Tag Archives: travel

August 6, 2010 · 5:00 am

Conversations with Anna.

Let’s keep the next few Fridays a little light-hearted, shall we? We shall, we shall. With a Friday title such as “Conversations with Anna”, I don’t think we have a choice really. I journaled many conversations and situations with the one and only Anna Takle while on my blogging hiatus. I just hated for it not to be penned permanently.

We’ll call this conversation “Conversation Obama.” Why do I feel like I’ve lost readers already?

Anyhoo.

We fly a lot. I am married to a pilot, after all. I’ve pretty much mastered the art of occupying my children while in flight with books, games, activities and such. Well, mastered up until Anna breaks out into…being Anna.

Scene: John Henry is drawing a picture of a man.

John Henry: “It’s a president. I’ll give you a hint. He’s on the quarter.”

Anna: “George Washington!”

John Henry: “Yes!”

Anna: “Wait. But, George Washington has fluffy hair. This man does not have fluffy hair.”

***INSERT MOM TRYING TO CAPITALIZE ON AN EDUCATIONAL MOMENT***

Me: “Okay kids, who is on the penny?”

Anna: “Obama!!!”

Yes, we still have a little way to go on learning our country’s presidents. But, she did know that Lincoln was our sixteenth president. And, well, that is something.

Hail to the Chief.

And, Happy Birthday to my momma. She’s never been a president. But she loves me and keeps ALL of my youngins. So, she wins.

Love you @bcgoss.

2 Comments

Filed under Kid Stuff, Motherhood, Say What?

Tagged as George Washington, Kid Stuff, Obama, presidents, travel

September 18, 2009 · 6:00 am

A Blast From The Past.

JH - airport chaos

Above are the items I retrieved from John Henry’s shorts pockets while going through airport security almost two years ago. I recommend checking children’s pockets before walking through the metal detector. This was the same trip where Anna, only moments before, pulled her pants down while walking through. For no apparent reason.

Because, she needs no reason.

So friends, you’ve been warned.

Have a great weekend and may your team win.

1 Comment

Filed under Kid Stuff, Randomness

Tagged as airport security, Kid Stuff, travel

August 18, 2009 · 8:14 am

Life After The Great Wolf.

You may or may not have noticed that I took the day off yesterday from the blogging world to recover from an exhausting, yet fun packed weekend. On Thursday, we took the kids to the Great Wolf Lodge in Texas. This hotel does not cater to rest and relaxation for adults. Oh no. Between the indoor and outdoor water park, arcade, and MagiQuest where kids take magic wands and complete quests all over the hotel, I was pretty much in a Great Wolf coma yesterday morning. The ice cream cone I indulged in on Sunday night contributed to this coma, I am sure.

I failed to take as many pictures as my mom, Nan, would like. I attempted to explain to her that a water park does not compliment a non water-proof camera. My kids did insist I take their picture with this guy.

Great Wolf 1

Anna evaluated the picture and was unimpressed with her pose. So, she was adamant for a re-take.

Great Wolf 2

“Oh, yes. That is definitely much better,” she said.

And, when did she become such the diva?

We made it home yesterday afternoon, and I was beyond tired and irritated. I could barely tolerate the sound of my little people’s voices. Oh, how I love them. But, oh, how I dreaded to hear “Mom” even one.more.time. When I later saw John Henry laughing out loud at the entertainment his sister was providing for him, I couldn’t help but laugh a little myself. It brought some relief to my annoyed, please don’t talk to me attitude.

And, I remembered why I love being their Mom so much.

3 Comments

Filed under Kid Stuff, Motherhood

Tagged as arcades, exhaustion, Great Wolf Lodge, magic wands, Motherhood, travel, water parks

August 3, 2009 · 10:20 am

Tooth Mishaps & Other Stuff.

Made it back to Oklahoma where the wind comes sweeping down the plain, or something like that. The wind, it sweeps alright. John Henry decided to lose pull his tooth just as we were boarding our flight home. “I’m just trying to make money,” he explained. Tooth Fairy was so completely exhausted by night time, she almost failed to pay up. John Henry is so resolute about making money on his teeth, we fear he won’t have any teeth left very soon. Perhaps, it makes sense to go ahead and introduce him to the workforce. You know, to save him from pulling his permanent teeth, too.

Of course, I am not one to pass judgment on timely tooth matters. I noticed on my flight home that my front tooth felt a bit odd. And sharp in an area. What? I chipped my tooth? How? I had no idea how in the world I could have done this. It’s not like I bite into foods with my front teeth. It wasn’t until I was lying in bed that I remembered.

In an effort to reset my watch back to the central time zone, I used my front teeth to loosen up the little winder thingy. Blast. What was I thinking? I’d make money from the Tooth Fairy? Grrrr.

I have no dentist in Oklahoma. So, I sent out a message on Twitter and Facebook asking for suggestions on a local dentist. And, boy do people love their dentist! How to choose between 50 of THE BEST dentists in the state?

