to be some resting while the zamboni went around as skating is hard work and several people's feet were getting sore. 

Brent "might" have managed to get some of E's snacks.  It is somewhat possible that my kids are mostly made up of these yogurt granola bars I always have in my bag. 

Not to worry, E found some pretzels too and went back to dancing and watching the skating. 

B grew more confident and stable as the rounds passed.  I love that he seems to truly enjoy ice skating even though it is clearly hard for him.  He persisted, and did not get frustrated with the many slips, tilted ankles, or balance checks. Just kept sliding along with a good attitude (win!)

He did take some tips from Brent.  It is a good thing at 7 to still listen to your Dad's advice about how to improve and tackle the current challenge.  After this, we went to Toys R Us so he could spend his gift card, and exchange one Skylander for another.  He got two more Skylanders and  a Hero Factory LEGO.  Then, home for chicken nuggets from Chik-fil-a and more video games.  

We wrapped up the evening with his annual birthday interview, which will appear here soon, and another 1/2 a chapter of A Wrinkle In Time.  Sprinkled throughout the day were calls from his Grandparents, Aunts, and cousins that were all very fun and enthusiastic. As the day wound into night, I got a very big 7 year old hug, sang him Happy Birthday a few more times, and finally, per his request, sang him "Go to Sleep My Brendan" his lullabye as a baby, as his bed time song. 

It seemed fitting and very cyclical.  I love you sweet boy.  You have  grown in so many ways this year and I am so very proud of you.  I love this day we spent together as a family and wish all our birthdays could be like this.  For now, we'll savor this one relaxed lovely day and wish you a wonderful year to come.

Love,

Mama

Dec Daily 15: The Ballet!

Day 15 was hard for me to work my way up to as it is so hard to choose photos so again I used a lot. I used blue and pink bits from the SC and Freckled Fawn kits across the pages to keep them a unified package.  The story is all about Lady M, Grandma, Tracie, and I attending the OKC Ballet's production of the Nutcracker. 

See that journaling card at the bottom left? It is in a page protector cut in half.  I cut appart more of the blue words from the SC kit and pasted them in the journaling where appropriate.  They are sprinkled throughout the pages of the spread as well. 

Here we are closer up with the journaling over the last page. M loved the show and did really well this year.  However, I was feeding her little bits of chocolate throughout so at the end she was FULL of energy and danced inside and out. 

She also enjoyed the milk and cookies in the lobby.  She wanted to see all the stars of the show, but would not talk to them or take pictures with them as she was just too shy. (This is the back side of the journaling card insert)

Here is the spread with the insert flipped over. 

The Right page is M smiling under the staircase and dancing her way to the car.  The Spice Shop had an ad in the Program right under the description of Act II.  We saw it during intermission.  It includes pictures of Grandma and Uncle Able.  Very exciting.

(The arrow, blue bling, and "joy" badge are also from the Freckled Fawn December kit). 

And that friends, was Day 15.  Sadly,  no pictures with Tracie as M was refusing pictures after the show and Tracie didn't join us until the last minute before.  

Either way it was a very fun, festive day, and the ballet was beautiful! 

Day 7: Plenty of Parties

Day 7 included two parties.  First, B and Brent went to one of his best buddy's birthday parties at Laser Quest.  Then, almost as soon as they got home, we packed our van for the trip south to Norman.  Normally we drive to Norman once a month, maybe less for an event of some kind.  This trip involved a bit more planning because the all of the side roads are covered in snow and ice.  So, in good motherly fashion, I made everyone bring a bottle of water, blanket, and warm clothes and I bought extra granola bars.  We listened to the OU/OSU bedlam gave on our way to the party. I have been determined all season to stop being so emotionally invested in football games and have been succeeding, but when walking in to the house down by four with something like 40 seconds left was nerve wracking.  We were probably not the best guests the first couple minutes as we checked our phones to discover that OU won by 9!  It was a very bizarre game, and an exciting conclusion. 

Back to the page at hand, our kids were dancing by the door of our friends' home welcoming their friends to the party (or maybe celebrating the football victory).  It was a fun, if chaotic, afternoon with a big house full of kids in snowy weather.  Several dads braved the snow so they could run around a bit after all the sugar.  We came home with lots of sweats and some very tired kids.

Crafting note - I embossed in gold the "Joy" stamp from the SC kit and then added another of the Tim Holtz Christmas metal bars.  This one says "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas."  The background card is from the kit.  Near the top, I made a messy paint mistake and as is our scrapping motto, I just covered it up:)

Easy peasy, and it left me plenty of time to make a few other scrapbook pages with the goodies from my kits. 

