Summer Vacation Part 4: George Washington Carver

 Usually on the way home from Arkansas we love to go sight seeing at interseting places together. Last couple of years we were usually with family, because they would come and get us, and then bring us back. This year since we got a car in Arkansas it was just Joel and I coming back. So, as tradition goes we decided to sight see just the two of us. We try to find places that are free, or very cheap for the most part. Even though it is only 8 hours between our Grandparents house, and us; it takes longer for us. Probably because we love to sight see, and plus I have to get out to walk my legs so I don't get blood clots. We usually have to make it in two days. Which we did this time by staying in Missouri. 

Our first stop on the sight seeing tour was the George Washington Carver National Monument near Diamond, Missouri. It is a little ways off the interstate, but worth it. It is a free thing to see and do. They have interactive, and other things the children of all ages will love. Besides hearing about the history of him, and all the wonderful things he did. I was really surprised by Joel. At age 6 almost 7 I couldn't believe how interested he was in everything there. Listening to a recording of George Washington Carver's voice, to him pretending he was a raido talk show person. He loved every minute of it. Watching him soak everything up was amazing. He as so many questions even some adults would ask. Like I said in a previous blog post Joel loves history and science.

  Spending time with my little guys is so wonderful. I know that some day probably my son will care less about going sight seeing with his Mom. As for right now I will soak up every minute I have making wonderful memories with my son. We don't have a lot of money, but we have each other. We have more fun doing free and cheap things than spending tons of money. Doing cheap and free things gives a chance to do more things. Than to spend a whole bunch of money on one thing.  Really truthfully Joel didn't care about what we did as long as we were with each other, and we had fun. 

Summer Vacation Part 3: Spending Time with The Cousins

  One of the highlights of our vacations is always getting to spend time with family. This summer vacation were not only blessed to be able to spend time with our Grandparents, and my Dad, but we also got to spend time with our cousins that live in southern Arkansas. We had lunch at my Grandparents house, and then we went to the park to let all the little ones play. I think both the big and little kids had fun.

  For me it was good to see them. My cousins's Mom (my Dad's 1st cousin) died earlier this year. She was a neat woman. She loved God, and she loved her family. I know I didn't see her much because we lived apart, but we were always in each others thoughts. She would ask our Grandparents about us, and vice versa. I hate to admit it the last time I saw Julie was when her Mom died a couple years ago around Easter, and she came and stayed with me. I wanted to see my cousins to see how they are doing, and letting them know how much they are loved, and they are not alone.
  
  The last time I saw Freddie and Daniel was when they came up for the Grandma's funeral. They too stayed with us. I hadn't seen Alicia since she was beginning her teenage years. So, way too long. Now they have their own families. I hate to admit it but we (my cousins, and I make very handsome, and beautiful children). 

  We all had fun talking and getting to know each other again. I am very proud of my cousins and their families. I wished I was closer because Joel sure had a blast playing with his cousins. I think they enjoyed Joel as well. We are now able to keep more in touch thanks to facebook. We are hoping that the next time we can get down to Arkansas; we can spend time with them again. We are actually planning on Joel and I going down to where they live in Arkansas, and spend some time there. Plus maybe do some sight seeing in Southern Arkansas. 

Summer Vacation Part 2: Day in Hot Springs

  While we are visiting our family in Arkansas we always love to sight see even if we have been there before. Our Grandma had a doctor's appointment in Hot Springs, Arkansas so we made a day of it. We went to the historical downtown of Hot Springs. It is a lovely place to go. There is a lot things to see and do while you are there, but I love the historical downtown. It is neat to see and feel the warm springs (even on a hot day). Joel loves the fountains and everything as well. It is different from Iowa for sure. Fountains here are cold usually. You can actually drink the warm spring water. Just have to find the right drinking fountain. Joel and I do every time we go there. It actually had been a couple of years since we had been to Hot Springs so we were actually looking forward to it.

  We decided to tour Bathhouse Row again since it been a few years, and go into the museum to see how much Joel remembered, and to see what he liked this time around about it. He was a little more observant, and asked lots of questions this time around. He loves to contantly learn about things. I swear he is going to be a book or history and knowledge. Joel loves history and scienctific things to do and see. Which is just fine with me.

  So, once again we decided to enjoy seeing what a bathhouse looked like back in the day compared to what one looks now. It is truly different now than what it use to be. Many things have improved. Still one thing remains the same the water use comes from the Hot Springs. Now there is only one bathhouse that remains used as a bathouse. The others have been turned into different things that deal with pleasure. One is a museum showing what things were like (the one we went through), one is a hotel, one is an art gallery, one is soon to be the small version of the children's science center.


  There are many other things to see and tour in the historical downtown. You can make a whole day of it. There are walking trails that are very beautiful, but stay on the given path. There is a wax museum (we yet to go through). There are also shops and places to eat that are awesome. I suggest if you love good southern cooking go to Granny's.

