On Friday, we celebrated The Boy’s birthday at school. He had a blast picking out his cupcake color, stirring the batter, painting his birthday canvas, and reading a book to his friends (well, I did that part).   After an exciting morning at school, I left him there to run some errands, picking up items for his birthday party and Christmas, my new glasses, etc.  The day flew by, and before I knew it, I was picking up The Boy. I had my hairs cut, and we were off to a party at a friend’s house.  The Boy was able to play with their son, and fun was had by all.

Hair cut and new glasses!

Saturday…birthday! The Boy opened a small gift from Kevin and I via Skype so Kevin could see (a matchbox car, markers and stickers), and we ran around picking up the last minute stuff for the party (food, cupcakes) and our regular pick up of eggs, meat, etc from Tulsa Clean Food Market.  The Boy napped, and I worked (at party stuff).  He had a blast at Tulsa World of Gymnastics for his birthday. He had a lot of friends there, and we collected a lot of good stuff for Emergency Infant Services, which we will deliver together next week. We are really trying to impress upon The Boy that he is fortunate, not everyone has the “stuff” he does,  and giving to others is a way of life. As such, we asked that guests bring something for EIS instead of a gift for Amari.

After his party, we went to the TU basketball game. The men won easily! At halftime, the rowing team christened a new shell, which is named after The Boy.

He was very excited to have his own shell, and after the halftime events, we went to dinner with the rowing coach, his wife, and their two daughters. We had a lot of fun!

Sunday was also very full for us. The Boy went to a birthday party for a friend. I had our babysitter take him, because I have had tickets to see the Nutcracker at the Tulsa Ballet. I had been planning on going with my friend Laura since last year, so this worked out well for everyone!

This week we’ve had babysitters coming to the house. The Boy is out of school, but I am still working. Tomorrow, I will bring him to my office in the morning, but since Mr. President gave us an extra half day off tomorrow, we will be heading home around lunch time.

I still have more than I’d like left to do to get ready for Christmas. A few presents to wrap, half the Christmas cards to write (sorry, those will be late), and I am taking a dish to a friend’s house on Christmas Eve. OK. It’s not really a “dish.” I really am wishing for some of my Grandma Wegner’s deviled eggs and potato salad. I’m hoping to at least make the eggs, and if I get time, the potato salad too.

Oh, and supposedly Tulsa might get some wet sticky white stuff tomorrow. If I have a white Christmas, I might just cry! Of course, I ran around at lunch to day like a crazy person (this is why I don’t shop in stores around Christmas) and found The Boy some snow pants, warmer mittens, and boots (hopefully they fit…store didn’t have his perfect size!) just in case! Yes, I will be out there acting crazy too.

Merry Christmas everyone!

On Independence Day, we went to our friend’s place for their annual party. There was a pool, food, and fireworks. It was AWESOME!

On Sunday, we picked up the Smooth Operator (named by my friend Mai) in Olathe. Amazing little car, and I do wish I had her in D.C., but Kevin is taking good care of her. He asked already Monday if he could drive the Prius to the post office, and Tuesday, he did not even wait for me to get out of town before he took it over. LOL! Oh well. I averaged 51.3 miles per gallon between Olathe and Tulsa. Amazing!

Between Thursday and Tuesday, I read The Unlikely Disciple by Kevin Roose, which I absolutely loved! I highly recommend the book for anyone interested in a view of what the conservative Christian view looks like to an outsider.

Before I really get rolling, let me tell you all just how fun it is to take The Boy to gymnastics every week. He asks about it all week long, knows exactly what he wants to do, can tell you what he did at the last class… all around, he loves it. I am thinking I will enroll him in two days per week in the fall instead of doing soccer and gymnastics one day each. He really likes it right now, and I like watching him. There will be time for other sports later.

The trip… I have been keeping this a secret for over a month, and let me tell you, it was not easy. Yes, I even lied on this blog in order to keep it a secret!  I mailed dad his present. I had it on lock down! I even called him to wish him a Happy Birthday like I normally would do, and no only was my arrival a surprise, there was a surprise birthday party. He was REALLY surprised, and it was awesome!

The cake Sheri made. The Steiger tractor is a must have for my farming father, and snowmobiling is a favorite winter activity.

The cupcakes that tasted oh so very good!

Sheri’s story was that they were going to a chili supper. As my dad was walking in, he was reaching for his tickets in his coat pocket. He was surprised…and happy. Look at that smile!

Happy Birthday Dad!

…from Regan airport.

MWJ from the Q