Little Hands Making Big Memories

American Girl® - Felicity Learns a Lesson

2010-02-03T14:08:00.006-06:00

Projects we have been working on for our American Girl® Unit Study about Felicity Merriman®.

1- The 13 Colonies 2- Governor's Ball invitation 3- One Room Schoolhouse 4- Hornbook 5- Kali making her hornbook

American Girl® Unit Study - Meet Felicity

2010-01-13T12:31:00.001-06:00

We are doing an American Girl® Unit Study. All of the American Girls® are fictional characters but the time and place of their stories are based on real events of America's past. Our journey back in time will include historical events, important people, lifestyles, occupations, education, traditions, religion, fashion, hobbies, transportation, communication, geography and more.

Felicity is the first of the American Girls that we will be studying. "Meet Felicity" by Valerie Tripp is the first book in her six book series. Felicity Merriman® is a spirited, independent nine-year-old girl, growing up in colonial Virginia, in 1774, just before the the onset of The American Revolution. She was a very loyal, independent young girl who had a true love and passion for horses. Her father successfully owned and managed a general store in Williamsburg while her mother took care of her family and their home. Faced with some very tough choices, Felicity and her family had to decide if they were American Patriots or British Loyalists.

Word of the week - Independence
Vocabulary Words:

patriots
loyalists
taxes
apprentice
delegates

Projects:
Felicity loved horses, so Kali wanted to learn more about them. We did research online and went to the library and checked out books about horses. Kali really enjoyed learning more about them and learning how
to draw them.

When Autumn leaves are falling......

2009-11-14T19:54:00.001-06:00

A-Hunting We Will Go

2009-11-09T19:21:00.033-06:00

All About Me - Fingers & Hands

2009-10-12T17:06:00.001-05:00

My Fingers and Hands

Art: Fingerpainting
Fine Motor: Sorting buttons with tweezers
Language: Learn to say "yes," " no," "please" and "thank you" in Sign Language
Music: "If You're Happy and You Know It", "Where is Thumbkin", "Open, Shut Them"
Discovery: View fingerprints through a magnifying glass, play with sand
Read: "A Pocket Full of Kisses" by Audrey Penn, "Why Do You Always Have To Say Please?" By Wendy Rosen & Jackie End
Discuss: What would it be like if you didn't have hands? Imagine you are a fish or a dog.

H is for Horse

2009-10-09T16:54:00.001-05:00

Our letter of the week is H. We picked horses to study for our animal. We had so much fun making this Footprint Horse. I think it turned out adorable!! We made the head by tracing one of Braden's shoes, then glued on the eyes and hair and then he used stamps for the Hh. He did not like getting glue on his hands when he was gluing the hair (yarn) on, but he had fun and loved learning about horses.

Alphabet Notebook

2009-10-02T14:28:00.002-05:00

I have been trying to think of a way to help Braden enjoy learning to read and write the alphabet that isn't totally boring for him. I decided it would be fun to make an Alphabet Book. A book that he can keep forever. I am going to let him pick a different letter every week to study and make crafts and do different activities that go with the letter for that week. He loves to learn about animals, so we are also going to pick an animal, to go with our Letter of the Week, to study. He will work on it over several months, adding to it, until it is completed. I think we are going to enjoy making it together, and I can't wait to see the finished product!! It will be something he can be proud of and enjoy over and over!!

Learning can be FUN!!

2009-09-25T16:04:00.001-05:00

I try to find every way possible to incorporate the things Braden likes to do into our school lessons. It makes learning fun for both of us!! Here is a website with several fun ideas that you can use to teach math and have fun at the same time Pre-K Math Games.

Lego's can be used as learning manipulative's in several ways. We use them for following directions, sorting by color, shape and size, making patterns, counting, addition and subtraction. I love them because Braden is doing what he loves to do and doesn't even realize he is learning so much when he is playing with them.

He also LOVES cars. So, we found a way to include them in our school day too!! We use them for math.... sorting by color, counting wheels and adding!!

Math Blocks - I made a worksheet on excel with blank squares the size of our math blocks. I make a pattern on one row and Braden copies it on the next row. He also enjoys just filling all the squares and counting them and building towers taller then he is!!

Painted Toast - Edible Art

2009-09-10T07:07:00.010-05:00

This morning for breakfast, we made painted toast. It is so much fun for the kids to make and then they get to eat their art work!!

Ingredients:

milk - food coloring - toast

Directions:

1. Fill 5 glasses with a 1/4 cup of milk

2. Then take your 5 food colorings and in each glass put 5 drops of food coloring in the milk and stir till color shows.

3. Use a small paint brush and dip the brush into the food coloring. Then take your piece of bread and paint a face or picture of choice on it.

