packing

one of my sons is packed & ready to go for a weekend of fun in north platte with grandpa pete, grandma paulette & brad's sister's family. the kids are sure looking forward to playing in the pool with their cousins.

we were double-checking his suitcase this morning.

inventory:
1 pair sweatpants
1 pair grass stained jeans
2 t-shirts
5 dvds
1 blanket
1 monkey
1 football

in the most gigantic suitcase we have.

after 3 more trips downstairs for essentials like
swimming suit
socks
undies
nice looking jeans
nice looking shirt

we're good to go.

at least 1 of us is anyway.

Great Start

We're off to a great start for the 2009-2010 school year. The kids have enjoyed it so far & there hasn't been TOO much homework!

Yeah!

And, fortunately 2/4 of the kids in school have teachers that have a policy of no homework on Wednesdays or Fridays. I'm going to have to send them chocolate. Seriously.

The school here is implementing the Reading Mastery program this year. It sounds like it's been quite a transition, but the kids seem to like it so far. Probably because the work is mostly done at school, so overall homework is less! And there are no spelling tests to study for! Spelling is incorporated into the reading program.

I'd give those 2 things alone a thumbs up: less homework & no spelling tests.

Cooper started preschool this week. He's going on Tuesday mornings for this year. I drop him off & the handi-bus takes him to Billie Jo's when he's done. He loves Marv on the bus. Of course what preschooler doesn't love Marv? What on earth will Chase County do when Marv retires? That person will have big shoes to fill, especially in the eyes of the preschoolers who ride each week!

Cooper & I have been eating lunch at the school with the kids each Wednesday. It's been a lot of fun. If you're looking for a time to interact with LOTS of kids at once, the lunchroom is a sure bet. I've enjoyed that time with them & it's a bonus for them because on that day they get to have slushies. Come to think of it, maybe that's why they like it when I'm there...

Fair Rides 2009

These pictures short of show how much fun the fair was. You'll have to come see for yourself next year!!

If you notice, Hunter is not in many of the pictures. He didn't hang out a lot near the camera...

Demo Derby

Our alley was a chop shop for a few weeks before fair. It was great. Our neighbor Kelsey was working on his demolition derby car & our kids got to "help" nearly every evening.

Thank you Kelsey for letting them hang out with you in your garage! And letting them paint their names on your car? That was the highlight of their summer!

Jake & Josh (brothers & neighbors down the street) also worked on their cars, so for a few days there was a lot of activity just across from our yard.

I can see Parker & Hunter gleaning experience for their future derbies. Hunter is already counting the years before he can have his own car to smash up.

Chloe's Sheep Ride

Chloe did great in Mutton Bustin' this year. It was her first ride! We couldn't talk Kamrie into trying it "No way!" she said. Cooper's pumped about doing it next year.

Firemen's Fun Day 09

Finally! Pictures from Firemen's Fun Day on July 4th. Great day with tons of fun.

Parker's Birthday Pictures

We celebrated Parker's birthday in McCook with supper at Mac's & then a trip to their fair. The boys got to ride a few rides but the girls if you notice didn't. They didn't get their room clean that day, so they were pretty teary-eyed standing watching at the sidelines. We did presents for Parker in the parking area, unusual yes, but fun. Then the kids & I headed on to Kearney for the weekend.

Croc Dock Finale

We had a great time last month at the Crossroads Kidz Crocodile Dock water party. It was a fun & wet way to polish off a fabulous series at church.

no time to write

sorry guys. there won't be many posts the next few days (as if there's been many in the past few weeks...) we're having fun at the fair.

don't be expecting many pictures afterward either, because i'm
busy
riding
rides.

can you say mega-pass-wearing-mama?

i've done them all except the bumper cars. i even have a bit of a hickey-looking-raspberry spot on my shoulder from the kamikaze.

it
was
fun.

sorry, gotta go get my money's worth!

i do have pictures of kelsey, our neighbor, who is getting his demolition derby car ready. that's tonight. we're totally there!

the boys especially have enjoyed
every
minute
of watching/helping kelsey with his car the last few weeks.

every night the last few weeks have been dedicated to preparing a little ford mustang for some major damage.

we'll be some of kelsey's biggest fans tonight during the compact division!

The Big 9

Parker's birthday was July 30. I can't believe he's already 9. He's my child who is always willing to
work
hard.

He loves a challenge--just ask his teachers--and he always wants to do his best. He's very self-motivated and also generous. He's always the first to say thank you.

We're blessed to have him in our family.