The same evening that we went on top of the mountain we decided to go fishing. This was Joel 2nd fishing trip. He was so thrilled that was going fishing with mommy and Grandpa Rick. We went to a small pond of a friend of our Grandpa Bob where he use to work in Mena. The lady had turned her farm into a little private Christian resort. She doesn't let too many go out there to just fish, but we were Grandpa's family. We went in the area of the resort call Back to Africa. The area is decorated with African things, and even a African Cabin. It was so beautiful there. Joel thought it was cool that he could be on the Crocadile.
When we first started fishing we were getting small fish. Joel even caught a fish. So he had a milestone "Catching his First Fish!" He was so proud of himself, okay Mommy helped a little. He wanted to take it home, but we got him convinced that he had to go back into the water. I think we caught about 40 small fish that night that we had to put back. About after 1hr and 40 minutes Joel got bored with fishing. So he went back with Grandma Lil and Grandpa Bob to their house to hang and have fun. So Joel got to have some quality time just with his great-grandparents and himself. While my dad and I got to spend some father and daughter time fishing at the pond. We really have not just hung out, and did something together like that. My dad was thrilled to have his daughter fish and talk with him. We finally decided to take off our bobbers (one it was getting too dark to see them) and fish the bottom. Soon as we did we were catching the bigger fish. We caught nine catfish that we were able to keep, and eventually eat. I caught three, and my dad caught 6 with one being the biggest of the night.
It was so much fun to watch Joel's excitement on his face with his first fish that he caught, and just to enjoy the Arkansas country side. It was also a blast to see my dad enjoy not only fishing with me, but he enjoyment of helping Joel fish, and tell him about the different kinds of fish. Cant wait to do it again.
Our grandparents and my dad live with in the Ouachita Mountains. Which are so beautiful year round really. But I love the late spring and mid fall. One thing we do is go up on Rich and Iron Mountains every time we are there. Which both are in the Ouachita National Forest. It really is not like most mountain drives that has sharp curves, steep hills to deal with, but there are some in Arkansas that do that. So day one late morning early afternoon we went up to the mountains. Grandpa, Grandma, my Dad, Joel, and I all went up together. It is hotter on top of the mountains than what it is in the valley mesa where our family lives.
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| Lake Willamena in Back |
We pulled over at a couple of the look out areas where you can take some neat pictures of the mountain areas. I caught some beautiful ares with my new camera which I truly love because it really catches detail. At one look area you can see Lake Willamena in the distance like in the picture. When I crop the picture just focusing on the lake you can see the old hatchery building there. At this look out we are around an hour away (due to mountain terrian)
On top of Rich Mountain they have a lodge, camping area, and a old train that you can get up on. Joel loves this train. So he requests to see it every time we go. You can only go in where the train engine is. This time Joel, my dad, and I got up there. Grandma snapped the picture for us. Joel loves to pretend he is driving the train. He said, "Some day I will have my own train, and I will name it Bubba, because Thomas the Train doesn't have a Bubba friend." He is so hillarious. But it is true there is no Bubba train on Thomas the Train and Friends show.
One of the new things that Joel got to see while we were up there was the Rich Mountain Fire Tower. He has never seen it. I did when I was a preteen. The tower is a little ways from where the train sits. We can drive up to it. Just the park rangers can go up on this one. So , Joel was a little bummed on that one, but he got over it. I am really glad that you can not go up and see out the top. There are some in Arkansas that you can go up. There is no way I can handle all those stairs. My dad and grandparents would have no business doing it either, but they would give it their best shot anyway.
The Ouachita Mountains fun was quite the time. Between the awesome views, wonderful plant and tree life, and even the wonderful drives that takes you through this area. Sometimes you never know what you will find or discovered. A year ago we found our turtle along this beautiful area. Sometime people will see other animals such as deer, bears, birds, and many more animals. We have seen deer and birds, but not much more that that.
On Memorial day we left with our Grandparents to their house in Mena, Arkansas. It was a long day driving down there. It was close to 8 hours. We had lots of fun though. We left at 8ish in the morning, and got there aroun 5-6pm. Joel and Grandma rode in the back, Grandpa drove, and I rode in the front passenger seat. We stopped a few times on the way down there to go potty, and stretch our legs. We decided to take snacks for in the car so we didn't have to buy snacks anywhere. Joel mostly colored, played with toys, and watched movies. We stopped in Bella Vista, Arkansas and had a short picnic lunch at the little road stop right when you get in town. Joel loved it because he watched the geese across the street play. Then we were off again on the road.
