The old becomes new

As a karate kid herself, Laura is forever hearing references to the Karate Kid movie. She finally decided she needed to see it so she could understand. It was surprisingly meaningful to me to watch that with her. I guess it was deeper ingrained in my youth than I realized. I loved her comments about their big hair, funny clothes styles, and the music.

And Adam has finally caught the Harry Potter bug! I had tried to read it to him a couple years ago, but he just wasn't into it so I didn't push. But earlier this year he came home super excited to try again, this time reading it on his own. He has finished the first book and is almost done with the second. We both agree that he'll probably take a break after this one since the third book is darker and more complicated. But it has been so fun to get back into the characters and see his interest and excitement grow. And we watched the first movie after he finished the book. Laura and I were such willing co-watchers!

Tournament Sparring Prep

Try again...

See the tiny person in the background? That's my kid hanging with the big boys. No other girls or shorties showed up today, but she's doing fine.

Actually, this isn't an unusual sight in our house

Feed my starving children!

A Wrinkle in Time

Glacier Hill's 5th graders made videos at school to enter into the 90 Second Newbery contest. The job was to pick a Newbery winning book and summarize it in 90 seconds, putting any silly, scary, or crazy spin on it that they would like. They were on their own for writing, videoing, editing, everything. Guess whose video will be shown at the Minneapolis Film Festival??? And guess who is the lead actress:??? Check out the judge's comments too.

http://90secondnewbery.com/post/156681487456/a-wrinkle-in-time-by-madeleine-lengle-1963

Congratulations Laura! I can't wait to go to see all the Minneapolis films with you!

Being sick is boring

When Adam was three or four, he used the word 'boring' to describe anything he didn't like.

Me: Adam, do you want more Brussels sprouts?
Adam: Brussels sprouts are boring.

Me: Adam, do you like pink or orange better?
Adam: Pink is boring.

Me: Why did you bite Laura?
Adam: Laura is boring

Me: Time for church!
Adam: Church is boring. (OK, he was bound to use it right eventually)

We tried to explain the right way to use the word, but, true to form, he stubbornly continued to say that "jeans are boring".

So tonight, I went to check on my big, mature eight year old who was moaning in his sleep with a sore throat and stuffy nose. I asked "Adam, are you OK? Are you hurting?" When he sleepily answered "no, I'm bored" I just had to smile. I love my little boy.

Winter Concerts

Adam's class did a super cute performance of the music from the Nutcracker. Imagine lyrics like: "Can't you see those love-ly Sugar Plums dancing here...dancing there...dancing all around"

I smiled the whole show through.

There's Adam on the top right in his Chinese Dancer hat.

And his dance: I love it like a goofy proud parent!

And Laura had a band concert. She is loving the trumpet. Its definitely shaping up to be her favorite instrument so far.

Her band director is so great. During the last song, she encouraged all the parents to come up to walk around in the middle of the band to get good pictures of our kids while they were playing. It was fun and the kids loved it too.

Let's Go Band!!

Christmas 2016

We had such a great time this Christmas vacation!

For the first time ever, we took the kids out of school a day early. Its amazing how my standards have changed since I made all those "My kid will never do that" statements 10 years ago. But it was a great decision this year and no truancy officer has come to take me to jail yet.

We did the 11 hour ride to OK in one day, which we usually split into 2. It was nice to just get it done and wake up at Grandma and Grandpa's!

This is a fun screen shot of the weather we were facing when we left Friday morning. Yay for winter travel!

But we made it work.

Laura's flower

My caterpillar

Its just sooooo funny!

Found a gas station with humor

"Diet Ice"

!

Hey there good looking! I think you have a little something on your nose.

Dad took Kim, me, and both kids to see Rogue One. Check out the line!! We sat down just as the last preview was ending, so it worked out perfectly. It was Adam's first time to join us in this tradition and it was lovely to have him.

Dad is channeling Obi Wan as we wait for tickets.

Kim and I went with Cousin Annie to check out Ree Drummond's Pioneer Woman Mercantile in Pawhuska. It has cute stuff, yummy baked goods and coffee, and a ridiculous line into the shop by the time we left. Luckily, we arrived before the line started. 

And snapped a quick pic with a famous, handsome cowboy

We had some fun with power tools...

...and hand tools.

And took a walk to the lake, of course.

And went to Army Corp land on a manure hunt for Mom.

Dad made us some pancake art.

At Aunt Rosemary's, Uncle Kenny let the kids take the Mule out by themselves for the first time. They took turns driving, used Reverse, and didn't even run over the dog!

Bob and Kate put together a surprise carnival for us, including T-shirts (mine's different because I won the participation award!) and games like ring toss, throwing darts at balllons, and a cake toss, and lots and lots of prizes. So much fun!

Laura, Bob and Kate made a blanket with her new Christmas sewing machine!

The material was part of the gift and was all cut and ready to go!

It is keeping her warm on her bed as I type!

And Kim made me my most favorite purse ever. I found the pattern on Etsy. The pattern is full of mistakes and problems, but she turned it into this beautiful purse that I will probably make her make me again and again and again.

With the leftover blanket fabric and her new sewing machine, Laura made herself a purse too.

Help! I'm being attacked by balloon animals!

And then we came back to reality at home. 

I actually took this picture because it was so pretty and I'm thoroughly enjoying the snow.  Next week is supposed to be 40 and I'm bummed it might melt before we get to cross-country ski.

Yay winter!

We finally bought ourselves some skates so we can go to the outdoor rinks nearby!

Ridiculousness

So many silly things...
a pogo stick inside
the stocking cap
the little brother
the fact that she only weighs 20 pounds and can't make a dent in the spring