Corn Maize

Visiting the much advertised "Corn Maize" this Fall was a compelling opportunity to turn "lemons into lemonade." No, let me rephrase that.
This overly hyped, exaggerated "event" demanded us to make the best of the situation.
It was by far the lamest "family attraction" I've ever seen. And if we didn't make the best of it, the hour drive with a whiny,anxious 3 year- old would have been entirely in vain.
Amazingly enough, the pictures show the fun we had despite everything that was lacking, not working, or non-existent at this farm.

I must have had more than my usual 6 hours of sleep the night prior.....because instead of complaining, I burst out laughing at the pathetic-ness that stood before me. Case in point- Wesley's and my "cow ride" through the corn maize...sounds kind fun right?
It was in reality a "ride" in a water barrel, pulled by the worlds slowest John Deer lawn mower.
Nathan and I couldn't help but laugh the whole way through.

You might have noticed Sienna's nowhere to be found. Let's just say she used her free agency to make a very, very, bad choice. Nathan and I were actually really sad we couldn't take her with us, but we had to stick to our word. Sienna's absence was not lost on Wesley.
He enjoyed every minute of our undivided attention.

Wesley loved seeing the tractors, running rampant in the corn fields, and playing in the "Corn Box." This Corn Box was a large sandbox filled with kernels of corn instead of sand. And it had shovels and buckets a plenty. It was one of the quirky/redeeming "attractions" at the farm.
Speaking of redemption......I probably had more than my fair share of fun jumping into the bales of hay.
So long sourpuss..........hellooooo cowgirl.

Uncle Nathan

This little montage of my brother Nathan visiting Oklahoma is way overdue. I was thrilled to get the email telling me he'd be coming to our house this summer. I know he had his reservations about Oklahoma....but I think by the end of the trip we squeaked out a small, but cozy spot in his heart for the state.
I loved showing him around. And boy did we pack a lot of punch for those days he was here. I took Nathan to the amazing Aquarium in Jenks, gave him a tour of the Philbrook Museum, went Antique shopping, took him to see the outdoor production of "Oklahoma" (which he loved) went rafting on the Illinois River, played games, took in a movie or two, went bowling, and ate some good Mexican food. But what I probably loved the most was our late night talks and watching Nathan play with my kids.
Sigh....what would life be without family?
Anyway, this is for you Nathan. We sure love you!!
Hurry back now ya hear?



P.S. Please try and ignore the fact that the pictures are pixelated....trust me I am embarrassed. No, it is not a reflection of the real pictures I just seem to be dealing with a lot of technical issues as of late....hence the lack of posts. Well, there's also the time thing. But I do love my readers...I have not forgotten you. I've got more coming k?

Sweet Pumpkins

The smell of mulled cider, the sound of falling leaves, the color of orange sunbursts,the tingle of chilly breezes and the sight of two silly kids one October night. Halloween is in the air........

A College Education

Today, at precisely 4:46, I had the rare opportunity to use my college education...applied Science if you will.
There it was, on the floor, staring at me, a bona-fide, "real life" application my teachers always talked about.
This sticky situation required a keen understanding of Science, Mathematics, and Psychology.
How shall I extract the matted down feces from the clutches of my carpet?

Real life application:

Science- What tools would be most advantageous in the extraction process?
Which chemicals must be administered to disinfect this microbial mess?
And which chemicals will remove the intruder (aka the mound of squashed poo on my carpet) without removing the color from the carpet fibers?
Psychology- In an effort to not retch everywhere, I recall the power of mantras and chant to myself "mind over matter", "mind over matter." I also mentally free myself from this potentially demoralizing situation and escape to my happy place inside.
Mathematics- How many wipees, and papers towels will be required to free my carpet of this odorous occupant? And is it cost effective?
And finally, how much will it cost to have this square footage professionally cleaned if I do not meet with success?


Now I do have photos of the specimens...but will spare you.
However, Nathan did receive them via email...but that was strictly for scientific purposes.