4.Now place your bread into a toaster and wait till the bread is toasted.

5. Butter lightly and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

6. ENJOY!!!

Braden - A New Beginning

2009-09-08T17:59:00.002-05:00

WOW!!! Where has the time gone? My baby is almost 5 years old!!! *sniff*sniff* This will be Braden's first "official" year of homeschool. He is learning math, science/discovery, social studies/dramatic play, reading/language, music and art through thematic unit studies, that I have selected based on his interests and learning style. His preferred learning style is kinesthetic, which means he learns best when he is allowed to explore "hands on" what I am trying to teach him. Each theme is broken down into several topics that will introduce him to all learning styles and supports all four areas of developmental growth for early childhood (social, emotional, physical and intellectual). Developing a well rounded curriculum for him has been very challenging for me. It is very difficult to plan lessons and activities, that include a variety of hands on learning experiences, for a 4 year old boy, with an attention span of about 3.5 minutes!! I am hoping to increase his attention span by incorporating his interests in our lessons. As with most of us, when he is doing something he is interested in.... he is willing to spend a lot more time doing it. When I asked him what he would like to study and learn more about he said "Oohh... probably.. like.. backing the boat down the boat ramp, so daddy doesn't have to do it by his self." He wasn't kidding..... Haha... Then he said "And... deer hunting and shooting my bow." He can already shoot his bow better then I can!! Needless to say those are areas that only his daddy can teach him!! He is such a joy and a blessing in my life and I am loving every minute of it.... the journey through early childhood only happens once in a lifetime.

Kali - A new Year

2009-08-30T07:54:00.002-05:00

I am now beginning my third year of homeschooling Kali. Before I took her out of public school, I researched complete homeschool curriculums and never found one that fit our needs in every subject. I learned real quick that there is no such thing as the "perfect" curriculum and that the eclectic method definitely fit our family best. For the past 2 years we have tried several different curriculums.... some we liked and some we didn't. For math we use Math-U-See. It has worked really well and Kali LOVES it!! Math is he favorite subject. For Language Arts we use Easy Grammar and Handwriting Without Tears. We live at the lake, so science is pretty easy to cover without much book work. For social studies we are using Portraits of American Girlhood unit study. This study has seven series with six books in each series. Each series follows the story of a different American Girl as she faces the challenges and adventures of growing up during her distinct historical era, including:

Revolutionary War Era and Colonial Williamsburg
History and Cultural Heritage of New Mexico
Pioneers and The Westward Expansion
Civil War Era and Underground Railroad
Suffrage and Progressive Movements
The Great Depression Era, especially 1932-34.
World War Two Era and Home Front America

Church Camp

2009-08-09T00:53:00.000-05:00

Kali went to Church Camp again this year and had a blast!! She was ready to go back the day she got home last year.... LOL. I am so glad she had a good time and is developing a close relationship with God.

Camp E.D.G.E. VBS

2009-07-29T03:04:00.001-05:00

The theme for VBS this year was Camp E.D.G.E. I took pics again this year for the slide shows. I love getting to see all the activities!! Brad helped with the 3rd graders!! Lexi came up and stayed the week with us and they all had a blast!!

Brad & Braden

Traci and our Preacher as "Nutty Buddy"

IMOGENE MARCIELLA FUN .... AKA Traci Baker

Kali, Lexi & Kassidy

Braden, Aubrey & Johnna.... his girlfriends!!

"Are you awake?"

2009-05-21T18:05:00.005-05:00

Braden woke up from taking a nap yesterday and I went in his room to check on him. He was just laying there chatting. I said "Are you awake?" He said "No, not really.... God just ruined my nap." I asked him "How did God ruin your nap?" He said "Because he wouldn't talk to me. I always talk to him, but he never answers me." I tried to explain that God doesn't have to speak out loud to us. He speaks to our hearts. He just said "OOHH."

I am so truly blessed to have such amazing children.
Thank you God!!

Sunshine... Finally

2009-05-18T11:02:00.004-05:00

After 21 days straight of nothing but rain... we finally had a beautiful day with SUNSHINE!!!!! We took the boat out and put out some trot lines and caught 7 catfish!! The kids were so glad to finally be outside. They wanted to swim so bad, but the lake is still way to cold to swim. It was a great day at the lake =)

Kali loves helping daddy with the trot lines

They wanted to jump in so bad....LOL

Braden decided to just swim in the boat!!

Kali Marie

Man... I just saw a fish THIS BIG!!!!

