Weekly Update and Neihus Park

Week two of work is in the books! I got to meet some of the families that I'll be providing case management to, and I also visited the sites where their children attend school. Working in North Tulsa will definitely be an eye-opener for this South Dakota girl, but I'm ready for the challenge. The boys had a great week of daycare and school (it helped that Daddy did all of the dropping off and picking up). Andy is doing well too. Work is progressing as he gets comfortable in his new position, and he's enjoying more relaxed hours than he did in Okinawa. He was even able to attend Ethan's book fair this week. I know Ethan was proud to show off his dad to his teacher and friends.

Last weekend we went to a new park that Andy had come across while playing soccer and football with his fellow Marines. We brought scooters and kites and had a blast (until Jackson let go of his Toy Story kite; it now has a permanent home in a Neihus Park tree). This weekend we're going to continue to get things set up in the house, and tomorrow we'll hit up the zoo! Enjoy the park pictures...

About a year ago, Jackson's fashion-sense was at an all time worst. Today, he's matured enough to let Mommy somewhat guide him on what to wear during the day (ALWAYS a Toy Story shirt and jeans), but in the evening, in the privacy of his own home, he still manages to let his "flair" shine through. Ah, Jackson. :)

Weekly Update and Kites Too!

Since my blogging has been reduced to weekly postings, I'm going to put in a few highlights from our week to keep everyone in the loop.

(1) Started work this week. GREAT organization I work for (Family & Children's Services). The orientation over the last week was daunting, but all very necessary. I also found out there is lots of ability to move up and across within the organization. There are lots of jail and community corrections programs that I am going to learn more about. I have a great group of co-workers.

(2) Both boys started daycare this week (Ethan was on Spring Break from school). Daycare was not nearly as traumatic as I envisioned. No tears from Jackson on the first day when Andy and I both dropped them off. No tears when Andy dropped them off Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday. LOTS of tears on Thursday when I dropped them off by myself. We learned our lesson, and I'll be doing very little dropping off until it becomes more routine. Both boys say they had fun, and the kids and teachers are really nice. I'll be honest though, I missed them TERRIBLY. Andy (not surprisingly) totally stepped up his domestic duties. Because I have a 30 minute commute, and he has a 1 minute commute, Andy does all of the daycare picking up and dropping off as well as cooking dinner every night. He just stepped right up to his new role and hasn't complained once. I heart him.

(3) Ethan had soccer practice and a game this week. He ALMOST made his first goal. He does not have an aggressive bone in his body so almost making a goal is HUGE! He always has lots of fun though so that's what matters.

(4) Andy and I got iPhones! We told ourselves we'd never fall into that trend, but we fell HARD. They are the coolest thing ever. I'm nervous about how unproductive I will be at work now that I have an iPhone.

(5) We bought kites for Kite Day at daycare. We got some practicing in, and let me tell you, I have never been able to fly a kite. In Oklahoma I can't not fly a kite. It's always so stinkin' windy, which is perfect for kite flying! Here are some pictures....

Ethan, too, had no problem getting his kite in the air.

After many successful kite-flights (by Mommy), Jackson got nervous that his kite was going to blow away so he kept a firm grip on it.

Woo hoo!

Overdue Fall

When we moved into our house, I was kind of annoyed that the landlord hadn't raked the leaves. However, it was also nice to see crisp, crunchy leaves after not having a Fall for four years. This week the boys and I raked up the leaves into three huge piles and had a blast jumping into leaves.

FYI: I start work on March 14th as a Family Support Specialist for Oklahoma Children & Family Services. I'm super excited (scared, anxious, and nervous too) to return to the workforce, but this means that my blog postings will likely be a weekend thing. Thanks for understanding.

Unpacking

Unpacking...blech. Within a month we have received three moving trucks-full of our stuff. Stuff. Why do we have so much stuff? I've already taken a truckload of stuff to Goodwill, and I see several more trips in my future. The most exciting arrival was our stuff from Maine, which has been in storage for the last four years. Surprisingly, NOTHING was broken or ruined. Andy and I were hoping everything would be destroyed so we could just put it all on the curb and not have to unpack it. Since everything is in perfect condition, we are storing the majority of it in the garage until we find a bigger house with another bedroom and a family room.

The Maine stuff was especially fun for Jackson and Spine since neither of them were around the last time we had these things. Here are some cute pics of them exploring the "new" stuff.

Jackson coined the desk cabinet "my house," and he's been hoarding odd things in there (today I found a lunch box, two pairs of socks, a glow stick, and a bottle of glue). I hope this hoarding is just a phase because as you all know, messes give me the willies!

Andy's beloved stuffed fox, Ralph, has become Spine's new best friend. Ralph is now on display at Andy's office due to fears of Spine being too affectionate with him.

Park Hunters

My kids love parks. LOVE 'em! Whether it's a playground, an open field, a bike path, or an empty parking lot, they will have fun because it allows them to burn off their never-ending energy.

Despite the great location of our current home, one thing it doesn't have is a park within walking distance. Therefore, the boys and I have been on the hunt for parks whenever we're out exploring or running errands. Jackson and I accidentally found this great park when we were registering Ethan for soccer.

Ethan on his Harley.

Jackson wasn't so sure about the elephant.

Ethan, as usual, in "Ethan's World."

Ready, set, go!

All in all, a great day!

Soccer! Super Fun and Super Cold!

Ethan had his first soccer game today. The weather was so cold, but Ethan had so much fun. His team even won!

Running with the pack.

Having fun!

Discussing the score with his teammate. Ethan is quite the mathematician, and although there was no keeping score, Ethan was sure to keep track and let everyone know that his team won 10-8.

It was really, REALLY cold, but Ethan's #1 fan stayed strong (well until he went into the car with Mom at halftime for a warm-up).