we miss those Chinos

We are officially on the countdown for the Chinos return. They have been gone for a little over 3 months and in the wise words of Wilson, "it has been really long." When the Chino cousins are in town we see them several times a week so it has been a huge adjustment, for all of us, for them to be gone all summer. They have had amazing adventures and now we are ready for them to return for a little lovefest.
...and Campbell is ready for a little mischief. Don't these two look like trouble?

Back to School

Today was Campbell's big day, as he returned to school in the 3 year old class. It was so weird to take him back to his old school and not have Wilson with us. He was very excited! and looked so big carrying his own backpack.

He isn't exactly a details guy, but I think he had a great day. All I could get out of him was that he was excited about a short nap.

First week

With one week down I thought I would mention some highlights & favorite moments.
1. "I don't want a break from kindergarten." ( Wilson's reaction to the weekend)
2. When Wilson told Campbell we were going to his open house Campbell responded "the garden?" (kinder-garden)
3. Wilson has eaten all his lunch every day, so when he came home Friday with a full lunch box I asked what the problem was? "I sat by my girlfriend at lunch and she wouldn't get out of my face so I could eat." This is not a word we have encouraged our 5 year old to use, so I was very surprised.
4. When telling me about how much he likes the kids he sits next to he told me "J makes me laugh and I make G laugh." Shocking that they have all had to switch seats.
5. The look on Campbell's face when he sees his brother after school.
6. How tucking in a shirt and putting on a belt makes a little guy look so big. (This also makes me want to cry)
7. The way he still likes to hold my hand as we walk in the building.
8. A great teacher

kindergarten

First day according to Wilson...

...When I first got to school, I played with puzzles. After puzzles I got on the carpet and then I looked at stories while I was on the carpet. After that, Mrs. Norman said her special surprise was her snack. Oops! It’s missing. Then we had a scavenger hunt. On the scavenger hunt, we found some clues. One clue was outside. The clue outside said, “the snacks the gingerbread man left in the room.” Then we had snack. Then it’s “circle time” (singing). And then we read a story again and then recess! And then it was lunch. After lunch, we went back inside the classroom and we did some special stuff. I did puzzles again. Then I looked at books. Then after I put a handprint on a piece of paper with a heart. “Loving-hand.” That’s what it’s called. Then I played on the carpet. Then I colored. After I colored it’s time to line up line up line up. And then I saw Campbell and Daddy. Before we came home we got special drinks at Starbucks.

so funny

We all had a really good laugh at this video that Amy made. Check it out and enjoy.

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/6SfCQdTMveXWKNuR 

Campbell has been asking to watch it over and over. And I think Wilson is pretty close to having the moves down.

mini vacation

I am really having a hard time believing that the summer is practically over. We have stayed busy and had lots of fun, but with school quickly approaching I was feeling sad that we never had a summer vacation. We had planned to head to Chicago this past week, but busy schedules made that impossible so we decided on a mini vacation to Hot Springs.

Not exactly the same, but we made the best of our 3 days. We stayed with my parents and made plans for yummy food and lots of activity.
We painted pottery....

and played putt putt....

(Wilson had a form that was similar to my form when bowling)

and we pretended to be pirates...

and did lots of swimming.

fyi on bam

I have been asked a few questions about the basket of the month so i thought i would post and give you the info i have. When we originally signed up for the baskets they were distributing at the river market. Jody Hardin is the man in charge and he use to have a store inside called Hardin's Market. Last fall they moved out of the LR market and have been distributing the baskets around town and were a part of starting the market that is now in Argenta. I think the baskets are now distributed in LR, NLR, Conway and Hot Springs Village. The timing is a little confusing. They were once a month, usually end of the month, but this summer they have been more frequent. We have been getting a basket about every 3 weeks. You have no control of what you receive in the basket except that you have the option to sign up for vegetarian or whole farm. I found that I always wanted the extra veggies instead of the meat so I have recently switched to the veggie basket. When you sign up it is for 3 baskets and the cost is $180, so $60 per basket. I believe it is always worth the cost, but some months are better than others. Mostly I love the idea of supporting local farmers and I know these people are committed to local food and farming. The basket is always local and always includes milk, eggs, cheese, seasonal produce and a few recipes. I have been blogging about BAM for a while so go back and check it out if you are interested- it would give you a good idea of what you get during the different seasons. To sign up or get more info go to arkansasfood.net.

National Night Out

Until we moved into our house 3 summers ago I had never heard of National Night Out. It is an event that encourages people to get out in the community and know their neighbors as a means for crime and drug prevention. I think around the country it is done in lots of ways, but our neighborhood has a block party. For us it has been a great way to meet the people that live around us and it is really fun- especially for the kids. Last night at our block party there was food, bingo, dancing, drawings, and a dog show. And it was all sponsored by Target-lets face it we all love Target.
Campbell's favorite part was the food. Campbell only eats a real meal every few days and when presented with junk food he consumes enough to last. I really didn't think about it while we were there, but when we got home I realized that he had eaten 2 hot dogs, a bag of chips, 3 chips with cheese dip, a large laffy taffy, a Popsicle, some ice cream, a gatorade, and a bottle of water. As I am listing this I feel like I am reading the Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Wilson was less interested in the food, though he does love a hot dog and chips, and more into the dancing. There was a group of girls from a local dance studio preforming.

Peter's favorite part was the end, but he was a trouper (it is like 99 degrees even at 7 o'clock.)

Overall a great time for the whole family.

August BAM (basket of the month)

Today we got our August basket of the month and a bonus for me was that I got to go"behind the scenes." I am helping them get some pictures for use in some kind of promotion for the BAM program. This excites me more than I can explain and was a fairly simple task because the food this month is AMAZING!!!

BAM 8/02/08
baby lima beans
purple hull peas
dozen eggs
basil
spring mix
2 bell peppers
milk
chocolate milk
corn on the cob
peaches
small watermelon
cheese (i got colby and pepper jack)
tomatoes- i think they were the most beautiful tomatoes i have ever seen
cucumbers
okra
sweet potatoes
eggplant
small pepper?
heirloom grape tomatoes