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.

Retirement Celebration

On Sunday, August 16th the kids and I had the opportunity to go to church in Flippin to celebrate Bro. Steve & Judy's retirement from FBC.  We are so excited for them as they enter this new season, but it is definitely hard to say good-bye to such a special couple.  Their family moved to Flippin the summer of 1985 (I was going into 3rd grade, Alexee's age now), and they have been such a huge part of what I consider "home" for 30 years.  They will always be family to us, even if we don't get to see them on a regular basis.

First was the regular morning church service ("The Biography of a Preacher", Genesis 5:21-24), followed by a catered lunch then a wonderful video tribute and singing.

My Uncle Greg sang "The Anchor Holds", one of my favorites.

Mom, Dad and their grandkids

I loved getting to see Kelly and her sweet family!  (I borrowed this picture from her.)  She has always been super special to me.  Our families did so many fun things together when we were growing up...I just wish we could see each other more often now!

Crosby and Alexee loved the dessert table at lunch.  :)  My sister sent me this picture of Crosby.  It looks like he enjoyed both the banana pudding and the cupcakes (and probably a few more things while I wasn't looking)!

With my parents, grandparents, sister and her family 

(I really wish Lane could have gone with us!)

The video tribute was perfect...a beautiful summary of thirty wonderful years.  I absolutely loved the way Jacquie ended the video with the song God Be With You and the pictures of Bro. Steve and Judy with their kids and grandkids.  I know they can't wait to spend more time with them now!

There's no way I could adequately express how thankful I am that God brought them to Flippin, Arkansas, 30 years ago!  What a blessing they have been to me and my entire family.  We love you, Martins!

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."  Ecc. 3:1

Last Week of Summer Break

Wow--we just blinked and went from the first week of summer break to the last!  :(  It has been a great break though.  I'm thankful for the fun times with the kids, with family and friends.  It seems like we've stayed really busy, so maybe back-to-school will actually be a break!?  Not really...I know there will be homework, projects, tests, lunches to pack, field trips, football and gymnastics, before and after school clubs and special class activities, etc. etc.  I think we are somewhat ready to be back in the routine though!  

So here's the last week of summer break in pictures:

We went early to watch some of R's practice.

L & A making hummingbird food

Bogart, just being cute.  :)

Back to school shoe shopping and lunch with my 6th grader!  

SIXTH GRADE.  Does not seem possible.  

13th...Back to school dinner with Alexee and a few 3rd grade gals!  So fun.  Love this picture of them laughing!  Lane took Rhett to football practice that night and then he and Crosby went to Books-A-Million and Chick-fil-A.

Sweet friends!

Friday the 14th

Meet the teacher/open house day at school

Super sweet teachers--it's going to be a great year!

(1st, 3rd, 6th)

Happy to meet up with friends in the hallway at Open House.  Seeing friends definitely helped everyone get in the back-to-school mood.

Yesterday (the very last day of break), we met up with friends at the water chute for an hour of water sliding.  The kids loved this (we'd never been before).  It seemed like a great way to close out the summer.

Very thankful we've gotten to know this sweet family.  It works out so nicely because everyone has someone their age to hang out with.  It was a fun day.

The donut shop is just down the street from the water slide, so we stopped there for an afternoon snack on our way home.

Farewell, Summer 2015!