First Middle School Dance

Friday afternoon, Buddy happily got in the car after school to go home and get ready for his first middle school dance that was 4 hours away.  I was a little surprised at his happiness and eagerness to go a dance.  I would have that he would have been like, Really?

But during the week we had got him some khakis and a nice button up (to match a girl) and tie and even a vest.  He hates shopping, but was insisted on a particular look.  The dance was semi-formal.  "wedding attire"

At 6 we were finally making our way home from errands and picking up some food and he turns to M.E. and says, "Mom, I don't know how to dance."

To which I replied, "you want me to show you?" and I got a head nod.   I wondered if this had just occurred to him right then or if he'd been thinking about it all week.

So after a quick bite to eat, a shower, and got all spiffed-up, we started a quick dance lesson. First was the cupid shuffle, a very common and easy line dance.  He thought it was boring but did it.  I sincerely wish I'd thought to set my camera timer because Ben and Babe were also learning.  So funny all four us  around the computer learning this dance.

Next we slow danced.  Practiced finding the beat and moving in a slow circle, discussing possible conversation topics.  He was a little nervous.

Then it was time to roll.

Pre-dance selfie with Mom.  

And of course, I signed up to chaperone.  Buddy wanted to complain about this, but I think he secretly likes M.E. being available for these new experiences, so I'm gonna be there as much as possible.  We agreed I wouldn't talk to him or take pictures unless he asked.  And honestly I did a great job.  I didn't even make eye-contact.  ha! 

The dance was 90 minutes and I must say that was the perfect amount of time.  And I was surprised at how many kids were willing to get out and dance and often alone those first few minutes.  I love this school, everyone is such an individual and every loves each other.  They celebrate weirdness!  

I had a pretty good time watching that's for sure. Buddy spent a good half hour running around with his crew.  Then finally, he starting hanging out with his girl.  She's super sweet.  

The danced one song together. 

(It took a lot of will and respect to not hide and take a picture of this moment, 

but I just soaked it in and hopefully imprinted it on my brain forever) 

Buddy and his Girl. 

How cool are they?

So stinking cute - after this photo (she requested I take) they went back to their groups and that was it. They did finally play the cupid shuffle near the end and I saw Buddy run out onto the dance floor because he knew it.  Awesome. 

He said he had a great time and wished they would have more dances a year.  And even said, I might go out for the social committee next year. He may be my son after all - an event planner.  : ) 

We are entering a new era in parenting.  It's both terrifying and wonderful. 

Also, the fact that he only has 31 more days of 6th grade left is also terrifying. 

Spring Break Kentucky

The second part of Spring Break was spent at home in Kentucky. 

Babe was beside himself to get there and hang out with Uncle John.  Wonder why?

The weather was nice the first couple of days so we made sure to get outside.  

This kid!  

And this one completely exhausted. 

I miss wide open spaces.  

Cousin Spencer let the boys do a little target practice with his BB gun.  The boys all loved that.

We managed to visit several friends as well, which is always wonderful.  And watched plenty of basketball.  The trip home was long as usual but so worth it. 

Until Summer! 

Spring Break Fishing

Spring Break found us once again on the White River trout fishing. 

It's always pretty here, even without leaves.  I think we'd likely not like it as much because you wouldn't get to see these gorgeous sunsets.  

Babe and I took a long walk in the sunshine. I love shadow pictures. How cute is that little hand? 

This was our second year at the Sportman's, between Flippin and Bull Shoals, AR.  

Our cabin was way smaller this year, but we managed. 

Ben has always loved solitude in nature.  He especially loves sitting next to water.  I think he will one day live on a river, lake or ocean.  He fines such peace there.  I need to make a scrapbook pages with all the pictures I have of him sitting next to water.  

Buddy is a rainbow slayer. The Man said he was awesome and I think he had a good time too. 

They didn't catch any browns, though.  

And we didn't keep any of the fish. Last year's catch is still in the freezer, so no need for more. 

I love this tradition. 

I love the White River. 

I like knowing the lay of the land, and where walmart is and all the local necessities.  

We will likely continue to visit for years to come. 

School Soccer

Buddy is playing on his school Middle School Team.  As you saw last week when he was all muddy.  This week, he had another great game. 

The pictures are way blurry - that's him in all green.  I wasn't very close to the action. 

But he managed to make two goals. 

And the team won 6 - 0.  He was pretty stoked, as were we.  

He was aggressive and confident and took shots.  Love it. 

Last Night

We are safe and sound this morning, but I will say last night was an adrenaline rush.

We have know for days the storms were coming. The Tulsa National Weather Service Office actually broke a record on Tuesday for the longest stretch without a tornado warning - 174 days!  I'm not complaining.  I was pretty excited about that record.   But all things end.

Yesterday at 3:45, I was exiting school to get Buddy from after school soccer and the clouds were already black.  Looking a doppler, I discovered they were closer than I thought and early. We weren't expecting them until 5PM.
We made a quick stop to run some errands and then high-tailed it home, just as the lightning was starting to strike.  The next 2 to 3 hours were intense at the storms kept building, kept coming and knowing they were so close.  

We had wind, rain, hail, lightning and the tornado sirens sounding.
The clouds were crazy looking and in my panic/excited I didn't take a single picture. I managed this one of hail early on.   this is as big as we got at my house, but I've heard areas of Tulsa got softball size.  Yikes.  We were lucky.

If you've watched the weather channel then you've likely seen all the damage across the river from Tulsa.  The Sand Springs tornado was approximately 7 miles from my house.  Other small rotations were within a mile.  Crazy and scary but we were home, prepared and had the boys safe.   

March is going out like a lion.  I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but I do know Spring is here in Oklahoma.  

Season Opener

Last night was the first tee ball game of the season and this one couldn't have been more excited.  

He batted left-handed and seemed very comfortable and got good hits. He managed three runs, the last was the winning run to end the game.  17-16. First win for this team ever!  He was so excited and happy and it was great. 

Just need work on fielding the ball and knowing what's going on, so he can get some outs! Laying in the grass watching airplanes is great, but not part of baseball! 

Go, Babe, Go. 

Sapphire Celebration

The school auction was the last weekend in February and as we are still slightly new to the school, the Man and I decided to work the event verses dining at the event.

I'm so glad we did.  We were able to meet a lot of people and help a great deal.   I helped oversee the silent auction portion and items and the Man sold raffle tickets then helped me with silent auction/pick-up.

Here we are at the end of the night. We were exhausted. My curls had fallen out and my shoes were off, but we were still smiling.

School Soccer

Buddy has his first middle school soccer game on Monday.  He was pretty pumped because more soccer for him is a good thing.

Did I mention is was raining?  50 degrees? 

He was a drenched, muddy and very cold Raven after the game.   

He played really well.  He was in the entire game and took two shots, unfortunately the keeper got to them for no goal.  They lost 4-1 to an all 8th grade boys team, but it was still pretty good for a group of 6th, 7th and 8th graders who have only been practicing together for two weeks.   

Go, Jack, Go! 

Pinewood Derby

The annual pinewood derby was Saturday and Ben took 2nd place in his den.  So awesome and so fun.  The lego theme prevailed again this year. 

Fort

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.

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My fort building skills are improving.  His only complaint was that it didn't have a chimney. Ha.  Like he needs a fire.  

He also apparently got tired of posing.