Route 66 Pops

If you ask Alan and I to list our top 5 favorite things to do... on the list would be our enjoyment of finding really cool, fun, and/or quaint places to eat. On vacation, I think most of our memories are even connected to the places we find to dine. We like outdoor dining best, and often choose our restaurant when we see there are tables outside on the deck or sidewalk of the cafe. And we usually like the little pizza parlors or swanky sandwich shops or thatched-roof Mexican places best. Occasionally we do "fancy" I guess, but we much prefer "fun." And really, a big juicy burger and fries served in a plastic basket tops our list.

Most recently the lil' place we found is not so much known for it's food, but more for it's pop. Or I should say pops, hence the name.
It's located right outside of the Oklahoma City/Edmond area, in a town named Arcadia.

You may have seen the giant soda bottle beside the road when traveling on Route 66 east of Edmond. Towering an appropriate 66 feet above the historic road near Arcadia, it is the calling card of POPS, a roadside gas station, cafe, convenience store and soda fountain.

Selah had a soccer tournament in OKC this past weekend, and as soon as Charis heard we were headed there, she yelled "CAN WE GO to POPS!!!!?????!!!" And how could we turn down her sweet shy little request? I mean? For the love! "Of course we can go there sweet baby!"

This time I made sure to take my camera and get a few pics. We were seated outside in the "back yard." We devoured our burgers and fries, drank our specially chosen bottles of pop, and enjoyed once again the historic hills and curves of Route 66 as we headed home with full bellies. And with a few cases of clanking bottles in tow.









"CHEERS!"

My Favorite Spot

Since I'm on the topic of outdoor dining, I have to post a blog about my favorite spot to dine outdoors in T-town... Queenies. At Utica Square.

It makes me happy. Can cheer me up if I'm feelin' down. It can be either fun, or romantic, or both! They have the #2 best grilled cheeses in town (next to my Grandma's) and they definitely have the #1 best egg salad sandwiches in town.

And if you ask my kids... they have the best climbing trees around.

***JOY JOY***

I love having lunch at Queenies. And I always splurge for dessert.








MAKES ME HAPPY!!

American Girl History - Felicity, Week 2

We are in our 2nd week of our American Girl curriculum. The year is divided into studying 7 of the different American Girls and their culture; what the world was like during their particular era.

The first American Girl in our study is Felicity; a little girl living in the colony of Williamsburg in 1774. For each of the 6 'Felicity' weeks we read one of her chapter books each week, we read and study additional books, such as a biography on George Washington and Betsy Ross. We do various crafts and projects, such as write an invitation to tea and make our own "store front" sign as if we owned and operated a business in the colony.

In addition to the curriculum and chapter books, I ordered the the book Felicity's World, and Felicity's Cookbook (I ordered the cookbooks and 'world' books of the other girls too). Often times this week I've walked into a room and found Selah reading and admiring the 'world' books of the American Girls. She's even taken them with us to read in the car. Alan said the other night Selah had 3 or 4 of the various 'world' books open and laid out on the ottoman, and she was comparing the times of the girls against one another. My point is, she is l-o-v-i-n-g what she is learning.

This morning Selah made breakfast from Felicity's cookbook. This afternoon we had our first 'American Girl Club' with 6 other friends also doing the same curriculum this year. The girls had a 'Felicity Tea Party' and got to practice their proper tea etiquette. Sort-of. Ha!

Sports Momma Meals - #1 FAN of Fast Fix Meals

One of my favorite things in life is getting to cheer my kids on from the side-lines or from the audience or from the finish line! My kids are busy developing their skills, self-confidence, healthy bodies and lifestyle, their relationships with others, their respect for authority, and most of all, they are having fun!
Soccer is in full swing, dance is about to begin, and we are waiting for the call to join the tackle football team. Wednesday night church activities start this week too, so that makes 4 nights a week of sports and activities. Many people scoff at how "busy" families are in this day and age. And I get that, I do. But with 3 kids, with making a priority for church mid-week, with allowing my kids to choose more than one activity (because soccer and dance are both healthy and beautiful and challenging, but in very different ways), it just fills the evenings up. Which is why we educate at home rather than at school all day, but that's another blog for another day.

