Ten on Tuesday

1. I worked this weekend but much to my great surprise I got sent home on Saturday at 2pm. This meant I got home in time to enjoy a beautifully, delicious summer meal. We had my absolute favorite, fried okra. I having been working on perfecting my fried okra technique and think I have just about mastered it. We also had delicious pickled beets courtesy of mom and the farmer's market. It is officially summer now.

2. We're a few years out from the opening of Savory Spice Shop and I continue to be amazed at how much it has changed how we cook at our house. A nightly occurrence is choosing spices to put on our meat or in our food. This has led to Zane wanting to pick the spice of the night and most recently he asked if he could "spice" the pork chops. So Saturday he worked on the art of the spice sprinkle. It's a delicate skill and Zane is not exactly a delicate person, but the pork chops were very spice and delicious. 

3. This week I officially booked my best friend Anna and I's beach front cottage for this years girls trip. Anna and I have made a tradition of going on a girl's trip, to somewhere neither of us have ever been, to watch the summer Olympics. More specifically to watch male swimming. This started in 2008 when we went to the Florida Keys. We didn't live in the same place at the time so we met for a weekend of fun. Now we live in the same state, but are keeping the tradition alive! If anyone has been to Maine and has any recommendations of what to do in or around Portland, Scarborough to be exact, let me know. I did almost rent a car in Portland, Oregon the other day, so things could get interesting. 

4. I am happy to report that little Thomas got to go home last Wednesday, on his 6th birthday. I hear all is well and he was happy to get home to finally see his Daddy. Thanks again for all the prayers.

5. On Wednesday I missed Zane's baseball awards ceremony because I was at work. I had forgotten to tell Zane this was happening so I think it was a huge, fantastic surprise. He had asked if he was going to get a medal during the season and he got one at the ceremony. He also won the "Best Batting Average" award. I don't think anyone kept batting averages, but he was probably the biggest hitter on the Red Socks. I hear the parents discussed playing in the fall, to try to keep the same team together. We also heard that The Lake Monsters were playing in traveling tournaments this summer, so that was a huge bullet dodged for us. I am not doing traveling baseball at six. 

6. I should probably note that at some point this week my laptop either was stepped on, or sat on, or some other untimely event with my children and now the screen looks cracked and doesn't work. So I am blogging on the iPad which I never do and never use. My apologies for the weird spacing and typos, it's the best I can do for now while we decide what is our next computer endeavor. Oh and my car finally gotten taken to the shop for a tune up, that was a cool grand as well. Story of my life! 7. Yesterday I had the pleasure of taking miss Maggie J to dance camp. She was giddy with excitement when I picked her up and she requested a "Aunt Audra High pony" perfect for painting and dancing. She looked lovely and hear she had a great time. We treated her to a white Mac and cheese lunch after class to celebrate.

8. While Maggie danced I took a work friend to the spice shop to set her up with all her whole 30 spice needs. She also got a glimpse into the craziness that is my life. I don't know if it was the new set of eyes or if Zane's ADD has literally gotten that much worse, but I ended the day realizing I'm going to have to have a serious conversation with his doctor at his 6 year old appointment in a few weeks. There is a big link between kids with CHD and ADHD so it is real and concerning. We shall see. In good news Annie was a great photographer at the park. Zane was in a tree somewhere when we took this.

9. Rowan's style continues to be a daily highlight. Yesterday morning he came into my room, ready to go to the gym, in the first outfit. The second picture is of the shorts, with belt, that he HAD to get at Target today and his new patriotic hat. He is so stylish and makes all his own fashion choices. I love it.

10. My newest endeavor is learning to sew. I think it is a life skill everyone should have, not sure why. It's really not necessary anymore. Probably because my mother and grandmother sewed. They made beautiful quilts and could make clothes or mend things that were torn. After unexpectedly losing my father I had/have lots of regrets about all the things I never had him teach me. So in trying to learn from that lesson. I'm having my mom teach me how to use my sewing machine. I got it for free and would like to be able to make some things, but mainly want to not regret not having my mom pass on her sewing knowledge. Mom is not sick or dying, but neither was Dad when he didn't wake up one day. Seize the day people, ask questions, say what you need to say, soak in your parents and loved ones. They could be gone tomorrow. Lesson learned.

This was before I realized my fancy new sewing machine had a drawer with all sorts of things in it like my spool pin cap (only mostly sure that's what it is called). I assumed it was missing and had made due with a nerd gun dart. Classic boy mom engineering. Good news I found the drawer with lots of fun things in it.

