Razorback Game/Labor Day Weekend

Last weekend was busy.  Friday evening we met my parents for dinner in Harrison, and afterward Alexee went home with them for the weekend.  Rhett had his first football scrimmage Saturday morning, then we took the boys to the Razorback game in Fayetteville that afternoon. 

At dinner

Rhett's scrimmage went well.  He said he was a little nervous before it started, but then he said he had fun once they were on the field.  It was really hot.  I'm hoping it cools off and stays that way for a while!  He's looking forward to the first game!

This picture of the boys came up on my Facebook from the same day in 2010.  Five years...but it seemed more like five days!  I pray that they will always be close friends.

They seemed to enjoy their first time at a Razorback game!  Crosby was fascinated with everything, and Rhett told me that it was a lot more fun to watch now that he understands more about the game.  I'm glad we had the opportunity to take them--a fun memory, for sure.

We definitely missed Alexee, but she was having lots of fun in Flippin!  She stayed busy feeding horses and a bottle calf.  Mo also took her shopping for a new pair of earrings.  She had reached the six week mark after having her ears pierced and was excited about being able to change them!  She chose a tiny pair of flower earrings.  I thought these pictures of her trying them on were so sweet.  

My sister and her kids came up on Saturday so she had fun playing with Jaiden and Jeryn.  The boys and I went to pick her up on Sunday, and we spent most of the day there.  We came home that night and then had a quiet Monday/Labor Day.  It was nice to have the day at home.

Lane's B-day, StitchFix & Other Catch-up

Things are going well with the new school year so far!  Rhett is staying busy with football practice (games start after Labor Day) and drama club just started, with book club and math team beginning later this month.  Alexee is taking gymnastics again, and she also wanted to sign up for intramural basketball and volleyball and Crosby wanted to play flag football.  So I don't think we'll get bored this fall! :)

Lane had to work last Sunday, so the kids and I went to early church service then went to Silver Dollar City for a few hours.  It wasn't too hot, and it was much less crowded than a typical summer day so I was happy about that!  They rode several rides together.  Rhett has never been afraid of any rides, but Alexee and Crosby are getting more adventurous now, too.

Sunday evening Lane and I had reservations at Top of the Rock's Osage Restaurant for his birthday.  It was our first trip there, so we were really looking forward to trying it.  Our only regret was not arriving early so we'd have more time to look around before dinner.  The setting is amazing with a beautiful view of Table Rock Lake, and sunset was so pretty.  We loved the food too!  It was such a nice evening.

(It was fun to see that the restaurant had an ad in Southern Living this month!)

So Monday was Lane's actual birthday.  I made a strawberry cake with cream cheese icing, and we celebrated with the kids after dinner and gymnastics.  We're so proud of him, and we are thankful for how he loves us and takes care of us!

I've heard about several people shopping through Stitch Fix recently, so I finally decided to join and give it a try.  I was so excited to open the mailbox and see my first shipment!  They sent five items (2 tops, 1 dress, 1 jeans and earrings).  I liked the style of everything they sent, but decided to only keep the jeans this time.  Both tops were just slightly shorter than I would have preferred even though I liked the design.  I tried on the dress a couple of times and almost convinced myself to keep it but decided I didn't really love it.  The check-out and return process was super easy, and I loved the convenience of it all.  After making some minor adjustments to my "style profile" I scheduled a second shipment for this month...so we'll see how that goes. 

Misc. pics of the kids:
Alexee at gymnastics and in morning carpool line; Crosby reading Box Car Children and showing his sweet, toothless smile

Bogart and Rhett enjoying a relaxing Saturday morning and Joey on a field trip to the back yard to eat clover.

Both boys are missing lots of teeth right now.  Crosby is missing front teeth, and Rhett is missing a couple on each side.

Misc. pics from the back yard:
Cute mushrooms :)
Ferns that I bought at the beginning of the summer and had very little hope for because I'd never had ferns...but they loved this spot on the patio!  They have been so pretty, and I really hope they make it through the winter!
Mama and baby deer strolling through the grass
Pretty sunrise colors and fog on the lake

Fun in Hot Springs

We had a great time visiting Lane's family in Hot Springs the weekend of 8/20.  Friday evening Lane and his Dad went to a golf tournament BBQ dinner while his mom and I took the kids to Purple Cow.  My sister-in-law and niece met us there, too.  It was so nice to see everyone.

The kids have missed Purple Cow since we left Little Rock!  They were excited to get milkshakes (traditional purple for Rhett and mint chocolate chip for Alexee and Crosby!

That night the kids played games and read before bed.  We were all tired from the drive, and we had a busy day planned for Saturday so we didn't stay up too late.  

Bogart watched the door for Lane and Bob.  He's more relaxed when he knows where everyone is.  :)

Saturday morning we went to Mid-America Museum.  This was our first visit since it was renovated last year.  It is so nice!  We loved all the new exhibits, the digital dome theater and especially the skywalk.

Such a pretty setting!

View from the skywalk

They LOVED the ropes!

Rhett & Grammy

Grammy let the kids choose souvenirs from the Museum Store!  They were excited about their fun new toys.

That afternoon we went to the FLW Expo and live weigh-in at the Hot Springs Convention Center.  We had a great time looking around at the show and visiting with my dad, grandparents and my sister and her kids.  The day 3 weigh-in was exciting.  I wish we could have stayed for the final day of the tournament on Sunday.

We always enjoy our time in Hot Springs!

Sweet Smile

He pulled his other top tooth by himself after school on 8/19!  He was so proud!  Love that sweet smile!

Back-to-School

Back-to-school time already!?  How is that possible?  After the meet-the-teacher visits on the 14th the kids all seemed ready to go.  We had such a great summer together, but I think everyone was ready to see friends and get back to a routine.  

I'm always nervous the night before school starts...nervous that I'll oversleep or forget to pack something or forget what time school actually starts!  But we made it!  I printed three copies of the "ways to start your 1st week of school" for their lunch boxes from here, and the grade signs here.  They helped me pick out lunch items at the grocery store a few days before. 

Tuesday, August 18th

They decided they would like chocolate chip pumpkin bread and turkey bacon for their first day breakfast.  They were up early, made their beds and got dressed with no prompting from me.  I sure hope this enthusiasm lasts!  :)

Crosby working on double-knotting his tennis shoes.  We'd also just tried to pull his front tooth because it was barely hanging, but it just wasn't quite ready (he pulled it himself the following day).  

1st, 3rd & 6th

Again, doesn't seem possible!

Crosby, age 6

Sweet, athletic, easy-going, funny, sensitive...

Alexee, age 8

Kind, helpful, creative writer & artist, witty...

Rhett, age 11

Thoughtful, confident, giving, brave, analytical...

Oh how we love them!!!

Can't wait to see how they grow this year!

Ready for a great 2015-2016 School Year

--Rhett said he was fine walking in by himself.   :(
--Crosby said he didn't need us to walk him inside.  He suggested that we wait in the car until he'd had time to get to his classroom, then we could walk Alexee in.  (We didn't do that.  Surely we're allowed to walk him in for at least a couple more years!)
--Alexee said she wanted us to go inside with her.  At least someone still needs us!  :)

I was anxious to pick everyone up that afternoon and hear how their day went!  On a scale of 1 to 10 Rhett gave it a 9 (only because he said it was too hot in the building), Alexee an 8 (because her stomach hurt) and Crosby gave it a perfect 10.  :)

This sweet picture came home in his folder that day.