Freezing and Fun on the First Day of Fall

For the first day of Fall, it got down into the lower 60s and sprinkled most of the day. I sat in a workshop with the air conditioning running full blast. I'm normally hot natured, but I felt like I was freezing. I almost drove to a store to find something warm to wear.

For something fun, we used the car pan that Beth baught us to make some fun car cupcakes. We enjoyed decorating them this evening.

I know we had more fun than you :-) by Richard

Sucker Drawing

Alyssa drew Richard and I a picture of some suckers yesterday while Nana was here. When we got home she said she wanted to give them to us. And then she said (while looking serious and moving her hand in a serious manner), "Those are suckers. Not like the 'You Suck' kind, but ones that you eat!" Nana, Richard, and I just all had to turn our backs to her and laugh.

You NEVER know what kids will say!

Summer Activities

True Texans, born and raised! (Even James and Faith, who needed to be in the picture, too!)

War Eagle Mill, Arkansas - a real working grist mill - they make fabulous grains, flours, mixes, jams, jellies, etc. The Pense Family Reunion at Lake Fort Smith, ArkansasAlvis Pense made toys for all the kiddos at the reunion - he signed Alyssa's tractor for her.smoked catfish

Glenn and Richard visiting at Tanya's wedding.

Swim Lessons at our community pool for the kids.Eating a Slim Jim from Uncle Bryan - could it get any more "boy" than this???

First Day on New Job...What a Day!

I really should keep a journal this year about all the crazy and funny stuff that happens my first year as principal, because on my first day it already started!

On my way to work, with the kids in tow, I was thinking about all the stuff Ineeded to do. First on my agenda was actually cleaning my new office out, moving my things in, and just "getting settled."

I filled four trashcans with stuff that needed to go and 3 boxes of things the prior principal left that I need to send over to her. Actually, I think there was one whole trashcan full of Lysol wipes, because I used a TON of them. The place was filthy. I took EVERYTHING out of the closet and cleaned it from top to bottom.

While I was doing all this cleaning, the kids were playing and "helping." We started moving my things in from my old office, and the kids were a big help with that. They loved emptying my drawers and shelves and helping Mom get settled. Jonathan even helped me plug in my computer.......his Dad has trained him well! But mostly they just played.

Anyway, after lunch I got waxed into the main office by the crew. They put fresh wax down on the floors at both entrances, so we were stuck until it dried.......no one in and no one out for over an hour. And, as luck would have it, that's when a parent showed up to ask about enrolling her child! The crew caught her outside and told her that she couldn't go in because of the wax, and then they proceeded to bring her to my window and knock until I came. So, this poor mom's first impression of me is through a window (I was in shorts and somewhat sweaty from cleaning all day) while we talked about enrollment dates. It made us both laugh, but it was still sort of awkward. All in all, though, it was a good day. I got the place clean, and I got all my things moved over.

Riding Bikes and Eating Steaks

Today Jonathan learned to ride his bike, "Painkiller", without the training wheels. It took a while, and he was at first upset and wanted to give up. He even had his moments of just walking away from it, but we made him continue. And, by the end.......he was riding it himself and having a good time. Alyssa was a great cheerleader, and she kept yelling good things at her brother. She also rode her bike up and down the sidewalk........soon we'll get ride of her training wheels, too! To celebrate, we made miniature rootbeer floats and watched the video of him learning to ride. It was a great evening. My mom also came today for lunch, and she brought steaks that we grilled. It was a great visit and a great lunch.

Don't Do It!!!!

Mom, we know you thought you weren't in a lot of Fourth of July pictures, but you don't have to end it! Really!
Love you! :-)

Summer Vacation and 4th of July

We had a great trip to Silver Dollar City. We took our nephew, Teddy, with us. We wondered how it would be with a Kindergartener, a First Grader, and a Second Grader on vacation, but it was surprisingly very relaxing. The kids behaved well, and they had a great time. Teddy rode a lot of rides with Richard and I.....he's a bit fearless, so that was really fun. My two munchkins rode rides, too, but Alyssa screamed the entire time on all of them.....and in the lines on the way to get on them! Then when the rides were over, at least for most of them, she said she liked them.......go figure! The weather was great.....low 80s for the high each day, which was awesome! Even getting soaked on the water rides was fun.....one day we all ate lunch soaking wet! The hotel where we stayed had a dalmation statue right as you come in the lobby, so Alyssa had to pet it each day and have a picture before we left. The first day we were there, we ordered pizza for dinner and had it delivered to the hotel because everyone was so tired. Then when it arrived, we realized we didn't have plates! So, we introduced the kids to creative problem solving and eating pizza like college kids.....we made plates out of the box lids! They thought it was funny, but they enjoyed the pizza.

Skunk Boy! Jonathan just happened to be wearing black and white, and then he put on a skunk skin hat which made him really look like a skunk. He, of course, thought it was very funny!
"Milking" a cow in the new barnyard area of Silver Dollar City. The boys tried to milk the fake cow, and they did okay. But then Richard showed them how a pro does it.......not bad for a city boy from Tulsa!
On the way back we stopped at the Precious Moments Chapel and let the kids stretch their legs. They enjoyed stopping and walking around, I think. And it was a good thing for Jonathan to see since he loves Art so much.

The Fourth of July was spent at Beth's House, and we shot fireworks in her front yard. There was a lot of cooking and a lot of shooting........we had a good time. And we all enjoyed seeing the newest member of the family, Baby Will.

On the fifth we went to Jerry and Cindy's house to visit and swim. The kids spent 3 hours in the pool and had a great time....but I think Richard had the best time of all the kids! Jonathan, however, about slept through dinner afterwards! He was so tired from all the swimming. And, both kids slept ALL the way home and then until 8:30 this morning. They were really worn out from all the fun. All in all, it was a good trip, a relaxing time with family, and a great time together.