And that my friend, is why we go to college.

Our State Fair

I'm a big fan of State Fairs in general but for some reason....I almost blew off the Tulsa State Fair a few weeks ago. WOW. That would have been so sad. We had so much fun.....plus I would've missed a chance to wear my cowgirl boots! It had everything you'd want...pony rides,overpriced lemonade,a craft show, a petting zoo, questionable corn dogs, carnival rides, a Sky Tram, loud music, and oodles of people.




Maybe next year I'll have the guts to eat a fried peanut butter & jelly sand which,or a chocolate covered cheesecake on a stick, or maybe a fried pickle.
We'll just have see.

Don't Mess with Texas

A few weeks ago (Labor Day weekend to be exact), at 2:00 o' clock in the morning, I found myself bleary-eyed and squinting from the beams of a powerful flashlight, with arms raised, explaining to a Texas Police Officer, that I was in fact a mother, and not a armed burglar.

After an 8 hour car ride with two children (which if you factor in "mother math"-the drive itself times the amount of kids: 8 hours x 2 kids) was actually a 16 hour drive from Tulsa to Houston. So you can imagine how deliriously tired Nathan and I both were upon arrival.
Because we would be arriving so late, my Uncle called and gave us specific instructions on how to get into his backyard and into the house.
When we drove into their neighborhood Nathan turned to me and asked for the name of their street and house number. I couldn't remember!! And I didn't want to call my Uncle at 2:00 a.m. to find out. I was positive I would recognize it when we drove around. And I did.
It was their exact house and driveway and we found the side gate propped open with a rock just like my Uncle said he would. There was his pool and his back door. We shuffled to his back door with bags and kids in tow and entered his secret code. Except it didn't work. So we tried it again. But it didn't work. I knew I had the right code because I had written it on my hand so I wouldn't forget it. So we tried it again. And we were denied. Then the kids decided to bang on the door. I gave in and reluctantly called my Uncle.

"Can you come outside and let us in?"

I am outside.

"Where?!?! I don't see you."

We couldn't see my Uncle in the dead of night, but we did see flashing lights and heard someone yelling. I slowly walked out the side gate and was blinded by a powerful flashlight.

"Put your hands in the air where I can see them! State your name and your business here!"

Oh crap.

I eventually managed to squeak out enough answers to convince them they could lower their weapons. After several questions, a phone call, driver's license checks, and running of our plates we were free to go.

We drove away from that house and sheepishly pulled into my Uncle's actual driveway. I gave my Uncle a hug and a weak smile. He returned the hug.....grinning from ear to ear.
Yup.
I knew it.
I'm going to be teased about this for years to come.

When in Rome....

Ironically, my Uncle planned to take Nathan to a firing range the next morning.
What to do??
Stay at the house and watch my kids....... or tag along.





Did you really think I was going to stay home?
It was exhilarating......
and terrifying.
I would definitely do it again.

P.S. this is a 9mm XDM
it's one of the guns they use in "Mr. and Mrs. Smith."
I'm just sayin.....

Beautiful Day

I have an agenda for every day of the week. I know what I want the kids to do. And I know what I don't want the kids to do. And sadly, for the most part, I'm not very concerned with what they want to do.
I couldn't help but wonder.......
what would it be like, if for one day, I let Wesley choose what we do.
I wouldn't try to limit his choices, or steer him in a direction more to my liking.
I wouldn't worry about the time.
I wouldn't care if he got dirty or wet.
And I wouldn't rush him.
I'd let him be.
Wesley wanted to go to the park.
The "squirrel park" to be exact.
We fed the ducks. Wesley chased the ducks.
Wesley dug holes and threw rocks in the pond.
We looked at leaves and ant holes.
Wesley chased the squirrels.
Then we ate snacks on a bench and watched the geese preen.
And I enjoyed every minute of it.

I tell you guys it was liberating.
I can't think of a time I've loved him or enjoyed him more.

But I can't be this selfless every day- I'm no saint....
but my goodness, what a beautiful day.