When we finally got home, it was pretty clear that there was nothing we were going to be eating in the Takle house, unless potatoes that turned into a massive tree branch sounded appetizing. This disgusting adventure motivated me to clean out both refrigerator and pantry. How, oh how, we do keep salad dressings from 2005? I, embarrassingly, threw away 4 trash bags full of food. Not the wisest of things to do for a woman still enduring her first trimester.

For.The.Love.

I dismantled our entire refrigerator, scrubbing every nook and cranny. Today, I am proud to say it is beautiful, friends. Just beautiful. Nothing feels quite as therapeutic as opening up your refrigerator door knowing you can eat ANYTHING inside.

Anna decided to change clothes, again, before we trekked to the grocery store to restock our kitchen. This is what she changed into to:

Anna - outfit wp

Nothing says you’re ready to take on Oklahoma’s sweltering temps like jeans and a sweater. And, NOTHING says fashion like ripped floral jeans and dress shoes.

Nothing.

She insisted on keeping her size sticker on her shirt.

Anna - size sticker wp

This way, it would “stay new.”

Makes perfect sense. No chance you’ll see me sporting my size sticker. Just sayin’.

It’s good to be home. But, I do miss those Georgia Peaches.

4 Comments

Filed under Kid Stuff, Randomness

Tagged as cleaning, fashion, Kid Stuff, kitchen, losing teeth, Shopping, tooth fairy, travel

April 13, 2009 · 6:00 am

For The Lack of A Clever Title, We’ll Call This One “Easter.”

The Lord knows I’m too tired to write anything coherent and too sugared up to be taken seriously. Of course, that’s never stopped me before. We made a quick trip to Georgia to spend Easter weekend with family. Upon my arrival, I was bombarded by this monster that I apparently created.

He is my dad. And, y’all, he is on The Twitter. Now, I will not deny my love for The Twitter. But watching my dad learn all things Twitter is something I never expected to happen. When I told him he could just type “w” for “with”, he responded, “Always?”

No. Only on Saturdays. Do wha?

Well, I must admit. I am proud of him for joining the Twitter Revolution. So welcome to Twitterverse @JBurenGoss.

We had an enjoyable time in Joe-Ja. (That’s for you Cindy Beall.)

Here are a few of the grandkids with Farmor, Kris’ mom. Farmor is Norwegian & Swedish for “Father’s Mother.” Just so ya know.

The kids are always excited to go to the farm. But when an Easter Egg Hunt is thrown into the mix, it’s like taking a trip to Disney World but without the $29 hamburger and $100 t-shirt.

And, a few pics from Easter Sunday…

That’s my mom with Anna and me. Can a sister get a loan on a bottle self-tanning lotion? I need not show those legs again in public without some serious coverage.

We headed back to Oklahoma too soon after Easter lunch. This was the scene by the time we reached three-four-O. (That’s my fancy pilot talk for 34,000 feet. Impressive, isn’t it?)

It was wonderful to spend Easter with my home church family.

And, it was even more wonderful to celebrate the greatest three words in history:

He Is Risen.

How was your Easter weekend?

4 Comments

Filed under God Stuff, Kid Stuff, Randomness, Uncategorized

Tagged as Easter, Egg Hunts, travel, Twitter

February 5, 2009 · 6:00 am

Wonder who will have the most eventful weekend?

I’m leavin’ on a jet plane. I don’t know when I’ll be back again. I really do know when I’ll be back. Sunday. Today, the little guy and I are headed south for one big wedding celebration. John Henry will be bearing some rings, and I’ll be…Well, I’ll be waving and smiling at him as he walks down that aisle with those baby blues wearing a tux. I really don’t have much of any consequence to write about today, not that this is any different from any other day. But, thank you for indulging me still.

Kris will be holding down the fort here in the great state of Oklahoma. With Anna Takle.

With Anna Takle.

Oh, what fun they are going to have. He has promised to take her out on a date to some fancy schmancy restaurant where she can wear a dress and all the trimmings. Why he seems to think he is going to win the fashion wars is nothing short of amusing, but he appears to be up for the challenge. This fancy schmancy restaurant is Mahogany Prime Steakhouse – our date night of choice. Anna, however, said that she prefers Mexican cuisine. The girl loves chips and queso. Can’t imagine where she gets that from, but it’s a trait I certainly admire.

I did offer to go ahead and make Anna’s lunch for pre-K on Friday, but Kris says he’s got it. What he doesn’t realize is that he’s going to find himself pressed for time on Friday morning after spending most of it in Anna’s closet bribing her. His choice. Have fun, babe. I do love you. And, please take notes.

Okay, that’s all I got. For real.

8 Comments

Filed under Kid Stuff, parenting, Randomness

Tagged as date nights, fashion, Kid Stuff, Mahogany Prime Steakhouse, travel, weddings

January 5, 2009 · 6:00 am

Monday Madness

I realize this post has no significance whatsoever, spiritual or otherwise. But, I just felt like giving you a rundown of the Takle family weekend. And, the title has nothing to do with this post. I just thought your Monday might be as mad as mine will be today. Goodbye holidays and vacation.

Here goes.

