Thanksgiving kindness tour

BE KiND. 

I probably repeat my motto about 15 times a day to my children.  Kindness is huge to me. I think it is a very tangible concept to learn at a young age.  I truly believe kindness fosters respect, positive decision making and good character.  I pray every single day for my children to be kind, respectful people.  

BE KIND. 

It is what I tell William every day as he walks out the door for school.  It is what I am teaching Adeline as she learns to share with her sister.  

This summer we made cookies and distributed them to the postman, firemen, and policemen.  So at Thanksgiving, I jumped on another chance to address being kind to others.  We went to the grocery and bought the cute butter shaped like turkeys.   William chose 5 neighbors/friends in our area whom he wanted to gift the butter.  

William wrote a note that read "We are thankful for you! Love The Barrons"

Adeline and I attached the notes with ribbon and the 3 of us delivered the butter to our friends. 

Although William understands what it means to BE KIND, I am happy to use any opportunity to reinforce it!  Handing out the butter gave Adeline a visual lesson in kindness and she loved every second of it.  She was very proud handing out the gifts.  

Bows

The other day Dada took William outside to practice archery.  

"William, let's go out and shoot the bow now." 

William and Dada go out to the backyard. 

Adeline bursts into tears and is bawling while watching the boys go outside. 

"Sister, what is wrong? Do you want to go outside and watch the boys?"

Adeline: "No! No! I don't want Dada and William to shoot my bows! No! Don't shoot my bows!"

Adeline thought the boys were going outdoors to shoot her hairbows. I love her!

A visit with Santa at the Santa house 2013

One of my FAVORITE Christmas activities in Tulsa is the Santa house at Utica Square.  It's the CUTEST most charming little playhouse where Santa comes every day for pictures.  It's just so small and perfect for children.  It's red and green and has a little picket fence and greenry everywhere.  I just love it!

I always take my kids to the Santa house within the first couple of days in December.  There are usually no lines which makes the trip enjoyable.  I can also get great pictures when no one is standing in line!

This year, our December weather was incredible during the first few days of the month.  The high was 70 degrees!  It felt like springtime!  I knew I had to take full advantage of the glorious sunshine and take the kids to see Santa before we had to bundle up in coats and hats.  I am SO GLAD I did!

We picked William up from school on a sunny, 70 degree Wednesday afternoon and headed for Utica.  I spent the entire day just casually talking to Adeline about seeing Santa.  I explained that he was going to be at the Santa house and William was going to sit on his lap for a picture.  Adeline was very quiet during these conversations and she wasn't really interested in the idea.  She would try and change the subject!  I didn't make it a huge deal, but I did show her pictures of herself on Santa's lap the last 2 years.  I told her Santa is our friend and he would give her a cookie for being brave during her visit.  The word "cookie" seemed to capture her attention slightly.......

I really didn't worry about Anna. 

I knew she's scream regardless.  It's her age and makes for a funny Santa memory for sure!

So, we got to the Santa house around 3:30.  Just as I hoped, there was no line.  Not one person.  I was thrilled!  We took some cute pictures and then headed inside to meet Mrs. Claus and see Santa in person. 

Adeline was VERY quiet and asked me if she could stand at the door and watch.  I told her that was fine and so she watched William tell Santa all about his wish list.  Anna clung to my neck in terror.

Then Santa asked Adeline if she wanted to have a turn.  Adeline looked at me and grabbed my hand.  Bless her heart, she was so nervous.  I gently told her that she could get her bravery cookie if she stood right next to William and not next to Santa.  It took a second, but she slowly walked over to the window and held William's hand.  She didn't smile in delight, but she was there and that was all that mattered!

I snapped a few pictures of William and Adeline before giving Anna to Santa.  Oh my goodness, sweet Anna Baby screamed and screamed!  She was NOT excited about seeing Santa!  William was so sweet and tried his best to entertain her.  He sang songs and held her hand, but Anna was just beside herself.  A few snaps of my camera and we were done!

The kids loved their cookies.  William was so glad he could tell Santa his list early and make sure he'd have the whole month to work on his toys.   

With the Santa house complete, our December is off to a jolly good start!

SANTA STOP HERE!

Thanksgiving is over and December is here!  Our lights on the house, our tree is ordered, a wreath is on the door and our Santa sign is in the yard!   Let the merry days of Christmas begin!

Just Hanging Around

Thankgiving 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!  We are so thankful for family and friends.  Thanksgiving is our holiday with Dan's parents.  We love to celebrate with them because on December 1st, they head for Florida and stay there for 6 months.  Thanksgiving gives us all a time to be together and enjoy each other's company.  We started this tradition when we got married and 10 years later, it's going strong!

Joy, Christian and Claire came to Tulsa with Bubba and Gram Cracker.  Joy and her kids wanted to see our house and Tulsa.  In past years, we have eaten our Thanksgiving dinner at the Skirvin Hotel and The Philbrook museum café.  Both are wonderful choices, but this year we tried The Ambassador Hotel.  The Chalkboard restaurant is in the hotel and hosted a buffet.  We all agreed that this was our favorite Thanksgiving meal and location.  The setting was small and intimate.  We could hear each other and visit comfortably at our table.  The food was excellent and offered a huge variety.  It was delicious!