Flying By The Seat of Our Pants

As I mentioned in a previous post I am trying to have my gut reaction to my children's requests be yes. Not their requests to buy them toys or go out to eat, but requests to do fun things that I really have no reason to say no to. Yesterday my saying yes turned into a fun day full of summer adventures.

Our morning routine on the days I don't work, for the past year and a half, has been we get up, play, eat breakfast, watch some cartoons, get ready for the gym. We are out the door pretty much every morning I'm off work by 8am. They are usually the first people at child watch at the Y, I go swim or run, then we go about our day of errands or funtivities. Yesterday was no different except around 7:45, while I was getting dress, Rowan came in and asked me if we could go to Grandma's house. "We not been to Grandma's house in a long time." "Why we not go to Grandma's house today?" "You say yes? Or no?"

So I said Yes!!! Because why not? I changed out of my swimming suit, even though I love to swim and was looking forward to a good swim yesterday. You have to say yes. We loaded up our things, called Grandma to make sure she was on board, and headed north. From there it was good summer fun at the farm. None of it planned, no time for people to throw fits, or ask me a million times "When we going to Grandma's, today, tomorrow, you say yes, or no?" It was lovely.

First up adventures outside in the corn and a ride on Grandma's lawn mower.

 Rowan was a little claustrophobic, proving he has grown up in the super flat Oklahoma.

 The added bonus was the cement laying people were out with their big front end loading tractor putting in mom's new sidewalk. Rowan loved looking at and watching the tractor work. Win win!

Next, up to the tree house to see how things were looking up there. It looked great, the windows and fly netting had kept out wasps and most of rain, but one very smart bird found the one little opening above the door. She got in and made one heck of the nest with some little spotted eggs in it. Zane might have touched one of the eggs, so I am slightly concerned that the bird with abandon them. Mom has identified the bird as  Carolina Wren. I'm hoping she comes back, if not there will still be an amazing bird's nest for our nature tree house. 

 The next yes of the day was to Rowan's request to go get a swimming pool to slide into from the tree house slide. To be fair I had thought about it earlier, because it's June in Oklahoma and you have to get wet or you're going to have a heat stroke. So while Zane and Grandma read books Rowan and I went on a little adventure to the nearest tiny town to get a pool and some scuba gear at Dollar General. It was a twelve dollar investment into a pool and made all the difference in staying cool. Look how good Rowan looks in his gear. Zane is in the pool behind him, snorkeling away.

Turns out Rowan never braved the slide down into the pool, but did have lots of fun swimming and diving for the little fish we got. One thing I've learned in parenting is that bigger, more expensive things (especially in pools) are just not necessary. You just need to splash around for a little bit and pools will never last until the next year.

 And one with his snorkeling gear on, much better.

 The third yes of the day was to the boys request to go to Leonardo's Discovery Warehouse in Enid. Leonardo's is a great idea on paper, but sadly, like most things in Enid it isn't kept clean or pulled together very well. Lots of things have missing parts or look super cool but then they don't actually work. This trip was the first time we got to see the new renovated set up. The new part was all clean, neat, and working, for now. It was all donated by oil people so was all about a very specific kind of energy (oil and gas) no windmills or solar panels will be found in this state. The new big climbing part (with a miniature oil well) was lots of fun and the animals all got new homes.Upstairs there was a new hospital play area, missing key elements like STETHOSCOPES!!! I think I'll donate some so the kids can listen to all the little baby dolls. I taught a little girl about how the eye and the human heart works. Her mom was also a nurse, but I think was watching her baby brother somewhere.  

 Little oil well that has a climbing place all around it. The safety freak part of me thinks this might send a bad message to kids about climbing on oil wells, but over all very cute and fun.

 Also upstairs there were all the old costumes, grocery shopping, and Legos. Here is fireman Zane.

 Side note: Leonardo's is half price after 3:30pm and no one can spend more than an hour and a half there, in case anyone is looking for cheep fun in Enid. Once we were done there we decided to try to find Zane some cheese dip. We hit the jack pot at Cafe Garcia's where they had the best white queso dip we've found since being back to Oklahoma. Zane's face says it all. Zane was so excited and he might have been eating it with a spoon at one point. Once we got in the car he passed out, into a cheesy coma sleep for our drive home.

When we got back to Edmond Zane asked when we were going to go get our 4th of July fireworks. Zach was thinking today, but I wanted to be part of the fun so we loaded up and headed across the street before bedtime. We spent a stupid amount of money on fireworks, but it evens out after everyone else gives us their donations to the cause. And the people who run the fireworks stand live right across the street from us. We are basically neighbors and they do provide us with fireworks every evening, so we have to support our neighborhood friends!!