Traffic Jam Dilmma

2009-05-11T10:31:00.001-05:00

On our way home from OKC on Mother's Day we had a little dilemma!! We got stuck in traffic on the turnpike in construction. We went 6 miles in ONE hour!! Brad and Braden had to pee REALLY REALLY bad. We were no where near an exit to get off. So.... Brad decides to pull off on the shoulder..... He took Braden down a hill, behind some trees.. in the rain.. to pee!!!! I am sure we were great entertainment for a few minutes.... LOL
(A dilemma is a situation in which a choice must be made between alternative courses of action or argument...... LOL )

Wagoner Historical Museum Field trip

2009-05-08T10:47:00.000-05:00

Go-Go Races

2009-05-05T08:22:00.000-05:00

Brad and the kids were racing down the driveway.. They had so much fun and it was very funny to watch...... LOL.

Softball is in full swing

2009-04-30T09:33:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-22T14:41:00.003-05:00

Happy Easter!!

2009-04-14T12:26:00.002-05:00

We had a great Easter weekend with family. We colored eggs at Grampy's and went to church with him. Then we went to Mangum and had lunch at Aunt Ann's... then on to Granite to hunt eggs at Aunt Shirley's!! The kids Uncle Hank also decided to suprise everyone and fly in from Chicago for the weekend. It was a very busy weekend, but we were very blessed to be able to spend it with family.

The Easter bunny came!!

Lots of goodies

Brad and Braden

Kali & Aunt Shirley sorting eggs

Coloring eggs at Grampy's

2009-04-14T12:17:00.003-05:00

HUH?? Now its green??

Daddy helping decorate

2009-04-14T11:22:00.001-05:00

Having too much fun with Pappy!!

2009-04-05T12:11:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Kali!!

2009-03-30T11:46:00.000-05:00

SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!

2009-03-29T12:03:00.000-05:00

Kali absolutely LOVED her room and her new quilt her Nana made!! She was VERY surprised!! She cried for about 15 minutes. Every minute I spent working to get her room done was well worth it just for her reaction when she saw it!!

Still a work in progress

2009-03-20T23:12:00.004-05:00

I am still working on a few things and Nana is still hard at work on her quilt. It is slowly coming together!! It is BRIGHT and CRAZY ans she will absolutely LOVE it!!! She is all about making a fashion statement and BLING BLING ... LOL.

Kali's Birthday Surprise

2009-03-20T21:55:00.003-05:00

Kali decided she wanted her room redone this year for her birthday instead of having a big party. So, I decided I would do it and surprise her!! She picked out bedding from Pottery Barn that is $300.00 and I told her that IF I bought it for her.. she would sleep in it until she is 35!!! Of course she said OK... but I said NO WAY!! I am not spending that much on a bed spread. So....... I went to several fabric stores and picked out fabric that was similar to the one quilt she wants. And then I talked her Nana into making her a quilt. The kids spent the week in Lone Wolf at their Mammy and Pappy's. I worked very hard all week painting and getting everything in her room perfect!! I hope she is VERY surprised!!

fabric for the quilt

Bargain bed for $25.00

After I painted it black

Her room is now GREEN!!!!!!!!!!

Shelves Brad is building in her closet.

The American Girl Store - Dallas

2009-03-15T22:23:00.000-05:00

On our way home from our trip with Grampy, we went to the American Girl Store. It was a dream come true for Kali. After 2.5 hours of shopping ..... She decided she wanted to live there...LOL. We are hoping we can take a trip to Chicago sometime soon to visit her Uncle Hank and go the the American Girl Store there!!

The Bistro - with a mini clip on high chair for Mia.

Kit's Tree House

Even Braden had a good time.... LOL

She wants it ALL!!!

Signing for Mia to get her ears pierced at the Salon

2009-03-15T21:41:00.000-05:00

Vacation with Grampy

2009-03-13T22:09:00.000-05:00

We spent the week in a hotel with the kids Grampy. They would have gone swimming every minute of the day if I would have let them... LOL. We had a great time and got a much needed break.

2009-03-13T21:19:00.000-05:00

Robbers Cave

2009-03-07T12:51:00.000-06:00

Treasures of the Transformed Life

2009-03-03T13:45:00.007-06:00

Brad and I were recently presented with an amazing opportunity to start our own business, that WE can do from home. We truly feel like God has put this in front of us. We decided that with our faith and lots of prayers..... We can do this!! We set our goals and talked about our dreams. Dreams that we knew were not possible with Brad having to "go to work" 40+ hours a week. Our economy is struggling and there is no "Job Security." When times get hard we tend to want to work more to make more money. We tend to forget that in times of need, we should always turn to God. This business has unlimited growth potential. For us.. it isn't about the amount of money we can make, but the financial freedom and TIME we will have.

