Wednesday, May 23, 2012

May 23, 2012

Today was Olive's last day of kindergarten.
It was an epic year in her little life.
Reading, writing, arithmetic, social skills, and one of the best teachers on the planet.
It was a near-perfect school year.
 This little person was trying to sneak in the pictures.
 To honor the coming of summer, we dined outside.
 Tomatoes, sausage, basil and cheese... yes, please.


 For dessert, we split a piece of cake 3-ways.
The rest of the cake went to work with Dave.
 Olive taught her friend Abbey to swing. She is now on a mission to teach Elle the same lesson.

 For entertainment, we played with water beads.
They start as small (like steel cut oats) plastic pellets.
After soaking for a few hours, they turn into soft squishy marble-sized balls.
 The girls played with them for 2 hours.
I played with them for 30 minutes.
They are really fun to run your fingers through.
With force, you can squeeze them to the point of exploding gel.
(I did this when the girls were not looking.)

Happy Summer!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

May 22, 2012

Elle Belle's school year finished up today.
She will stay at the same school next year.
I think we both take comfort in that fact.
 I get weepy when I think about the privilege it is for her to attend this school.
It is a sweet experience.
The children are sweet.
The teachers are sweet.
Every time I drop her off, I feel over-whelming gratitude.
 One of her teachers commented on the joy of Elle spirit, she continued by saying that Elle is a true "free spirit."
I doubt there is a better compliment for my 4 year-old.

Ms. Barbara & Elle Belle:
 Before I could get Elle to take a picture with Ms. Elaine, she broke down crying.
Elle confessed her fears about not seeing her teachers all summer.
There are few women better than these two on the planet.
Ms. Elaine & Elle Belle:
 Tonight was also Bunko.




No Bunko was played, just eating and chatting.
Ohh, I am such a believer in the vital need for female friendship.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

May 20, 2012











Not my best night of photo-taking.
At first I was having such a good time watching the performance, I got lost in excitement.
There was lots of laughing and cheering coming from my seat.
Then, Dave had to leave for work... missing Elle's second performance.
I sat crying (thankfully in the dark) about all the compromises and sacrifices of residency.
I was recovered in time to congratulate my little dancing beauties.
On the drive home, the girls fell asleep.
It gave me time to consider the decisions we (Dave & I) have made.
It seems that we don't ever take the road most travelled.
Generally speaking, we choose the rough and rugged path.
It makes life both challenging and richly full.
Mostly, it has created a really beautiful marriage.
Two beautiful, healthy kids and a successful marriage... I cannot ask for more.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

May 16, 2012

I love to sew.
Somehow, I tend forget my feelings and weeks go by before I touch my machine again.
Thankfully, I am in a quilting bee that requires I sew at least once a month.
Then I am reminded of my passion of fabric, and perfect seems, and the finished product.
Generally, it plays out like the book, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie."
There is a big mess at the end, but I am always ready for more.


Saturday, April 28, 2012

April 28, 2012

 The OKC Arts festival is amazing.
Great atmosphere (think music, people-watching, scenery), super-kid friendly, diverse culinary arts (You know me, I love good food), and the weather was perfect.
Tonight just might have been my favorite night in OKC.


Friday, April 27, 2012

April 27, 2012

My dear husband was nominated for the prestigious Aesculapian Award. 
Every year, only 3 residents from the entire OU Residency program are nominated for their dedication and excellence in teaching and outstanding contributions to the art of teaching. 
I am so pleased that he is being recognized for his efforts. 
He is the hardest working human being I know both at work and at home. 
I do not say that lightly.
He works crazy hours, moonlights on his rare days off, and he is ALWAYS willing to load the dishwasher, fold laundry, or put the kids to bed.
He never complains either.
He might just be a saint.
Tonight we attended the nomination dinner at the Skirvin.
We got all gussied up, and the Dittmeyers watched our girls.
Dave did not win, but I am sure proud of him.


Thursday, April 26, 2012

April 26, 2012

The iPhone version of Olive's 6th birthday.