Beautiful Afternoon

This afternoon the kids and I went outside. Ben had his first trampoline experience. He had a good time rolling around and being slightly bounced.

Of course, we had to spend some time swinging too!

Going Once, Going Twice, Sold

Kent has been putting in lots of extra hours lately preparing for the big auction in Jonesboro. I hung out to take some pictures for use on the web site in the future.

Madisyn caught this pic of Ben. I gave him some milk for breakfast and it caused him to have an upset stomach. Poor Baby!

The kids got the grand job of accompanying Papaw on his rounds. They also took Papaw to the western store. I think everybody got a new pair of jeans and Madisyn got some boots that will fit in the stirrups on her saddle.

It takes a whole family

Wednesday night we went to Jonesboro and stayed with Daddy in a hotel. We were having a big auction on Thursday and this was the best way to spend some time with Dad. An overnight trip is not as easy as it used to be and thankfully everyone can chip in and help.

He Walks!

Ben took his first step today. Granted he only moved one foot before diving towards me but it counts. I think the most we have gotten up to so far is 4 steps. It won't be long and I'll be saying "Why did I ever encourage him to walk?!?"

Saturday night fever

What better way to end the week --

Get a girly do! Snack on the Hancock's sales paper - it's fiber!
Show Momma the best use of knitting needles!
Cheese it up!
Make funny faces!

End the evening by chillin'!

Boys just wanna have fun

There is something about messing up someone else's living room that makes it more fun!
I refuse to let go and walk!

Tell me a story

Today we decided to visit Aunt Robin and Raegen. Raegen has a basket of books on the fireplace. He brought several to Madisyn and kept handing them to her. After two or three she figured he wanted her to read to him.
Isn't that soooo sweet! I think she enjoyed it, her brothers won't sit still that long!

Paintin' Rainbows in the Sky

As part of our Noah's Ark study, we also painted rainbows. We not only talked about the symbolism of a rainbow but also the science/art aspect. I think the whole light separates into colors thing was a bit much but they thoroughly enjoyed learning that rainbows always put the colors in the same order - ROY G. BIV. Hmm, which one of my science teachers gets credit for teaching me that acronym?

How big was the Ark?

This week in Tapestry of Grace we have backed up and are studying Genesis. The authors of TOG suggest that Moses wrote Genesis as an encouragement to the Israelites when they were wandering in the wilderness. Since we feel this is possible, we left the order of the studies in Tapestry as they were.

Part of the beginning of Genesis is learning about the flood and Noah's Ark. The ark was 300 cubits long and 50 cubits wide. The author suggested giving each child an 18" long piece of string to represent a cubit and measure the ark out doors, marking the corners. We started with string and began on the neighbors fence. I took a few pictures and we began. Maybe I don't have enough children or maybe my children aren't old enough to do this but a 3, 5 and 7 year old with a piece of string was not working! Our line wasn't straight, before the next person was ready with their string person #1 had moved. It was a nightmare!!! I couldn't imagine trying to mark off 300 of them when we couldn't even get 3. I think this could work with something solid like 18" pieces of 2x4s or dowel rod. Then the pieces could be laid on the ground end to end.

So I borrowed a wheel measure-er. I doubt that's the proper term but that is what we called it. Once again we began on the neighbor's fence. Everyone had a turn pushing the wheel. Our entire yard is only 425'. We continued on into the other neighbor's yard but I didn't let them mark it. Then we measured how far 5o cubit was. From the ditch, 75 feet will put you half-way between the house and the starting point. I think the kids were really surprised at how big it was - I know I was! No wonder it took Noah and his sons so long to build. They had no modern machinery, they didn't even have a nail gun. LOL

The one that (almost) got away

**** WARNING *****



Not for the faint of heart. Decapitated snake picture ahead.





Friday the kids and I made a trip to the library. When we got home I began to carry our things in the house when I saw "it". The snake that got away. I'm sure in Griffin's mind it will continue to get bigger. This will serve as proof to his children and grandchildren that he wasn't bitten by a deadly pit viper (kind of like the story about walking to school uphill both ways in the snow).



It was stretched out in front of the door going into the house from the garage. It was a little longer than the door is wide but not as wide as the 4 foot sections of plywood on the garage walls. I screamed at the kids to get back in the van. I got a hoe. I called my husband. He gave advice. I hung up the phone. I looked at the snake. He was still pretty much stretched out. He raised his head up off the ground. I'm sure I screamed. If I didn't, I thought about it. I swung the hoe. . . . .



I MISSED!!!



Now Mr. Snake was really mad. He coiled up and was lifting his head much higher. He was darting his tongue and hissing. I began to shake. I called my husband. I begged him to come home. He said he would. Did I mention we live about 25 minutes from his lot? Twenty-five minutes is a long time when you are 4 feet from a snake. I watched him. I let the children who were begging for a potty break get out of the van on the driver's side (the snake was at the front passenger's side). They went around the entire house and entered through the back door.

I waited. I waited. I shook all over. I waited. I called. I waited. I shook some more. I called again. I waited.

Kent arrived. I really don't think I've been much happier to see him, ever! One of my lovely children (I'm guessing of the male variety) had pushed a furniture dolly up by the door. The snake was partly on the dolly between it and the wall. Which is part of the reason I missed. I had to raise the hoe up high enough to get between the dolly and the wall. And you know I was going no closer than absolutely necessary. I was holding the very end of the hoe. When he coiled I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get a clean blow just behind the head and then I would have a really angry snake.

Kent carefully slid the dolly out from under the snake. Then he used the dolly to hold it down. It took a few attempts to get a clean cut but the snake was finally headless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now - can I ignore the fact that Madisyn says she saw another the next day!

Palin speech

I don't come from a politically active family. Kent doesn't either. No signs in the yard, no campaign stickers. The first time Bush ran I picked up a sign but it never made it in the yard. The 2nd time we looked for one of those "W" bumper stickers (with our last name it was super cool ;) ) but I never found one. John McCain wasn't our first choice for the Republican ticket but like most of the rest of the party, we became very excited when he chose Sarah Palin for his running mate. So much so that we went to Kent's parent's house Wednesday night after church to watch her give her acceptance speech. (We cut our broadcast TV off in May - we only watch tapes and DVDs now.)

Ben watching the speech with me.

The Sonic cup was empty but there is still something about a red straw.

I have to say, I very excited about what she adds to the ticket. I'm not in favor of women in such a high position. I believe that women should tend to their families and their homes - but that's another post. :) I think Sarah Palin will greatly enhance the office of Vice President and what I know about her (I want to learn more) I wouldn't be afraid of her as President. I can see her running when McCain is done. She has just as much "experience" (if not more) than Obama or Hillary.

While the adults enjoyed Rudy's speech and that given by Palin, the boys tried to see how much of the snack drawer they could raid - Isn't that half the fun of going to Nana and Papaw's? ;)

Life's not always fair

and sometimes life happens at the fair.

Madisyn and Ty have been raising chickens as part of the Arkansas 4-H poultry chain. Each 4-H'er can get chickens (we had to purchase ours but not all counties require that) and raise them for the fair. Because Madisyn and Ty aren't old enough they can only show on the county level.

After the chickens has blood pulled, they were sorted into their new homes for the week.
Madisyn and Ty are each showing a pen of three and a single chicken. The judging is today and we will find out how they did on Saturday or Sunday when we go to pick them up.