White River Water Carnival

OK~ So the Water Carnival is one of my favorite things about living in Batesville. From the first year I lived here to present day, I have been to some aspect of the event (river activities, parade, etc...). More recently, like the past 5 years, I have been working with the White River Pageant Association. This was my lucky year-HAHA!!! Somehow, I ended up chairing the WRPA. I leaned a lot on a new great friend of mine, Mark Sparks. But there is just something about being the one ultimately in charge. Especially if the ship is going down. Don't get me wrong, I do love the pageant and when it gets to the week of, I really do enjoy working and watching, but the preparation is unreal. I guess that is true with any production. My main qualm is that people are under the assumption that if they can't or just don't want to complete their duty that the chairman will either find someone to complete the task or do it HERSELF (in my case). Matt has been a trooper through the whole ordeal, although he kept asking where the perks were. This sort of thing is not really his "cup of tea." It's kind of been my tradition to "take off" on Saturday and spend the day with my kids. That was really a lifesaver this year because I don't think I could have done one more consecutive day. So, we went to the parade and down to the river to check out the festivities going on down there. It is kind of a tradition now that we watch the parade at our good friends (watch out, here comes a hyperlink), the Brisseys, so we just spent the entire day with them. The two "queens" are our last years Miss White River and White River's Outstanding Teen, who is now Arkansas' Outstanding Teen. It was a scorcher, but we had fun!

BEFORE

AFTER

I figured, as hot as it is outside, now was as good a time as any to try it. Although some of you really thought they needed a good haircut, I just can't get used to it. It is growing back out.

It's (past) Time for the Fair

I say past time because the fair was actually last week, but I am just now getting around to posting about it. We went with some friends of ours and I am so glad we did because Rhett really had a good time getting to ride the rides with one of his best buddies. We walked around and saw all of the animals and then went on to the rides. Both boys loved everything the got on. While we were there, we ran into another family who also go to Mrs. Linda's with our boys. Their little girl and Rhett are absolutely in love. We call this a picture of their first car date. Did you know there was such a thing as a wheat funnel cake? I didn't either and I don't recommend it.

We're Baaaaack

We have returned from our vacay in the great town on Branson, Missouri.

We really didn't have much down time to relax, but we did have a good time, with more than enough excitement thrown in.

The first night we were there, we went down to The Landing, which is an outdoor mall with restaurants, a water fountain and light show, and a few sidewalk vendors.

Rhett made his first Build a Bear. It is a dog, whose name WAS JoJo. Between the time we made the birth certificate and got to the register his name was changed to Bear. His name has since changed to Spiderman Dog, since the clothes we bought for him are a Spiderman costume.

The next day, we got up and went to Silver Dollar City with Laura and Alex. Rhett rode lots of rides and Grant was even able to ride several things (we even snuck him on one ride-don't worry, he was not in danger at any time).

When we got home from SDC we went down to the indoor pool so the kids could swim. The floor was tile and what do you know?????? One of my kids fell and got hurt. Grant was just standing there when his feet slipped out from under him and he fell face first onto the tile floor. His front bottom two teeth when all the way through his lip and one of his front top teeth was chipped pretty bad. We were on our way to the ER when we called ahead to see what, if anything they could do for him. They said since he was so small that they would not stitch it and that we should just keep ice on it and get the swelling down and get it to stop. It is healing quite nicely, but I will be taking him to see about getting his tooth filed and evened out a bit. Good thing we know a good dentist!

For the remainder of the trip, Grant couldn't eat much. His poor lip was so swollen. The next night we went to eat at Red Lobster and we got Grant a smoothie. He loved it! He also at a bowl of applesauce. I guess the soft/cold felt good on his lip. Poor Big Mac got stuck at the end of the table between all the kids. At least he was in the shade, which was more than we can say for all the rest of us.

After dinner we went to see Noah, which was great. A little long-but good. The kids really liked all the animals and that Big Mac is such a sucker. They all went down at intermission and came back with the biggest, furriest animals for sale in the gift shop (plus, drinks for all). Oh, and Matt got in trouble for putting the boys up on the lion.

On Thursday, before we left, we had to go ride go carts. I guess it is a McDonald thing. Matt and Laura have a little friendly competition with their kids. I guess I will have to get involved when Grant is old enough to ride. Look out! Grant and I will be on your tail.

Thanks Mom Tom and Big Mac for the wonderful trip! We had a GREAT time! And thanks for the Krispy Kreme Donuts. They really hit the spot!

To Sustain Till the 4th

I will be out of the blog world until the 4th. I thought I would give you a little bit to hold you over until our return. Mitzi, hold that baby boy in till I get back. Everyone else, blog away, so I have lots to read when I get back. I know I will be having withdrawls.

