Septiembre

Sometimes I like to use my limited Spanish.

Kennedy is off and running with cross country this year.  She was fortunate to run in a down pour her first race.  She has a like/hate relationship with running.  Most of the time she hates it but runs because she wants to be a part of a team and knows the exercise is good for her.  I'm glad she has good friends like Julia (pictured with her) and Sariah (her older sister) to motivate and keep her going.  I seem to annoy her with my comments.

Labor day got us thinking - why don't we drive 10 hours on a Friday after school and drive 10 hours back on a Sunday so we can take the kids to Eric's old stomping ground (Missouri) and take in Silver Dollar City?  Had we thought more about it, we would've talked ourselves out of it.  That was a lot of driving.  And Eric did all of it because I cannot stay awake in the car if I am not driving.  I have turned into my dad and my Grandpa Jenks.

The kids said Silver Dollar City was better than any amusement park they've been to.  It was country bumpkinish with a Baptist flare.  Christian music played throughout the park and scriptures were quoted on signs.  I don't think I've ever seen so many denim skirts in one place.  It was as if the Duggar's were everywhere.

We rode every ride in the park and the kids were begging to go again and again.  Eric wasn't able to enjoy some of the rides because of size restrictions but had fun nonetheless.  I think it's almost as much fun to watch your kids have fun.

Kennedy really liked this hymn carved in wood.

 

Our favorite show was a prohibition spoof of a saloon.  Figures.  I would like the rebellious side of things.  Actually the kids thought it was pretty funny too.

The next day we were able to go to Eric's old ward and catch up with some people he hasn't seen in 30 years.  The lady pictured with us was his second mom while growing up.  Aunt Nancy has the best energy about her and the kids were immediately drawn to her.  She is the mother of Eric's brother Paul's wife (Julie).

This restaurant was a hopping place back in the day when Eric's parents ran it.  It was called "Carl's Drive Inn."  Downtown Monett was a bit of a disappointment for Eric.  Things looked very run down.  Sometimes it's hard to go back to what was, and see what is.

This was Eric's family home on Cleveland Street.  The restaurant pictured below is right across the street from it.  When Eric's parents first came to Missouri, they purchased a farm with acreage in the country (Purdy, Missouri).  They raised cattle, pigs, chicken and had a huge garden and farmed hay.  They moved from Santa Barbara, California.  Eric's oldest brothers Mike (16 at the time) and Paul (14) were in serious culture shock.  Eric (2 years old) and Byron (4) weren't old enough to remember much of California at that point.

La Casa de Taco was run by Tom and Sonia.

We drove out to the farm and found the place in quite a dilapidated state but the country side was still breath taking.  Eric has the fondest memories of running free on the farm.  He said it was very Huck Finnish.

His old house.  When they lived there is was quite the show piece.

The farm.

The neighbors farm.  

Kennedy wrote an essay entitled "I Believe in Love and that it Starts at Home."  She then had to create an object that represented that theme only using pictures.  There could be no white space (extra) showing.  It was a major ordeal.  This is why we had to be back Monday (Labor Day) so she could complete this project.  It took her and I about 8 crazy hours.  

She received a well earned 100%!

It was time for some new spectacles for Kennedy.  I just love the pair she picked out.

Boston advanced from Bears this past week into Webelos.  It's a good thing because he scout shirt was about 2 sizes too small.

Another cross country meet in the rain and this was some serious rain.  The meet was held on Galveston Beach.  Pretty awesome setting for a run.  We were all drenched and freezing for once.

Kennedy thrives in the rain and didn't seem bothered by it at all.

Patriotic Half time at the football game included choirs from the junior high and high school and junior high marching band and high school marching band.  It was a beautiful tribute to 9-11 and all those that serve our country.

Boston is playing on a club basketball team with his buddies and was able to celebrate his birthday at the restaurant after his tournament.  