 USA USA USA!!!!!!!!!!

We are ready for a big Fourth of July celebration at the lake, complete with a a beautiful fireworks display of course. 

The last yes of the day came when Zane asked if he could stay up to see the fireworks stand's evening display. After the fun day we had, I couldn't say no at that point! They told us they were shooting them at 9:30. I went to bed at 9:45pm because I had to work today. But Zane told me that he heard them and "saw a little bit" so who knows, but he did have a blast dancing around in the front yard to patriotic music. Rowan couldn't hang that long but did play around outside, at twilight, for a little bit. 

 

The magic of yes paid of big time yesterday. I put aside my dread of it being my last day before having to go back to work, and we had a great day. It was full of unplanned adventures, great attitudes, and wonderful summer memories. None of it was planned or previously thought out, except possibly by my children. 

All The Things Rowan Cuddles

This blog is so far overdue, but with my hand issues typing has been difficult the past few months. A month or two ago I started going in to check on Rowan before I went to sleep. I hadn't done this in awhile, not sure what made me look in on him that night. He is a great sleeper and I had just gotten out of the habit once it warmed up and I didn't think they would be freezing at night. Turns out I should do this every night, not for their safety, but for pure entertainment. Over the past month or so checking in on Rowan, before we go to sleep, has become Zach and I's absolute favorite time of the day.

This all started when I went to check on him and saw that he had on flip flops. He still had his pj's on, but had put his flip flops on and gone to sleep. Earlier in the evening he had come out of his room, told me that his feet hurt (which is an obvious lie because what 3 year old's feet hurt), and asked if he could put on shoes. I don't even know how I answered that question, but apparently he thought his new flip flops would help him sleep better.

After finding Rowan in flip flops I went to check on Zane, who was asleep, in nothing but boxers, facing the wrong way in his bed. His feet were on his pillows and his head was at the foot of the bed, with a makeshift pillow made from his penguin blanket. At that point I realized our children were insane and really began to question what goes on after we close the door.

From there I started making a habit and peeking in on Rowan to see what he is wearing and what he is cuddling. What I have found runs the entire spectrum from cuddling a tiny car to a bed full of books, other random toys, and clothes. Usually whatever he has decided to put in his bed is placed, very nice and neatly, beside him on his pillow. Sometimes he is actively cuddling things, like cowboy boots or most recently a pair of underwear. Every night he opens up his "guy box" (tackle box full of all his tiny people and cars) and at least one car/guy makes it into the bed somewhere. Sometimes multiple cars are lined up neatly by his head, sometimes they are hidden under him when I go to cover him up.

The cowboy boots are probably the most common find. Usually they are lined up like below, sometimes they are being actively cuddled.

  

 Sometimes all is the same, just one tiny car by his head.

I also learned a few days into my new found entertainment that I need to pull back the covers. Turns out Rowan NEVER keeps the pajamas on that he is wearing when we put him to bed. Sometimes part of them remain, like the shirt or the pants, but rarely both. Sometimes he puts on a new tshirt, or his favorite red athletic shorts. But this past week was my all time favorite. I went in to find his pajamas in a pile in the middle of the floor. This isn't new, but when I pulled the coves back he was in his favorite skinny jeans and OU tshirt. Zach had gone to sleep before me that evening so he missed this particular entertainment. I was at work the next morning, so when Rowan came out fully clothed Zach assumed Rowan was just that pulled together, getting dressed before coming out of his room in the morning. And that's when Rowan was sent to daycare in the clothes he had slept in, not pajamas, but the clothes he had randomly wanted to sleep in. This particular incident also led to a fit the next day, by my three year old, because his jeans were "not tight enough." A problem I literally have NEVER had, EVER! "Mommy I want my tight jeans, they real tight, and they fit in my boots." Sorry son, your skinny jeans are dirty, from you wearing them for the past 24hrs. Since this night it has become very common place to find Rowan sleeping in jeans.

A few weeks ago he became fascinated with his new book bag from school summer camp. It has been in his bed every night, but the really interesting part is when you open it to see what he has packed or unpacked from it. One night it was packed full of stuffed turtles. A different night it was packed full of all his shoes. One night it was empty and all his nature stuff from farm camp was spread all over his bed including leaves, a bug sucker, and multiple nature books. And of course one night it was stuffed full of ALL his pants from his drawer. Usually there are a few cars or guys mixed in for good measure. I mean if you are making a midnight get away you are going to need cars and guys.

