This year's circus

Last week the circus was in town. It wasn't exactly under the big top, but it was under the roof of the fairground pavilion...which sorta resembled a big top. It was definitely a more authentic circus feel than the Barnum & Bailey circus had that we attended at the BOK Center back in June. 

Since I'm fortunate to only work a half day on Friday, we took Bryce Friday afternoon hoping it wouldn't be very crowded; and it wasn't. After Bryce woke up from his nap and we told him we were going to the circus. He was super excited and told me that he wanted to ride an elephant.

So we get there early and Bryce immediately became nervous seeing all the clowns. We proceed to where the elephant rides were since there wasn't much of a line and all of the sudden he didn't want to ride an elephant! He wanted to get far away from the clowns. So there we were sitting in out seats waiting 30 minutes for the circus to start.

Don't worry Bryce spent his time keeping tabs on where the clowns were. The Firefighter clown was sitting a few sections over and he knew as soon as he was no longer sitting there!

As the circus went on, Bryce realized the clowns were not going to mess with him and decided at intermission he wanted to ride the elephant. So we, and probably half of the crowd, went down to get in the massive line for the elephant rides. 

I'd have to say this experience was less than stellar. The line was insane and the employees were stressed and were taking it out on the kids as they were loading and unloading. I already had my sights set on one guy in particular and decided he wasn't going to grab my child by the arm like he had to every other child. Fortunately when we got up there I noticed another guy that was much kinder and he helped us get on and off the elephant. Here's the most decent picture that Nic took...I have new point and shoot Canon camera and I'm not very happy with it. I guess there was a reason it was only $70,

Of course we enjoyed the second half of the circus as much as the first, maybe more since Bryce was at ease with the clowns at this time. While they were doing motorcycle tricks, I was able to catch an amazing picture of Bryce's excitement (with my phone). I think this best summarized how great of a time we had.

Randomness

Though we've been busy as usual, it doesn't seem like too much in particular has been happening. 

 The second weekend in January we attended a birthday swim party! Of course it was at an indoor water park in the Wyndham in town. Bryce really enjoyed it and showed he still loves the water as much as he did over the summer, so much so that he felt he could just step in 2 ft deep water and attempt to drown himself! Yes, he stepped in and went UNDER in two feet of water! So technically he was a foot taller, but I think he was surprised that it wasn't a few inches deep and lost his footing. Thankfully there were plenty of adults close by so someone quickly grabbed him...and I decided I better put my swimsuit on and stay in there with him. 

  Nic and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary on January 18th. Since we did our St Thomas trip in November as our celebration, for the actual weekend of our anniversary we stayed local and just spent a night at the Hard Rock Casino and had a delightful meal at McGill's. My mouth is watering just thinking of their steaks!

Of course Valentine's makes February seem like the month of love. This year Daycare had their Valentine's party the day before Valentine's Day so Bryce could be there to participate. So I went out and picked out some valentines for him to sign and take. 

Of course when I bought these cheap, easy valentines I didn't realize it was a competition. Some parents really outdid themselves...so until next year...

Of course we've had our typical Oklahoma weather. Some warmer days with a little snow thrown in here and there. So when we do get a warm day we try to spend as much time outside as we can. 

I think that's all for now...I'm going to take a nap! ; )

One twelfth of the way through the year

Wow, how can it possibly be the last day of January tomorrow! It's seems like just last week Bryce was my midnight kiss on New Year's Eve!

I know it's terribly late to have a post about New Year's Eve but these pics were just too cute not to share. 

OF COURSE Nic was on duty New Year's Eve so Bryce and I went over to one of our friends' home that lives only about 8 miles from us...and where we live that's close. It was a small family friendly affair where we enjoyed yummy food and karaoke! I hadn't expected to stay over there too late, but we were having so much fun that when I was ready to head home it was 11pm...and I thought if we BOTH made it that far we could definitely make it until the stroke of midnight and we did! I toasted with a small sip of champagne and Bryce toasted with orange juice. 

Sadly, I have no other pictures to share...it's the start of tax season so I'm mentally exhausted when I get home and since my pocket camera was ruined in St Thomas (due to a supposed waterproof case), I don't have a camera as readily available. Maybe I'll get that replaced soon...

So really the main reason for my post was to share a story about Bryce...before I forgot. 

Today my Mom picked Bryce up from daycare, so I called daycare to let them know. Bryce was not in a good mood this morning so I asked them if he had been good today. Of course Miss Sheila claim he was...but I have my doubts.  She then proceeds to tell me how Bryce helped another kid who was potty training. Apparently out of the blue Bryce asked him if he needed to go potty. The kid replied "Yes". Bryce then told him he would go with him, so he does. The kid potties, then Bryce praised him then told him "now you need to wash your hands!" I thought it was so cute! I'm amazed at how much he mimics the things and actions that are made towards him. When they say they are sponges at this age, they truly are.

Now if he could figure out that "1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 11" is not quite right!

December - Month in review

If it weren’t for the pictures I have as evidence, I would think Christmas didn’t even happen since it went by SO fast! Where did my 5 day weekend go?!? This Christmas was bittersweet, as my heart aches for our friends that have lost loved ones throughout the year and how this Christmas will be the first without those loved ones, yet my family was fortunate to have the most complete family gathering that we have had in over 15 years. As usual we had several events leading up to Christmas. 

It all started with an evening spent making a Gingerbread House...

 

Of course we wouldn't be in Oklahoma, if the weather wasn't breaking warm temperature records in December.  This warm spell allowed us to go fishing one Sunday!

Christmas just CANNOT occur without an Ugly Sweater Party...

This year, I thought there would be no uglier sweater than a homemade ugly sweater with googly eyes. So I managed to squeeze a little time in to put a couple together for Nic and I. At the last minute we decided to make Nic’s a mid-drift, and I believe that may have the icing on the cake.

Then took a little time to wrap the rest of the presents, with a little supervisor. 

 

Our tree surrounded by all the presents.

Then the following weekend full-on Christmas activities began. Sunday we headed down south to celebrate with my Dad’s side of the family. 

That evening we allowed Bryce to open one of his presents, before we sat out cookies and milk for Santa, who once again came and visited us a night early since Daddy was working Christmas Day.

Only my child would set the cookies out with a pile for each color.

Oh wait! We need to make sure these cookies are good enough for Santa to eat!

 Look what Santa brought!!!

 Wow! Santa ate almost all his cookies!

 

During the day of Christmas Eve, got to open the rest of his presents from Mommy & Daddy.

Then the evening of Christmas Eve was spent with Nic's side of the family.

The next day, Bryce and I headed over to my Mom's to spend Christmas with my Mom's side of the family.

New shoes!

Almost time for dinner!

Homemade rolls! Yum!

Grandma with her grandkids and great-grandkids!

That's all folks!