Swingin' with my baby doll

We introduced Adeline to the swing.  She loves it as long as we don't push her too high or too fast.  This week has been beautiful and I wanted to take advantage of the sunshine, so my baby doll and I made a stop at the park!  Oh how Adeline LOVED it!  She soaked in the sun and celebrated being out of her car seat for awhile. 

Together we rode the teeter-totter and I helped her slide down the baby slides.  She thought the slides were a hoot and gave a huge belly laugh every time she flew down the ramp.  Of course, I couldn't get a picture of the slides since I was holding her, but I caught a snapshot in my mind that I will remember forever.  

Day trip to Claremore, Oklahoma

Claremore is right outside Tulsa and a quick drive for a fun day trip.  It's home to Will Rogers and several antique stores.  So, last Saturday afternoon, we loaded up and headed for their quaint downtown.  We hit the antique stores and William searched each store for airplanes.  Much to my surprise, we didn't see that many.  However, Dada and William managed to find a toy airplane exactly like Dada's plane from childhood.  It was $4 and Dada thought they could take the wheels off and put them on his airplane for William.  Of course, William was thrilled and purchased that toy plane with a beaming smile!  A hunt for airplanes is just the ticket to keep William interested in walking through antique stores with his parents!

After a few hours, we headed over to Foyil, Oklahoma to see the world's largest totem pole.

Yes, it's the world's largest and it's just 40 minutes away.  Who knew?!  And, there is even a fiddle museum too.  Rock on.

A brief history lesson:  Working mostly by himself,  Ed Galloway started the Totem Pole in 1937 and finished in 1948. Though sometimes credited as a monument to Native American tribes, Galloway said he built it after he retired so he would simply have something to do.  He thought it would be a good thing for youngsters, Boy Scouts in particular, to visit.

The totem pole is constructed of concrete over a scrap metal and sandstone rock skeleton. Sixty feet tall, six stories, 30 feet in circumference, the pole rests on the back of a turtle. Sculpted and brightly painted renditions of spirit lizards, owls, and headressed Indian chiefs climb to the pinnacle.

Ed built the Fiddle House to show off his handmade fiddles. It is supported inside and out by 25 concrete Totem Poles. At one time, it contained Ed's handmade furniture, and bas-relief portraits of all US Presidents up to JFK.
I tell ya, the totem pole is very impressive.  William thought it was HUGE (and rightly so) and got a kick out of learning it is sculpted around a tree.  Adeline found the whole adventure thrilling as well.  She's in full support of keeping the totem pole park up and running!

Adeline's playdate

I moved to Tulsa a month ago only knowing 2 people.  Since my arrival, I have been blessed by several "friends of friends."  Having even the smallest connection to someone I barely know has been the sweetest part about moving home.  Tulsa is brand new territory to me, and I feel so fortunate to have friendly people to welcome my family with open arms.

Michelle is a "friend of a friend" who I feel like I have known forever.  Funny how that is....She, a naitive Tulsan, married a boy from SMU and they lived in Washington, DC for a few years after they married. And, she has a blog.  How is that for having something in common? She and her little boy, Jack, are two new friends.  Michelle has gone out of her way to make me feel at home in my new surroundings. I am so grateful.

Jack and Adeline are 2 months apart, and Michelle invited us to tag along to her playgroup last week.  What a treat! I am so happy Adeline has a buddy her age and thanks to the playdate, we've met some new girlfriends to boot!
Adeline got all dressed up for her play date party.  Michelle made the neatest playroom in her house using magnetic and chalkboard paint on the walls.  Adeline LOVED climbing around and exploring Jack's toys.  I think she was thrilled to see a new batch of goodies to play with as I think my bin of baby toys are getting kinda boring for her.  

Michelle snapped this cute picture of Jack and the ladies.  I think it's a hoot.  Adeline looks SO BIG to me and Jack is a total ladies man!  LOVE these kids and hope their friendship blossoms through the years.  It'll be so special to watch them grow!

The boy who loves to fly

Just Talkin' WBB almost 5 years old

 William: "Mom, how close are we to the Earth's core?"
Me: "I don't know.  I need to check that on the computer."
William:  "Oh that is ok.  I will just ask Dada.  He knows everything because he's older than you."


William: "Mom, lets think of words that start with B"
Me:  "Ok.  Bananas, Butterfly, Book, Bat, Brain, Button, Butter....."
William (in a very serious tone): "Oh Mom, stop. I know one but I can't say it because it's a potty word and I am not in the bathroom right now."
Me: "Well, that is ok.  What is it?"
William: "Moooooommmmm, I don't want to get in trouble. It's a potty word."
Me (totally interested): "oh come on, you won't be in trouble.  It's me and a game we are playing."
William (VERY serious): "Butt."


William: "Ma Ma, how tall was Pops when he was a daddy?"
Me: "He was the same height that he is now."
William:  "Oh, so he didn't grow from when he was a daddy to when he was Pops?"


William: "Mom, I was the helper today at school!"
Me: "Oh William, that is so exciting!  What a special job.  Were you so happy they called your name?"
William (all smiles):  "Oh MOM!  You should have seen me.  I totally freaked out."

Tulsa Aquarium

William goes to school everyday until 3pm, and we have both REALLY missed having our afternoons free to spend time together.  William often comments on the fact that he misses just playing with me and hanging out at home......I know he is very happy at school, but the longer day has been the biggest adjustment for him.  He adapted just fine, but he realizes there is a difference between going to school only a half day verse a full day. 

I do too and I miss paling around town with him in the afternoons.  But then I have to recognize that William is growing up and those free afternoons are fleeting when you are a big time PreK kid.  Such is life for this momma.


So, when I knew we'd have one weekday off before William returned to school from Christmas break, I seized the moment and off we went on an afternoon adventure....just like the good ol' days!

We decided to explore the Tulsa Aquarium.  It is very impressive and full of fun and interesting exhibits.  William LOVED feeding the turtles carrot strips.  He thought it was so cool that tons of turtles flocked over to HIS feeding pole and fought over the tiny strip of carrot!  We could have sat there all day, but we ventured on to see what else we could find.  

Adeline loved looking at the fish tanks.  She kicked her feet and clapped her hands in delight.  I took her out of the stroller a few times and stuck her up on the ledge by the glass windows.  She LOVED the bird's eye view of the fish and thought the shark tank was very cool....I think she could really see the sharks better than baby fish since sharks are so big. 
William was brave enough to touch a Sting Ray and even fed them shrimp.  We stayed an hour and then explored the gift shop before heading home.  

We both had a great time together and even William told me, "Mom, I had a great day with you at the aquarium.  I really miss you when I am at school, but this was super fun like we use to do." And then skipped off on his way.  Bless his heart.  I love this little guy to pieces.  


William, I savor these days with you.  You are only a little guy for a short time, and I am so thankful that we've made a million memories together.  I know your days of staying home to play with me are numbered, but I treasure every second you call me your best friend and relish our memories of playing airplanes, reading books, and running through the park. I love watching your imagination and I miss you during the day, but your imagination takes you tremendous places and I know you will go far....even when I can't come along for the ride.  I love you.

Home Sweet Home

Bless this house as we come and go
Bless this house as the children grow
Bless our families when they gather in
Bless this house with love and friends.