The Bears (Around Town, Series 2)

Second on our trip around town was the bear fountain, just one of many statues in the natureworks series in the riverparks areas of town. We are always driving by this one, but have never walked the trail to get there like we did Wednesday. It was too tempting for them not to wade or climb, because the sign said not too. So, we didn't stay very long since no one could listen very well. There are many other statues (not all fountains of course) around the riverparks, and they all have plaques on them about who dontated them and who made them, etc. They are very beautiful additions to the city.

First Day of School '08

Here they are this morning (above), not looking very bright-eyed, that's for sure! But, Grayce starts school at 1pm, so I took more photos of her later (see below) . Poor Gavin looked as if I needed to give him a cucumber eye treatment. Perhaps I will take some after school photos of him later. Anyway, this is Gavin's first day of 3rd grade. And this is Grayce's first day of real school, Pre-K!

The God Hands (Around Town, Series 1)

This is the first in a very short series of posts from around T-town. I have been wanting to take the kids around and photograph them with things we have in Tulsa with history or meaning- but the weather or timing usually wins out. Well, today- the new roof started going on our house from the hail storm and we needed to get out. Way too much banging. So, we made do on short notice and took off. But then, Grayce got some boo-boos along the way, so we didn't end up seeing much, but they enjoyed our short trip around town. Way up in the corner you may be able to see Gavin & Grayce by the "God Hands". This is what the kids call them.

The God Hands are on the campus at ORU and we drive by them all the time. But, we have never stopped and wandered over there and read the monument. But we did today. Gavin is really into reading monuments.

It's a huge piece, really amazing. An ORU professor lives next door to me and she told me they tell the new freshmen the hands clap at midnight. And some of them believe them. Come on, people. Are you kidding me?

Five Minutes For Mom Photo Contest

These are my 2 summer entries in the contest. One of Grayce swinging- her favorite summer time past time.

This one from when we visited Little Blue State Park, a great summer trip!

Leapin' Louie's Lagoon Birthday

Sunday was another birthday party at Leapin' Louie's. This cool place is in a hotel here in town. We had Gavin's birthday party here, too. This party was for one of Grayce's pre-school friends. And, please note once again, I don't have one picture of Grayce with the actual birthday friend- in this case her name was Jadyn. I am going to have work on that! Anyway, three hours of swimming was right up Grayce's alley. I was a little on the bored side after about an hour. Oh, the sacrifices for the sake of fun!

First Scrimmage, The Other Story

While Gavin is playing, and I am trying to take photos- I am also trying to keep track of the social princess, herself. It is completely, totally, and utterly impossible for her to actually sit next to me. She must be climbing, talking, running, jumping or something else. OR, asking for skittles, or hot dogs, or whatever else she can think of...it is a complete chore to keep up with her. And she wouldn't think of missing it, it is her social hour. She loves every minute.

She is the biggest ham steak...on rye :-)

First Scrimmage

Not sure what he is up to here...but this shot will remind you to look for #23.

You can tell he is yelling something here before they get set. The kid on the line with his little hands clenched...he is cracking me up. He is ready!

Gavin getting the ball in this one. And, the first glimpse of big bald man in the gray shirt who stuck his body in the way of a lot of my pictures. I took a lot of pictures, but don't want to give away any trade secrets- so I won't post the link to all or let you know unless I know you and you know the secret pass code. And the secret hand shake.

Gavin is just about to get his head whacked up in the left corner- you can see the back of his jersey. It was a great scrimmage, all in all. It was a rainy August night- but the boys did a great job on offense and defense!

My Future Surgeons

As many kids do, my kids have always said they wanted to be doctors. But, my kids may not just be saying that. You see, they LOVE to watch surgery. Maybe they are weird. Are they? Their dad may think so when it is on while he is trying to enjoy a snack or somehting. Well, then the other day Gavin was playing on one of the site links listed from one of his teachers. It is called http://www.edheads.org/ . On this site, you can perform virtual surgery on people. Yip. Go ahead, check it out. He and Grayce are doing knee surgery now, and totally enjoying themselves. They have a total hip replacement lined up next.