This past Sunday at church, we felt like our Pastor was speaking straight to us. Here is a small part of the message....

"Childhood dreams don't become reality for most people. Life has a way of getting in the way. Opportunities are missed, matters of the heart interfere, education is put off, and sometimes health fails. Many adults just move through life; there is a comfortable routine that is often comfortable and stagnant. People long for more. Dreams are not forgotten but they are out of reach so you look for something different. Most often you look in the wrong places. The "more" you seek is only found in spiritual renewal. It is only found in Jesus."

"Let Go and Let God"

2009-02-23T15:55:00.004-06:00

This weekend I attended the Women's Retreat with some truly amazing women from my church. I was able to take some time for myself and reflect on my life and some of my personal relationships. Especially my relationship with God. God has truly blessed me with the best family and friends I could ever ask for. The most important thing that I learned this weekend is that I do not pray nearly enough. "I am too busy to pray"..... when actually "I am too busy NOT to pray." I learned that I need to quit trying to handle everything myself, and turn it over to God. Here is a photo I took that just takes my breath away. "Be still, and know that I am God."

Cooking Lessons with Nana

2009-02-14T22:45:00.000-06:00

Nana taught Kali how to decorate a cake with her new cake decorating tools she got for Christmas!! She learned how to use all of the different frosting tips to make different designs. They had a great time and made a really cute cake for Valentine's Day!!

Tuckered Out!!

2009-02-07T14:28:00.000-06:00

Mystery Coupon

2009-02-05T07:34:00.002-06:00

I found this coupon in my driveway today. I was only 11 years old in 1991. I was not a old enough to cook and I KNOW I was not clipping coupons.... LOL. Where did it come from?? I am not sure, but it made me think of my Grandma Hazel. She was always clipping coupons and cutting out recipes to send to me. She never threw anything away because someone might need "it" someday. She was always thinking of others. I love and miss her so much.

Brush Brush Brush

2009-02-04T19:46:00.000-06:00

The kids were brushing their teeth before going to bed. Braden was singing his usual song "Brush, brush, brush your teeth each and every day, up and down and all around, brush the germs away." Then comes daddy to give them a lesson on proper brushing...LOL.

Pile Up!!

2009-02-04T07:13:00.007-06:00

After the snow and ice melted I noticed that my flower beds were PILED UP with leaves and needed lots of TLC. I got out the rakes and put the kids to work.

Braden just wanted to get it done and didn't care
if he got all of the leaves or not.

Kali is more like me and needs perfection. She worked and worked until every leaf was gone.

They did a great job working together to get it done.

We even found a sweet little ladybug hiding in all the mess.

2009-02-04T06:48:00.005-06:00

After our hard work cleaning out the flower beds, I caught the kids taking a break. My first reaction was to tell them to get out of the leaves because we had just spent 2 hours raking them out of the flower beds. Instead, I ran inside and grabbed my camera before this priceless moment passed. I was able to capture these awesome photos of the kids having a blast playing in the leaves. At that moment I realized that their 5 minutes of fun was worth so much more then the time we spent piling them up. And that by tomorrow our lovely Oklahoma wind would have more leaves piled right back in their place.

Water Bombs!!

2009-02-01T12:48:00.004-06:00

The kids have been begging me to let them play with water balloons. Since it is a pretty day today, I decided I would let them do a few. My only rule was that they could NOT throw them at each other. Although it is warmer out then it has been in a while... it is still WAAYYY to cold for that!! Kali was super excited and wanted to throw hers at the stop sign. Braden did not want to bust his. He said "Well, I want to let mine go and send it to God" (proud mommy moment) After I explained to him that balloons have to have helium to fly and these balloons have water, he was ok with busting them.... LOL. They had a blast and we only got a little bit wet!!

Having a wintery blast!!

2009-01-30T10:54:00.004-06:00

The kids have absolutely LOVED being snowed in, especially since daddy was snowed in with us!! We have had a whole week of sledding, snowball fights, and of course OU snow....buddies!!

This is a pic of Braden and his best friend.. Rusty!!

Kali was about to throw a snowball at me.... She knew better then to throw it when I had the camera...LOL

Kali and Daddy had a pretty good snowball fight, while Braden and I laughed in the background.

Braden was hiding from Kali.... he can throw snowballs at you, but don't you dare throw one at him...LOL.

Cooking!!