Birthday Week: Letter to M

Dear M,

  It has been a month since you turned four and yet your birthday letter is just being written. I needed some space to appreciate three and see what four might be.  Three, you see, was not our very best or easiest year together.  For your older brother, it was two, and everyone just has a year like that.  Don't get me wrong, I treasure a 1000 different memories of you at three and marvel at each of them, but we spent more time arguing or crying than either of us wished.  You, dear heart, are too much like me in many ways that cause us to butt heads.  We are both too stubborn and like most people want things our way, but sadly that can't always be.  At three you were often trapped between so much vibrancy and the stricture of rules that were hard to follow, but necessary to keep you safe and grow.  My hope is that in teaching you this year we did not break that true, uniquie, amazing spirit, but rather helped you grow it into something more mature, safer, and happier still. 

At three, you were filled with energy in ways I don't recall being, but perhaps I was.  At three, you loved to dance, to play, to snuggle your dolls.  You loved to create and late in the year to scrapbook with me in your own way--- which is actually amazingly good for someone so young.  Many times during the year you seemed so very big.  At four, you can do so many things that even a year ago weren't possible.  For example, your vocabulary and inflection are amazing.  I do not think it is normal for three year-olds to declare that their dinner is delectable, but you often did. at three, you would watch ballet documentaries that were only somewhat in English and be fascinated for an hour.  You developed complicated games and imaginary worlds with your big brother with no help at all from me.  At three, you wanted to be big, but sometimes you were so little.  When I saw you up on that huge stage at your dance recital, it was clear we still had plenty of time with a little girl as up there you were so very tiny, so very brave.  Sometime just after that the transition to four began and I think some of our lessons of this year seeped through, the everyday became easier, and by summer's end things started to shift into the world of four. 

At four, you are much more helpful and a better listener than you were last year or even a few months ago.  You are still easily distracted, but trying hard.  We've learned that even though you resist sleep mightily; you are so much in need of it.  We've learned together.  Now, as you turn fully into a four year old, I amazed at how brave and independent you are.  

This week, we went to the Science Museum.  You chose to get into this Mercury shuttle simulator all by yourself.  Your brother is 2.5 years older and has never done this.  In fact, he has only ridden in once ever, with you by his side last month.  That is part of who he is and perfectly right for him, but you are different-- complete with your own complications/struggles, but also your own strengths.  

You were so calm and brave on the video. You responded to the questions from the operator, and never panicked or displayed any of your usual nervous "tells."  I was so proud of you and so happy to see your smiling face emerge and grab my hand to proudly display your Mercury astronaut badge.  You amaze me my brave girl, every day.  You are so different from your brothers and from anyone I know.  You make me smile over and over throughout the day as we discuss your thoughts on life and what we're doing at the moment.  You are such a helper with E now, especially when we're at school and carrying so many things.  

Tuesday, we went to gymnastics for the second time this fall and after nearly a year of absence before that.  You have grown up so much since the class at age three. at four, you are the only girl in your class and 3 inches taller than the boys.  You are strong and able to do everything fairly easily by yourself.  Last year, you needed lots of assistance and were nervous being in the class without your parents. This year, I see you check for me a time or two, but mostly you are watching the other classes in progress or listening to your teacher, completely independent and confident.  So much has changed in a year and it is for the better dear one even though sometimes I miss that tiny girl that needed her mama a bit more than you do now-- I cannot have both and know this year is bigger and better for you and all of us.

Dear daughter mine, I know this will not be the last year where there are hard times and tears.  Like this year though, they will be the minority and a small portion of our days or memories.  We are a team and "get" each other in ways that the boys just don't.  You are amazing, strong, and growing in beauty and wisdom with each year.  Your Daddy and I are working hard to help you build a strong foundation.  We're surrounding you with people that love you and teaching you the best we can skills you will need for the rest of your life.  In return, you are filling our days with stories, dance, layers of ruffly outfits, stuffies, and lots of conversation.  We love you so much and I'm so excited to see what this year holds.

Hugs, kisses, and love always dear, sweet four year-old girl. 

Beautiful, Cloudy Skies

Oklahoma is, at times, a bit shy with its beauty.  Sometimes, it suddenly puts on a show for just a few minutes that is unbelievable. 

 

 

 

 

 

All of these were taken in a mater of minutes as the light and clouds rapidly shifted.

 

 

Sometimes, looking down will help reflect the colors even more richly in the remains of the storm.

 

 

Everyone has to stop in awe and watch as the colors shift, change, and fade.  Oklahomans do love to watch our clouds - whether beautiful or menacing or some combination of both. 

All of this is a brief reminder to look up-- you never know what beauty might await.