Soooie!

K5 field trip #2 in 5 days was to the Seward Farms' corn maze. It was a lot like the field trips I went on as a child growing up in Arkansas. There was cotton, corn, and a hay ride. But there was a twist in this field trip that I did NOT see coming.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you ... Pig Racing.

We hold our hogs in higher esteem where I come from. But I must admit, this was belly- laughing fun. Those pigs squealed. I'm just sorry there isn't audio. I would blame this one on living in Alabama, but Seward Farms is just past State Line Road, in Mississippi. Can't say as I'm surprised. Altogether now... "Thank God for Mississippi!"

Shin Guards and Tutus

September is always a month of transition for us. We spend the month getting into our new school year routines, homework, after school activities and juggling nap schedules (or lack thereof).

The girls are both playing soccer - Madison intramural at UMS, Barclay on the YMCA team. They both enjoy it - and soccer games beat ballet recitals, hands down.

Madison started the year at a new ballet studio - Mobile Ballet. This is pretty serious stuff, as it entails a uniform based on level and will culminate with an appearance as a mouse in the Nutcracker. (No recital - hollah!)

Barclay, upon visiting Madison's first ballet class, decided that she might like to take ballet after all. Her level wears this lovely pink uniform - which she loves. On the first day, however, we were a bit scared, so, in typical fashion, I bribed her to stick it out. Here she is post-ballet class, collecting the goods. I will point out that she has since gone to ballet every day with a smile on her face and a hitch in her giddyup.

... Mac is not taking ballet. He still wanted to say "cheese."

Barclay's soccer uniform is more of a tunic/shirt dress on her. She is showing some promise as a soccer player - and even endured a double header last Saturday in the sweltering heat!

She is so cool.

Mac dresses out for Barclay's soccer games as well. He has is own ball, cleats and shin guards - also shorts that we roll down 6 times. He is so very proud.

I took this picture on the day of the Alabama-Arkansas game. Mac and Martha agreed to disagree on the subject. After all, he is her baby-Daddy. (Unfortunately, the football game did not go so well for the Hogs, but we'll get 'em next year.)

I am aware that this picture has nothing to do with this post - but poor Bear. Oh, the hours I spent dressing up Cinnamon and Kittle Lou when I was a kid. Bear has the exact same look of humiliation. The girls were so proud, they insisted that I snap a picture.

Waterville

We took Madison, four of her friends, Barclay and her friend Mae to the beach Friday night, then off to Waterville on Saturday (for 6 hours). The girls all had a blast and Kelly, Rob and I earned our keep with 7 very excited 6 and 7 year old little girls - but it really was a lot of fun. We are virtually worthless the next day!

We have NO IDEA who that random guy is in the back of that photo - but he seemed to sum up the genre of the Waterville, USA crowd, quite nicely, so I chose to include him in the blog.

Happy two month belated 7th birthday, Madison!

Summer Fun and Dive Meet UPDATE!!

Well, technically, the "dive meet update" part will come first. As it turns out, Madison actually WON the dive meet on Saturday! She won the 1 meter and the three meter and was the high point winner - which meant a medal. Pretty good stuff. She is quite the proud child!

As for the rest of our summer, we have been involved in a lot of potty training and a good bit of spontaneous dancing. Sometimes those two events collide in a most unusual way.

(please note, Mac's underwear atop Barclay's head)

We also made a trip up to school to take care of some general business. All three kids had to hop on top of the bulldog in the office and insisted on having their picture taken!

This week, the girls are going to gymnastics camp - and got some new (to them) duds to wear. After they got home, all three of them put on a "show" for us. It was mostly a very LOUD screaming rock and roll performance (all three were lead singer and on lead guitar). Also, please note Mac's "microphone".

I have been promising Ashley a picture of one of the new beds we planted around our back patio this summer - so here's a teaser!

Traffic Jams, Fudgecicles, Monkey and John Deere

Spring has sprung and we are taking advantage of the excess Vitamin D to be had outside! Barclay got home from school to a very excited Mac - waiting for his big sister.  (Madison had Creating with Clay after school today).  He donned his finest attire for the event and they got to playing.  He on his tractor, she on her bike - if only he knew how to put on the brakes!

It was time for a snack - and Daddy's fudgecicles were just what the doctor ordered.  We have learned that eating fudgecicles is best accomplished in the buff (boots and diaper excepted).

Mac went for a little walk with Monkey, enjoying their taste of afternoon freedom and no doubt entertaining our entire neighborhood!  (We are a proud combination of Arkansan and Alabamian rednecks.)

All of this excitement completely exhausted Monkey - who decided to take a siesta in the bed of the tractor.

Madison finally got home and managed to squeeze in a chapter of her newly selected Leprechaun book before the sun got too low.  A good day all around.