Can't get enough

Grayson is on a major cycling kick at the moment and daddy has been happy to oblige since it's finally cooled down a bit around here. They ride their tandem bike to school each morning, but Michael decided to wrap up work a little early on Monday so we could hit the trails at Lake Thunderbird State Park.

I hiked the trail while they rode. It was a great way to unwind at the end of a workday. Afterward, we weren't ready to be inside so we decided to have a picnic dinner in the backyard. That lasted about 5 minutes until we were so eaten up by mosquitoes we were forced to relocate our picnic blanket to the living room floor. Nature isn't always accommodating.

Car Tunes

You know how sometimes you get a song stuck in your head that is on constant repeat? Gray came home from school like that a few days ago, but instead of singing some tween song, he was singing in Chinese. On constant repeat.

I have no idea what he's saying, but he told me the song means something about looking for a friend. Either way, it's pretty cute. He developed a love of the Asian culture last year when he began learning Chinese at school, and since then we've discovered he also enjoys Asian food and art. It's fun to see how he lights up when we spot something at a museum or on TV that he's learned about in school.

And yes, he's wearing his bike helmet while driving in the car. We were on our way to do a little mountain biking and he was excited. Safety first!

State Fair First-timers

With Nana and Popper planning their move from Texas to Oklahoma, we have a responsibility to indoctrinate them into our state's culture and traditions. One of those important traditions is the Great State Fair of Oklahoma!

I was surprised to learn that neither Nana or Popper had ever been to a state fair. The one in Texas is always in Dallas, so they didn't grow up going to it. We made up for that this weekend, walking miles around the buildings, farm animals and attractions at the Oklahoma State Fair. And, of course, we had to eat a balanced dinner of fried foods. It's one important step into becoming an Okie.

Trying out a storm shelter at one of the vendor booths. Hello down there!

Gray and his annual visit to the vintage tractor display. They didn't have as many as in the past, or the "Student Driver" tractor, but we still saw a lot of neat ones. 

First stop = Corn dogs!

At the Agtropolis building, we explored and petted a lot of farm animals and then Gray went through an exhibit where you plant seeds, harvest crops and then sell them at a market just like a real farmer. They gave him a ribbon after he completed the course and he wore it proudly the rest of the evening.

Sometimes all you need is a fan and some fabric to entertain you.

Michael couldn't partake of the corn dogs since we weren't sure if they were all beef, so he opted for pizza on a stick. You can pretty much get anything served on a stick at the fair.

Next up, funnel cake!

As we explored some of the barns, we also got to see two piglets being born and several groups of Clydesdales pulling carriages. Fun memories!

After School Special

Last year we discovered a fun weekly program at our local library called After School Special. It goes on hiatus for the summer, but kicked off again last week and Grayson was very excited to go back.

They read a handful of stories (in really awesome, dramatic voices, I might add), some poetry, show a short video and do an art project. This week's art project was to take a bunch of shredded crayons and press them between two pieces of wax paper, then iron it to melt and seal it all together. They turned our pretty neat.

I'm very thankful for the creative librarians who take the time to make this program really fun for the kids. It also gets Grayson excited to bring home a bag full of new library books each week.

He insisted on cutting his into a heart shape. Not sure what happened to the right side, but we're proudly displaying it on our fridge. 

Six-year check-up

We took Grayson to the pediatrician today for his annual physical and everything checked out great. He came in at 47.2 lbs. and around 47.5 inches tall which puts him at the 50th percentile in weight and 75th percentile in height. 

The doctor usually asks him a series of questions like, "Do you play sports?" or "What is your favorite food?" I thought he would say strawberries and pizza, but to our surprise Gray told him his favorite foods are broccoli and carrots. I about fell out of my chair. 

The doctor pressed further by asking, "Out of mac and cheese, hamburgers or pizza which do you like the best?" And Gray responded, "I like them all!" That part wasn't a surprise to us. He is good about eating a variety of foods and generally does eat pretty healthy stuff. That said, he doesn't always eat quickly and can be annoyingly slow, but it has gotten better lately thanks to a few growth spurts. 

All-in-all we are very blessed to have such a healthy, happy boy. 

Sooner Magic

This weekend we enjoyed taking Grayson to his first OU tailgate along with Pappa and our friend Gary. The weather was amazing and we began the afternoon enjoying a stroll across campus over to the Varsity O Club tailgate tent.

The University usually hosts the Varsity Club tailgate in the field house, but it was in a tent right by the stadium for the OU vs. Tennessee game, so we got to enjoy more of the beautiful day. We ate (and drank) and then walked over to watch the Pride marching band parade over to the stadium.

It was fun seeing Gray take it all in. He especially loved the band and, to my great joy, particularly loved the symbols and drumline. We didn't have tickets to the game so after watching the band perform, we headed over to our friends' house in time for kickoff. While walking back to our car, Gray got a thrill out of yelling "BOOMER" and having strangers respond back with "SOONER" as we walked around the campus.

There are so many more wonderful traditions I'm looking forward to teaching our son. Next time we need to get tickets to a game with an earlier kickoff time and have him fully experience Sooner Magic.

Decked out to do some tailgating!

Checking out all the Heisman trophy winner statues and our favorite, Sam Bradford

Chowing down on a hamburger at the Varsity O Club tailgate tent

Hanging with our OU letterman, Daddy. All those years of training and running track are now paying off in free hamburgers and beer.

Pappa and his buddy Gary had tickets to the game and were ready to cheer on the Sooners

Introducing Gray to the marching band

Skipping home

Gray is 6!

We've had a big weekend celebrating Michael turning 35 and Grayson turning 6. This was the first time since he was born that Gray's birthday fell on Labor Day. It was nice to have a long weekend full of family, friends and tons of fun!

Gray wanted an Avenger/Superhero birthday party this year. Michael and I set up an obstacle course in the backyard and the kids came dressed as their favorite superheroes. It was a very hot afternoon, so we tested the kids' superhero strength and agility on the obstacle course and then enjoyed cake and opened presents inside. Grayson had so much fun and he is one blessed little boy!

The birthday boy! Can't believe he's six!

Rob, Braham and Michelle in their festive superhero duds

Aunt Marilyn, me, Aunt Emily, Michael and Popper 

Aunt Karen and Aunt Suzanne 

 Our son Iron Man

Iron Man gave very specific instructions to the cake people, requesting Captain America and Iron Man on his cookie cake. I couldn't believe how great of a job they did. 

Knocking down some boxes with Captain America's shield

Liam (aka Thor) and his brother Braham (aka Batman)

Jack (Spiderman) getting some assistance on the slack line

Luke (another Iron Man) trying out the slack line

Luke at the "Hulk Smash" station of the obstacle course

Thor didn't need to use the Hulk hands, he had his hammer

Miss Nora figuring out the juice box

This was the best pic we could get of all the kiddos. Nora, Gray, Braham, Liam, Luke, Jack and Cooper

These are all capes Aunt Emily made for the cousins. I loved Nora's tiny cape, so cute!