2009-01-29T17:20:00.003-06:00

Being snowed in this week, with nothing to do but eat, I have been doing quite a bit of cooking in my new kitchen!! The new hasn't worn off yet, so I still enjoy being in it and cleaning it...LOL. Our menu this week consisted of Chicken N' Dumplins, Catfish, Beans & Cornbread, Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies, brownies, and blueberry cheesecake muffins!! Today Kali is begging me to let her make cupcakes with her new baking stuff she got from Nana for Christmas!! I am going to gain 20 lbs this week!!

My little Chef LOVES to help cook!! He may not eat it, but he LOVES to help make it!!

We made these special cookies and some brownies for daddy when he was going to have to go to McAlester to work the ice storm. Then they told him to just stay home so I ended up eating half of them!! It was a good idea when they weren't going to stay in the house...LOL

Kali helped me make cornbread muffins to go with our beans. YUMMY!!

These are my beans... I still don't have them perfected. I can't make them like my mom or Brad's Granny. And of course they don't have a "recipe." They add a pinch of this and a dash of that. I am still in training when it comes to cooking and I need step by step instructions!!

Ice Storm 2009

2009-01-27T21:55:00.004-06:00

Braden got a running start and jumped on the snow tube.....LOL. Thank goodness he thought it was hilarious and didn't get hurt. I don't know how I managed to get a picture of him airborne!!

Kali making "Ice Angels"

SLEDDING!!!!!

My poor bushes!!

Ice on the trees

2009-01-27T20:57:00.000-06:00

Sneak Peak!!

2009-01-26T00:14:00.006-06:00

Here is a sneak peak of the transformation of my new kitchen!! It is coming together GREAT!! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful hubby who is willing and able to "redo, undo, update, change this, fix that." It is a disorder that I have, called "discontentedness!!" LOL..... Is that even a word?? Anyway.. I LOVE and appreciate him dearly and I LOVE my new kitchen. I am very satisfied and finally content with my kitchen ;)

1) This is when we first bought the house. We spent many hours stripping that beautiful yellow and green foil wallpaper and scraping up yellow linoleum flooring!!

2) This was after the wallpaper and linoleum were gone and fresh paint, tile and black appliances were added!!

3) This is now!! New counter tops, built in microwave, refinished cabinets, bead board backsplash, can lights and NO MORE SUSPENDED CEILING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hard at work!!

2009-01-25T19:40:00.001-06:00

Christmas at HOME!!

2008-12-31T12:41:00.002-06:00

Scavenger Hunt

2008-12-30T13:04:00.001-06:00

We sent Kali on a scavenger hunt for her big gift from us. First she unwrapped a present that had a not in it that told her to look inside her middle desk drawer. In her desk was a present wrapped up like a piece of candy... inside it was a note taped to an empty toiled paper roll and it said to go look under the coffee table. The note under the coffee table said to look in the fridge. There was a note when she opened the fridge that said open the bottom drawer. When she opened the bottom drawer, she found another present. Inside that present she found a new little purse... with a new CELL PHONE in it!!!!!!! She was so excited she CRIED!!!! She is so proud of it!!

Christmas with Grampy

2008-12-29T12:36:00.001-06:00

2008-12-29T12:32:00.000-06:00

Christmas at Nana & Papa's

2008-12-27T23:02:00.003-06:00

On my mom's side of the family, it has always been tradition that my whole family spend the night at my Grandma Jo's on Christmas Eve, and wake up on Christmas morning to see what Santa brought and open our gifts. Since our families keep multiplying..... and Grandma's house isn't getting any bigger, we decided to move our tradition to Nana's house. It is a lot bigger and ALL 24 of us found a place to sleep....LOL. It is also tradition for all the kids to wear matching pajamas, which Nana made this year, and put on some type of talent show or play!!! We also added a few new traditions.. attending church service on Christmas Eve and making Gingerbread Houses!! I love this tradition and I wouldn't want it any other way!! Not many families can pull this off with little or no drama!!

2008-12-27T08:00:00.000-06:00

Christmas at Mammy & Pappy's

2008-12-26T11:32:00.000-06:00

2008-12-26T09:00:00.000-06:00

Christmas at Granny's

2008-12-25T23:50:00.000-06:00

2008-12-25T23:47:00.000-06:00

Making Gingerbread Houses

2008-12-24T22:36:00.000-06:00

All the kids made Gingerbread Houses at Nana's on Christmas Eve.

2008-12-24T22:00:00.000-06:00

Visiting Santa

2008-12-20T11:51:00.002-06:00

Santa Hat

2008-12-16T10:53:00.004-06:00

I knitted this Santa hat for Kali with my Knifty Knitter Loom!! It took a while and was very difficult to figure out, but I finally finished it!!!

