Oklahoma Masonic Indian Degree Team

My Pappaw (pictured above, 4th from the left in back row) has been a Mason and a Shriner for as long as I can remember. This group of Masons, forming the Indian Degree Team, is the only group of its kind. They've traveled the world, including a trip to England last year, representing the Masons and their Indian Heritage.
Teej and Kiwi were given indian names by Pappaw and Mammaw in a naming ceremony. The custom is very old in some tribes ... there is a huge feast, and guests bring gifts to the child. Typically, the name is given on the 1st birthday. Teej's name is "Nitushi" (Young Bear) and Kiwi's is "Hushi Chuckmi" (Pretty Bird). Since Mammaw's death, he has been unable to do another naming ceremony.
I've always been proud to show off my very interesting, and very authentic grandfather ... Pappaw.

1st Day of "Snail"

Okay ... inside joke. LooLoo informed me a few days ago that I was NOT allowed to say the word that started with an "S" and ended with an "L", so I started calling it "Snail"! We started the day off with a family tradition ... breakfast at Braum's! Yummmmm . . . .
Teej started high school this year ... yes, I said HIGH school. UGH! I was 10 when I had him :) He is beginning a very busy time in his life. He is back in football after taking 3 years off. All summer he did Zebra Pride, a lifting and running camp ... he's hoping to be Wing for the offense. He's also playing the tuba for the Varsity Marching Band. He started out on the trombone from 5th thru 7th grade, then moved to bass guitar for the 8th grade Jazz band. In the Spring, he will be in Track instead of band so he can focus on his core classes since he's preparing for college. Not to mention Student Council, Honors classes and early morning Seminary starting Monday. Getting a picture out of him this morning was a fight! I threatened to walk him into school and take his picture in the commons area ... he finally succumbed.
Kiwi started JUNIOR HIGH today ... another UGH! She's grown up so much this summer, it amazes me. Junior High is a tough transition, going from 2 teachers to 7 different classes and teachers. She is also in the band, which will be Marching Band in the fall and Concert Band in the spring. She is taking a Youth Leadership course, which sounds like a lot of fun! It's sort of pre-StuCo, right up her alley. She's also starting pointe in Ballet in October ... I think she's more proud of that than anything else right now! (Yes, Mindy ... that is a jacket!)
LooLoo loves her new 6th grade teacher, because she's as spunky as she is! She is another musician in our family ... she plays percussion (bells, drums, bongos, her brother's head, etc.) in the Upper Elementary band. This is her second year and I think she plans to keep it up like her brother & sister. And yes, we are going for our own band :} LooLoo is one of our soccer players ... her team is the "Royal Pain" and will start up next month. Her best friend Abby was walking into school at the same time this morning, so we snagged her for a pic. Cute girls!
Maddette is a big-time 3rd grader this year. Her teacher is incredible and I am so excited for her teaching styles! 3rd grade is a busy year at her school ... they begin the year with a unit on Claremore history where she will do a report and model of the historical site she is assigned. They study Christmas around the world in December, and then a wax museum project in the spring (more on that later). Busy, busy! She will start soccer with LooLoo in another month ... she's quite the little athlete. Maddette is a leader in the classroom, and I know her teacher is excited too!
Ebbles will start preschool at MusikGarten ... a school that meets once a week with Mom, and encourages music in the home. It should be fun!