This Plus That

We read a really cute book today that I just have to share with you. It really inspired a lot of great conversations with my girls. We picked up This Plus That: Life's Little Equations by Amy Krouse Rosenthal at the library last week, but we just sat down to read it this afternoon. I love the unique idea of using math to write about some of the beautiful and precious things in life. For example: laughter + keeping secrets + sharing = best friend, or cozy + smell of pancakes - alarm clock = weekend! But I think my favorite equation was this one: (every star in the sky + the sun + the moon) x my heart = love you to the infinite power.

We were so inspired, that the girls and I made up quite a few life equations of our very own. Each one of us contributed and I loved the creative brainstorm that we had together. Here are a few of my favorites!

paper + pencil = writing

wrapping paper + bow = present

hugs + kisses = love

working + working + working = you're done!

quiet + books = library

toothpaste + toothbrush = clean teeth

cat + Hannah = Hannah's cat

hot + grass + lemonade = summer

paint + paintbrush = art

Lucas + stink = dirty diaper

bathing suit + water = swimming

Hannah + Leah = twins

Mommy + Daddy + Leah + Hannah + Lucas = The Galloway Family!

So be inspired too, and I'd love to hear some of your very own life equations in my comments! Oh and go check out the book at your local library!

Super Cao Nguyen

If you're not local to Oklahoma City, you may not know that there is a large Vietnamese population here. There is a section of town near NW 23rd and Classen called The Asian District. It is full of unique markets and restaurants that are really very cool! Sunday night we decided to take the kids to the largest Asian grocery store in the district called Super Cao Nguyen Market. It is full of interesting produce, meats, candy and other unique items. We thought it would be a great place to show the girls a glimpse into another culture and maybe even sample a few items as well.

Entering the store

Right off the bat, we saw many brightly colored plants and golden Buddahs. And piggy banks.

Leah and Hannah

After wandering around for awhile, we headed back home. In the car we asked them, "Did you guys think that was fun? " Their answer, "No. It just smelled like fish."

Oh well. We'll still keep trying to teach them about other cultures.

Love in the time of Awkwardness

Family Photo, Christmas 1990

Mom, thank you for loving me thorough my long season of awkwardness.

You loved me through braces and acne and big hair. You loved me through bad attitudes, laziness, and rebellion. You loved me through my boy-crazy, people-pleasing, insecure times. You loved of me through of all my pre-pubescent hormonal breakdowns. You loved me when loving me was hard. You were always proud to call me your daughter.

Your love thorough the those years means so much to me now. Now that I have two daughters, I can understand the unconditional love you had for me. Because I will have it for them when they pass through those awkward years.

I will remember the way you loved me.

Anniversary

It's June 4th. Do you know what that means? It's our anniversary!!

This year we celebrated 12 years of wedded bliss!

Me and my man before our anniversary date night out! Thank you, Papa for babysitting!

We went to our favorite special occasion restaurant-- Redrock Canyon Grill

(We actually went out last night because Mike is filming tonight. That's why the date says 6/3 in case anyone is wondering)

Sunset at the lake.

Mike and I were in serious need of a date night. We haven't been out just the two of us since before my mom passed away a little over a month ago. In that month we've had a lot of family in town, friends stopping by, Mike has been filming every weekend and I went to Wyoming for a four day trip. All of that was wonderful, but I was missing time alone with my main squeeze. Date nights are so important. We talk. We laugh. We dream about the future. I love that we never seem to run out of things to say, but we are also comfortable with silence. It is a perfect combination.

After a delicious dinner, we headed to Barnes & Noble for coffee and book browsing. We each grabbed a small stack of books and found two comfortable chairs to hang out in. We spent an hour reading, occasionally pointing out something interesting. It was easy and comfortable and just right. We were home by 9:15 to relieve Papa, and we even brought home some bread pudding to split with him as a thank you offering.

Mike, after 12 year of marriage and 15 years of knowing you, I couldn't imagine my life with anyone else. You are funny, creative, patient, a great listener, and a loving father. I am looking forward to many, many more years of adventure together. Love you!

Library Day

Today was a big day for my girls. Because today I took them to the library to get their very first library cards! We are big fans of our metropolitan library system, and now that the girls are in school and can actually read, we decided it was time. I mean, we've always checked books out, but always on my card. There is just something special about having a card with your own name on it, don't you think?

So not only did they receive their library cards today, but we also signed them up for the library's summer reading program. Each time they read or listen to eight books, we bring in our record sheet, and the girls each receive a small prize. In addition, their names are also entered into a drawing to be held at the end of July where they can possibly win a Nintendo Wii! They were both very excited to get started. Each girl carefully selected eight books each, then we settled in to enjoy a break from the 97 degree heat! It's hot here, y'all!

Hannah working on some puzzles

Maria, this is for you. See....I can't escape "y'all". It's everywhere here! Even at the library.

Leah playing a spelling game on the computer.

Our bags -o-books for the next two weeks

The girls' library cards. I love their cute signatures.

There is just something so exciting about a brand new stack of books. We are looking forward to diving into them soon.

Cures for Summer Boredom

School has been out for nine days and the "Mom, I'm bored!" statements have already begun. The first time I heard this said today, the solution was markers and drawing paper. The girls sat and colored for nearly two hours! Later, after lunch, the boredom settled in once again. Again, I offered a simple solution-- bubbles! Who doesn't love bubbles? I had three small bottles stored away for an occasion such as this. We sat out on the back porch blowing, chasing, and popping bubbles for quite awhile. I even let Lucas hold his own bottle, which mainly ended up all over his shirt. But hey, he had fun, right? Later, when Lucas was down for an afternoon nap, the girls were once again bored. This time we pulled out the big guns.

The water slide!

When we decided to set up the slide for its inaugural summer debut, we were met with squeals of joy from Hannah and Leah. They were so excited! And this, my friends, was the ultimate cure for boredom today at my house.

What are your go-to ideas when you hear, "Mom, I'm bored!"?

Goodnight Gorilla

All of my kids love to read, and a bedtime story is definitely part of our nightly routine. Currently, Lucas is hooked on Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann. Every night after he is all cozy in his pajamas with his green blankie in hand, he walks over to his basket of books and finds Good Night, Gorilla.

We snuggle up together in his rocking chair, the light of the nearby lamp casting a warm glow over the pages. He smiles as we begin, "Good night, Gorilla. Good night, Elephant...."

He points out the same things on every page-- the pink balloon, the Elephant's bouncy ball, and the bright moon in the night sky. He also likes to say the sounds for each animal as it is introduced. My favorite sound is for the Hyena. "Ha, ha, ha!" he says. And when the silly Gorilla is discovered in bed with the zookeeper and his wife, he giggles like it is the funniest joke he's ever heard. And at the end, he always puts his own finger to his lips and says "Shhhh", just like the Gorilla on the cover of the book.

I am sure he won't want to read Good Night, Gorilla forever. But for now, I will treasure the times that my busy little boy stops moving long enough to snuggle with me as we read together.