4th grade Land Run

The 4th graders at the boys' school got to participate in a re-creation of the Oklahoma Land Run from April 22, 1889. Connor's class has been preparing for this for weeks. Cale and I were a little late so we missed the actual "run" but were able to see everything set up. I still remember doing this in elementary school too, but WOW, this one was much more involved that the ones I participated in.

The classes were broken up into families of 5 or 6 and each was given a part to play (mom, dad, son or daughter). Connor's "family" had two dogs, a covered wagon, a trading post, mattresses and a "fire" going. For lunch they dined on beef jerkey, apples, blueberry muffins and Connor took a Dr. Pepper (he never gets to drink caffeinated soda, but he pointed out that the can says it has been made since 1885...so, for this one day, he got a DP). Many of the "families" had large tents set up and each family was to choose a way in which to improve their land (having a bakery, mercantile, blacksmith shop, homestead, trading post, etc.). They also got to choose if they wanted to claim a larger country plot or smaller town plot of land and each family had a stake with their number on it. It was fun to walk thru and see all of the thought that went into this day.

Connor deals with his classmates who wanted to make some trades!

Finally he got fed up because all they had to offer were apples and he just wasn't interested! Here he was telling them to go away since they didn't have a proper trade :)

preschool spring program

Last Thursday night Cale had a Spring Program at school. It was really cute (and short...those

are the best kind!). It is so fun to watch Cale. He is the first of our boys to have no problem whatsoever getting in front of an audience to perform. In fact, I think he might even enjoy it! He has always thrived on attention. At the program I noticed that Cale looks and acts just as onery onstage as he does offstage!

One thing he does have in common with his brothers is that he looks really short when standing next to his classmates. Again, the apple didn't fall far from the tree (that's what our doc always says about our short boys!).

We went to Cale's classroom after the program for open house. Cale really was excited to show off his work, but he looks a little too cool for school in this pic doesn't he!?

just call me Bob

We have a little neighbor girl (and her brother) who have recently taken an interest in hanging at our house. I was asking Connor what the brother's name is since they've been playing together. Connor hasn't bothered to find out. He just tells me, "I hope that boy comes over to play basketball today." I told him it might be nice if he'd ask him his name rather than calling him "that boy". Coby heard this conversation and told me that the little girl had asked him his name and he told her Coby, "but she kept calling me CobyD so I told her just to call me BOB!" heehee

I asked Coby, "Do you want your name to be Bob?"

Coby: No, but she can't get my name right....."

Coby is SO funny! I guess he'd rather be called by the completely wrong name rather than be called his name wrong. He kills me sometimes.

Another funny thing that Coby told me is that I "looked hot" when trying on a new shirt! I asked him where he heard that and he told me he "just picked it up somewhere!" Oh my. Someone forgot to give him the memo that boys shouldn't think/say that about their own mom! However, it was sweet for me to hear!

Goodness. I've got my work cut out for me with this one!!! Oh, who am I kidding? We've got our work cut out with all three of them! :)

mommy no more

The other night I was sitting next to Connor on the sofa and I could sense that he had something he wanted to discuss. I heard him sigh and I asked what was up.

Connor: I just don't know how to say it.

Me: Why? Just tell me what's going on.

Connor: I think I want to start calling you mom. (I have always been 'mommy' to all three of the boys)

Me: (said with lips puckered) Really? That makes me sad.

Connor: Well, mommy sounds really babyish. All of my friends say mom.

Me: Alright then, just start calling me mom.

Connor: OK mommy, I'm going to call you mommy for 3 more days and then I'm going to start calling you mom...if I can remember. (I thought it was funny that he was going to have to make a real effort to remember that I am mom now, not mommy)

I'm glad he's slowly easing me into this one. I don't mind being called mom at all. It's more the fact that my firstborn is really turning into a young man more and more each day....and this was yet another sign of that. Another thing that plagues me is that once Connor starts calling me mom, the other two boys will follow suit. I just want to be mommy a little longer...or maybe I just want my boys to stay little just a little longer. Maybe both.

I should note that we had this conversation 3 days ago and I have not once been called mom. It's always mommy! Old habits sure are hard to break. How lucky for me! :)

cold day at the ball field

Connor had his second baseball game today and it was FREEZING out. We had to be at the field an hour and 20 minutes before the game was scheduled to start so the team could fit in a practice. Then, the games were running about an hour behind schedule. It was 47 degrees, windy and raining (I know 47 isn't that cold, but with the heavy winds, it felt about 30 or less). It was not a good day to be at the ball park. Spending 3 hours in the wet, extremely windy, cold weather with Coby and Cale was not fun. Plus, I didn't know it was going to be so cold and was totally ill-prepared for it. It is almost April after all. I sure wouldn't have thought to bring our heaviest winter coats and blankets along. It would've been nice if I had though. Here are a few pics from the game...

Did I mention that they won? That made the three hours in the cold worth every minute (well, almost!). The boys were SO proud (they're a new team with mostly new players so we probably won't win too many, but I'm glad they got this win at least!) It was the second game and first win! Go Americans! (The score was actually 10-7, but I took this picture before the end)

In case you're interested, I am finally up to date on my March album (somehow I still haven't finished February though!? Weird!). You can view it here.

goodbye sweet Sadie Jane

We weren't ready to say goodbye to you today. We had NO idea we'd have to. It was just a normal day and we were enjoying Spring Break. Suddenly you were very ill and we knew we had to let you go. We would've never been ready, but today we knew it was time. You were the best dog a family could ever ask for and we are so thankful for the 14 years and 3 1/2 months we had with you. We'll miss you sweet Sadie girl.

Sadie Jane

12-5-95 to 3-18-10

just what I need

Isn't it funny how kids say the cutest things during our darkest moments? This week was full of them (both of cute words and dark moments (don't read too much into the dark moment part...I am woman and I am emotional sometimes...enough said!)). Here are two of many sweet moments shared with the boys...

Cale: Mommy, what are you going to be when you grow up?

Me: I am grown up and I am a mommy.

Cale: But what are you going to BE (said with much emphasis)?

Me: I am a mommy. (Simple answer as I know I am much more than that, but I didn't feel he was looking for a deep answer here!)

Cale (said in the sweetest voice imaginable): But are you going to be a princess?

Me: Yes, I am going to be a princess! (I wish the boys in my life treated me like a princess!)

As Coby was reading a book aloud the other day, I told him that he could also read it quietly. He looked at me with his beautiful brown eyes and said, "I don't know hooooow to do that!" I explained that you just read the words quietly in your head. He got quiet for a minute and I could see the wheels turning in his head as he looked at the page. Then he looked up at me with wonderment and said, "WOW, mommy. I didn't know I could do that. I just have the words in my head! I can hear the words in my head! Can Connor do this?" Now, keep in mind that I was in tears (just an emotional day) while he was reading and he looked up at me and said "Are you just SO proud that I learned to read in my head and that's why you are crying?" Of course I told him yes. Sometimes I wish that life were so simple...yet, sometimes it is.

They've been so precious this week and I could share so many things that they've done, but for today these are the things I want to remember. I am so thankful for these little guys.