Sunday, April 14, 2013

Random Whimsy- Vol. 1

On prayer...
My daughter goes to a Christian preschool and they may be doing too good of a job on her Christian education.  The other night, Claire asked to say the prayer before dinner and we encouraged her to go ahead.  She started by saying the prayer they say before eating at her school, "God is great, we love him, let us thank him for our food...." and then proceeded to launch into a diatribe about how it was wrong for those soldiers to kill our Jesus and he should have been alive, not killed.  Whoa.  Intense stuff for a four year old.
Claire drew this- she says it's Jesus.4


On intact masculinity...
As a part of Claire's birthday celebration, we took her to Build A Bear with some lovely friends.
Exhibit A:
From L to R: Amykate, Masyn, Claire, Isaac, and Hope 
Photo credit: Misty Tharp




And the mommas- with Mindy Russell

with Misty Tharp

As part of their party package, they ask you to build 6 bears, so you can get the free signature bear (you know, to be signed by a bunch of preschoolers who can barely write their names ; ) ).  We only had five bears to build, so Michael grabbed a ready to make bear and proclaimed, "let's do this thing". 
Exhibit B:
Photo credit: Misty Tharp

 Now, witness what happens when my husband builds a bear.  Apparently, it's German and no one can own it?
Exhibit C:



On cutting my first LP...
If I was a rapper, I swear my name would be A/C Killa (east or west coast affiliation not yet established).  Yet again, I killed the A/C in a car.  It happened first in my Sentra. 
Stock photo- but basically what the Sentra looked like.  It was so cute : )

I loved that car, but we sold it low and sent it on it's way when the cold air failed to blow and the repair cost exceeded the car's value.  Now, it has happened in my Corolla.


Boo. Michael says we can fix it cheaper- may be use used parts?  Sigh.  Did this really just happen again? Oklahoma summers will not permit this.

Free, cheap, and Occasional Splurge Summer

My mind is on summertime.  It's what keeps me sane through the torments of state testing.  That being said, I would really like to keep costs down this summer.  I'd like to repay some of the savings I borrowed during our move and I am facing the need for a newer 'mom ride' (which means a car payment, where I have enjoyed being payment free for 3 years now).  So, I am starting my list.

FREE

1) Tulsa County Library's Summer Reading Program- Claire loves reading and this will keep her in the mode as Pretty-K approaches.
2) Riverside Splash Park- zero depth place to splash and keep cool.
3) Kids' activities classes at places like Michael's, Lowes, and Home Depot.
4) Washing the car- Claire loves a chance to squirt me with the hose
5) Porch time- my house has amazing porches!  I am thinking mornings on the front porch and evenings on the screened in porch in back.
6) Figure out the free days at Philbrook and Gilcrease and be cultured!
7) Visit the Guthrie Green and see music.  Claire loooooves to dance
8) Visiting friends' houses- so many lovely friends close by!
9) Visit the Linnaeus Teaching Garden- also allowing Claire to tend to some plants that are hers in our yard.

CHEAP

1) Season passes to Big Splash (which is practically in my backyard).  Initial cost is not cheap, but cost over time and use- a bargain!
2) Tulsa Zoo
3) Cool off at the movies!  We'll be able to take in matinees and Claire is great in movies.  Her dad will really love this option!
4) Have dinner on a patio on Brookside or Cherry Street.
5) Garage sales and flea markets
6) Check out the Cherry Street Farmer's Market
7) Blue Bell Ice Cream's Taste of Summer tour in Broken Arrow
8) Woolaroc Kids' Festival in July
9) Going to the lake
10) Visit the Philcade
11) Enjoy nature at the Oxley Nature Center

OCCASIONAL SPLURGE

1) Trip to Texas to see my Jill and Claire's cousin Mara!  Love, love, love this time- and our trips to IKEA : )

So- what are you doing this summer?  No really, I'm asking!