King Pin

Braden had the pleasure of attending a "Bowling Birthday" party for twins Michael (above) and Aaron (below). They became friends in the first daycare he attended when we moved to Pittsburg and have stayed in touch ever since.

They are the nicest kids, and Braden had so much fun bowling!

 

Braden and an "old" friend, Lydia

  

  

  

These are the same two buckets that Braden would spend hours playing with at this same age, in Fort Smith. Then they were our dog's water buckets, and Blake would use them to soak wood chips in for the grill. Now they are just the wood chip buckets. Amazing that something so simple can provide so much entertainment.

While we enjoyed bowling, Blake sent me these pictures from his phone. He and Mason took a long walk in the stroller, then spent some time in the back yard!

Sounds like…

Blake and I both received this email from Braden's teacher, today…




Blake & Christel,

I thought this was too funny not to take a picture and share. Today we drew a tent and wrote "I have a tent". I was walking around checking papers and making corrections if needed. When I got to Braden, I was showing him that when he makes lowercase t's he needed to start between the sky and the fence. As I was looking at his paper, I noticed an extra word on his paper. At first I was shocked that he would write that so I asked him to read me what he wrote. He says, "I know I shouldn't have wrote it, but.... I have a dumb tent." Look closely at the picture and I am sure you will get a giggle too! I didn't correct his spelling just left it as is.

I am still laughing! It is moments like this that make you just love these kiddos more everyday!!!!

Hope you have a great weekend!! Once again, thanks for sharing Braden with me this year!! I truly enjoy him!!

Mrs. Vacca

Finally. . . A Day Outside!

Braden has been dying to get outside and play baseball, so finally on Sunday we were able to get some time in the backyard. Amazingly, Mason sat in the sandbox for the longest time while Blake and Braden practiced playing catch.


Braden definitely has hitting down, both pitches and from the T, but he needs a little work on catching. Blake has hopes that maybe he can play first this summer.



As with most things, Mason wants to do exactly what Braden does. So he got to practice his skills, too. Poor guy, this plastic ball was too big for him to pick up with one hand and he got so frustrated when he had to use both to put it back on the T.

Bat, hat, and stick. What more does a guy need?

Silver & Gold

The Joplin Ad Club hosted their 2009-2010 ADDY Awards on Saturday, February 27. There were 234 entries from 26 different designers/companies. It gives me great pleasure report that Pittsburg State University was well represented at this event and walked away with a total of 15 of these awards. I received two gold and two silver. One of the silver awards was for the 2010 Women of Distinction Calendar for the Chamber. This will be the first award for a project that Blake and I collaborated on.

Joplin Globe coverage of the event.

Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce | Women of Distinction Community Calendar

Silver Addy | 2009-2010 event

Casie Hermansson Loves Kid Lit | 2 sided Business Card (front & back)

Gold Addy | 2009-2010 event

Mount Carmel Foundation | Breast Cancer Awareness T-shirt design

Silver Addy | 2009-2010 event

PSU Continuing and Graduate Studies | Our Graduates campaign
Gold Addy | 2009-2010 event

Making the News

Stuffed Full

Braden and I had the rare experience of "experiencing" this inflatable sculpture. The "reminder" of the night was "this is not a bounce around!" Although that's exactly what it reminded the kids of.


You actually walked "into" the sculpture and felt your way through. I had to go in with Braden the first 3 times, but thankfully Corin showed up and there was no stopping them!

The art students had activities set up for the kids to explore art. Here Braden is having his silhouette traced and then he got to color it in. His pose was a "jumping jack" He also got to sew a booklet together and decorate the front with yarn, colors and pieces of deflated latex balloons.

Article in the Morning Sun today: The real story is that I thought I was going to have to threaten Braden's life to get him out the door. He was having a blast and a few of his "girl" friends were there. He just didn't want to leave! Blake was at home with Mason and needed a few things from the store to finish dinner. Thankfully the article just made it sound like Braden LOVED art so much he didn't want to leave, which is partly true!

MC and the Little Hammer

This was Braden's "extra" air bag on the ride home!

Blake had to MC a Baseball banquet/fundraiser last night and he took Braden with him. Braden didn't know what he was in for, but was happy to tag along! Braden was on his best behavior (yay! He'll get to go again) and Blake got some great silent auction items. . .Cardinal tickets!

Braden apparently enjoyed his dinner, dessert and most of Blake's dessert, and combination of lemonade, ice tea, and then just tea with sugar!

This is what he brought home! About 20 balloons.

You can imagine Mason's joy when Braden showed him these balloons this morning!

Is that my Mom?

Have you ever seen my hair straight? I already know the answer. . .No! My fabulous stylist talked me into this for the Gala! I have to say, it made Blake's jaw drop (a good thing) and Mason hesitate. I got a ton of compliments. I could never do it myself, but I've enjoyed it while it has lasted! This was Sunday morning before church!

Thanks, Tom!!!!

Under the Tuscan Sun, Mount Carmel Foundation Gala

We were not able to con our babysitter into taking a photo this year, we were too busy trying to sneak out the door before Mason figured it all out.

Joanna Rhodes

Suzie Butorac

Suzie & Carol Wimmer

A few of our Transplant Book Club ladies...Jill, Suzie, Carol, Sue, Karen, Leah, Joanna (Their places of origin or just the last place they lived range from Denver, Los Angeles, Australia, Detroit, New Jersey, and KC)

You don't have to be tall to drive!

Blake took these with his phone. . . .after Mason's check-up last week (pneumonia was gone). His hood does wonders for his hair!

Have a drink on Pop!

Braden was pleasantly surprised to have a package waiting on him after school, Monday. It was this set of cups that Pop had picked up in Forrest City and thought Braden and Mason could put them to good use. As you can see, they did so immediately!