Date Night

Just had to throw this little post in here because Owen and I finally got to go on a date. That is right the first date since little Miss Alyson was born. We haven't been out on a date not because we haven't wanted to just every time we would plan one something would come up. Saturday we had to be in Rogers for an AWANA conference. We finished the conference up about 3:45 and went to the movies to see Fire Proof. I would really suggest all you married people out there see this movie with your spouse as it is a good lesson on marriage and the need to have God as the center of it. After the movie we made our way to Lifeway Christian store to look around and see if there were any good bargains, we end up buying Alyson a book and new Veggie Tales movie. We went out to dinner which was rather odd, not that it was bad just different as there was no one to take care of or sing to or make sure they were eating their food and not playing in it. We had a wonderful time and I know Alyson had a great time with Granny B, she even got to stay the night with her. Thank you Daddy for a great evening and Granny B for watching our little angel.

State Fair

The fair came to Ft. Smith this past week. We went on Thursday night so we could also go to the Circus that comes with the fair every year. This year Alyson was able to do some rides that even I found to be somewhat fun. We rode the hot air balloons (twice), pink elephants, train, and the helicopters. Daddy let Alyson play a game and she won a horn (which she blew from Ft. Smith to Greenwood non stop) and a bouncy ball. At the circus we saw tigers, a lion, elephants, and acrobats. We went to Old McDonald's farm and feed the goats. We saw the sheep and chickens in the livestock barns, although Alyson did not want to see the cows not sure why she is afraid of them but trust she is. We had a wonderful time out as a family.

The Wonder Place

As I mentioned in the last post we took the kids to the Wonder Place for Landon's birthday. The kids had a wonderful time with all the different stations. There was a huge vacuum that the kids could put colored scarves into and watch them go around and around until they finally blew out the other end. There was a huge sand and water table, also very fun. A craft room, that day they had several different stamps out of animals and letters. A pretend veterinary clinic complete with shots, xrays, stuffed animals, and even an exam table. A produce market with plastic vegetables, fruits, milk, meats, fish, and cheeses, which also had two registers for check-out. A River Cafe with you guessed it pretend food for cooking and serving, they even had little bistro tables just the right size for kiddies. A puppet and dress-up area. Last but not least an area to climb a rock wall, go through a tunnel, and a set of stairs to climb that lead to a huge doll house. The kids did not stop for the whole 2 1/2 hours we were there. I highly recommend this place to anyone who is traveling to the Little Rock area. It was a blast and we adults had fun with some of it too!

Landon's 2nd Birthday

Last Friday night we left after work to go to Conway to visit with Aunt Lauren, Uncle Steve and Landon for Landon's 2nd birthday. We had a wonderful time going to the park, having a cook out and taking the kids to the Wonder Place (see next post). Landon had a Sesame Street theme for his birthday with yummy cake and lots of birthday presents. Thanks guys for a fun weekend.

COWGIRLS

The theme for AWANA this year is "Wanted by God", which is a western theme, so last Wednesday night was dress western night. The kids had a great time dressing up and playing the western games. Here is a picture of Alyson and I before we left for church, by the way Daddy dressed up too we just didn't get a picture of him. We have several more dress up nights scheduled so we will get him next time.

Birthday Party Weekend

This past weekend Alyson was invited to two birthday parties. On Saturday we went to Gaven and Drew's birthday party, Alyson goes to church with them. Gaven turned 4 and Drew turned 2. Since their birthdays are so close together their mom and dad decided to have one big party. We had a lot of fun. There was cake, homemade ice cream, fruit, cookies, candy, and a HUGE bounce-a-round. I did however neglect to take pictures at the party, we were rushed Saturday and I forgot my camera, but we had a wonderful time.

On Sunday we went to Fayetteville for Lily's 3rd birthday. It was great to get to see Steve and Lindsay's new house (very nice) and just to see them again. Lily had a very cute, very girl, Hello Kitty birthday party. Alyson had tons of fun on the bounce=a-round, eating pizza, playing games and eating cupcakes. Hopefully we will get back up there soon to see them again. I did get pictures from Lily's party.

Dress-Up

While I was at the Growing Kids Sale last week I decided I would look for Alyson some costume jewelry because she loves to get into my jewelry box and take out bracelets and rings (I have learned to make a drawer for her, things I don't really like or wear anymore). I found a whole bag full of clip on earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets, you name it it was in there. She was so excited when she found out I had bought her jewelry. She will bring me the basket full of this play jewelry and say "make me a princess" although I think she looks more like Mr. T. Tonight we went to Sam's because Valarie (nurse I work with) told me they had princess dress-up sets for a good price, so we ended up with a Snow White outfit, a Tinker Bell outfit complete with wings, and a pack of 6 pair of dress shoes. The minute we got home we were instructed by Alyson to get her dress-up things out of the package so she could be a princess. I have not taken pictures of that yet but here are some of her and her jewelry.

Jonah and Alyson

It is really nothing new that we have been hanging out with Jordan, Susan and Jonah for several months now, but I finally got a picture of Jonah and Alyson. Alyson loves it when she gets to see Jonah. She likes to give him kisses and most of all play with his infant carrier when he comes over. I have since bought her a baby doll infant carrier so she can have one to play with when he is not at our house. Anyway we love having our friends over for dinner or just to visit and I am sure Alyson can't wait until Jonah is big enough to play in "her house" (this is what she refers to her playroom as).

Jonah and Alyson

Labor Day Weekend

Our Labor Day weekend did not start off that well but after Saturday it was a great weekend to relax and enjoy our family. I was sick most of the day Saturday with a virus but luckily it only lasted one day. Alyson and Daddy got to spend most of Saturday with each other while I was on the couch with a tummy ache. Alyson decided she wanted Mc Donald's for lunch so Daddy took her to get a Happy Meal. Sunday we did the usual: Church in the morning, Aunt Yvonne's for lunch, nap, evening Church, and resting at home the rest of the evening. Monday we just hung out at home, got our clothes together for the Growing Kids Sale, and later that evening we had Granny and Papa over for dinner. It was not an exciting holiday but we had a lot of fun at home coloring, playing hide-n-seek, playing with our baby dolls, and just spending time together.