Grant loves playing with the Mr. Potato Head stuff. We have acquired a very large amount of it. Matt and I got them the first kit, their babysitter got them some more for their birthdays, my mom got them a NYC kit when she went their on a trip and somehow we have extra pieces galore. These glasses are Grant's favorite accessory and he really likes to wear them.

Kid's got some MAD soccer skills. And he looks good too. Need I say more...

Finally Invited to Join In

Grant was more than thrilled today when Rhett finally invited him to join in the costume fun. Rhett pretty much wears a costume 24/7 around here. He even wears it out occasionally if he can talk us into it. Really, I could care less if he wears a costume to Wal-Mart in June, but Matt thinks he should wear real clothes. So don't tell him if you see us there incognito (Spiderman, Power Ranger, etc...). Anyway, Grant was soooo excited! I took a few pics of them posing together and then Rhett ditched him. I think Grant thought that was his ticket in for eternity. Don't get me wrong, they play really well together sometimes, but sometimes Rhett would just rather Grant leave him alone. Check out the disappointment in Grant's face in the second pic after being abandoned. Oh so sad. Don't worry, Rhett came back for him after a few minutes.

Next Sunday~Decided

He is going to be so embarrassed when he gets older. I did do a little photoshopping to make it a little less painful for him down the road.

Grant decided for himself what he would like to do next Sunday since he is all grown up now. He would like to potty train himself! We have had the little potty out for a while now and Grant really likes to sit on it but never does anything. I had taken the boys swimming today at a friend's house around the corner and I forgot to take a dry diaper with us. I never let the boys get in their car seats wet because I can't stand the smell in my car. So, we risked it. Yep, we drove home with 2 Nakey Boy Super Heroes (that's what you are called around here when you are well, naked-you know, out of the tub, just got done swimming, etc...). When we walked in the door I told Grant to go get a diaper and we would put it on him. Instead, he ran to the bathroom, sat down on his potty and pee peed!!!!! HOORAY!!! Actually, most of it sprayed in front of him, but hey for a first timer that went all by himself, I say he did pretty darn good. Of course we made a huge deal out of it, clapped, cheered, and rewarded with the favorite candy (this week gummy worms). After all that hooplah, Rhett jumps on the big boy potty, goes and wants a treat too. This could take a lot of candy to get Grant trained. I am not sure I am quite ready to start rigorous potty training at this point, but what can I say if he is going to do it himself?!

My Baby is Growing Up

Two big Sundays in a row around here. Last Sunday, I took Grant's bobo (pacifier) away. He didn't really seem to be bothered that much by it considering how attached he was to the thing. When I put him to bed he did kick his feet at me when he realized I wasn't about to supply him with his treasured bobo. I kissed him and left the room. He laid there and mumbled about it for just a little bit. Never whined or cried at all and then went to sleep. He did get to keep his "soffing blanket." He pinches up a little bit of a blanket and rubs it on his upper lip (used to be on his bobo). Every now and then he will come out of some dark corner with a long lost bobo in his mouth and I just take it away and tell him he doesn't need one anymore. It has gone very smoothly!

Yesterday was a big day as well. Grant, my precious Baby Grant, graduated to a toddler bed. I can't believe he is big enough for that. I actually made the transition early in the day. He played in his new bed, practiced laying down in it, and played in it. He was thrilled! When nap time came around he climbed up in his bed, got his blanket, and laid his head down. When I left the room I did hear him up milling around in his room and playing. After just a few minutes it got quiet in there so I peeked in. He was sound asleep in his bed, an entire box of wipes spread all around the room, several toys out, and three extra blankets in bed with him, but asleep none the less. I call that a success! When bed time rolled around, I put him to bed, turned out the light, and left the room. Not a sound was heard. He didn't get up at all. He went right to sleep. I guess he is somewhat of a big boy now. What a big week! What shall I do next Sunday?

Kid's table

I have been hounding my mom to locate (in her garage) the table I had as a little girl and for her to paint it for my boys to use to eat at. I am telling you, I have been on this kick for a long while. Well, I guess she finally got tired of me asking and caved in. She found the long lost table, but the chairs were long gone. So, she went to Hobby Lobby (man, I love that store) and found the cutest little stools. We met for a weekend at Sara's house and she painted the table and stools so cute. Here are a couple pictures of the boys eating at their new table. They just love it!!

Weeks ago!

WOW am I waaaayyy behind here. Several weeks ago, Pepaw and Carla (my dad and his wife) came to visit. They always get a hotel room and swimming at the pool there is the highlight of the visit. (See how behind I am, the outdoor pools were not even open yet.) They weren't here long, but we did have a good time visiting and swimming.