Friday
Wake up. Read the Bible Twilight Saga. {I’m aware of how long it’s taking me to finish this series. Holidays. Children. No time. You get the picture.}

Bigmama INSISTS we take the kids to see Aunt Kate, her 93 year old sister.

aunt-kate-wp

Aunt Kate and Bigmama look a lot alike, but they are quite different. Bigmama wouldn’t be caught dead in a pair of pants while Aunt Kate wouldn’t be caught dead in a dress or without her snuff.

Later in the day, Bigmama checks on Kris’ New Year’s resolution to cut back on the caloric inhalation. She said they had agreed to do this thing together. Oh, yes they did. Called your accountability partner, Hun?

Finish book #2. Finally. Listen to a bunch of hoodlums cheer on a helpless Tide. Go nighty night.

Saturday
Cram as much as I can into four suitcases. See my flight departure time has changed. Changed again. Changed again. Changed again. Arrive at the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Just in time to wait an extra two hours for a delayed flight. Break down and buy book #3. See poor little 7 year old girl named Rylee sobbing as she is flying by herself from ATL to OKC. We welcome her into the Takle family for 2 hours.

Listen to my kids fight over who gets to sit by Rylee. Listen to Anna keep calling her Ry-lea. Land. Yell at my children for running around the baggage conveyer thingy. Yell again. Yell again.

See the husband for the first time in four days. Hug. Hug. Kiss. That’s it. I’m tired. Pick up on that other New Year’s resolution tomorrow. Choose wine instead. Hubs understands.

Hug this guy. Especially after seeing Marley & Me.

brew-w

Get in my very own bed.

Sunday
Repent for not going to church. Try to explain to my dad why I didn’t go to church. Eat Mexican. Car wash. Read my “heathen” book, to quote my father. {Between skipping church and reading about vampires, my dad is going to fly out to serve me communion really soon. I’m sure of it.}

Make good on some resolutions.

Hear Anna call John Henry “b*%#ch”. She uses the word incorrectly, so I’m sure she didn’t hear it from me. Blame Kris. Blame Pre-School. Blame Aunt Kate.

Take Kris for his first Crest grocery store experience. He sees the light, too.

Kris shares random experience about riding a grocery cart in a Kmart parking lot once when the cart flew out from under him and he did a face plant. Laughed. Laughing about it now as I type.

Wonder if anyone else thinks it’s funny when people fall down.

Watch Horton Hears A Who.

Go to bed.

Wake up to a mad, mad Monday.

How was your weekend?
Your kid ever drop a “bad” one? What did you do?
Do you laugh when someone falls down?

15 Comments

Filed under Randomness

Tagged as airports, Crest Foods, mondays, Randomness, travel, Twilight

December 9, 2008 · 6:00 am

Favorites Party – Week Three

favorites-party4

Today’s FAVORITE is a favorite kid story. Seriously, Kim. Just one? There is no doubt that in this adventure called parenting, dull moments are rare. And, really you all hear a big-sized portion of my children and their shenanigans. From John Henry peeing on our dog to Anna’s unending artistic expressions, it’s hard to pick just one. So, I thought I’d share an outrageous kid story and the links we went to for Moosie and Mimi.

Bloggy World, meet Moosie.

moosie-wp

And, Mimi.

mimi-wp

John Henry’s Swedish Uncle Olov gave him Moosie when he was ten months old. Mimi was a gift at a baby shower when I was prego with him. He hasn’t parted with either since. These are what we in parenting land refer to as his “lovies.” Bedtime is not complete without either one. They have traveled near and far with us. And, we neveh EVAH check them in, ‘cause that’s one bag that we just can’t afford to lose.

So on one trip to Cabo San Lucas, Moosie and Mimi were M.I.A. We left our car at the Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma City. We did the usual TSA check which is always an adventure with children. Because, if Anna isn’t pulling her pants down to walk through the metal detector, then John Henry is up to his own covert operations trying to smuggle in Hot Wheels.

Once we boarded the plane, I took my seat. Then, it happened.

“Where are Moosie and Mimi?” I asked.

“I lost them.” John Henry told me with the saddest looking blue eyes I’ve ever seen.

I rushed up to the head flight attendant and told her my story. A mother herself, she understood my dilemma. At this point, even the Captain was involved. Next thing I hear is the Captain alerting a TSA agent asking if Moosie or Mimi were there. That’s right. He called them by name.

No Moosie or Mimi.

I called Falon, who cared for our kiddos, and asked her if she could drive to Will Rogers and search our Tahoe. Falon, knowing how vital these two bedtime lovies were headed straight for the airport. God bless Falon Barnes Yost. And, then, our plane took off for our connection in Dallas.

In Dallas, Falon informed that Moosie and Mimi were indeed safe and sound in her loving arms. She over-nighted them to my mother in GA, who in turn gave them to Kris’ dad who would be meeting us in Cabo. Whew.

The great Dr. Takle later gave us the “attachment” lecture. We just smiled and nodded. We didn’t really care at this point. Moosie and Mimi were enjoying Piña Coladas with the rest of us south of the border.