September 7, 2012

Field Trip Friday!

(click here for today's pictures)

• Last night as we were outside, Robby had the fire blazing and a deer ran across the yard.  We were all standing there and saw it go across.  The kids asked why it was running and Robby said that it must have gotten scared.  Anderson added "it was scared because of the forest fire."  We had to explain that our burn pile was no forest fire.
• Working in the yard last night wiped the kids out and everyone was still snoozing after 7.  Graham was the first one up but stopped in the toy room before coming downstairs and then Keaton woke and had her bottle in our bed.
• The kids had Nonna's banana bread for breakfast.  Anderson told me that I just had to get the recipe for that.  I guess that I should make it more often.  Graham so wanted me to give some to Keaton and when I told him there wasn't enough for her too, he took some of his bread and gave it to her.  He also told me that Nonna not only had banana bread but also had strawberry bread (but that Nonna didn't let him have any of that).
• We were able to leave at 8:45 just liked planned and on the way Anderson said "Why'd you trade our old house?"  It took me awhile to figure out why he brought this up and the reason apparently was when we lived at Gamble we didn't smell skunks like we do now when we leave the house.  
• The Dennies met us at the Historic Arkansas Museum and they were told that there was no tour on Fridays.  I was so disappointed but we still went ahead and paid.  Well come to find out, there isn't a tour on Fridays but it was still what I would call a tour.  I guess since we had about 7 character guides instead of one person it wasn't really considered a tour.  Whatever it was, it was wonderful and the kids were absolutely perfect.
• We saw gardens and the kids picked a banana pepper.  The guide passed out cotton to everyone and Reagan now wants to plant a cotton bush.  We saw a printing press, a fence growing out of some type of prickly tree, learned about an outhouse and even tried out a corn husk broom.  
• I was so very impressed and the kids seemed to really enjoy it.  Now for my Campbell that was a lot of walking and a lot of being quiet.  By the end, each time we would stop she would just sit down on the floor.  After we looked in the gift shop, Campbell brought up needing to go potty and was still as dry as she could be.  Amazing child to teach herself when to go potty-I guess when it is time it is really time.  
• Keaton was a perfect child as well.  She sat in her stroller pretty much the entire time and was fine when we had to put her back in each time we came from an upstairs house.  She was so happy to get to try out one of the old timey beds and just grinned.  
• As we were finishing, Robby walked over and met us.  Then he walked with us to the rivermarket to eat.  I had chicken fried rice and the kids split a piece of pizza.  Then they each had shaved ice.  I believe that they ate those icees for at least 30 minutes.  We didn't leave until every last drop of everyone's was gone.  Then we said goodbye to Grannymom and Grandpa and walked across the street to catch the trolley.  Robby had already left to meet his work people for a birthday lunch.  
• We waited and waited on the trolley to arrive.  The kids were patient and thankfully there was a bench in the shade that we waited on.  Eventually (after about 30 minutes) it did come and we started our trip.  
• Us waiting did work out well for Robby who was able to meet us when he finished his lunch.  Though he had to walk briskly to find our next trolley stop and then the trolley driver didn't stop.  Robby was standing by the sign and I asked "isn't this a stop?" and she replied "no one was there."  I explained that yes, my husband was there but she pointed him to the next stop just a block away.  Robby thought for sure that the driver wouldn't stop again if he wasn't there so he booked it to that stop.  Needless to say, he was a sweaty mess when he boarded the trolley.  But the kids were so happy to see him again.  
• We rode across the river and then back across before we hopped out.  Robby got us to our car and then we passed out juiceboxes and cookies to everyone (I had bought my cookies at the river market for 25 cents apiece-pretty good deal).  We dropped Robby off and then headed home.  
• By the time we made it home, I looked back and had 4 asleep.  Thankfully two of them were just kidding, so I only had two to lift out of the van and haul to their beds.  
• Everyone else watched a movie for a bit and I rested up since I hear the plan tonight is to work in the yard again.  Then the doorbell rang and the neighbor kids were ready to play so we all eventually ventured out.
• While we were putting our shoes on, I heard terrified screams coming from the kids.  I could tell something was coming in the garage and assumed it must have been a black bear or a copperhead from the screams.  But when I looked up it was just our 80 year old dog Belle limping into the garage.    Her cord was broken so she had wondered up to us.  Campbell and Graham had already found their way into the house by the time I got up.  
• My favorite part of the day was when Graham then came out of the front door to check on where Belle was and he ended up face to face with her.  I really didn't see this happen-I only saw a flash and could tell that it was Graham running back into the house.
• I finally found a rope and tied it to Belle and then the kids were walked by Belle all through the yard.  They loved it and Belle and the kids got quite a bit of exercise.  Robby eventually made it home and we all worked in the yard until it was almost dark.  
• While outside Keaton was playing with her empty bottle and would throw it down for Campbell to pick up.  Campbell would scold her about holding on to her bottle and Keaton would just giggle.  Those two girls are going to be a mess someday.  
• The kids helped me pick up sticks and rocks, had fun swinging, pulling each other in the wagon, ate a few popsicles, played with bubbles and rode their bikes in the driveway for a bit.  Then it was time for come in and shower off.
• We had supper and then went to bed.  During prayer time last night, Robby was praying and Campbell was imitating the last few words of his sentences and then Campbell busted out with "thank you I peepee in the potty."  And yes, thank you God that Campbell is peepeeing in the potty!