More Pre-K Prep!

Yesterday, we went school supply shopping! It took a long time, and was over $60 for 2 kids! Here is Grayce's Bixby North Pre-K Supply List:
(1) 8-count box large Crayola washable markers
(1) 8-count box thin Crayola washable markers
(2) 24-count box Crayola crayons
(1) 8-count large Crayola crayons
(6) white or clear glue sticks
(1) pair of scissors (Fiskars-blunt)
(2) pkg. of watercolors
(1) box of wipes
(1) Clorox wipes
(1) character pocket folder ( no prongs)
(1) box of Kleenex
(1) change of clothing, labeled in a ziplock bag
(1) box gallon size baggies
(2) 1 quart size baggies

I am mentioning this list here, in case someone is searching for it online. For whatever reason, you cannot find it printed in the store, like the other grades, and you cannot find it on the Bixby PS site. So, I called and they emailed it. Otherwise, I wouldn't bore you with the details. Although it is interesting! And, like my friend Cindy, I find it odd they need so much glue. But this case, I do think her girl wins with the glue. But, we win on zip lock baggies, hands down!

Fyi-It does not all fit in the back pack. But, she tried really hard.

Here is Grayce doing her own "posing". She does this a lot. SO, here it is. This is "Grayce doing a Bridge with Backpack".

READY, READY, READY!

There he is-with his back to ya- my #23, Gavin. He is the QB here, calling the play out- then will be yelling ready, ready, ready or whatever on the line. He is quite proud of this "yelling" job. He's good at the yelling, believe me. *Editor's note: Contributing photography credits should go to my husband and his blackberry.

I'm Going to Pre-K! I'm Going to Pre-K!

Yesterday, we got the call about Grayce's Pre-K class. She has Mrs. Mitchell in the Afternoon. She was telling everyone she saw from that moment on... And I mean everyone. She is SO excited. She keeps saying she is "growed up". Then I remind her she will always be my baby. She has now taken to reciting me the lines from "Love You Forever". More funny than that though, she often tells me that when she "grows down", she can have her pacie back and then I can carry her all the time. That girl, she's always thinkin'.

I'm Home, Glad I'm Not at Rush, & At the Car Wash- A Random Post...

"At the car wash" is the song in my head when I see these pictures, even though I took them in my driveway, last night. Anyway that means- I am home. Back from college town. And very happy I am not one of the 642 college freshman parading around campus today at rush (er, recruitment), while its 212 degrees trying to impress a bunch of over happy girls singing silly songs to me! Whew! That sounds like a bad dream. Okay, it was fun at the time about a million and twleve years ago. But it's over now. Thank the Lord. (But see more about them at the end)

Here are the 2 young 'uns helping their dad wash his car last night in the driveway. We had to wait till almost dark since it is so hot. Then, you have to wash fast and rinse fast or it will dry out. Remember, it's really hot. Did I say it was HOT?

They were working like mad out here, cleaning this car. Now, I wonder why this can't happen inside-say- in their rooms for instance?

Yah- I see you workin'- buddy.

Now for photos of what I was helping with in college land! I do wish my Delta Tri's the best this week. You can see a few photos of the girls below. And see our new floors...gorgeous.All the best, ladies! (Edited 8/9) My Tri Delta ladies had and incredible recruitment, actually going over quota with a group of outstanding new girls! More news will be posted soon on the alum & collegiate sites!

The new decor is so lovely. And do you know while I sweated over the lush new guest bath & chapel re-model (sweated, A LOT with Kacey and Emily and a wallpaper steamer!) I did not take a new photo of those rooms? What was I thinking? Huh? Hello? I will find some photos, never you mind. Don't worry! Those 2 rooms are pretty too. They are. REALLY pretty.

Blah Blahg (for a bit)

Okay- maybe you have noticed over there on the right- there is a list where I keep my other blogs I check. Some of those, you see, I also am the keeper of...because I am a very good volunteer, of sorts. You can see a couple of those are sorority related- and I am off right now- over to college land to help those ladies out. My blog is on hiatus till I return back here to the land of very small children...maybe I will have some good stories to tell!