Even more vital than a healthy, active, physical and social life, I believe the kids need to be filled with as much nutrition as possible. Especially with all the unhealthy options available today, and especially with the need for quick-and-convenient foods. After all, in the end, if they don't have their health, the rest of all of this "sporting" that we do doesn't really matter.





So! Time for another Taste-N-Tell style party! Last year I hosted WhAT A CRocK! and it went over so well, I decided to have another one. This time, the theme is "Sports Momma Meals #1 Fan of Fast Fix Meals"
Everyone brought their favorite fast fix homemade meal for the family. Some were crock meals, some were make ahead and chill until ready to bake. Others were 4 or 5 ingredients thrown in a dish and bake or cook. And even a couple were 2 part meals ~ day 1 eat the BBQ pork roast, day 2 use left overs to make bake potato casserole topped with the left over meat. All the meals were delish! I had a very hard time choosing my favorite recipe! In fact, originally I was going to have everyone vote for their 1 favorite dish, but at the last minute decided to award 2 winners, one for flavor, the other for fast-fix convenience.



Sarah and Brandi were the winners! Sarah for "delicious flavor", and Brandi for "fast-fix on-the-run". Here are the copies of the recipes they brought:



Sarah brought her Day 2 Meal, but rather than bringing the loaded baked potatoes, she scooped out the potatos and pressed the pulp into the bottom of a baking dish. Then topped the smashed potatoes with the remaining ingredients, adding the left-over shredded pork to the top. Then bake in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10-12 minutes. Her meal was my husbands favorite!




And my other favorite for it's fun and creativity for the kids was Jen's recipe for Ship Wrecked. Here's a copy of her recipe, and a picture of us to go along with it since we're so cute!




And the last recipe I want to post was the one I voted for... brought by my friend Stephanie. I had a hard time choosing between this meal and Sarah's loaded baker, but this was my favorite ~ since I had to choose. This Taco Stuffed Shells meal was a little more work than some of the others, but the flavor was so so so so good!!!



Of course we ended the night by assembling ourselves a little cookbook of all the recipes from the party. Such fun!



All in all, it's a great opportunity to taste the different meals, take home new recipes, and best of all, is a good excuse for a Girl's Night Out!

A Very Tiny (Almost Not) Sneak Peek

Here's a peek of the skirt I made for Selah to wear on Animal Kingom day.




Charis is excited to see me sewing, and (no surprise to me) wanted to try it herself! I am making 4 or 5 outfits for the kids to wear while we are in Disney World, and while at the fabric store we found a bolt of Minnie Mouse fabric already gathered at the bodice. So we pinned it to her size, and she got to sew it straight up the back, thus *making* her first dress! It came off the bolt already hemmed, but I added a pretty pink ribbon ruffle at the bottom to make it even more fun! When she sews with me, she sits in my lap, I press the peddle and help her guide the fabric under the presser foot.
Charis was very excited and pleased with her new dress, and I think wore it for 2 or 3 days straight! It's super cute, purple, perfect for a hot Disney day, and "Made By Charis, With Love." Oh, and it's also strapless. Ha!

In My Nest...

I get to grow them. Birth them. Clean them. Feed them. Sometimes ruffle their feathers. Keep them warm. Squeeze and snuggle together. Kick out the poo. Show them the sky. Shield them. Nudge them. Teach them to fly. And when they fall, I'll swoop down and help them get soaring again.

Wild-N-Crazy in the Rain

Hey... you leave me by myself and in charge of 7 wild-n-crazy kids... this is what *might* happen if they want to play tag. In the dark. In the rain.








*MIGHT*

Fun Friday's - How I Love You!

This summer has been a BLAST! Our favorite day of the summertime weeks have been Friday! Make that FUN FRIDAY!

All the Momma's bring our cute selves, loads of sunscreen, coozied drinks, our fashionable hats and/or sunglasses, and junk food. Oh, and the kids. Of course.

We have a blast! The kids play. We play. We chat. We encourage. We uplift. We need a lift. Oh. We gab. We laugh. Maybe gripe just a little. And we try to keep our eyes on the kiddo's.

The kids love Fun Fridays just as much as us Mommas do.

Fun Friday's - how I love you, and I'm sad the summer is coming to an end. And thanks for the awesome tan this year!

Love, Cari

ps. thanks J's!