Playgroup at the Petting Zoo

We had so much fun at our playgroup yesterday. We went to Petit Jean where they have a petting zoo, horse rides, a tractor pull and more. I wish I had my video camera - Ava was more excited than any other kid there. She could not believe that she was standing next to pigs and goats. She literally ran from one animal to another; it was really funny to watch. Her favorite thing (shocking to me) was horseback riding. She rode the horse 3 times and after everyone was finished and they were putting the horses up, the girl came and found us and let Ava ride the horse to its little home. She just had a permanent smile on her face. So cute!! Sam enjoyed himself too, but I have no pictures of him because he was strapped to my chest.

This poor kitten may never be the same again after Ava was finished holding her!

This hungry duck wanted some food and chased Ava around for a while.

Such a fun day!!!

Home Sweet Home

Even though the lake was beautiful, I don't think you appreciate your own home until you travel with children!! We came home yesterday from the lake, and even though it was not as bad as I anticipated, I am so glad to be home. The first day the kids and I just got used to the surroundings and walked to the water about a dozen times. It was a very long day and my kids are usually in bed by 7:00, but it is different when they are not at home. Ava finally gave in at 9:00 and we were both exhausted. The next day my dad and Andrea came down to help and it went well. I got to go shopping for a couple hours and they completely wore the kids out so it was a 7:00 night (thank goodness for that.) I got most of what I needed accomplished, but there is still quite a bit of work to be done. Thank you so much to Andrea and Daddy for your help!

Funny Story - James called the first night and asked if I had caught the lizard in the bathtub. I was like, "Yeah right." It completely sounded like something he would say to freak me out, but I did not believe him. The next day Andrea called me from the bathroom asking if it was a toy. It was a green, icky lizard - AAAARRRGHHH! My dad and Ava caught it (she thought that was hysterical and is still talking about it) and put it outside with its mommy. Thank goodness!

Conversation with Ava at breakfast:

Sam had a monkey on his pajama shirt that we were talking about.

Me: "How does a monkey go?"

Ava: "Ooh Ooh Aah Aah"

Me: "Sometimes you are a monkey, aren't you!"

Ava: (adamantly) "NO! Sam is a monkey boy. Ava is a flower girl!"

I didn't take a picture of every room and I wish that I would have taken some before shots, but just imagine nothing there!! Here is the almost finished living room.

Master Bedroom

The other rooms have bedding, but not anything else. More to come!

Off to Hot Springs

The kids and I are leaving in the morning for Hot Springs. My job while there is to get the condo ready for visitors next week. As I already mentioned, the thought of decorating and putting all of that together is just awful and more than I can take! I wish that I was someone who loved doing all of that, but I am not. Not to mention my two little helpers!! I will not have a computer either which is ridiculous, but I will probably get a lot more done that way! I am sure I will have lots of pictures to post when I get back.

Here are some pictures I took today before and after our swim. Sam ALWAYS has a smile for the camera!

This is what it looks like when I say "Give Sam a hug."

It is not easy to get all of us ready to swim!! And then to get all of us back inside and into our dry clothes - not to mention all of the laundry that makes for me! But they love it so much, it is definitely worth it. Ava likes to sit in the grass for a while after we swim - she has thrown a fit EVERY time so far when it is time to go inside. Maybe I will get that picture next time.

I hope everyone has a great week!

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We Have Liftoff!

Sam is officially crawling. He was scooting with his hands for a day or two, but he has it figured out now. He is so funny because if you leave the room he will cry for a couple minutes until he realizes that he can follow you! If he is after something (especially something that he shouldn't be getting into) he has the most intense look on his face - very cute!


This video was taken in my office/workout/storage room. Sam wakes up a good hour before Ava so we find a spot and play. Also, please ignore my annoying baby talk voice. I never realize I sound like that until I hear it!!!

Happy Birthday AJ!

My nephew, AJ, celebrated his 9th birthday yesterday! I can't believe he is already 9 - time flies!!! He is such a sweet and unique kid!! My favorite memories of AJ are of when I was teaching in Dardanelle and would stop by at Erica's for lunch. AJ was probably Ava's age. When it was time to go back to work, AJ would go put his shoes on and sometimes even go sit in my car. He wanted to go with me EVERY time and he was a persistent little guy. It was so cute and it is hard to think that they are all getting older and not so little any more.


The birthday boy and Sam. AJ was dying to take Sam down the big slide - he had to settle for this baby slide!

All morning Ava talked about wearing pigtails like Haven. I warned Erica beforehand and Haven showed up with pigtails. That made Ava's day!

Picnic Playdate

We made the drive to Sherwood yesterday to spend the day with Carla and Lucas. Lucas is such a cutie and he is a walking fool - I am very impressed. We had a picnic lunch in the backyard and then went for a swim in Lucas' pool. My kids loved the picnic and the water. Sam soaked everyone - I am not sure Lucas will invite him back!! Ava was so funny because she was scared of Lucas; if he was crawling or walking toward her, she would run to me screaming - "He is going to get me!!!"

I did have a minor tragedy. After complaining to Carla about how much I hate my camera and totally want a new (and expensive) one, I accidentally (honest) dunked into the water when I was putting Sam in. I totally forgot it was hanging from my arm and it is DEAD!! So I am temporarily without a camera which is pretty awful, but maybe I will get a new and improved one soon!! Carla took these and shared them with me before I left!!

Isn't he the cutest little guy?

Sam soaked everyone including me!!

Ava had so much fun. The pool had a palm tree topper and all day she talked about swimming in the jungle.

Who Knew???

We had our first family day in the pool yesterday and it was so much fun!!! After Ava's swimming lessons, I really thought it was going to be a struggle to get her in the pool. We were actually kicked out of the last lesson because she was upsetting the other kids. She was a little fish yesterday - she kicked her way around the pool and jumped in like a wild woman!! Watch out Michael Phelps!! I pretty much knew that Sam would love it and he did - the only problem is that he wants to do what Ava is doing and I don't have four arms. He will only sit in that seat for so long until he is really struggling to get out. While he was in the seat, he laughed and splashed. He is such a little cutie!

She kept saying "kick, kick, kick" and did not want to stop. She blew bubbles, sat on the step, and jumped in under the water.

This is just the first of many pool days to come!!