All Hail Sherwood

In NJ, when it hails, it is usually winter and it's not much bigger than a snowflake. On my way home from picking up the kids it starting pouring and as I turned onto our street, it sounded like someone was throwing rocks at my van. Hail the size of gum balls and golf balls were pouring down. We got in the house and quickly let in the poor dogs who were out in th backyard. They had no clue what was happening. The first picture is of Oksana holding the very cold hail stones and the other is our front lawn covered with them. A lot of leaves and twigs covered the streets, but no real damage. It's been so hot here, the hail melted soon after the rain stopped.

"Reel Family Fun" Promo Postcard

One of my responsibilities at AGFC is to design the bulletin board in the Communications Department every few months, featuring our nature/education centers or special programs. I decided to feature our Family and Community Fishing Program this time, since my family loves to fish at the local Community ponds. I get two questions, when people find out I work for AGFC: (1) Do you know Steve "Wildman" Wilson? (Yes, he works in my department and is a nice guy) and (2) Where can I take my kids fishing? So I designed this 2-sided postcard to list our fishing locations we stock along with the stocking hotline number. Since I have so many pictures of my kids fishing, I shamelessly got to put Philip and Oksana's photo on the front of the card. My supervisors love the bulletin board and postcard and think the kids are adorable. (click on pics to see a larger view)

Members Picnic at the Zoo

We took the kids and my in-laws to the Zoo on Thursday (6/25) night for the Zoo Members Picnic. It was from 5:30-7:30pm, and it was very, very hot! Luckily the meal was served inside the African Cafe in the air condition. Volunteers had some of the animals out so people could pet them. They saw a hedgehog, a falcon and here they are petting a corn snake.



The tortoise is probably our favorite animal at the zoo. She had her baby tucked at her side, keeping cool in the dirt. She loves to have her head and neck scratched. She raises up as high as possible on her legs as you scratch her head and immediately goes back down if you stop. We went into the lorikeet enclosure to feed them nectar from a cup. Normally there is charge but it was free that night. The best part about going in there was the cool mist that kept falling on us. We had been dripping with sweat--since the heat index was about 105 degrees--and it was nice to cool off for a bit.We finished the night watching a bird show in the amphitheater.

Who Let the Hogs Out?

Had to take a different route to work Monday. A tractor-trailer rig hauling pigs overturned about 3:30 am on the highway I take to work and some of the hogs got loose. The wreck and the roaming porkers closed a stretch of Interstate 430 connecting Little Rock to North Little Rock. The papers said the swine could weigh as much as 800 pounds each. Authorities said the truck was carrying about 90 hogs. Some of them remained in the trailer while others made a break for freedom. The Livestock and Poultry Commission was called out to help round up the pigs. Unfortunately about twenty hogs had to be put down due to injuries.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to my Dad, father-in-law, my husband and my kid's uncles! Had a nice casual day at home with the kids and watched Phil open some presents. We met my in-laws for dinner at Texas Roadhouse for a nice steak dinner. Afterwards we went back to their house to let the Dad'd open gifts and go for a late swim. It was way to hot during the day to be outside.

Vacation Bible School Graduate

Philip went to Vacation Bible School at our church for the first time. He went all week from 9am-Noon each day. He really like it. This is the video of him singing on the last day. Unfortunately Mommy had to work, but Daddy was able to go and film this video for me.

Heartbreakers #1

Oksana's softball team ended the season in the number one spot, coached by her Daddy.Great job team! This is the best photo I got at closing ceremonies on Thursday (6/18).

Water Park to the Ball Park

Went to Wild River Country on Saturday with the kids. Tony and Misty were in town and brought Gaige, while Cohen stayed home with my in-laws. Christine and David came with Alex-- Nicholas wasn't feeling well. The kids had a great time splashing and riding the water slides with their cousins. It was a very hot day--almost 100 degrees. You could barely walk from one area to the next without trying to find grass or wet pavement to walk on. Who needs a pedicure--I think I burned off any callouses I had!

At 5:00 we went to the new Travelers (AA Baseball affiliated with the Anaheim Angels) stadium where Phil was umpiring a celebrity softball game for 103.7 The Buzz. It was fun to watch tv personalities and ex-Razorbacks have fun.

This is Phil with Lindy Blackstone, the program director for 103.7 the Buzz andan old high school friend of Phil's with the other two umpires Al and Don--whom he's worked with for years.




A field view of Phil umpiring with the jumbotron in the background at Dickey Stephen's Park in North Little Rock.



