Well, the summer had finally come to an end. Joel started another year of school. I can not believe my boy is in the first grade. The time has really flown by over the years.
While we were on our summer vacation we found out who he had for his teacher this year. To our suprise Joel got Mrs. Gibson. YAY!!!! Joel was really praying all summer that he would get her. Okay, I was too. Mrs. Gibson was Joel's preschool teacher. Last year when Joel went to Kindergarten she began teaching first grade. So, we knew that there was a chance. It was a small chance. God answered little man's prayers.
Even with this being his 2nd year going to big school; I still teared up, but didn't show it until he left on the bus. I still do it every time he gets on the bus (since this is being written a month and half later). As a tear drips down my face I just pray "God protect my little man, his teachers, the staff, and the other children." I know that Joel is in God's hands of protection, and Mrs. Gibson's.
It is really nice this year that I didn't have to explain Joel's allergies and other things. Since Mrs. Gibson already knows it pretty much. The sad part this year is Joel got seperated from most of his friends (but is making new ones in his class). That includes his little girlfriend (friend that is a girl). They had been in preschool and kindergarten together. Both were sad, but they get to see each other every day at recess.
We are excited to see what First Grade brings for Joel. I know that he is excited for sure. I will also be excited as I will be volunteering off and on through out the year in the classroom.
Well, did you figure out where this adventure took us???.... You probably guessed it. We took out yearly trip to the Iowa State Fair. We had so much fun. We did it on a budget too!!! So, anyone who says the Iowa State Fair is expensive well, if I can do it; anyone can.
The Iowa State Fair is a family tradition that has been passed down the years. I still keep the tradition going year after year. It is so fun sharing this family tradition with my son. I just keep a tight budget. I know what we can and can't do. Both financially and physically (why I had to have a scooter for my heart).
I remember as a child going down the giant yellow slide. It looked a lot big when I was my son's age for sure. It isn't so giant to me now that I am an adult. It was fun to ride it down with my brothers, or with my father. The sad thing is I don't get to enjoy the experience with my son. Due to my heart condition I am unable to make it all the way to the top of the stairs, and plus the trip down maybe hard if I would fall off and hurt my chest. So, my brave son did it on his own once again this year. I waited patiently at the bottom. That is the hardest is waiting.
As usual we went to our usal areas that we love to see. We visited the different barns to check out the animals. We love to see the biggest bull, boar, and ram. Since we live in town, Joel really enjoys getting to be around farm animals. We went to the military area. Joel smiled as he sat in a army vehical. It was one of the things he asked to go see. One place Joel really loves, and I have had to come to love all over again is the Snakes Alive exhibit over the years. We got our usal picture taken with a snake. Everyone thinks I am crazy, but when it is something that will make my son happy. I am all game; even if it means a snake around my neck.
Well, this year when we went to the Iowa State Fair Joel got to something he hadn't done yet. This year was his first time going into the Grandstands. I entered a contest to win tickets to go see "Duck Dynasty" at the fair. We love Duck Dynasty. Joel really does. It is one show reality show that I will allow my son to watch at home. Why??? It is because it is family friendly, and the people love God!!! So, when we won the tickets we were so delighted. Our seats sucked, but what can I say they were FREE! It didn't matter to Joel where we sat. He got to go into the Grandstands and see people from one of our favorite shows in person. It was just the Duck Dynasty Band, Willie, Uncle Si, and Willie's wife Kori. It was neat to hear them talk, share stories, and hear people stand up for what they believe in. This will be an adventure that Joel will have memories for a lifetime.
One of the last stops on our summer vacation was near Independence, MO. We decided to check out the Harry S. Truman Museum and Library. Joel loves anything that deals with science and history so this was a perfect fit for him. It is not free, but it is cheap. It is well worth it. They have many interactive areas that children young and old will enjoy.
Joel really loved being there. It took a couple of hours to go through. Usually when we go sight seeing, and look at things I have to tell Joel to slow down, and take time to look. Well, this time I didn't. He was a little sponge trying to soak everything up. I actually had to tell him we need to pick up the pace a little so we could get back on the road.
It was so neat watching my son be so enthused with all that was there to see. He asked 100 million questions; which was alright with me. We could of went with a tour group with a guide, but I thought it would be good to go at our own pace. I really didn't know how Joel would do.
This was a first time for either one of us here. So, it was a good family memory together. We loved every moment that we shared that day. We had fun, and Joel learned things at the sametime.
There has been some that has judged, because of what my son and I do. Yes, I am a single Mom with a disabiltiy, and we live on a fixed income. SO WHAT!!! My family has the right to have joys and vacations like any other family. We don't go on expensive family vacations. A family vacation does not mean blowing lots of money on this and that. It is just being together and making happy memories. So, if I spend $5.00 for my son to get into a historical museum oh well. He got to learn about history. To me it was priceless to watch my son have a wonderful vacation, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
