Harper Goes to College

A few weeks ago, Harper and my mom headed to the Land of Orange for Grandparent's University!  It is a super cool program for Oklahoma State Alumni to take their grandchildren to get a taste of the "college life."  My mom called to make a reservation way back at the first of the year.  All 200 spots filled up in a record 38 minutes!  The best part is, each grandchild gets to pick a "major" to study while they are there.  Harper chose jewelry making, which actually was a very coveted spot.  We're not talking stringing beads here.  Her and Grandma actually made really cooper pendants and sterling silver matching rings.  They headed to Stillwater on Wednesday afternoon and got all settled into their dorm room.  They got to have dinner on their own (Harper chose Joe's...yumm!) and then headed to Gallagher-Iba to play on the court.  The women's basketball team was playing, so Harper got to get her pic taking with some of the players. 

The next day they had a introduction meeting and then went study with their professors.  they jumped right in, learning how to use all of the jewelry making tools.  That night they had a tailgate party, complete with several members from all of the various sports teams.  Harper was really excited to get to meet the members of the other "softball" team...which happened to be the Equestrian team...I think she was a little confused.

Friday, they hit the books again...this time making the silver ring.  Later that afternoon, Boppy, Richard, Owen and I headed up to meet them to watch Harper's graduation ceremony.  I was totally impressed.  The professors even wore their graduation reagalla!  She was so excited to get her diploma. 

She had an absolute blast...just her and Grandma.  I'm so thrilled that she loves OSU and she keeps talking about how she can't wait to go there...of course we don't want that time to come too soon.  I know I'll be a wreck that day!!! :)

Papa and Grandma Carolyn

The end of May marked both a happy and sad time for Owen.  It was exciting because he will get to go to "school" next year, but at the same time bittersweet because it was his last time to stay with Papa and Grandma Carolyn.  Owen has been with them for the last three years, since he was only 3 months old.  He is spoiled rotten there.  Most morning when I dropped him off he would cry...not because he didn't want to go but because I was staying too long.  He would say..."You can go now Mommy!"  Grandma would fix him scrambled eggs every morning and he got to pick out what he wanted for lunch most days.  And...as a bonus, he got cheetos every single day after he finished his lunch.  He absolutely adored Papa and Grandma Carolyn.  He also enjoyed playing with all of his friends there too.  One of his favorite things to do was to help with the babies.  He was often found patting them gently on the head, arms, feet, etc.  I know he is going to miss them terribly.  He has already said to me..."Mommy, Papa is going to take me to my new school and pick me up."  Well...that will be a disappointment to face another time.  We just let him believe it for now!

GOAL!

I wish!  Even though Owen didn't score any goals this soccer season, he did have a lot of fun running around with his friends.  He played super intense the first game of the season and then was a little nervous for the next several games.  He insisted that Richard or I hold his hand while he ran.  But by the end of the season, he was doing a great job running on his own.  Although he really didn't run with the pack, he ran up and down the court entertaining the crowd.  He would run with his crazy monster face on, yelling "Arrggghh!"  He would stop periodically to stomp on certain things on the court and then continue on.
I think his favorite part of the game was snack time afterwards.  He really did love playing with his friends and running around like a crazy man!

Reap what you sow...

Wheat harvest came early this year, while we were still in school, so we didn't get to help as much as we normally do.  But we did make time to spend a Saturday at the farm with Boppy.  Harvest only happens once a year, but it amazes me how routine my kids are.  They knew what we were going to go do and they both loaded up their boots, jeans, and belts (complete with belt buckles).  Of course you have to look the part too!  Owen even wore his pliers holder, except he couldn't find his pair.  So he kept telling Grandma and I that he needed to get a new pair of "suppliers" at the store.  It was hilarious and of course we obliged with a stop at Atwood's for a brand new, shiny pair of "suppliers"!
The wheat was so tall this year, about to Harper's shoulders.  I think Owen could have gotten lost in there, in fact one picture shows Richard kneeling down with Owen in the wheat.  We "farmed" for most of the day; riding the combine, taking a load to dump at the elevator, and playing with the wheat in the truck.  Of course Harper had to bring home a huge cup of wheat and 26 stalks of wheat to share with her classmates on Monday.  Tons of Farmin' Fun!

Last of the First!

Harper ended her First grade year and is now very excited to see what Second grade has in store for her.  She had an excellent year and I am still in shock at all she learned.  She went in as a non-reader (well...pretty much) and came out as the reading fool!  She even got an award for getting the most AR points in her class.  At the end of the year, her teacher gave her the Starburst Award (an award for a "star" student who worked hard in every day in all areas!)  I think she was most excited about the pack of starbursts that came with the certificate! :)
The last Friday of school, I took off work to go on her class field trip.  The entire First grade went.  We walked from the school about a mile to an indoor inflatable jumping place, played for an hour or so and then walked back to the park by the school to have a picnic lunch and play.  It is always so much fun to see Harper interact with her school friends!

Harper was glad it was summer, so she could do all of the fun things we have planned...but on the last day of school she was bummed out.  I asked her why and she said, "because I love school!"  I love my little enthusiastic learner!

Long time...no blog!

Well...it has been a really, really long time since I blogged last.  Not because there is nothing to share...because we have been so busy.  Good busy...not Bad busy! :)
My goal over the next few days is to get you updated on the happenings of our family over the past month.  Stay tuned!