Reggie Swinton (ex-Razorback/ex-Dallas Cowboy Wide Receiver)playfully kicking sand at Phil after disputing a call in which Clint Storner (Ex-Razorback/Ex-Cowboy Quarterback)left the bag to early. Swinton and Phil grew up playing baseball and football against one another.



After the game Phil joined me and the kids in the stands to watch the Travelers game. A cameraman came up to Philip and put his face on the big jumbo screen, but I din't get the picture fast enough. This picture is of Nico hugging the Travelers Mascot "Shelly."



These are some pictures of our favorite Travelers.





A nice picture of the field at the end of the game.



This is probably my favorite picture of the day.

Philip's T-ball Team

Philip's T-ball team the Tigers finished the season on Monday. They may have only won one game (by default)--but they had fun. When you are five, fun is what counts. Philip is on the bottom right, my nephew Nicholas is on the bottom row, second from the right. My brother-in-law David, their coach, is on the right.

War Eagle, Arkansas Movie Premier

Friday (6/12) was the movie premier of War Eagle, Arkansas, in Arkansas. Phil and my in-laws went to the 7pm show. For anyone in Arkansas---Go see this movie!!! The most local theatre is the Rave on Col Glenn in LR. It will be showing for another week, then will go onto some smaller city markets, to hopefully by August, hit theatres back here and nationwide. Phil plays the umpire directly behind Enoch (Luke Grimes), so you can see him in the first baseball game scene and again in the All-Star game. It is a great movie--good-hearted--shows AR in a great light--and is funny. After the movie we got to meet some of the actors. This is a picture of Phil with Dan McCabe, who plays Wheels. If he doesn't go on to win an Oscar for his role, it will be a shame. He was in character on and off set. His one-liners throughout the movie are hysterical. He signed a movie poster for Phil.

Employee Appreciation Day

I went to my first AGFC Employee Appreciation Day on Friday (6/12). We didn't have to be there until 10am and it was over by 1:30, so it was a nice short day before the weekend. Eveyone got a t-shirt and we got entered into drawings for prizes like a weekend getaway, fishing poles, coolers, etc. I didn't win anything, but many won a lot of great prizes. They hosted the event at the Wildlife Officer Cadet Training Facility in Mayflower. It was a pretty nice day and we got home before the storms came.

Nico and Kylie

Nico had portraits done at daycare a few weeks back. When I went to pick them up I was told they did some of him and Kylie together. Why? Because the phtoographer saw them holding hands in line and thought they looks so cute together. We are in trouble! They look like they are sitting for their engagement picture. They really do look cute together! I was totally suckered into buying these portraits--first the cute couple shots, then they pose him with a fishing pole.

Oksana's Small (Computer) Screen Debut

Oksana is featured on my company's website, holding a catfish to advertise the Free Fishing Weekends, in the Arkasas Outdoors Online Newsletter. Click on the link below:

http://www.agfc.com/news/arkansasoutdoors/arkansasoutdoors-current.aspx#3

Phil's Big Screen Debut

In August 2006 Phil got the chance to play an umpire in a baseball movie filmed in Arkansas. He went to an open casting call, then he came to find out that the story was based on the friendship between Vince Insalaco, (Phil had umpired his high school games) and his friend Wheels. Vince and Phil later coached their daughters' softball team together. The movie was written/produced by Vince's father, Vince, Sr.

Last April we went to the Little Rock Film Festival to see the movie for the first time. I sat next to James McDaniel (NYPD Blue) and Judge Rhinegold (Fast Times at Ridgemont High) was down a few seats. Phil is up close in the first minute of the film, playing the umpire behind Luke (Enoch) who is the pitcher. He's also in the All Star Game scenes later in the movie.

The film stars Brian Dennehy, Mare Winningham, James McDaniel, Mary Kay Place (The Big Chill) and newcomer Luke Grimes (All The Boys Love Mandy Lane)who plays Enoch (Vince). It's taken 'til now but War Eagle, Arkansas hits the big screen in Arkansas theaters on June 19th. It will debut across the nation later on. Click here to go to the movie's website and click where it says "enter" on the right to watch the trailer, read more about the story and the great reviews it's received:www.wareaglethemovie.com

Below is a picture of Phil and Luke during the filming.

Oksana Singing at the Talent Show

See the videos below of Oksana singing "The Climb" by Myle Cyrus today at school. She did an awesome job- we are so proud of her! The first part of the song is on the first video, the rest of the song is on the second video.