Here are the daytime contents of his book bag strewn across the floor, and the numerous outfits he had tried on before falling asleep.

Last week there was a day the boys really wanted to go swimming after naps. Thanks to the YMCA's crazy summer swim schedule, I had to wake up the boys from naps in order to make it to family swim. Turns out nap time sleeping is possibly more entertaining than night time. When I walk in this is what I found!!! A plastic snake was wrapped around his neck, as were his set of keys on a lanyard (that he has recently become obsessed with and are generally in bed with him every night). I thought for a moment he was cuddling a bear I had never seen before, nope those were just his bear socks on his hands. Don't worry he had socks on his feet as well and all his alphabet cards spread all over the bed. I died laughing, waking him up, and he could not figure out what was so funny.

 Yes, that is the wrapper of a breakfast bar that I didn't know he had snuck into his room at nap time.

I wish I could get into that little head of his. What is he thinking? How does he find things he hasn't played with in weeks, get them out, and feel the need to sleep with them? How does he choose what clothes to put on or what little guy to pick out of the plastic box full of guys? Does he play with the stuff until he just passes out and falls asleep? Or does he make a conscious decision to lineup toys or shoes in his bed, cover up, and go to sleep? Why does he like to sleep in jeans? All these are burning questions that have no answers. He denies that he ever plays after I put him in his bed. He is so little and quiet that I never hear a peep out of him. When Zane plays or even turns over in bed the whole house shakes. But little Rowan is quiet as a mouse, or maybe Zane's loud playing is just covering up Rowans. I do find it interesting how hysterical all of Rowan's toys, strewn all over the floor and bed, are to me. But when I walk into Zane's room and he has toys everywhere it's just plan annoying. GO TO BED ZANE!!! I guess Rowan's tiny body and funny little personality are just too cute to be upset with. I think I'll start taking pictures every night and then make a book full of the all. So entertaining!!!!! Or maybe I'll just install a baby camera monitor in there and watch is all go down live.

Six Years of Zane

I know I know birthday week is over, but in looking for a picture of the original whale pool from Zane's first birthday I saw all sorts of adorableness that I really wanted to relive. So here are six years of Zane's birthdays, a little after birthday week 2016.

First Birthday: Picnic themed, cakes courtesy of my STL friends who were taking cake making classes to get over a break up. Love and miss my friends from there.

 Second Birthday: Trains (we went to the train museum before the party and I found out I was pregnant with Rowan a few days later) No I didn't make the cake. We lived about a mile from a fantastic bakery and I took full advantage of it.

 Third Birthday: Spiderman (last birthday at our St. Louis house with the Wamser family there to celebrate with us. What a great time!)

Fourth Birthday: Ninja Turtle Party at the terrible rental house

Fifth Birthday: Penguins Hawaiian Luau (My persona favorite for originality)

 

Six Birthday: Harry Potter

Here is what reigns true for all of Zane's birthdays; there usually is costume of some sort involved. Well at least from his third birthday on. There is always a pool, lots of pictures of him swimming and running around crazy outside. And usually at the end of the day, not shown in the pictures but remembered vividly by his parents, Zane throws up. At his third birthday he threw up multiple times from the smell of the silly string I had gotten to be "spider webs." He isn't phased by it, but it seems to be a birthday tradition. Any guesses on what next year party will be?? My current guess is that we'll have to have one earlier with his new school friends and I am thinking Nerf Gun battle somewhere, judging by his current obsession and love of his new Nerf gun. It will be great boy fun for sure!!

Ten on Tuesday

1. So before Zane's birthday week it was Everett's birthday bash at the zoo. Little E is four now and we all had a blast at the zoo celebrating with him.

 The day before our zoo fun Zane got terribly dehydrated and threw up (which is what happens when Zane eats a lot of sugar and drinks no water). So come Sunday morning I was over hydrating in preparation for the zoo. Due to this Zane had to pee about five time during our two hours there. At some point we had to run (literally) to the pachyderm house to find the potty and we discovered the SLOTHS!!! I knew they were at the zoo, but could never find them. I was thinking they might be with the monkeys, not the rhinos. Pleasant surprise!!

 My sweet little Ro baby loved his stuffed turtle and his turtle mask.

 2. Zane's birthday celebrations got started on Friday evening with trip to the movies to see Finding Dory. We have been excited about this movie coming out since last years birthday movie. It did not disappointment!!