Summer Vacation Part 1: Spending Time with Papa Rick

  Well, Joel and I got to take a summer vacation. As you can tell we went to Arkansas to spend time with our family. We had a lot of fun being with them. We were there for around 9 days. The longest visit we have had down there with them. We did so much in the time we were down there. 

  One of the things that Joel wanted to do while we were down there was to go on a motorcycle ride of his Papa Rick's motorcycle around the block (only how far I would allow). I think both of them had a blast together on the bike. I know that Joel loved to be on the motorcycle, and my Dad enjoyed that he got to so something he loves with his grandson. Watching Joel on the motorcycle flooded memories of when I was a young girl around his age, and got to ride on the motorcycle. I use to love it. So, yep I got in the action, and even took a couple of rides on the motorcycle with my Dad. I enjoyed it, but except that I didn't have a hair tie to to put my hair. So, it ended up getting tangled.

 One of the things we decided to do for fun was to go dig for Crystals. Arkansas is know for their crystals and diamonds mines. We went to a crystal mine dig place in Boardcamp, Arkansas just 10 or so minutes away from Mena where our family lives. One bad thing is that it was a hot day. We thought it was underground when it said crystal mine. Nope it was above ground. It was Joel, my Dad, and I. It was definately a new and fun thing to do together. Grandma and Grandpa didn't feel like they could handle it. So, they stayed at home. We walked away with almost a bucket full. We found so many shapes and sizes. Joel didn't want to quit, but with my heart I was starting to wear out. We are hoping to save some money, and the next time we go down in the summer or early spring (when it is cooler); we may try to go to one of the diamond mines near our family in Arkansas.

Joel and I also went fishing with Papa Rick. My Dad loves to fish, and Joel is just getting to enoy fishing. I am not a lover of fishing, but if it makes my son happy, and get to spend time with him and my Dad I will fish. I think we went fishing almost every day. We didn't catch a single fish. We did get bites. BUG BITES EVERYWHERE! Even though we didn't catch a single fish we had lot of fun. We tried Lake Willamena, the lake at the college, the Casastot River (which we ended up swimming into since it was so low), and we went to another lake. Watching Joel and my Dad bond was so neat. Both were sad that we didn't catch a single fish, but both went away happier by spending time together fishing. Hopefully the next time we go down we will get that BIG Bass that Joel wanted.

Quality Time WIth Grandparents

 Grandparents are a true treasure. Joel and I are blessed to have our Grandma Lil and Grandpa Bob. I was around my son's age when I lost both of my Great- Grandpas about a year or so apart. I was blessed because my Great Grandparents lived in Iowa; where I could see them when I wanted to. Joel's Great- Grandpa and Grandma live in Arkansas. So, we mostly talk to them on the phone, and see them a couple times a year at least.

  Grandpa Bob and Grandma Lil are my Father's parents. I never met my Grandpa on my Mother's side because he died when my Mother was really young, and my Grandma on my Mother's side died one month before Joel was born. I tell Joel many stories of all his Grandpas and Grandmas that I knew about. So, anytime we get to spend with our Grandpa Bob and Grandma Lil is precious. We enjoy them coming and visiting us, and us going down to Arkansas to visit them.

In July Grandpa and Grandma came up during the county fair time. We had so much fun with them. We didn't do a whole lot, but we had some quality time together. They watched Joel while I helped the ladies from the church in the food booth at the county fair. We took them to the county fair to see different things. Grandpa, Grandma, and I went and decorated graves of differently family members (Joel was with his godparents).

Joel had so much fun taking Grandma and Grandpa to the county fair. Grandpa I think enjoyed it just as much as Joel did. He use to work on a farm; so seeing the different things made his day. Joel and I enjoyed listening to his stories about tractors, and farm animals. Grandma also had a good time at the fair as well. She mostly enjoyed watching Joel and Grandpa talk about farm life.

  Our time with our Grandparents didn't end when it was time for them to go home. Joel and I packed our bags to go with them to Arkansas for our summer vacation. It was such a joy that we got to spend 12 days together a few here in Iowa, and most in Arkansas visiting them. Grandma Lil and Grandpa Bob loves Joel and I. They also love their other Grandchildren and Great- Grandchildren. Even though I am 34 years old I am still a Grandpa's Girl, and always will be. My son is a Grandpa's boy too. Joel does the same thing I did (okay sometimes still to this day, but do to kidney stone issues I don't do it as much.). Sneak and drink Grandpa's tea out of his glass when he isn't looking. We also enjoyed talking and cooking with Grandma over the 12 days. It is fun now that Grandma is now teaching Joel different arts of cooking and baking like she did me when I was his age. I think she was loving every minute of it too.

