BFF

I don't say it often enough, but we have some of the best friends in the world. We spent most of this gorgeous day at the park with the Krebs and the Stanisors. We played on the swings, played some kickball, tossed the football, and walked around the lake. The kids mostly entertained themselves by running up and down the big hills. I'm so glad that our kids have such great friends, too.

August Update

I have been kind of discouraged with blogging. Mainly because I am the only one posting anything on here (hint, hint), and because there are very few things that I have been doing lately that I would consider to be blog-worthy.

Here are a few quick updates...

Nathan now has more than one week of first grade under his belt. So far, so good. He has homework for the first time and is already doing the obligatory amount of complaining about it. He's not in class with any of his good friends from last year, so the mom of one of those friends is trying to get all of our kids on a football team together. I was game until I found out that they practice 3 times a week plus games on Saturdays! That is ridiculous for 6-year-olds! We still haven't made a decision yet, but I am not ready to make that kind of commitment for anything.

Ashley is doing well in the 3-year-old class. She thinks she's so big. Her latest thing is that she wants to wear a swimsuit all the time. She knows that she can't wear them out of the house, but as soon as she gets home, she puts one on. She's even been sleeping in them! I figure it's just a phase, and there's really no harm in it. The other night she was so tired that she fell asleep in the living room floor after her bath wearing nothing but her Princess towel.

As for me, I have nothing exciting to report. I was going to buy Ashley some new hair bows this afternoon, but decided that I was really tired of spending so much money on something so simple. Even though I'm pretty crafty, I've never been good at bow-making. So today I watched a short YouTube video on "How to Make Hair Bows" and tried some of my own. I think they turned out great. Can you tell which one was store bought?

First Days of School

I'm officially the mother of a first grader! Nathan started back to school today, and it went really well for both of us. It was so much easier than the first day of kindergarten! I did sort of feel like a Loser Mom because I forgot my camera, so a took a couple of quick shots when we got home today (after I made him put his shoes and backpack back on). It was still technically the first day of school.

Nathan has really changed this summer. He is taller and slimmer and is really looking quite grown up.

Ashley's first day in the 3-year-old class at preschool was on Monday. (This picture was actually taken that day before school.) She did really well and has the same teacher that Nathan had when he was her age.

And if there was any doubt that my daughter is a total diva, just check out this candid shot I took of her the other night:

Hangin' with the Fowlkes

After we left Branson, we drove to Fairfield Bay to spend the rest of the weekend with the Fowlkes. Tyler's parents and some of their friends have several small cabins on the lake, so we borrowed a couple of them for the weekend. We played on the lake, ate some good food off the grill, played cards, and made S'mores. Overall, it was a great weekend! I know that I keep mentioning it, but the weather was perfect - sunny and warm, but not too hot. The lake was still cool, but not too cold. This is by far the best summer weather that I can ever remember.

The first graders: Nathan and Will. Nathan's class list was posted online Friday night at 5pm. Luckily, they have WiFi at the cabin, so we could check the list. Nathan is not in class with any of his best friends from last year, but I'm sure he will make new ones before long.

The 3-year-olds: Evan and Ashley

Ashley and Tyler

Warming up to Branson

I always thought that Branson was a place you either loved or hated. Outside of the outlet malls, I have always hated it. Even the outlets rarely lure me north of the state line. However, we spent just under 24 hours in Branson this weekend, and I have to admit that we all had a really good time. We stayed at the Grand Country Inn (and "Grand" is a stretch for sure!) which has an indoor/outdoor water park. Nathan loved it! He stayed there with my mom earlier this summer and has been wanting to go back.

We all spent some time Thursday night at the water park and went back on Friday morning. Ashley and I only stayed at the hotel for about an hour, and then we spent the rest of the day shopping. We have not been up there since Branson Landing opened, and I must say, it was nice. They don't really have many stores that we don't have in central Arkansas, but the layout was nice, and it was right on the river. We ate lunch out on the deck at Joe's Crab Shack because the weather was perfect.

Ashley is such a good shopping partner. She compliments everything I try on ("Oh, that is so cute. You look en-dorable!"), and she is so portable these days. I'm generally a huge fan of strollers, but we didn't have one with us. I just stuck the truck key, phone, and debit card in my pocket, and off we went! I had to carry her a little bit, but she did great!

What do you do with green hair?

Jeff and Debbie took all the kids swimming yesterday in Hot Springs Village. Apparently the pool was really chlorinated, because Ashley's hair now has a greenish tint to it. We swim all the time, but this has only happened once before. Any suggestions on how to get rid of it? I used baking soda on it last night and that seemed to help. I could only get her to leave it in about 5 minutes, but I'm planning to try again tonight. I have also heard to use ketchup, but that just sounds disgusting. I have not tried any of the chlorine removing shampoos, but that is probably my next step.

Random Pics from Mom's Camera

I uploaded pictures from Mom's camera to add to Renee's post, and I thought I would share some other random photos from this summer that she took:

Going for a swim in the creek while the Stacys were home in June:

Tea party at Fisch's house:

Micah kissing a frog when they were home in June:

Swimming at Mandi's:

Viewer Discretion Advised

It's that time of year again...Shark Week. When we got home last night, Nathan and I watched nearly two hours of shark attacks. (I tried to fast forward through the parts that showed bloody, dismembered limbs.) There was one show called Blood in the Water that was a reenactment of the shark attacks off the Jersey Shore in 1916 that inspired Jaws. When is your vacation there scheduled, Renee? Perhaps you shouldn't watch this before you go!

Little Missouri Falls

We went back to one of our favorite spots in Arkansas yesterday - the Little Missouri Falls. According to one man who was zealously sharing information with us, the recent rainfall has made the river deeper than it has been during the summer in 13 years. It was definitely fuller than when we went in July last year. The water was cold and clear, and we all had a good time.

50th Annual National Trappers Convention

On Thursday me, Aaron and the kids drove to Lima, OH for the 50th Annual National Trappers Convention. I haven't been to one since I was pregnant with Micah-everything is pretty much the same ;). But this year was special because at the Awards Banquet on Thursday night my (our) dad was presented with the National Trappers Asso. Pioneer Award. I wish you could have heard the wonderful speech given by the President of the association. We managed to keep it a secret from Dad that he was getting an award. So the president starts talking about "the next recipient of the pioneer award is somebody that has been involved in our work for many years.....he and his wife have traveled the country working on various BMP projects......" I was watching Dad look around the room going "now who else does BMP with their wife?????????????" The the president mentioned Dave Hamilton and dad melted. It was awesome. The president read some emails sent in about Dad and they were outstanding. It's so nice to know that all of those people think as highly of Dad as we do. It wasn't just about him being a good trapper. It was about him being a good father, employee, friend and man of integrity. The award was actually presented to both Mom and Dad- so there was an element of surprise in it for Mom too. Sorry I don't have any pics to post. They are on Mom's camera. Aaron took one on his phone, but it was no good. Maybe Rach can get Mom's camera and post the pics.

Happy Anniversary, Jeff!

Today Jeff and I are celebrating 11 years of wedded bliss. He got me these beautiful flowers, and I got him office supplies with a note that said, "If you want to make it to 12 years, finish your freakin' dissertation!" Okay, maybe not my exact words, but the point was made.

We're not doing anything special today for the big 1-1, but Debbie did keep the kids for us Wednesday night so that we could have some grown-up time.