Christmas Play at Our Church

2008-12-15T12:16:00.000-06:00

Our Little "Punkins"

2008-11-02T15:02:00.001-06:00

Trick-or-Treating

2008-10-31T15:39:00.000-05:00

Braden~ Lightening McQueen

Kali ~ Victorian Princess

Halloween Cookies

2008-10-25T15:10:00.001-05:00

More cookie decorating

2008-10-24T15:27:00.001-05:00

My Scarecrow!!

2008-10-22T22:45:00.002-05:00

Here is my paper mache scarecrow I made using a milk jug and a sour cream bowl!!

Here it is finished!!

Shopping for Halloween Costumes

2008-10-13T23:12:00.005-05:00

"Goof Balls"

Having too much fun...LOL

Paris Hilton Glasses...LOL

Mod Podge

2008-10-09T07:43:00.004-05:00

Before

It is fun to take something plain and make it your style or something old and make it new. Kali has to memorize a bible verse every week for church, basketball, and spelling. She wanted a special book to write them in to keep track of what she has learned. We took a composition notebook and covered it with scrapbook paper and she named it "Kali's Treasures" to keep her verses in. I made one that simply says "Mom's Book" so I can attempt to keep up with all my thoughts...LOL. Our next project is Kali's Dresser drawers.

After

This picture frame was pink and orange and we recovered it to match her room.

Basketball Princess

2008-10-07T11:29:00.001-05:00

Kali had her first basketball game Saturday. There are five girls on her team, 6-8 years old, who have never played basketball before. They all played GREAT!! After the game, Kali got a STAR for best offense!! We are VERY proud of her!!

Dribbling

She shoots and she scores!!!

I'm Open!!!!

Kali & Austyn

Tooth Fairy

2008-10-05T17:55:00.002-05:00

Kali FINALLY lost her tooth!!!! Her Mammy and Pappy came to visit this weekend and she let Mammy wiggle it to see how loose it was and it just came out in her fingers. Kali was in shock that it came out that easy after all her hard work trying to get it out. She put it in her treasure chest and left the Tooth Fairy her usual note. This morning she got up for Church and saw her note and her tooth and NO money. She was devastated because she thought the Tooth Fairy had forgotten her. She quickly discovered that she hadn't forgotten her at all. She left her the best gift of all... her very own FAIRY DOOR!! She also left her 2 fairy dollars redeemable at the Bank of Mom & Dad. She was soooooo excited and couldn't believe the Tooth Fairy would think she is so special to get her very own Fairy Door!! I love my little Snaggle Tooth Princess!!!!

Oklahoma's Largest Classroom

2008-10-03T12:07:00.001-05:00

We went to Oklahoma's Largest Classroom at the Tulsa State Fair. We got to participate in "Fun on the Farm" where the kids chucked and grinded corn, learned how they bailed hay in the old days, gathered eggs, planted crops, gather crops they grew, milk a cow, sell their goods, and then go the the grocery store and buy food with the money they made. They also got to do lots of hands-on science, make HUGE bubbles, dig for treasures in the sand and watch electricity travel through the air. Then we visited the petting zoo and fed all kinds of animals and saw newborn baby pigs. The kids had a GREAT time and learned a lot!! They can't wait to go back next year.

Gathering Eggs

Planting Crops

Gathering Crops grown

Science: Don't let the metal ring touch the bar

BUBBLES!!!!!!!!!!

Oklahoma's Largest Classroom Pics

2008-10-03T12:00:00.000-05:00

Loose Tooth

2008-10-01T06:39:00.000-05:00

Kali has had a loose tooth for over a month and she would NOT let us pull it. She has tried everything to get it out... we have tied a string around it, she tried biting into an apple and a tootsie roll and just constantly wiggling it. It is so loose that she can not bite into anything without it folding completely forward. She is convinced it will NEVER come out!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-09-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

Field trip to the Fire Department

2008-09-16T20:26:00.012-05:00

Today we went on a field trip to the Broken Arrow Fire Department. We got a tour of the whole station. We got to see their "Home away from Home." They had a living room, kitchen and bedroom. The kids thought it was awesome that there were 6 recliners in the living room and 6 beds in the bedroom...LOL. They got to climb in the trucks, turn on the sirens and spray the big water hoses. They had a blast!! Braden wants to be a firefighter now!!

Happy 75th Birthday Granny!!

2008-09-14T12:06:00.002-05:00

This weekend we had a suprise party for Granny's 75th Birthday!! She was so excited, she cried. She told Brad that she has NEVER had a birthday party before :( I guess with 6 kids, she had enough birthday parties!! Kali & Braden worked very hard making the "PERFECT" card for her.

