MVCDS Western Round-up Auction

Becky and I went to a fundraiser for Alex's school tonight unlike any we've ever been to. It was an auction that included a silent auction portion and a live auction with some high dollar items, like vacations and a signed McCartney guitar. Becky was on the decorating committee and spent all day working on this event (as well as weeks of planning and borrowing Western-themed items). Becky made some jewelry and her mom crocheted/knitted some blankets and ponchos that raised hundreds of dolloars for the school in the silent auction. We bid high and won a preschool book full of photos and drawings of/by the kids that one of the parents put together in a hardbound coffee table book. Becky and I dressed up in our Western best - I must say that I felt odder in those clothes than an Oklahoma boy should.

Rocket's Space Adventure

Alex has been illustrating stories about Rocket from the Little Einsteins show. The story ideas come from the show, but with Alex's spin on them. He draws the pictures and then gets us (mostly Becky) to transcribe the story as he tells it to us. This is his 1st one. (Click on the pictures to enlarge them)

Slaying Dragons

During our most recent trip to the zoo, we attended the dragon exhibit to spend some time with the enormous komodo dragon they have there. Before we went in, the boys prepared for battle; Alex by donning his armor and sword while Aaron put on his high waders.

What Not To Do With Real Animals

This is more dangerous than it looks. While these brass animals are unlikely to eat the children, the metal can get very hot on a sunny day. Good thing its March.

Happy Birthday Louie

Tomorrow our zoo's baby elephant, Louie, will turn 3. We got to see him out playing today and bought a book about him. They also built a huge sand sculpture in the main pavilion in his honor.

Till Next Time, Grammy & Grandpa

The boys posed for a farewell picture with Grammy (with Easter corsage) and Grandpa. Till next time!

The Cast of Super Monkey Ball

Grammy drew the characters from Alex's favorite videogame - Super Monkey Ball. Alex colored them with markers and they cut them out. Posing with Alex from right to left is Dr. Bad-Boon (the main bad guy), AiAi (the main hero), and Dr. Bad-Boon's henchman.

A Beautiful Saturday

After a quick 1st mowing of the season, we all headed outside. I cleaned the grill and for another season and grilled some steaks. Grandpa and Becky set up a new sand and water table for the boys. We got the bikes out and Aaron practiced with Alex's old tricycle - the helmet even fit. We inflated the Bouncerino and both Grammy and Grandpa spent some time inside, playing with the boys.

Grandparents' Day 2006

Today was Grandparents Day at Alex's school. Last year, Nana and Papa Evans came to see what Alex does each day. This year Grammy and Grandpa Hardage got the chance. This was Grandpa's first time to see the school at all. They went with Alex through every class period; participating in some, observing in others. They shared lunch with him and played with him at recess. Apparently Grandpa helped the boys collect some treasure in a blue bucket.

Gathering The Eggs

The Easter Bunny came today on a cool but dry morning and scattered eggs all over the backyard amongst the numerous cottonwood pollen strands. Alex kept trying to watch for him, but he must have shown up when we went upstairs to wake up Aaron, because we could see the eggs from his window. Dressed in matching Easter sweaters that Grammy Hardage made, and carrying Easter pails they decorated with Mommy, they collected all the eggs (except for the one the squirrel broke into). And if you're wondering, the tongue does help when gathering Easter eggs. Aaron, look behind you!

What's Bigger: The Eggs or The Eyes?

As you might guess, the first picture I took he wasn't looking at me. This was his adjustment. He and Becky colored these with food coloring and a colander. Becky swears she'll NEVER color eggs any other way EVER. :)

The Easter Bunny 2006

This year Alex actually asked to visit the Easter Bunny. After listening to him talk he determined that the Easter Bunny is a boy. Until then we weren't sure. Aaron declined to participate and we decided not to force the issue as we wouldn't have gotten the picture we wanted without his cooperation anyway.

See, Getting Your Hair Trimmed Is Not So Bad

We've taken Aaron to the kid-oriented Cookie Cutters in the past, but the barbers at BoRics are more experienced cutting kids hair and do a great job with him. He can hardly sit still for it but with a sucker, kind words from the barber and some parental support he's doing much better. Gone are the days where I had to hold him in his seat to get a haircut. He's to strong for that now anyway. What a big boy!

The Tooth Fairy Doesn't Bring Toothpaste

It turns out that Alex's guess was right. There were no toothbrushes, floss, or toothpaste under his pillow this morning. The little black bag that housed his tooth last night was filled with a Sacagawea golden dollar coin this morning.

The First Loose Tooth Is History!!!

Alex was very brave tonight and after about an hour of convincing he let me grab that tooth and out it came. Tomorrow we'll find out if the tooth fairy brings toothpaste or money. Alex's vote is for a golden dollar.

Fishing Equipment for Giants

Another exhibit at the Oklahoma Aquarium was The Karl and Beverly White National Fishing Tackle Museum. In addition to numerous lures and reels and few ancient hooks, we found some tackle that could possibly have been used by giants.

The Oklahoma Aquarium

We traveled back to Bartlesville last night and spent the night with Nana & Papa. Today we went to the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks, OK. They just completed it a couple of years ago and we had a great time. They have numerous exhibits showing everything from regional freshwater fish to exotic deep sea varieties. The kids loved touching the sea stars and stingrays. They also have a huge shark tank that you can walk through in an enclosed glass tunnel.

Showing the Boys the Duck Pond

Becky and I went to college at the Univeristy of Oklahoma. One of the places we enjoyed going when we were there was the campus Duck Pond. It is a large pond on some beautiful property where some ducks and geese live year-round. We used to come and feed them all the time, especially in the winter. I proposed to Becky on the little stone pier that she is sitting on with the boys. We wanted to show it to them and let them feed the ducks. Severe weather was moving in, so we made it a short trip.

The Evans Clan - March 2006

Curls and Air Hockey

Marli took a break from getting ready for the group picture to play Nana in a little air hockey.

Marli's Scarf

Becky finished this scarf for Marli and she posed for us, very pleased.

Hornhead

Alex also took advantage of the hands-on items in the room to see what it would like if he grew horns :)

Paleontologists in the Making

The museum had a Discovery Room that "is a place to explore artifacts and scientific specimens in a hands-on, interactive environment." One of these stations involved the older kids climbing into an excavation pit and using paintbrushes to remove the dirt from some fossils embedded in the floor.

Posing By Dinosaur Bones

I love the juxtaposition of these 2 pictures. The pose by the big Apatasaurus femur was near the beginning of the exhibit and they hadn't been posing that much yet and it was obviously still fun. The line up in front of the Allosaurus skeleton was the last of the morning and they had had enough.