Arbuckle Art Fair

Yesterday we attended the Arbuckle Art Fair at Arbuckle Park.
I love art fairs.
I am always amazed at the creativity and talent when I go.
And I'm always a little bit jealous too- since creativity and artistic talent were clearly left out of my gene pool.

I'm sure the candle-making lady appreciated Hollis sticking her sniffer into all her candle samples.
We may not be creative, but we have an awesome sense of smell!

They had a little booth where children could make "Get Well" cards for hospitalized children.
Isn't that a great idea??
Hollis was actually excited to participate-and that made me really happy!
And I confirmed something I have suspected about Hollis for a long time.

The girl can shop.

And she likes it when I shop too. She doesn't bug me when she thinks I am taking too long.
And because of this enduring trait we walked away with some trinkets for our hair, some homemade pennants to hang in her playroom and room, and an "I am big Sis" necklace she loved.
I think Jason might be in trouble. It is only the beginning.

And we capped off our shopping spree with a peach smoothie.
Shopping makes one very thirsty.
 It was HOT.
When the ambulance and medics started showing up due to heat related issues, this Mama turned the wagons homeward....
With our new baubles shining in our hair the whole way.

The Dunes

I am starting to panic.
About time.
The lack of.
This summer is flying by way too fast for my taste.
Hollis starts school in one month. I know in my heart things will really change around here.
Gulp.
So we packed a car on Monday morning and set out for Indiana Dunes in Chesterton, IN.
Bathing suits, animal crackers and a geriatric dog included.

This was the sand hill we climbed to get to the top of the dunes...in 85 degree heat.

 I'd be lyin' to you if I said I sprinted up it.

 I was forcing myself to smile in this picture.
And thinking to myself, the view sure is pretty but this might be one of the most stupidest things I've done in a long time. And for the record, that is saying a lot.
The hike even wore out my hyperactive dog-who you will never see lying down for a picture again.
And my 5 year old who, when I told her we had to go back DOWN the hill, declared

"Oh the humanity of it all."

(Where did she learn that??) 
And then Jason dropped my camera in the sand.
So if there are no more blogs for awhile, well, you know why.

 We promised Hollis we'd take her swimming in Lake Michigan.
Which meant I sat in the car with Wrigley(who, I quickly discovered,  has a strong dislike for seagulls)
while Hollis and Jason swam for an hour .
Thank you for taking one for the team, J.

 But all was not lost.
We were able to stop at Indiana's first and oldest diner on the way home. The XXX diner.

It was even featured on the Food Network awhile back.They are known for their root beer and delish burgers.I need to clear that up with a name like Triple XXX and all.

 I was NOT faking a smile in this picture..but Jason was. He was so embarrassed when the sweet owner took our picture.
That's ok. He'll thank me for it in 20 years.
Right J?? Right?

And any day that is ended with a root beer float is a winner in my book.

On Sat,  Hollis attended a birthday party at Chuck-E-Cheese.
After helping chaperon 18 kids and listening to a rat sing over and over for 2 1/2 hours, I was more than ready to go home and put my feet up for the rest of the day.
I avoid Chuck-E-Cheese like the plague even when I'm not preggers.
The noise, the lights, the overstimulated kids begging for more tokens...
Yuck.
But there was a club fitting for children  that day at the club so over to Broadmoor we skedaddled.
Naptime would have to wait for another day.

Large and in charge on the golf cart.
I was afraid she was going to to throw me off more than once.
I roll pretty easily these days, you know.

She was so HAPPY to be spending time with her Dad.
She was so HAPPY to be playing golf.
We had to bribe her to leave.

I think I might need to brush up on my game pretty darn soon.

Quirky

You know it is going to be an interesting day when Hollis comes downstairs dressed and ready in this get up.

What in the world??
Is she channeling her inner Janis Joplin/Garcia/Lady GaGa(heaven forbid??)
I'm  not sure what is going on here.
Whatever her goal, it sure is making me nervous for the teen years.

Day off

Today is Jason's day off after a long 4 day holiday.
I am so excited.
Bagels at Paradise Cafe and antiquing at Midland Antiques Mall downtown are on the books.
I thought today might never get here.

"Today I will be as happy as a Bird with a French Fry."
(No I didn't make that up. But it sums up how I feel today.)

Happy 4th

Kickin' it 1830's Style

A beautiful day.
Perfect.
Couldn't special ordered a better one if I tried.
And Conner Prairie was calling.
So Doodle and I answered the call.

No hot air balloon rides today. Mama didn't bring enough cash.
So we pretended instead.

One of the many things I love about Hollis is she never begs for toys or candy or special treats while we are out.
Maybe it's because I'm always telling her how broke I am.

I made her pose with this donkey.
She could've skipped the entire barn/animal petting and been fine with it.
I could've stayed there all day.
She must get non-animal loving gene from her Daddy's side.
I mean, who doesn't want to pet a donkey??
She was much more interested in the Purell dispenser

.Hollis was zoning when this sweet lady was talking to her about spinning wheels.
Maybe she was still thinking about the Purell dispenser.

Because it was the 4th weekend, they had extra special activities.
There was sack racing, watermelon seed spitting contests, theater performances, barn dances and militia drills.
Cake tastings and pioneer baseball games and tomahawk throwing contests.
Indian legends and wilderness stories about the campfire.Patriotic sing-alongs.
Sounds like fun, doesn't it?
I couldn't convince Hollis to participate in one single thing.And I got really grouchy, really fast.
UGH.
I then I felt guilty that I was disappointed/mad she didn't want to take advantage of all there was to offer.
Mom Guilt is the WORST.

She was teaching me an important lesson today.
I need to accept her for her interests and gifts God gave her and not try to force her adhere to my standards/likes/dislikes.
And once I realized this, things went much more smoothly for the day.
She was happiest inside with the scientific experiments.

And pretend play.
And dress up, of course.

Yes, she was much happier.
And so was I.
It was indeed a perfect day.
Even without the watermelon spitting seed contest.