Nico Sings

Nico's 3-year old class at day care sung at the graduation for the 4-year old's who will be going to "big school" next year. Unfortunately I missed it, since it was scheduled for the same time as the baby shower on Sunday. Phil had to umpire, so Grammy took him for me. She took the pictures above (forthcoming). I went last year when he sang for the graduation, so I know how the ceremony went. I just hate missing stuff like that. He sang "I'm a Little Teapot."He got a treat bag from his teacher Ms. Tamika, so that made his day. I arrrived just as Grammy and hi were coming outside. We went back to Grammy's to swim with Philip. Oksana was away camping with her mom.

Showers of Happiness

Went to my friend Christina's baby shower on Saturday, given by her family. It was nice meet everyone and put faces with the names. On Sunday I went to another baby shower for her. This one was hosted by some friends from Leisure Arts (Christina was laid off the same time I was)and all of the guests were from Leisure Arts. It was great seeing everyone and catching up. Both sets of hosts did a great job on showers--she has a great start for everything she will need once Dawson is born. Can't wait to meet the little guy in July. This photo is of the card I made for her 2nd shower. I need to work on doing some more die-cut scrapbooking projects.

Congratulations Philip on your Kindergarten Graduation

Philip “graduated” from Kindergarten tonight (5/28). The four classes performed “Who Let the Letters Out” which is sung to the music of “Who Let the Dogs Out.” (see video). He was the very last to receive his diploma, since the children were seated in alphabetical order. The audience had been asked to hold applause until the end-- so I think Philip thought all of the clapping and cheers were just for him! Philip took a picture with his teacher Mrs. Branch, who kept saying, “Just four more days…(‘til school is out).” After the ceremony we watched a video presentation of the students. The kids grabbed some punch and cookies and then we were off to the ballpark for Philip’s baseball game. The team lost, but Philip hit and fielded the ball well.

Name that Bear

Mom Mom and Pop Pop sent the kids teddy bears in the mail, that they received through their Caregivers Group. Nico got on the phone to say thank you to Mom Mom and said,

Thank you the bear, I’m gonna call him 'He'

When I told him it was time to go sleep he said, “I’m taking He with me”. As funny as that name is, I’m not sure it beats my niece’s name for her baby doll when she was 2-3 years old:Baby “Kugh”. Don't even know how to spell the sound she made for that doll's name, but I'm sure most of ya'll will remember. (I may not speak with an accent, but am starting to use more southern phrases.)

Auditions

Oksana tried out for the school Talent Show and made the cut. She is going to sing “The Climb” by Myle Cyrus. This is the first year she will sing at the talent show with the instrumental version of the song. She was always able to use the original CD and sing along with the artist. Some kids are still doing that, but her music teacher is pushing her to go it alone. She knows the song and yes, I’m bias, but I think she sings it better than Myle. I know she is nervous, but hope all goes well. Talent show is June 2nd.

Hair Today - Gone Tomorrow

Nico went to bed around 9pm on Memorial Day and I checked on him an hour later. Thought I’d just make sure he was covered up and walked in to find hair all over his floor—and there is Nico -sitting up in bed and giving himself a haircut! A very bad one I might add—he had bald spots all over his head! He must have gotten the scissors out of the bathroom when I wasn’t looking. So at 10:30 at night I had to shave the rest of his head with the clippers. So glad I took him for a haircut just 2 weeks ago!

Birthday Wishes

I may be another year older, though I’m not too sure about another year wiser. We had lunch and chocolate cake at my in-laws. They were leaving for Tunica later that afternoon and Christine and David were away. Mrs. B brought Alex and Nick over to watch me open presents and play with my kids. I got some new clothes,a pretty gold necklace and a gift card to go tanning. My immediate family went out for dinner to Shorty Small’s later that evening.

What a Character

Philip and Oksana had to choose a book and dress up as one of the characters. Philip dressed like a dinosaur for his book “Dinorumpus.” Oksana was the “Pet Fairy” from the book with the same title.

Happy Mother’s Day

Happy Mothers Day to my mom, mother-in-law and all of the special moms in my life and that of my children's lives. Enjoyed a nice brunch at the Dixie Café with my family, my in-laws and my brother-in-laws family. The waiter gave each of the moms a little box of chocolates at the end of the meal. My kids got me a nice outfit and made me cards. Oksana did the above portrait of me for my card and wrote:

Dear Mommy,

Happy Mother's Day. I love you very much.

Thank you for taking care of me so well.
Thank you for helping me when I need you and setting up things for me.

Thank you for all the things you do for me. You are really a great mom.

You're very special to me because your just so good at doing the things a mother would do.

Love,
Oksansa