Project 365: Week 32

Sunday, August 1, 2010

A dog from waaaay down the road escaped paid us a visit today. Noah was beside-himself-happy to take her home. I tell you, if Noah had had a tail, he'd have definitely been waggin' it. The boy needs a dawg.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Today's Farmer's Market was a scorcher, but we got some beautiful food!! I didn't get a picture of the okra we bought, but it was the purtiest okra I'd EVER seen.We got one of these cantaloupes, too. It was divine. The tomatoes we bought are still ripening on our counter. They are huge and gorgeous. I resisted the temptation to buy one farmer's 45-pound watermelon. Resisted with every thing inside of me. "Why?" you ask. Only because there was no room in my fridge. Doggone it.

I just have to tell you guys. You blessed souls who don't live in Arkansas. The produce our state grows is about the ONLY good thing about summer in Arkansas. We are having record highs. Like, not since ten years ago has it been THIS hot!! Tonight I walked by the thermostat at 11:45 p.m. Eleven forty-five, mind you! And...well...here's the proof.

Set for 74, but still registering 78...after nearly three hours of dark. All I could think was, "Lord, please give comfort to those who don't have air conditioning!" (I can't imagine.)

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

After a very interesting fermented foods workshop tonight, which I will write about soon, I came home staaarving. This was my snack, sprinkled with Real Salt and eaten with a spoon. Oh, my.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Our church did a little Kids Kamp Tuesday and Wednesday this week. A few of the men taught about biblical friendship, coordinated games, food, activities, and swimming. It was held at a home about 45 minutes from town, so we carpooled. Here are my two big kids about to head out for their second day. They loved it!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

I made homemade soaked granola today. We don't eat boxed cereal. ANY boxed cereal. So the kids (and their daddy) are very excited about this special treat!

Friday, August 6, 2010

We attended a very fun, free event at a local library. It was called Lamanpalooza, Laman being the name of the library. They were giving away lots of prizes, including the coveted iPad. We didn't win it, despite our frantic race around the library to complete our required "Treasure Map." However, we got to climb in an ambulance and a fire truck, see some big ol' Arkansas fish, enjoy a great concert on the lawn, and eat some popcorn and popsicles. Praise the Lord it wasn't horribly hot. (By the way, the ticket Noah was holding was 7 numbers off from the winning ticket for the iPad! So close...)

As soon as we arrived we ran into my cousin and her sweet kiddos. This is Noah and Cousin N. on the ambulance.

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Fishies.

Note to self:  Three-year-olds can't smile on command.

I never figured out what this was about. Some form of creative dance??

Chillin'.

Saylor enjoyed the music.

SOMEbody enjoyed the popsicles a little TOO much!

Saturday, August 7, 2010

It was Membership Appreciation Day at our zoo. So we braved the heat. All for the unlimited free rides on the train and the carousel. My kids didn't even know there WAS a carousel because their mean mommy always avoids the extra cost! Atticus was so proud of himself sitting atop his horse, he wouldn't even let Paul TOUCH him. Until, that is, the ride actually started. Then he changed his tune real fast!

Gabe kept saying, "Yee haw!"

Sneaking a shot...

This was, by far, Saylor's favorite thing to do at the zoo.

I'm pretty sure this was the only shade in the whole zoo.

 

Tiger wouldn't turn around for the camera. Reminds me of someone else I know...

Atticus is fascinated lately with these guys. "Chomp! Chomp!"

This is Molly. I photographed her several years ago, and it is still one of my favorite pictures. Isn't she photogenic?

We had a great time, though we were all HOT (with a capital H-O-T), tired, and hungry by 11:30. Members got free meals, too. Just do me a favor and don't even ASK what we ate. The point is, I was grateful for it today. Grateful. Because, did I mention we were HOT, tired, and hungry?

And then tonight, my man and I celebrated our anniversary with dinner out.

Whew! That was one photo-intensive week. I wonder if anyone else had anywhere near as many animal pictures as I did. Very doubtful. See for yourselves at Sara's.

Wordless Wednesday: Rough Day?

I can relate.

This week's "Wordless Wednesday" post brought to you by 5 Minutes for Moms.

Project 365: Week 24

Sunday, June 6, 2010

After church today Paul and I "restfully" cleaned out the garage, mowed, and trimmed hedges, all of which desperately needed to be done. Even the car got cleaned out!! Then we went to a baptism out in the country.

It was so bloomin' hot. I was grateful to not have the kids there in that heat with that many people, trying to feed them and watch them swim. It made for a nice (but hot), relaxing (but hot) visit with our fellow church members (who were also hot).

And then on the way home...we just might have found "the land." We'll see...

What do you think??? Not bad, eh?

Monday, June 7, 2010

After sleeping late (again), vacuuming the entire downstairs, and doing various other necessary-before-my-children-come-back chores, I headed southward to pick up the kids from my parents' house. In some ways it seemed like we had just left them, but in others it seemed like a lifetime since we'd seen them. We were all happy to be reunited. Here are a couple of cute moments mom captured while they were there. (I was on the road for over four hours today. I was in no mood for photographs.)

And, no. That's not a horse. Cubbie is my mom's greyhound. Gabriel calls him "My Dubbie."

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Today was a day of catching up with each other. I "locked" us all in the bonus room upstairs (not really, so please don't call DCFS), where the kids played and watched movies while I cleaned and organized all the random stuff that gets designated to the bonus room. We even ate lunch up there! It was a pleasant change. We also read lots of stories together today. And then, probably because I had missed them so much, I just had to end the day with a little sweet for them: swirled lollipops from our trip to Eureka Springs.

Can't believe I let my baby eat a lollipop...

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Today we spent a couple of hours at the zoo. From 10:00 - 11:00 the weather was pleasant, but the next hour was downright miserable. Even the kids were complaining!

One of these days I'm going to the zoo...just me, myself, and my zoom lens. 'Cause I really wanted to capture this moment UP CLOSE.

Saylor fell in love with this sweet baby. I think he liked her, too!

All Aboard the Zoo Train!

Another animal Saylor really liked. Wonder why??

We quickly made our rounds to the things we missed the last time and then headed home for lunch in the air-conditioning like good, sensible folks!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

We had plans to go skating tonight, but that didn't pan out. We had decided to cash in the kids' free chicken sandwich cards at Chick-fil-A and then let the kids play. Our dinner took a little longer than planned because the play space was closed for "clean-up" (don't ask) when we got there, so that took a while. By the time we were all fed, though, it was finally ready, so the kids got their fill of tubes and slides. For now.

Noah made friends. As usual.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Tonight was our friend's birthday party. TEN years old!! (Don't know where the time has gone.) Anyway, his mom did a Highlights Magazine party. Cute, huh?

And then while the kids played outside, my little Gabriel decided he was big stuff and hopped on this battery-powered four-wheeler and headed off into the woods all by himself!!

(Ugh. This picture is wacky-looking. That's what I get for taking this from underneath the trees and using a cell!!)

Saturday, June 12, 2010

We went to family story time at the Main Library this morning and enjoyed a KinderSongs concert. We're fans.

Wah-ha-ha!!!! I caught Noah singing and dancing!!!

Hooray for egg shakers!

Wow. Sometimes I get to the end of these posts and think, "How did we DO so much this week?!" (And occasionally--"How is it that I found myself without a REAL camera for the better part of it?") Anyway, I'm certainly glad to have a way to keep up. And I enjoy getting to know all the ladies in Sara's project. See y'all next week!