Chess (Working on being a) Master

Here he is, my little chess whiz! I'm so proud of him! This is the second tournament he's played since he learned to play chess just over a year ago. Last year, we didn't win one game. This year, he won one, lost one and tied three times. He seemed to feel good about his game (especially after he won!) and said he had a really good time this morning! I was really impressed that his enjoyment wasn't predicated on whether he won every game. He's found a game he truly enjoys and I think it will serve him well.

I also have to say that as much as we parents joke about being bored sitting around the chess tournament (we not allowed to actually be in the room - hmm, wonder why that is...but also we can't leave the event), I had a really good time sitting and talking to some moms that I don't usually get to talk to. After two and a half years here it's nice to feel familiar and be making more connections. It was a good day all round. Thanks Amy and Jean for the pictures!

Ice Storm 2009 - Day 3

Apparently, it snowed over our ice last night and the sun was out this morning, so it was an absolute winter wonderland in Northeast Oklahoma today! These are actually sunset pictures. Now, with the freezing rain falling every blade of grass and every branch on every tree has about an inch of ice on it. After the snow fell, there are patches of these icicle blades sticking up out of the snow. The afternoon sun caught all these ice crystals and the whole yard just sparkled like you can't believe. These pictures don't come close to showing how beautiful it was.

Bo can't figure out why he can't get a drink of water. "I know I got a drink of here before..." He spent about 5 minutes there before he gave up. Yep, the pond is frozen! Kinda surprised he didn't get his tongue stuck, but not really sure what I would do if he did!

These two took off me hermit status today and got me out on the sled! We had a fantastic time sliding down the slopes in our yard! Such spontaneous laughter for an afternoon! I highly recommend indulging your inner child and sledding the next chance you get!

Happy Winter to all!

P.S. Still no school again tomorrow! Oh my! Perhaps they should have to go over the weekend, so I can get something done!

Ice Report Tuesday 8pm

Here we are Day Two of Ice Storm 2009! Much more ice on the trees and the ground today. Less freezing rain and more sleet falling for the better part of the day. (Freezing rain is rain that falls as liquid and freezes on contact. Sleet is rain that freezes as it falls to the ground. Oh, all the things one can learn on a snowed-in day!) So, here we are! Iced in! Power on! Hot Cocoa ready to go! Sleds ready to ride! It's a good day and we've enjoyed it! Which is good, because there is no school again tomorrow and we'll be repeating this all again on Wednesday! Hope the rest of you are staying warm!

Ice Report - 5pm

Ice Storm January '09 has begun! I picked the kids up from school at noon to avoid having them on the bus driving on the icy roads. I'm glad I did because there was no ice on the way home at lunchtime and this is what it looked like by the time the bus drove by our house this afternoon at 4pm. We still have power and, hopefully, that will remain on. Just in case, we've run the dishwasher and are trying to get all the laundry done ASAP. The corded phone is ready to go. Stocked up on butane for the camping stove and the cell phone is charged. Plenty of batteries and flashlights are on hand in case they are needed. We are suppose to continue to get moisture through tomorrow afternoon. So, school is already cancelled for tomorrow and I think we're all happy about that. It's kinda strange because the rain isn't really coming down very hard, so it's very quiet, but as I look out the window the ice just gradually gets thicker. So, enjoy the pics and we'll keep you posted.

Tulsa Historical Society

Chet has a Decades school project he working on for his Kaliedoscope class. He picked the Roaring 20's! So, today we headed over to the Tulsa Historical Society to see what was going on in Oklahoma in the 1920's. Apparently, there was A LOT going on in the 20's! The Travis mansions above and below were built during this time, so we got to see up close the Art Deco style of the day. Also, many of downtown Tulsa's buildings were built in the 20's. It was something of a boom time for our fair city.

Learned something new today - There was a US Naval ship named the USS Tulsa. Apparently, Tulsa won a contest for selling war bonds and supporting WWI and thus had a ship named after it. It was launched in 1923 (?) and served in the Caribbean before moving on to the South Pacific in WWII.

These pieces are some of the Art Deco facade on one of Tulsa's 1920's buildings. Unfortunately, not all the buildings built then have been preserved. It is neat to see the styling up close though.

Now, I don't know if this glass has anything to do with the 20's but Ethan thought it looked cool and wanted me to take a picture of it. I have to agree, this is one cool looking plane!

Inaugration Day 2009

What a day, eh? The Pride and Patriotism I am filled with on each Inaugration Day is incomparable. The peaceful transfer of power within the most powerful country on Earth is just an awe-inspiring thing. Whether your guy won or lost, whether your party is coming or going, this day we come together as Americans, look forward and hope for the future, because really no matter who you voted for, you hope that whoever is doing the job is doing it well.

I distinctly remember the first Inaugration that I watched - thanks to Miss Massey, my fourth grade teacher. We watched Ronald Reagan take the oath of office on those same steps that Barack Obama stood on today. It's one of the childhood memories that's seared in my brain. It was so exciting and he was so hopeful. Well, today, 28 years later, I have a fourth grader and today I got to watch the Inaugration with him in his class. It was one of those full circle moments. I know it won't have same significance to him that it did to me, but I hope he remembers what he saw today and that someday he realizes how important it all is. I hope he realizes someday how lucky we are to live in a country where who has the power is not determine by who has the biggest army or who has the birthright, but by a vote of the people - ALL the people of this country. Yes, indeed, we live in the most amazing country on Earth. God Bless America!