One of These Days ....

Trying to remind myself today that having little children around is a temporary thing.  They will grow up.  And be gone, out of our home.  Never to return.  So even though I tire of picking up little shoes, watching endless kids tv shows, folding little laundry, packing lunches (school starts tomorrow!), and all the other mundane tasks of motherhood, it is simply part of having kids at home.  And the sweet kisses, hugs, smiles, and the joys of watching my children grow up outweigh the work.  Because one of these days the kids will be gone, and these little shoes will not fit anymore.  Praying that I remember to enjoy the good stuff and not focus on the bad today.

Monsters University

Well, in an attempt do do something fun before school starts, we decided to go see a movie today.  Now, Mason is two years old, which is not necessarily the best age for the movies.  But, we decided to see Monsters University which is the prequel to a movie that Mason really likes, Monsters Inc.  He was extremely excited until we got in the theater and had to sit thru the endless previews- he became a little agitated that each one was not the start of the movie.  And when the movie started, all three kiddos were pretty well engaged other than one of them needing an occasional refill on their popcorn (we were sharing a big one).  Mason also moved between my lap and his seat a few times, and had to give some mid-movie kisses to Sissy, but he was mostly really good.  The big kids loved the movie too so I say the day was a success!

Children's Museum

We visited a new Children's Museum in Tulsa.  I have long wondered why Tulsa didn't have a Children's Museum comparable to other cities- and now they do!  It was small with limited exhibits, but the ones they had were good and could easily entertain for a couple of hours.  They had it priced well - only $5 admission so it was affordable.  And I think their desire is to grow, so this could be a place we will visit for years to come. Their big exhibit is a "tape tunnel",which is exactly what it sounds like.  A large tunnel made out of tape.  It ends in a big slide.  The kids LOVED the tape tunnel.  Micah and Mason did this slide about 10 times in a row, over and over. 

On their way up the tape tunnel 

Heading down the tape tunnel - on his belly! 

Wheeeee 

Working his way through the tunnel

 

 

Another favorite part of the museum was a shadow wall.  Maddie really loved this one the most but they all 3 liked it.

 

 

The museum also had a really cool art room that was well stocked.  The project of the day was musical instruments.  They had tons of materials and the kids could use whatever they wanted to make a musical instrument.  They rotate the projects so you can go another time and make something else.

 

Maddie and her guitar 

Micah and his "flute"

 

Another favorite area was where they had tons of boxes that were taped up and the kids could build with them.  We went to the museum with some friends and I got this shot of them all smushed up inside some boxes.  Then Jennifer, the mom of our friends, accidentally tripped over them while trying to help get them together for the picture so I got a really funny picture out of it!  Fun times!

 

 

There were lots more things at the museum that we all enjoyed and we will definitely be back!  A great way to spend a summers day :)









Kids Camp 2013

This year was Maddie's first time to go to overnight camp.  Jamie, the Minister to Children at our church, invited Mark and I to go as counselors and we decided to go.  It made me feel just a little bit better to be there with her, even though she would have done just fine without me!

We really had a good time.  The weather was amazing - the middle of July and I had to wear a sweatshirt one day because I was cold (I had to borrow it - I didn't even think to bring one!).  The church staff and volunteers are absolutely awesome.  They put so much work into preparing for these days at camp.  Their love for the kids is obvious and they absolutely want nothing more than to see these kids establish a relationship with Jesus at a young age. 

I think that Maddie had a good time too.  She seemed a little bit unsure of herself early in the week, but as the week progressed, she settled in and did awesome.

I missed my boys but truly enjoyed my time at camp working with the fourth graders.  We had some really sweet kiddos and I hope that we get to go back next year!

World Series

Maddie and the Eagles went to their first World Series this year.  It was in Shawnee, which is where Mark and I went to college, so it was a bit of a walk down memory lane.  We had a fun time but unfortunately got rained out and didn't finish playing the tournament.

The World Series is a fun event because the girls get to have a "Sister Team" that they exchange gifts with and they also get to participate in the Opening Ceremony, which isn't really very exciting :)

The Tulsa Eagles along with their Sister Team

 

 

 The opening ceremony

 Opening ceremony

 

Opening ceremony

 

 Maddie's first World Series at bat

Maddie and some of her buddies







 

St. Louis Vacation

We weren't planning any big trips this year, so we decided to go on a short little trip to St. Louis and see a baseball game and do a few fun things as well.  We went with Uncle G, Lisa, Hannah, and Noah (or Googah, as Mason calls him). 

Our first night we went to the baseball game.  We planned this trip very spur of the moment so we really didn't have very good seats, but it didn't matter.  We still had a great time and best of all, the Cardinals won!  Mason loves baseball but wasn't a fan of sitting still in his seat, so he and I spent lots of time walking around the stadium.  I didn't really mind - it was fun to see all the stuff at the stadium and it kept him busy too.

 Dinner at Caleco's before the game

 

 Hard to get a good pic because the sun was shining :(

 

On our first full day, we visited Grant's Farm, which was a touristy spot similar to a zoo but a little different.  It was fun.  The kids got to ride a carousel, feed some goats, watch a bird show, and see quite a few animals.  Maddie and Hannah rode a camel, but the boys didn't want to.  It was a fun place to visit. 

 Maddie and Hannah on the tram ride that took you into Grant's Farm

 

Micah brushing a goat 

Camel Ride 

Love the way that Mason is pointing at the bottle like the goat will do it itself 

After we ate some lunch, a rainstorm rolled in so we decided to hit up the outlet mall because it was inside!

Sunday was our last day in St. Louis and we got up early that morning and took a trip to the top of the Gateway Arch.  It was not scary at all and the kids really seemed to enjoy it. 

View from the arch 

The tram that took you up the arch 

Waiting for the tram to go back down the arch

 

After we finished the Gateway Arch, we took a boat ride along the Mighty Mississippi River.  It was so unbelievably hot that it was almost not enjoyable.  Still fun but it would have been better if it was just a little bit more pleasant weather!

 

Maddie and Noah on the boat

 

 

After the boat ride we had one last meal in St. Louis before we had to head home.  It was a quick trip for sure, but we packed in lots of activities and made the most of the time we had.  We had a great time and hope to at least try to make a game again next year!





Fourth of July

The fourth of July was not overly exciting around here.  We went to Mimi and Papa's for a cookout during the day, and went to a friend's house that evening to watch fireworks.  We had a great day overall.  Doesn't really compare to last year's fourth (Hawaii) but still had a great time with friends and family.

 My three cuties on the fourth

 

Maddie's softball coach came through for us in a big way - he had these headphones in his car and loaned them to Mason.  He wore them the whole time and was able to enjoy the fireworks without being upset and scared by the noise!

 

 

The sad part about the 4th was that my Papa wasn't there.  Usually when Mimi and Papa have a cookout or gathering for a holiday, Papa Riggs would come as long as he was up to it.  We also missed Carolyn, who was also ever-present for any type of get-together.  They were both missed :(