Are you my Mother?

2008-09-11T19:21:00.000-05:00

Our neighbor found a baby squirrel that lost its mother. We offered to take him and try to find someone that could take care of him. We gave him a bath, blow dryed him and kept him warm with a hot water bottle in his bed. We took care of him for about 15 hours and then took him to a "wildlife rehabilitator." She specializes in baby squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, skunks, birds, deer and other small wildlife. She said he was about 6 weeks old. He didn't even have his eyes opened yet!! She told us that we could call and check on him anytime. Kali was sad that we couldn't keep him and wants to go visit him sometime. We were very comfortable leaving "Little Rascal" with her. We know he is in good hands. This was a GREAT science lesson for us! I just hope my kiddos know I love them VERY much to let them bring a squirrel into my house!!!!!!!

Puzzle Time

2008-09-09T22:57:00.000-05:00

Braden Surfin'

2008-09-07T23:26:00.001-05:00

WIPEOUT!!!!!!!!!

Boomer Sooner!!

2008-09-06T13:00:00.000-05:00

The kids went to the OU Football game with their Grampy today!!

Loose Tooth

2008-09-06T00:52:00.004-05:00

Kali has a VERY loose tooth that just won't come out!! It is driving her CRAZY!!! She has tried everything to try to get it to fall out... but so far no such luck.

The loose tooth

wiggling it, and wiggling it, and wiggling it

hoping it will fall out eating a tootsie roll

pulling on it with dental floss... UGH!!!!

Snuggle Buddies

2008-09-05T23:10:00.002-05:00

Jake (the little black/brown dog) normally sleeps with Kali in her bed. Rusty (the BIG rust colored dog) usually sleeps with Braden in his racecar bed. Braden fell asleep watching a movie in Kali's bed last night and this is what I found this morning.....LOL.

Kali, Jake, Rusty & Braden

Rusty & Braden

Rusty (Our 60 lb. baby)

~~Kali's Little Ladybugs~~

2008-09-04T19:28:00.003-05:00

Ingredients

1. Whole strawberries

2. Seedless red grapes

3. Mini chocolate chips

4. Toothpicks

Floating the Illinois River

2008-09-02T10:02:00.001-05:00

Sunday we drove to Tahlequah and rented canoes to float the Illinois River. On the way there, the ice chest, which Chris & Brad had strapped to the roof of the car, fell over and everything spilled all over the highway. We stopped at a store and restocked the ice chest. We got there, got checked in and got all situated in our canoes and we were having a great time. The Lackey's and Lexi were in one canoe and The Lankford's were in the other canoe. The Lackey's canoe hit a log and..... the canoe sunk!! Everything in the canoe was floating down the river. The ice chest, clothes, towels, life jackets, paddles, Lori's bag.... everything was floating!! Lori''s camera and cell phone were in her bag are ruined. After they got the water out of the canoe and gathered up what they could of the floating debris... Lori realized that her car keys were no longer in her bag!! The car keys were on the bottom of the river somewhere!! We had to float 3 more miles before we could call for help. She drives a Ford Explorer and it requires a "Smart Key." It was Labor Day weekend and the dealerships were closed. We finally found a locksmith that could make a "Smart Key" and we waited 3 hours on a him to get there. It wasn't very funny at the time, but we are able to laugh about it now and this will definitely be a trip we will NEVER forget!!

The Lankford's

Kelsey

Chris & Lexi

Braden, with goggles on, looking for fish

My beautiful sisters, Lexi & Lori

Brad, Braden & Kali

Kelsey Luvn's

2008-09-02T00:43:00.000-05:00

Kisses for Braden

Snuggling Uncle Brad

and luvn on Aunt Lexi

Labor Day Weekend

2008-09-01T23:31:00.002-05:00

Lori, Chris, Kelsey & Lexi came to visit us over Labor Day weekend. We had a VERY eventful weekend!! We made homemade ice cream, caught catfish, floated the Illinois River, sunk a canoe, spilled a FULL ice chest all over the highway, played pool and even took the kids "camping!!" We had a great weekend and made LOTS of memories we will remember for a lifetime!!!

Playing Pool

"Camping"

Lori & Kelsey

Basketball Evaluations

2008-09-01T19:40:00.004-05:00

Kali decided she wants to play basketball this year. She begins practice next week and her first game will be October 4th. I am excited for her to try something new and learn how to play because I am a horrible basketball player and can not teach her!!

Making Strawberry Smoothies

2008-08-27T20:48:00.001-05:00

Kali has been very interested in learning how to cook and make stuff lately. She looked through her cookbooks and found the recipe for these a strawberry smoothie she wanted to try.

