Rise and Shine

The kids' new school does "Rise and Shine" every Friday morning.  The whole school is ushered into the cafeteria where each week a different class gives information to them about something 'academic'.  Claire's class was the first to tackle this task; reporting on the Western region of the US (The rest of the fourth grade classes will do the other regions).  Claire was the only child with two separate speaking parts.  She told me it was because "Mr. Engle said I was a good student and not afraid to speak up in front of an audience.  He told me he could tell I was a performer".  (Mommy thinks Mr. Engle can pick up pretty quickly on the obvious personality traits of his students...haha!)  Well, they did a fabulous job, Claire had a little bumble but recovered during one of her speaking parts, and then they sang a song while the teacher played the guitar.  It was so cool!  The vice principal gets the kids fired up and they do special cheers after the presentation to celebrate the class' hard work.  A great way to get all the students connected and learn a little bit in the process.

Long Weekend in KS

We spent Labor Day weekend in Kansas with the families.  We were all suffering so terribly from allergies during this trip that some of it was a little hazy and not a lot of pics were taken...but we had so much fun!  We left Saturday morning for Nana and Papa's.  The kids played in the lake with their cousins and made silly videos together, and then we all had dinner.  Sunday morning dawned to even more allergy issues.  But after donuts and more cousin time we made it to Gram and Poppy's that afternoon to be greeted by more cousins!  Unkie treated the kids to a "chair rack ride" behind the tractor before Uncle Frank's party that evening.    Monday morning was mini ranger and Barney rides before lunch and then trekking back to Arkansas.  It was a whirlwind...but a fun one!

 The cousins getting one last 'splash' in together at the lake.  The water was cold but it didn't seem to bother them too much once they got in.  Although come to think of it, there was lots of sand castle building this time!

 Lucy showing off her lost front tooth, thanks to Gaga (Geoff).  Landon hamming it up with her.  These two are peas in a pod.

 Miss Charlotte staking her claim of both Geoff and Daddy (Fred).  Geoff quickly became her favorite after Fred had to leave for a bit to help Frank set up for the party.  But once Fred was back, she wouldn't let either one of them out of her sight.  It was so cute!

 Geoff with Charlotte and Thurston.

No ordinary hay rack ride for us...we go "posh"!  If you can't quite make out what is happening here, there are chairs on the trailer behind the tractor to take a ride.

Calendar Update

You should see our calendar!!!  We haven't even finished the second week of school and it's full!  I have started helping in Landon's classroom doing Tuesday folders and reading groups.  Landon has football practice on Monday evenings, and starts playing games next weekend; and piano lessons on Thursday evenings.  He's supposed to practice that every night, but we've been doing about 5 nights a week, and that's enough for now.  Claire has dance three nights a week, and is already studying for her first spelling test Friday.  It's gonna be a busy year!  The kids are loving every minute so far, so Mommy isn't going to complain.  (At least not yet!)

1st Day Of School

My children started a new school year in a new school for the second time.  And I have to say...it was much easier for them than it was for me!  I was so concerned, but my two troopers had not a care in the world but what was being served for lunch!  Both kids met their teachers and toured the school the Thursday before school started, and declared the teachers and school were great.  Claire has a male teacher this year.  She is excited at this novelty.  Landon is more laid back and although he likes his teacher; he is more concerned about what will be learned in PE and if the girls will chase him at recess.  They have grown so much the last year.  We've been through quite a lot as a family.  I am so proud of them and the little people they are becoming.

 Landon's first day of first grade.

Claire's first day of fourth grade.

Pics from the Fair

 Ready to ride the swings!  Landon kept on riding the whole time...Claire needed a few "breaks".

 Just barely holding a chick at the petting farm.

Our "animal whisperer" cuddling and putting to sleep this of many chicks.

Nana and Papa Visit

Nana and Papa came to visit last weekend.  Although they have already seen the house, the kids hadn't had a chance to see Nana and Papa since we moved in.  The kids were so excited to hang out with them!  We went out for pizza and enjoyed an afternoon at the county fair riding rides.  Well, the kids rode the rides...we enjoyed watching them!  Landon has become quite the dare devil, and was disappointed when he wasn't tall enough to ride some of the more elaborate (ie: SCARY!) rides.  Claire showed off her "animal whisperer" skills by putting a chick to sleep in her lap, while the other kids could hardly keep ahold of them.  Nana and Papa brought some fabulous steak for dinner.  Yummy!!!  The children were disappointed when they had to leave, but went to bed early for their first day of school!

Gram and Poppy come for a visit

 Claire and Landon panning for minerals and crystals.

 Landon posing inside the cavern.

Last weekend, Gram and Poppy came to visit us in our new home.  The kids were so excited!  Claire created a written "tour" of our home that she presented when they arrived.  Friday morning we went to the Daisy B-B Gun Museum and enjoyed lunch together.  Then we headed out to Beaver Lake and War Eagle Cavern.  After exploring the cave and the grounds, the kids panned for crystals and minerals.  This was a hit!  Saturday we enjoyed some art at Crystal Bridges and the kids took their grandparents to the neighborhood pool.  We also enjoyed several games of UNO on the back porch.  They went home Sunday after a neighborhood walk and some yard games.  It was a good weekend filled with good times!  Now we are preparing for school start!