Our Grandparents mean the world to us. It is wonderful to spend time with them when we get to see them, and it is wonderful to hear their voices on the phone when we cant see each other.

Journey through July

  Another month came and went. July went so super fast. Joel and I had so much fun. It was another busy month for sure. Swimming, daycare, doctor appointments, county fair, the 4th of July, and so much more. I think we spent more time away from home than we were at home. It was hard though because with my heart I get tired easy, so Joel and I just take things a little slower than most.

  Joel and I had fun on the 4th of July. We spent it with our Christian family. They are so wonderful, and loving. Joel and I are truly blessed to have them in our lives. We had a fun cook out, and then went and watched fireworks in Norwalk. Joel was so much fun to watch before the fireworks started. He swung on a tire swing, doing sparklers and caught fireflies. The fireworks were spectacular to watch. Thank goodness it was a Friday night so we could sleep in the next day.

Joel proud of his Mommy's Beanies

   Joel and I got to go to the county fair this year. I think we have gone almost every year since he was born. I missed one year due to being sick, but Joel got to go with his grandparents. Then there was a year we went to California for my brother's wedding. So, we both missed it, but it was worth it to see California for the first time with Joel. Any way it was a great year for the fair. The temp and weather was very nice the whole fair week. Again this year I entered a couple of my crocheted beanies. This year I did Miss Piggy and Animal from the Muppets. Both of them took received blue ribbons (1st place) in their divsions. This year I also entered some baking items. I did four kinds of muffins. My low carb banana and my Gluten Free Orange- Cranberry muffins did not receive a ribbon. My low carb mini Chocolate Cherry Almond received a white ribbon (3rd place), and my low carb blueberry muffins received a blue ribbon (1st place). Joel and I had the joy of doing are ritual of going just the two of us to the Mud Races on the Saturday of the county fair. Joel really enjoys watching them. There were so many entered into it this year that we didn't get home until almost 12:45AM.

  We also got to spend time with our Grandparents as they came up for a visit, and then Joel and I went with them to Arkansas for our summer vacation, and spent time with my Dad. When we got back we went on a camp out with Joel's daycare. Those will be on later blog posts.

Being with my son is so wonderful. I thank God for him everyday. Everyday is a journey and an adventure with him. He is learning and growing every day. I hate to miss a moment, but I know I can not always be with him every minute of every day. So, I know the time I have with him is so precious. So, what if I spend a few dollars to take my son to watch the Mud Races, and stay out until early morning. It is well time spent with Joel. Seeing him jumping up and down cheering on the drivers, petting a calf, or dreaming and talking about wanting to drive a John Deer Tractor is so worth it.

Fun Times in June

 June was a busy month for us. It flew by so fast. I really can not believe how fast it went by for us. We were so blessed to have so much fun time though. Joel and I got to go with his daycare group to the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, Iowa.

  The weather was a little hot that day, but tolerable. Even though I had/ have been having issues with getting easily fatigued with walking I stuck it out. I went at a slow pace so I could keep up, and not wear out as fast, but when we got home I was ready for a nap for sure. Joel had fun seeing the animals with his friends.

 


  Joel also lost another tooth in June. I can not believe how fast my little man is growing up that he is now loosing teeth. He was so excited that another one came out. I know that there will be more to come over the next few years, but it fun watching his excitement that the tooth fairy will bring him money. I am so glad that when the new teeth are coming in that he doesn't teethe like he did when he was a baby. It is different seeing him with a missing tooth though. Loosing the top is different because he has a wider gap to do having a frontelum (skin attaching his lip to the underside of his mouth that goes between his two front teeth). He had it fixed when he was 2, but there is still skin that is left between the teeth.

   Joel also had swimming lessons in the month of June. He had 8 days this year as he was in Level 1. It was early in June so it was a little chilly in the mornings. He toughed it out. The first week was so chilly my poor boy was almost cold as ice, and blue all over. The second week was not so bad. Joel loved every moment of it. This year he had to take his first swimming test (last year in level K he didn't have to). He passed with high flying colors. Since the fun day got rained out they had to do it the following day. On fun day they let the kids do various things if they had their testing done. Joel got to go off the diving board again this year. There was a life guard to catch him when he jumped off. He was a little hesitant, but I quickly reminded him he did it last year. Once he jumped off, he couldn't wait to do it again. We did remind him that Fun Day with the swimming coaches is the only time he is allowed to jump off the diving board, and even be in the deep end. He has done very well of staying out of it all summer.

  Every day I spend with Joel is such a fun adventure. I am truly blessed by God to have such a wonderful boy in my life. His smile is so contagious. Even though he is a busy boy, and very independent; He loves to just spend time with is Mommy. Weather it be reading a book, watching a movie, or even going to the zoo he loves to have his Mommy. Right now I will just take all the cuddling, hugs, and things, because I know that someday he will not be wanting to hang with his Mommy.