The Green Collection

Yesterday we went to see the Green Collection of ancient texts and artifacts at the Mabee Center at Oral Roberts University. The collection belongs to the Green family who founded and owns Hobby Lobby, and they allow the collection to be viewed by the public. They had it in Oklahoma City last year, but we weren't able to go then, so we were very excited that it was coming right here to Tulsa.

There was also a lecture scheduled for the morning, but the speaker's flight got delayed so it was cancelled. I was so disappointed since David and I were going to have a little "date" morning out.

So, we came up with plan B. I hate when things change. I'm not a spontaneous person, unless it involves buying and eating chocolate, so any time plans change it just throws me for a loop. But, I was able to regroup and we decided that plan B would be to drop Brittany off at work and take all the kids to just view the collection (and it was free.)

About six years ago we took the kids to see the Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit at The Discovery Place in Charlotte, North Carolina. Most of the kids were pretty young then, and as much explaining as I tried to do about what we were going to see, I think the kids though we were going to see some sort of dead animals or bugs.

Anyway, since the scrolls are in such delicate conditions, they are under lock and key and blue lights. I found them to be quite fascinating-looking at something that someone else held in their hands so long ago. But, I don't think the kids thought they were quite that fascinating. I think they enjoyed weather forecasting in the museum and the IMAX Nile movie better.

This time around I tried to keep reminding them, "Remember when we went to see the Dead Sea Scrolls? This is like that."

Blank stares.

"Are we going anywhere else after that?"

Sigh.

The Green Collection has some facsimiles of a few of the Dead Sea Scrolls, some middle age texts and Bibles, and some first, second and third century texts, along with some cuneiform artifacts and quite a few other things. I thought it was definately worth going to see.

Monday Musings: 3-D Edition

Me: Were those cookies good?

Thomas: They were better than good. They were 3-D delicious!

Frugal Friday

I received some more freebies in my mailbox! These actually go back to at least (gasp!) November because I'm so behind on posting on my blog.

All of these products I received free from the respective companies...no strings attached!

1 Tide pods
Good Nights Bed disposable bed mat
Nivea body wash
Dawn dish washing liquid
Aveeno shampoo and conditioner
Swiffer wet jet pads
Scotch cleaning sponge
Green Mountain Coffee
Pampers wipes
Kashi Brownie bar
Ovaltine
Crest toothepaste
Oral B floss
Flossers
Target Beauty bag filled with several samples

Check out my Favorite Frugal Blogs to find out how you can get freebies in your mailbox, too!

Paris Themed Diaper Cake

Last month, the ladies of the church had a baby shower for a young mom at our church. Brittany and I made her a diaper cake. We went with a Paris theme, since that was her nursery theme. The baby's name starts with "E" and we found some cute little Eiffel towers and things. I love how it turned out!

These are so easy and fun to make, I'll have to do a quick tutorial. But, I don't know any more pregnant ladies right now, so that could take a while!

Two New Titles at Currclick!

Two new Courtneylane Home Learning Tools  

products are now at Currclick!

 These scavenger hunts are for any age child that can read-even adults! They are a perfect supplement to any geography curriculum or maybe even a little family competition to see who can finish theirs the fastest!

If you've found yourself in a mid-year homeschool slump, try adding some food and fun to your day. Here are ideas in many subject areas for all ages and grades that will make your children beg to do school!

See more Courtneylane Home Learning Tools at Currclick!

Monday Musings: Travis Edition

Two year old Travis is a handful. He always has been. He has been in a grouchy mood since birth, but he also has his lovable moments. Travis is a fashionista. He is very particular about the clothes he wears and he always wants his hair in a faux-hawk. And, then there are the times he cracks me up.


Me: "Go bring me your shoes."
Travis: "Neeeever!"


Travis: "Where did that from come?"


Travis: "What is that pail nolish?"


Sunday School Teacher: "Would you like a cookie, Travis?"
Travis: "No thank you. They're freaky."


Conversation from the backseat of the van....
Travis: "Moooomm! Bailey said 'Poopy diaper changer!'"
Me: "Okay. Just ignore her."
Travis: "Mom said stop it, Bailey!"

Beautiful Winter Weather

We have had so many pleasant days this winter. I'm not complaining at all. I love 70 degree days any time of year! I know last winter was so mild, and over the summer we had so many bugs. "Because it didn't get cold enough last winter" is what people kept saying. I love this weather, but hopefully there will be some cold days so we hopefully won't have a bug invasion this summer.

In the mean time, I took the seven youngest for a picnic at the park.

Christmas Recap of 2012

Now that we're on into the new year I am finally posting Christmas pictures. This season felt particularly busy to me. Actually I've felt really busy since the school year started which is also when Brennan was born. So, maybe this week I've felt a sudden slow down, other than the usual cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc.

The weather for the month of December was so nice. The kids were able to spend a lot of time doing this......

 

 

The Tulsa Christmas Parade....

Brittany and Timothy walked in the parade with the church. This is the best picture I could get because I was trying to look for them and hold Brennan, too. All the kids were invited to ride on the city bus that went behind our float, but they didn't want to because then they wouldn't get the candy that gets thrown out by all the passersby.

Well, at least their priorities ar in order.

 

We also had a lot of treats to make.......

 I was able to find a gingerbread train kit this year so we were able to avoid having to do an Annual Sanchez Family Gingerbread Train. However, the kids asked if they could put it together, I said yes, and that thing was put together and torn apart before I could even think about getting the camera. Oh, well.

And then there's this cutey girl.........

I can't find any of the pictures and videos I took of the Children's Christmas program at church. All of the kids participate in decorating certain parts of the sanctuary. The younger kids take presents up to the stage to put under the tree. I was afraid Travis wouldn't walk up front, because he is basically attached to me like super glue (all the time). But, when it was time for them to walk, he went right up there along with the other kids and placed his present under the tree. He even saw me sitting off to the side when he walked by and he just kept on going. I was so proud!


A sweet, older couple from our church teaches the younger kids' sunday school, and every year they make screened tshirts for all the kids in the class. These were the best pictures I could get of these busy little ones.

 

 Bailey, Brennan and Travis

Christmas eve was spend at my brother and sister in law's new house. Here is the quick picture I got of all the kids before we left. I've been wanting to get a good picture for months now, but it seems there's never the chance. We're always in a rush, or somebody's off doing something else. But, this time I told everybody to "SIT!" so I could at least get a picture.

And one cute Santa Baby

 



At brother and sister in laws' with cousins.........

 



 

 David's brother in law and sister, David's sister in law and brother, me, and David

I know. A rowdy bunch.

 



Spider man showed up Christmas morning to wish us all a Merry Christmas!

As well as Hulk....