1. Vanilla Yogurt

2. Fresh Strawberries

3. Sugar

4. Blend

5. YUMMY!!!!

1st Day of School

2008-08-25T20:09:00.002-05:00

Today was our 1st day of school!! We had a great day

and I am looking forward to a fun year. My little girl

is just growing up way to fast!!

@ the Lake

2008-08-23T19:15:00.001-05:00

"Redneck Fishin" 2

2008-08-16T12:13:00.000-05:00

When we went back out to check our juglines, we had caught 3 catfish on them!!!

What's Cookin'

2008-08-15T08:36:00.000-05:00

My little helpers making spaghetti!!!

"Redneck Fishing"

2008-08-15T00:46:00.000-05:00

We took the kids fishing today to catch bait for their first experience at "Redneck Fishing." After catching about 25 perch, we put out 5 anchored jug lines. We will go back out in the morning to check them and see if there are any catfish on them.

An American Girl

2008-08-13T23:06:00.001-05:00

Tonight was my date night with Kali. We went to dinner and a movie. Kali brought her Kit doll along to the movies and we watched Kit Kittredge: An American Girl. It was a GREAT movie, that took place during the Great Depression, about a young girl who had a passion to be a writer for the Cincinatti Newspaper. http://www.kitkittredge.com/ Now Kali wants a treehouse and a typewriter for Christmas!!

Date Night

2008-08-13T15:34:00.002-05:00

Brad and I decided that in order to have more "quality" time with the kids, we needed to start planning "Date Nights." So, last night Braden and I camped out in the living room floor with a snowcone and popcorn and watched Tonka Trucks. Brad and Kali went and fished a small local tournament at the lake. They won the tournament!!! They got 1st Place AND won Big Fish which paid $250.00!! What a great night!!!

My Birthday!!

2008-08-09T15:21:00.000-05:00

My mom baked me a delicious cake and my little sister decorated it!! There is no better way to celebrate then with your family!!

Our trip to Cancun

2008-08-05T12:22:00.004-05:00

Brad and I left Kali & Braden for the first time and went to Cancun for 5 days!! Our trip went by way too fast, but we were so glad to be back home with the kids. Leaving them is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, but it was well worth the time Brad and I got to spend together. We finally got a honeymoon for our 10th anniversary!!

Fishing with Daddy

2008-08-04T12:05:00.000-05:00

Little Hands Making Big Memories

American Girl® - Felicity Learns a Lesson

American Girl® Unit Study - Meet Felicity

When Autumn leaves are falling......

A-Hunting We Will Go

All About Me - Fingers & Hands

H is for Horse

Alphabet Notebook

Learning can be FUN!!

Painted Toast - Edible Art

Braden - A New Beginning

Kali - A new Year

Church Camp

Camp E.D.G.E. VBS

"Are you awake?"

Sunshine... Finally

Traffic Jam Dilmma

Wagoner Historical Museum Field trip

Go-Go Races

Softball is in full swing

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Easter!!

Coloring eggs at Grampy's

Having too much fun with Pappy!!

Happy Birthday Kali!!

SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!

Still a work in progress

Kali's Birthday Surprise

The American Girl Store - Dallas

Vacation with Grampy

Robbers Cave

Treasures of the Transformed Life

"Let Go and Let God"

Cooking Lessons with Nana

Tuckered Out!!

Mystery Coupon

Brush Brush Brush

Pile Up!!

Water Bombs!!

Having a wintery blast!!

Cooking!!

Ice Storm 2009

Sneak Peak!!

Hard at work!!

Christmas at HOME!!

Scavenger Hunt

Christmas with Grampy

Christmas at Nana & Papa's

Christmas at Mammy & Pappy's

Christmas at Granny's

Making Gingerbread Houses

Visiting Santa

Santa Hat

Christmas Play at Our Church

Our Little "Punkins"

Trick-or-Treating

Halloween Cookies

More cookie decorating

My Scarecrow!!

Shopping for Halloween Costumes

Mod Podge

Basketball Princess

Tooth Fairy

Oklahoma's Largest Classroom

Oklahoma's Largest Classroom Pics

Loose Tooth

Wordless Wednesday

Field trip to the Fire Department

Happy 75th Birthday Granny!!

Are you my Mother?

Puzzle Time

Braden Surfin'

Boomer Sooner!!

Loose Tooth

Snuggle Buddies

~*~Kali's Little Ladybugs~*~

Floating the Illinois River

Kelsey Luvn's

Labor Day Weekend

Basketball Evaluations

~~Kali's Little Ladybugs~~