Funny/disgusting/crazy story about him wearing the sombrero... Boston came home a few weeks before this scratching and itching his head deliriously.  I sifted through his hair and found LICE!  I just about passed out.  They were everywhere.  The actual bug. Boston went into a state of CRAZY!  I almost had to knock him out of his misery.  I had to let his scout leaders, basketball coach, baseball coach, friends that he'd been on vacation with the weekend before, know what was going on.  They were all like "holy smokes!  Yes, please stay home."  We treated his hair with the chemical shampoo and then followed up with mayonnaise for 2 hours under saran wrap and then a rinse of vinegar and coming through for hours.  Kennedy too, had lice.  We went through the same process with her.  Both kids were sitting on the couch for 2 hours with a head sopped with mayo wrapped in saran.  Complete nightmare!  Meanwhile, everything has to be laundered and treated - for 14 days!!! I called the school nurse and she told me that even if she had found lice in Boston's hair, she wouldn't have sent him home.  Lice takes 3 weeks to cycle and there's no way to prevent it.  All she does it tell parents to treat for it and send a note home in classrooms that "someone" in their class has lice.  Guess what I've found out through this process?  That more people than not have had to deal with this.  I was just an open book.  Most don't say anything because it's embarrassing.

You should have seen Boston's face when the waitress brought out the sombrero to sing happy birthday to him.  I've given him strict instructions not to wear anyone elses hats, clothes, helmets, etc. and here we are in a Mexican restaurant with a sombrero that everyone and their dog has worn.  He kind of ducked down when they first placed it on his head but was a good sport and sucked it up. 

On Boston's actual birthday, he had 2 baseball games so the team went out after and sang to him.  He even did a little chicken dance for us.  I brought donuts to the game to celebrate there too.

And then that evening we went out as a family to his restaurant of choice - Buffalo Wild Wings.  His friend Nic and his mom joined us too.  That's 3 birthday celebrations in less than 24 hours.  That didn't include the weekend before he spent in Orlando, Florida at  Disney world and a Tampa Bay vs. Boston Red Socks baseball game.  Nic's dad treated him to the flight, baseball game, hotel, and food and all we had to cover was Disney world and little spending money.  The older 3 can't get over how spoiled Boston is.  I would agree but how often do you get an opportunity like that?

I'm starting a cookie business and packaged them in this cute paper mache house (the top comes off, same type of house we used for Kennedy's project) to show a realtor an example of a gift they could give clients.  They loved the box but were worried the cookies looked "homemade."  I am working on my logo and business card to kick things off.  Just a little side gig to help with extras.  Wish me luck!

As a junior in high school, Kennedy is experiencing braces for the first time.  She was late losing teeth and with all our moves, we decided it was time.  She will wear them for a year and get them off just in time for senior pictures.  Now that sounds crazy!

Another cross country picture of Kennedy being cheered on in the final sprint.

More baseball...

Gotta love this little town I live in.  This was posted on our "Friendswood Mom's" facebook page.  She injects right out of her home.  I see posts like this all the time.  I haven't tried botox but know many of my friends have.  I'm afraid it's too late for me to start now.

Boston enjoying scouting - they were cooking hot dogs.

Wearing his grandpa Bateman's custom scout slider and his blue scout shirt for the last time. 

Kennedy takes Speech and Debate and competed in her first tournament 2 weeks ago.  She was stressed beyond description!  She had to memorize a 10 minute speech that she had written.  It focused on inner beauty.  It's an amazing speech and she made it through 3 rounds of competition to make it to the finals where she placed 6th amongst seasoned veterans and seniors.  Her teacher told me she didn't think Kennedy knew what a big deal that really was.  She helped her school to place 3rd overall at the tournament and is looking forward to presenting her speech many more times this year and fine tuning it.

See that stack of books?  Mostly study guides and practice tests for the ACT and SAT.  She's been taking a National Merit Review class since last spring and will continue to until she finishes with the SAT and ACT.  What she accomplishes in a day blows me away.

The twins have already play 3 football games and I have failed to get one picture of them.  They are having a tough season with 1 win and 2 losses and Eric says it's not kosher to take a picture when they lose.  Hopefully this week will be the week.

October is here and I am gearing up for a visit from my parents and our friends Dan and Sadie and their kids (Boston's birthday gift).  Also, so ready for cooler fall-like weather.  I bought a few pumpkins and mums today channeling the autumn vibe to arrive. Maybe I need to make some pumpkin squares to seal the deal?  Too bad Eric is starting a 28 day whole body cleanse.  Time to hide my treats.  Happy Fall Y'all!