On the way Joel tried to be our little navigator. He was hilarious as he tried to read a map. I think the map was as big as he was. I wanted to laugh so hard. He had fun though trying to tell us where to go. Good thing Grandpa knew exactly where he was going because he travels it all the time to and from Iowa. Grandma showed him on the map where we were, and where we were going. At one time said, "Man it is a long way, time to get a plane." Wonderful words that come out of the mouth of babes.
There are so many things to see on the way down to our grandparents house. One of the places that we see all the time on the road is the Bobby Hopper Tunnel. It is a tunnel that goes through a mountain. I usually end up closing my eyes in the tunnel because for some odd reason with the lights and driving makes me get motion sick. It is the only place that does that to me. Joel thinks the tunnel is very cool. On the way back to Iowa I kept my eyes open through the tunnel. Needless to say I felt horrible. The only other time that I ever kept my eyes open was when I had to drive through it a couple of years ago in my old car.
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| Last Day |
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| First Day |
The school year went really fast this year. Joel enjoyed his year at preschool at Headstart/ Pretend Kindergarten. His teachers did very well with him. He learned so much. He first started in the young class in the morning, but do to him getting board (because he was ahead and older than most of them, plus it being a very naughty class) we switched him to the afternoon. He really flurished in that class.
He made some good friends in the class. He even had a couple of "girlfriends." LOL! He would come home everyday and talk about what he learned and what he did with his friends.
You can see a little bit of the change from the first day to the last day. He got glasses a couple of months into the year after we found out his eye sight was not the greatest. It was amazing to know that Joel was learning very well. Doctors had no idea how he was learning at all. Just part of my son being smart and learning how to compensate for almost 4 yrs. He grew several inches over the school year. Even a whole shoe size.
Joel went from being able to just write a few letters and no numbers to writing all his letters and most of his numbers. Not bad for being considering his age, because he is considered a young four due to his birthday. Even though he can do things above kindergarten level. Not bragging or being proudful. Just that it is amazing how much my child loves to learn, and how much he learned when he had poor eyesight for almost 4yr.
Joel was sad when he found out it was his last day of school. He told me that he was going to miss his friends and his teachers. It was nice to know he enjoyed school. All year he went with nothing happening to him at school until the last day of school. On the last day of school during the last hour there a child bit Joel on the arm for no reason. I was very proud of my son. He did not bite the kid back. Instead he took the child by the arm and took him to the teacher. I don't want Joel to be a tattle tale, or be considered a sissy. I have taught my son that you don't need to pay evil for evil. He is only allowed to tell a teacher if something bad happened like getting bit, or if there is blood.
It was a fun year watching Joel grow through his learning journey at preschool this year. I can not wait what his last year of preschool has in store when he goes back this fall.
Joel and I got invited to one of my friend's daughters birthday party. I went to help with the party, and Joel went to give his buddy someone to play with since it was a girl party.
They decided to do a skating party. It was loads of fun watching the kids skate, and them enjoying music from my friend and my time to even music way older than us. It was Joel's first time skating so it was fun.
Joel tried so hard. He tried to do it himself, because the other kids didn't need any help. He soon realized he needed help. He would get right back up most of the time after falling. After about an hour he gave up, and said it was to hard, but would try another day. Plus his buddy took off his as well. It was fun to watch Joel, and the rest of the kids have a blast, but it felt so cool to be part of this milestone with my son.
One of the new things that Joel got to see while we were up there was the Rich Mountain Fire Tower. He has never seen it. I did when I was a preteen. The tower is a little ways from where the train sits. We can drive up to it. Just the park rangers can go up on this one. So , Joel was a little bummed on that one, but he got over it. I am really glad that you can not go up and see out the top. There are some in Arkansas that you can go up. There is no way I can handle all those stairs. My dad and grandparents would have no business doing it either, but they would give it their best shot anyway. 
The Ouachita Mountains fun was quite the time. Between the awesome views, wonderful plant and tree life, and even the wonderful drives that takes you through this area. Sometimes you never know what you will find or discovered. A year ago we found our turtle along this beautiful area. Sometime people will see other animals such as deer, bears, birds, and many more animals. We have seen deer and birds, but not much more that that.
On the way Joel tried to be our little navigator. He was hilarious as he tried to read a map. I think the map was as big as he was. I wanted to laugh so hard. He had fun though trying to tell us where to go. Good thing Grandpa knew exactly where he was going because he travels it all the time to and from Iowa. Grandma showed him on the map where we were, and where we were going. At one time said, "Man it is a long way, time to get a plane." Wonderful words that come out of the mouth of babes.
