Things to be Thankful for...Day Two

Day Two: I am Thankful for the new kid's Nike Shox

This might not be something I should be thankful for but let me just explain.

You see, I'm very picky about my kid's clothing (I know, big surprise) and that includes shoes. I'm not real into Velcro once they pass a certain age but it is very difficult trying to teach a three year old how to tie his shoes. When you have many small kids at home who are unable to do things by themselves, getting out the door every morning can be a long and tedious process.

I've been looking for a new pair of tennis shoes for Cody that he can put on himself. However, I don't like the look of tennis shoes that Velcro and I'm pretty much against character shoes so I put myself in a little predicament.

That is, until I found the shoes of all shoes. The best invention Nike has ever come up with.

So, today I present you with the these Nike Shox.



They look like regular Nike Shox



But shhh, there's a secret...

They're Velcro!!!

They are a life saver, more of a time saver but you get the point. Cody is able to put them on himself and they look like regular Nike tennis shoes!

For those with kids, or a teacher of young kids who is tired of tying shoes, then you will understand why I am so thankful for these!

Things to be Thankful for...Day One

I'm a little behind, but my original plan was to post something I am thankful for every day this month. Here it is the 11th of the month and I am just starting. Oh well, better late than never! I will try and post something everyday for the rest of November!

Day One: I am thankful for the Science Museum

Since the kids were out of school last Friday, I had the privilege of having nine children at my house. It was a little cold out that day so there was NO way I was keeping those kids cooped up in my little house all day.

So, we ventured back to the science museum and since the science gods were looking out for me, it happened to be "chemistry day". They had all these little stations set up for kids to do experiments.

Cody testing out hot and cold mixtures

McKinly, Ty, and Laney making slime



Cade and mommy making his slime



We also got to do some other stuff we were unable to get to last week.


Ty and Nieko on an old airplane



McKinly and Cody on the Mercury Capsule

We were there for over five hours and I couldn't have been more thankful for all the things that kept them entertained. After we got home, the kids played outside for an hour and then it was time for everyone to leave and the little ones went down for a late nap! A successful and eventful day!

Yum...Crayons!!

Do you notice something weird with the second row??

No?? Look a little closer because you will notice someone...

decided to eat the tops off the crayons while I wasn't looking.

Don't worry, he spit all of them out...

on my white carpet!

Thank God for Resolve!

Did you know...

that this girl right here...

happens to be The Best girl in the world?!?

And I'm not saying that just because she's partly mine. Let me just explain what she has done this week.

First of all, she unloaded the dishwasher without me having to ask. She claims it is because there were not enough bowls for the breakfast she was making for all the kids that morning, by herself, but we both know she has done it before and will do it again...because that's just who she is!

Second, she helped all the little kids the other day with their homework. If that weren't enough, when one started having trouble, she made up a little game to help them learn in a different way.

Then on top of all that, Friday night I had to go to her parent/teacher conference and I felt bad sending all five kids to the neighbor's house (TJ was at his school doing parent/teacher conferences) so she said "you're only gone and hour, I'll watch them."

Now, I know she's only ten but she probably takes better care of them than I do :) I wouldn't have let her if Jen and Shawn weren't right down the street. They knew she was home alone with them and she had their number if anything were to happen. Cole was with them and they would have taken all the others as well, but we think McKinly really wanted to do this. Plus, she really wanted me to buy her some books at the book fair.

On my way home, she called my phone. I was thinking she was getting a little overwhelmed and wondering when I would be home, but all she wanted was to tell me Ty helped out a lot with Cade and that maybe I should get him a book as well.

This is just who she is...other people come first, she loves her brothers more than anything, she helps out around the house without being asked, we never have to remind her to do her homework and no matter what, she always makes sure everything is fair (unless it's her getting something special, which happens quite a bit, but she makes sure her brothers don't notice so they don't get their feelings hurt).

I am VERY lucky to have her in my life and her brothers adore her...we all do!

Science Museum

The other day I decided to take the kids to the Oklahoma Science Museum. They always have so much fun there because everything is hands on and there is even a five story tree house to play on.

Since it's about to get cold here, I decided to go ahead and purchase a season pass. There is nothing worse than all the kids stuck inside our little house all winter long.

I knew McKinly and Cody would have fun (Ty didn't go because he was at a friend's house) but I didn't realize how much fun Cade would have.


Cody and Cade spinning



Cody cutting his "airplane"



Watching it fly up the tube



Cade building with blocks



Cody making his race car



Watching it go



Cade waiting his turn



McKinly and Cade going down the five story slide



Cody's turn...it's a little fast



Riding the teeter totter



How Tall??

McKinly



Cody



Cade



Cade playing at the water table


Since we only got to do half of the museum, we're going back Friday since the kids are out of school. I promise will try not to post as many pictures next time :)

Our Mad Scientist

Every year, the entire 5th grade at McKinly's school puts on a little science fair that everyone has to participate in. Each child has to come up with his/her own science project and present it, not only to the class, but to most of the school.

They present their science projects on Halloween so the 5th Grade can all dress up as "mad scientists". McKinly had me french braid her hair two days before so it would be extra curly and crazy.

Now it's no surprise her project was going to be "cool" since her dad is a chemistry teacher, but we were very excited when she recieved this...



McKinly practiced her project quite a bit and was very excited to show anyone who would watch.



She was even nice enough to let Cody try.



She is not the only one who had fun at school on Halloween. Since the 5th Grade got to dress up, the rest of the school got to have "crazy hair day".

Ty went to school sporting a faux hawk that was half orange, half black!


If it's crazy hair day, I'm going all out!


I have no idea what these two are doing in this picture but they are still pretty cute!

Don't forget to vote

Please remember to Vote, our future depends on it!

Now, get out there and Vote on Tuesday (unless you live in a state where there is early voting) and make our future a better place!