 As an added bonus Uncle Able joined us for the movie. Oh and Rowan picked out Finding Dory little guys for himself, Zane, and E during Bible School in the morning. Here is Zane with Hank who, spoiler alert, is a septapus

 3. Zane's first year of Vacation Bible School was a huge success. He came home everyday with lots of Jesus arts and crafts, stickers of his new bible friend animals, and singing new bible school songs. As a child we attended VBS at the little church across the road from where I grew up. It wasn't Catholic but it was amazing and one of my favorite childhood, summer, memories. I am so excited that Zane loved it and got to go with little E. We will definitely be making this a yearly tradition from here on out.

 Below is Zane shining his light, signing loud and proud, We Will Follow Jesus!!!!

 VBS was less than fun for little Ro who was too little to attend. He got to hang out with Grandma Wednesday and Thursday while I was working and had to hang out with his boring old mother the other days. He might have gotten fun little surprises like Nemo or Hot Wheels for his trouble.

 4. Rowan did also get to go visit his buddy Thomas with me during VBS as well. Thomas is doing well, still getting plasmapharesis and his labs are starting to look better. Thank you to everyone who has lifted up this little boy in your prayers. He is a fighter and his mother is one of the strongest, bravest, people I know. His birthday is tomorrow, he's turning six and hopefully will be back home to celebrate.

 These are the tiny little Minions the boys got him for his birthday/get well present.

 5. This year we opted to not get a big pool for the backyard because it's just too much work to keep clean. We get to go swim at Abbey's pool and at the Y so we really just needed something to cool us down in the 100 degree weather. So we went with the throw back to Zane's first birthday and the whale pool. We set up the sprinkler, have a few water sprayers, and everything is cool and fun now!

 One year old Zane!!!!

6. I think it is no surprise to anyone that I really would love love love to have three boys. I'm not just saying that, I'd truly love it. So when I get to take E places I pretend he's Rowan's twin and live out my three boy hopes and dreams. After Bible School I crazily took them all out to eat. In good news Rowan doesn't actually have a twin, because two little boys at a restaurant is pretty insane. But they all had a blast. Rowan picked out Hot Wheels for everyone on this day. Isn't he the nicest little guy.

7. Speaking of Hot Wheels, it should be mentioned that they are currently Rowan's greatest obsession. In good news they are a buck a piece, sometimes less, and he is thrilled with every one. He also will do just about anything to get one, very easily bribed by Hot Wheels. This all being said our house had become overrun with the little cars. So last weekend, when Zane spontaneously decided he wanted to sleep over with Maggie,  I got Rowan a Hot Wheels suitcase. It was part of his very special, very sad, evening alone with mom and dad. Rowan is truly lost without his brother and woke up Monday morning wandering around, room to room, looking for Bobo, before finally coming into my room crying big puppy dog tears. This picture of him with his rolling hot wheel storage is the cutest thing ever!! He does keep his cars all nice and neatly stored in his "car box" (not to be confused with his guy box). His mother's OCD is rubbing off and keeping our house nice and neat.

 8. Swim lessons continue for both of these kids and they both love it. Zane is working on his breathing technique and getting much better. Rowan is working on kicking, blowing bubbles, and being pulled around the pool on various flotation devices. They are a hoot and on this particular morning they were crazy with energy. In very rare form indeed.

 9. I'm not sure that I put a picture of just little Dobby on Zane's birthday post. Rowan's costume was the easiest and quickest to make. I took an old pillow case and cute holes in it, tied it up and presto chango Dobby costume. The ears were slightly more challenging but I think it all turned out so adorably I can hardly stand it. He wore around one sock part of the evening as well, which just pushed it over the top.

10. This afternoon I gave up and decided it was far to hot to do anything outside and we were all too crazy to stay home. Luckily for us The Lorax was playing at the dollar movie theater! We listened to the sound track all morning, while working on Angry Bird Legos so we were all ready for the show after naps. I don't think Rowan had ever seen The Lorax before so it was a brand new movie for him. Zane has loved The Lorax since he was three or so but never saw it in the theater. Fun times were had by all. We really should just wait till everything comes to the much cheaper theater. It is just as fun and about a quarter of the cost.

Yes, it is a throw back to the movie theaters where the seats fold up on you if you don't weigh enough. I have never had this problem, but it was a real struggle for little Rowan. They were also quite squeaky, but for eighty nine cents a ticket you really can't complain. Added bonus no previews and only about five other people in the whole theater!!!