Small Town Festivals

I have a love affair with small town festivals.
There is nothing like them..especially in Indiana.
If you come looking for us on a Sat in the fall...you will most likely find us at a festival.

The only thing better than going to festivals is going to festivals with good friends..even if it is spitting rain.

Hunting for a treasure at Mason's Used Bookstore

Last weekend was the 50's festival in Lebanon....

A Library booksale

My favorite childrens store ever. Period.

Lego display at the library

This was Hollis' favorite "50's car" on display.
She said it was the perfect size for her and Daddy to fit into.
When I  pointed out that all our family couldn't fit into it...and she said,"That's ok."
Hmmmmm.....

 This was my favorite car.
One we could ALL fit into.
Everytime she peeked her head in through the drivers window..I prayed to God someone did not leave the keys in the ignition.

I could certainly think of worst ways to spend my Sats with my favorite kid in the world....

The Big Fieldtrip

I was lucky enough to accompany Hollis and Co. on their first fieldtrip of the year on Friday.
I am not kidding when I say "Lucky".
I scored the last slot on the field trip sign up sheet- but not without throwing a couple of elbows to get there.

The teacher put me in charge of  the 3 sweetest little girls.
She took pity on me..which I was really thankful  for...I had been having some major Braxton-Hicks contractions the night before.
But I was bound and determined not to miss this fieldtrip.
I called my OB that morning and told her about my contractions-and she might want to check me out-but I had to go on a fieldtrip first.
All Jason could do was shake his head. at me.
"Z-ville Mom gives birth in local apple orchard."
Happens all the time, right?

Hollis had zip, zilch, nada to do with me the entire time.
All the other kids who had their Mamas there were sooo excited.
Not my Hollis.
She was all about her posse.
I can't really blame her..these girls are much, much cuter than I am.

 

This was Hollis' favorite part..the sampling of apples and cider.
What can I say?
The kid is a LePage/Church through and through.

We were at the orchard for 45 minutes and then it was time to get back on the bus.
And my one allotted field trip for the year was over, just like that.
Lots of apples,bees, cider and giggles...and no preterm babies.
And that, my friends, is the mark of an very successful school outing.

(A More Real) Love Story

I found this "so cheesy, it's funny" video on a blog that I stalk periodically. You will have to hit pause on my playlist so you can hear the song on the video-

I felt the need to share it because...
A. I like Taylor Swift.
Don't laugh.
I know that is wrong on so many levels.

and B...
Jason and I are thinking that Wrigley is now getting old enough to watch Hollis while we go out and grab a bite to eat and maybe catch a movie.
Surely, CPS would have bigger fish to fry... :)
Hope you find lots of reasons to laugh this Friday...and maybe even lucky enough to  have a date night too!
Happy weekend!

Our Monday Excursion

In our past life, our Mondays were spent as a family frolicking in a quaint state park or small town-sampling the regions culinary delights with nothing but time on our hands.
Yesterday, Jason had to work an outing at the club and did not grace the doors until 8:00pm-dead on his feet and ready for a 5:00am wake up call this am.

And I got to go to Wheelchairs Etc. Medical Supply store with Hollis to order the seasons hottest style of compression stockings since my legs are now riddled with varicose/spider veins.
Oh how the mighty have fallen.

I warned Hollis before we went in the store, she had a Happy Meal riding on this excursion.
And she was good.
She tested all the orthopedic shoes-and practiced her tying skills on them.
She gripped each of the walker handlebars? to see which brake was easier to push.
She measured my feet with that filthy shoe sizer.
She measured her feet with that filthy shoe sizer.
She reclined on all the recliners to see which one would lay the flattest.
She stared at the grouchy seniors that came in complaining that the basket on their walkers didn't fit right.
All the while I sat there and sweated it out while the saleslady discussed with the insurance company whether my $300 purchase would be covered or not.
I figured I could chalk these fashion forward accessories up as a birthday present, Christmas present, Valentines present, Box Day present and President's Day present all rolled into one for the year.
Jason wouldn't even have to wrap them!
After all the phone calls and negotiations, there were still some unresolved issues.
And they didn't even have my size so they had to special order them.
When Hollis and I got back in the car, she was abnormally quiet.
 I knew this was the calm before the storm.
Finally, she said, " Mama, are you going to have to get a wheelchair?"
After I stopped laughing long enough to answer her with a "No sweet pea, Mama just needs some special socks so her legs can feel better", I thought to myself-if I ever do need a wheelchair- Hollis might possibly be the last person I would ask to push me around.
But let's keep that our little secret, ok?

It seems like we have waited forever for my parents annual summer visit...they were here for a couple of days and our lives were full of laughter and love  and lots of good food..
And then they were gone again.

To be honest, I always have a little bit of adjusting to do after they leave.
I feel a little out of balance and a whole lotta sad.
I should be used to this after 12 years now, right?
For goodness sakes, I'm a 35 year old woman with a family of my own.
The heart ache I feel every time I have to hug them goodbye..that should be better by now?
No,  I think sometimes the older you get, the more you need your parents.
Their comfort, their guidance,the joy of watching them delight in their grandchildren...their love they give so freely.
I don't think I will ever get used to being so far from them.
I don't want to.
And this I know is true.

A Full Heart

There is a cool breeze flowing through the house.
A yummy cream cheese pound cake rising in the oven.
A nice warm cup of joe in my favorite mug on the counter.
Our little home is nice and tidy with one of my favorite fall candles glowing on the windowsill.
I'm feeling fat and sassy with this sweet baby  dancing in my tummy.
Hollis has a 4 day weekend at home.
And the best part?

My Mom and Dad are on their way to visit for 5 days.
If you see me around town today, I will be the one with the biggest smile on my face and the spring in my step.
You can't miss me, I promise.

May your weekend be full of all things lovely and good.

Red Block

Yesterday Hollis got in the car at pickup and told me she got a red block at school that day.
In the kindergartner world, a red block could be what the Scarlet Letter was to Hester Pryne.
A mark of disobedience for the entire population to observe and take note.
Hollis said she was not using her inside voice in the bathroom (the teacher had to make several trips in there) and she got a little too excited/loud  when the boy beside her told her a funny joke(I don't even want to know the joke).
Hence, she was then sentenced to the "red block" which perched upon her desk for the rest of the day,which in turn caused her to sob uncontrollably and then stick her tongue out at her classmates(Now I would've paid to see that.)
LOVELY.
Couldn't she at least make it through the first month BEFORE getting a red block?
After intense discussion with her dad and the loss of some privileges for the day, I was still a hand wringing flustered Mama.
I looked at Jason and said,"Do you realize she is the first girl in the ENTIRE  class to get a red block?"

To which he pauses,looks me in the eye, and replies," Hey, what do you want me to tell you? The kid is just a natural born leader."

I just love the way that man thinks.