After lunch, we went to our house and relaxed.  William flew his flight simulator with Christian and Claire played with the girls.  The adults visited and Gram Cracker took a power nap. 

Around 4:30, we made a last minute decision to pack up and head for OKC. So we did!  My family stayed with my parents, but William and the girls had plenty of time to spend with Joy and her kids.  We all went to the OKC science museum (one of our favorite places) and William spent the night with Bubba and Gram Cracker 2 nights in a row!  He had a blast!

All in all, our Thanksgiving was delightful.  We love Bubba and Gram Cracker and we are so thankful they can come to Tulsa and spend the day with our family at a moment's notice.  My kids treasure their company!  Thank you for a wonderful holiday!

I didn't take any pictures on Thanksgiving.   I can't believe it.  I am waiting on Joy to send me a few photos she took with her phone.

Baylor verse OSU. The Barron boys on location

 

Uncle Steve gave William and Dan his tickets for the Baylor OSU football game in November.  The guys were really looking forward to watching Baylor play in person and William counted down the days until the road trip to Stillwater.  "Mom, this is my second college football game ever.  The first one I saw was OU with Pops and Dada.  Now, it's just me and Dada watching the Baylor Bears!  This is going to be so great!"

 

Then the weather took a turn.  On game day, the high was 22 degrees.  The game was at 7pm so we knew it would be SO much colder than 22 when the sun went down.  Dan and I also knew that staying the entire game was probably not going to happen if the weather was bad. 

 

But my Baylor boys were fired up.  They didn't let 22 degrees get in their way of celebrating the Green and Gold.  William suited up in his ski clothes and walked out the door like he was on his way to the chair lift.  Dada also dressed warm.  He packed hand warmers, neck gators, a blanket and extra provisions. Around 4:45 pm, they headed to Stillwater.

 

They stopped at Chick-fil-a for dinner and William worked on his Bear claw hand form.

Dada sent me a picture once they were in their seats.  He said William was excited and I knew Dada was too.  This was Dan's first live Baylor game since college.

 

 

At half time, Dada called to say they were in the car and heading home.  He said it was SO SO SO COLD and windy. Funny part is that William wanted to stay and watch the whole game.  It was Dada who was freezing! Not to mention, Baylor was getting clobbered. 

 

Nevertheless, I am so glad they went to the game.  I am so glad they had fun despite the cold.  William still talks about that game with a big grin on his face.  He loved every second of that day with his Dada.  These are the kind of moments I treasure for my kids.  Childhood is fleeting and I am so thankful my boys can do activities together and relish the time they have with one another.

 

 

 

 

William's Thanksgiving show

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving, William's first grade class hosted a Thanksgiving lunch and music performance.  Each child was given a speaking part in the show.  Every single day on the way to school, Dada and William would practice his lines.  By show time, William was reciting his part in his sleep.

"My name is Big Elk.  Father of Brave Eagle and Running Wolf.  We hunt buffalo so we can eat and have clothes to wear."  (FYI - I just asked Dan to tell me the speaking part again and he gave it word for word in a deep voice.)

Dada and I got to school early so we could get a front row seat.  William marched onto the court wearing an Indian headdress.  He later told me he spent two days drawing the artwork and gluing on the feathers.

William delivered his speech in perfect form!  After the show, the kids sang a few songs.  Then we all went back to the classroom for refreshments and Dada got to see all of William's hard work around the room.  He was SO proud to show Dada his achievements.

Adeline's parent day at ballet

Adeline started ballet in September.  Her class is 45 minutes on Tuesday mornings at That's Dancing.  Adeline LOVES going to ballet.  She knows EXACTLY when Tuesday comes around.  Monday nights before bed, Adeline will say, "MOMMMM! (big smile) tomorrow Adeline goes to ballet class with Miss Micah."  I am so glad she loves to go and I hope she will enjoy dancing as much as I did as a child. 

Originally, I bought her a basic ballet leotard, skirt and shoes for class.  Ever since Halloween, Adeline has insisted on wearing her "ballerina princess" costume to class.  This is completely fine with her teachers because at 2.5, most of the girls come to class in tutus and glitter.  It's hit or miss each week, but for the most part, Adeline wants to wear her costume.

Tuesday was Parent Watch Day.  I left Anna with Amanda so I could attend the class without distractions.  It was SO PRECIOUS.  The teachers treated the class like a typical 45 minute routine.  This way the girls were not nervous and they could tune out all the moms in the background.  Adeline was a little skeptical as to why I was there and she kept turning around to wave at me and say hello.

I have tons of video that I will treasure forever, but I also managed to take a few pictures.  Adeline takes the class very seriously.  As I watched the class, I realized the story behind many of the moves Adeline does at home.  There's a "put on your backpack and reach for the stars!" move that is actually used for stretching and I didn't know what exactly she was doing until I watched the class.  She has all the terminology down and if you ask her to sashay, plie and arabesque, she will proudly show you her ballerina moves!

We also got a run down about the recital and took a peak at her costume.  The color is TBD, but I am so glad the teachers respect these little girls and dress them age appropriate.  The costume is a glittery tutu and leotard with a pretty headband flower.  I know Adeline will be dying to try it on when we get it!

It's been fun to watch Adeline love an activity outside the playroom.  She's the cutest ballerina in the bunch!