Trip to the fair: day 2!

I am sure all these fair posts show how truly big and exciting the town of Bloomington/Normal is. There were so many things to do that we made the trip in the 100 degree heat index not once, not twice, but 3 times during the week it was here. I learned that I do not get tired of corn dogs, funnel cakes, or lemon shakeups. Even on the 12th time around. It's a good thing for my thighs that it's only once a year! I also learned that if you sit at the fair long enough with Jay, you will learn that at least 3/4 of the attendees have been arrested before. More than once. Another valuable lesson at the fair is that if you wear cute pink flip flops while walking through the animal tents, you will step in poo. It will not come off your shoe even if you hose it down. You will throw the cute flip flops away. Lastly, if you are a male and wearing something other than a wife-beater shirt, actually have a bra on under your top if you are a female, and do not have pop in your baby's bottle or a leash tied to their waist, you are the minority. Great times, great times! ;o)


Holden and Daddy at the deputies' booth that Jay helped out at. They auctioned off this 4-wheeler for Easter Seals.
Holden thought he was hot stuff modeling it for the crowds!

While Daddy worked at the booth, Holden and I did some sight-seeing. We watched an alligator wrestler, fed a very large yak with an even larger tongue (see close-up in second row: a face only a mother could love!), and watched the horses. I loved how cute Holden looked leaning on the fence. He could have stood there for hours quietly saying, "Hi kitty!" under his breathe to the horses. (We're still working on the animal names, obviously!)

(Didn't realize I couldn't just do 6 pictures...yes you are seeing double.)

Trip to the fair: day 3!

The Suspects:

Chelsey Marie-
One of Holden's favorite people
Sucker for snow cones
Fashion Diva

Memaw and Great Aunt Teresa:
Holden's grandma and her sister
Sunglasses owners which gives them an A+ in Holden's book
Can't go on rides because they pee their pants!

Allison, Haley, and Abby:
Holden's favorite aunt and her two sidekicks
Expect to hear lots of screaming if you are anywhere near them
Are WAY too cool to hang out with the rest of us during the day!

Missing from all pictures: Cousin Jenny
Chelsey's Mommy
Great Aunt Teresa's daughter
Can be found dodging the camera at all costs, whining about the heat index,
and wondering how early is "too early" to start drinking!


A few snapshots of the day! Jay enjoyed seeing how many big rides he could coax Chelsey on in order to attempt to give Great Aunt Teresa a heart attack. Holden's highlights were playing with people's sunglasses and riding the pony rides! He yelled "Go, go, go!" and giggled, then threw a mega fit when he had to get off. We all enjoyed the "monkey jockeys;" real monkeys that raced on dog's backs! Jenny managed to dodge every single picture I took, so I owe her a special "Jenny collage" coming soon! I'll make sure they're all beautiful shots, Jenny! (Wink wink!) Although it was about 110 degrees in the shade, we all had a good day overall.

(I did it again: doubled one of the pictures. Can you find it?)

August rush.....my life, not the movie! =o)

My helpful boys:

My wonderful hubby putting together first grade writing journals with a smile (make that monkey grin!) on his face.

Holden showing an early interest in poker chips like his father.....

these are my kids' "good behavior tokens" that he is so happily "helping" me with! ;o)

Did you think I got lost? The day the calendar turns to August my mind goes into a tailspin. As a teacher, August signals the upcoming school year, which means a room to unpack and ready for new students, papers to type and print, postcards to send, and lots and lots of planning. It is an exciting time but also a hectic time. And now having Holden, it gives me a lump in my throat. As many times as I commented this summer (and my friends and family can attest that it was more than once!) that there were days I thought my job was easier than being at home, I know I am going to miss spending my days with Holden something fierce. He is a little person now, and it is going to be hard on him when I leave him this time around, not just hard on me! I thank God we have a truly wonderful childcare provider, Lori, who takes care of him like he was her own, and that Jay gets his Daddy days with him on Mondays and Tuesdays. I love my job as a first grade teacher, and it gives me a great sense of fulfillment knowing that I am making a difference in little lives. It doesn't hurt that one of my best friends, Annie, teaches first grade in the same building, and we get to chat every day during the school year. But I love my job as a Mommy the most! Sniff sniff! I have one week left before we start, so I plan to make the most of it. Although my room is still not done, so I am sure that will make for some long evenings since I refuse to go during the day and miss time with my buddy!

I have lots to post and of course my camera battery is dead at the moment so it will have to wait. More visits to the fair, our trip with my parents to St. Louis where Holden took in his first Cardinals game, the Metro Station concert Jay and I took Allie to (We survived! But we realized we are OLD!), and cousin Morgan's 2nd bday are all on the blog agenda. Look for loads of pics coming soon! In the meantime, these pictures show just another reason that I love "my boys!" Willingly helping me out in my classroom.....Jay actually helping and Holden causing collateral damage, of course! ;o)

To all of you teachers out there: I feel your August panic!

A Day At the Fair!

Yesterday Holden and I joined Annie and the boys at the McLean County Fair. I think we picked possibly the hottest afternoon of the entire year, which is evident by the boys' bright pink cheeks in some of these pictures! They got to see lots of animals and even feed some, enjoy the yummy, greasy fair food, and Colin and Holden took in a few rides. We also said hello to Jay who was checking out the deputies' raffle booth. (These cops say they work so hard....somehow Jay always manages to hangout someplace fun!) One of the boys' favorite activities of the day was playing in a sandbox filled with corn kernels. This was of course AFTER we'd been out in the heat for two hours. This was of course in the AIR CONDITIONING. Had we known this was all we had to do with them, we could have saved ourselves a lot of trouble!!! =o) My favorite shot of the day is Colin licking his corn dog. He is such a goof!

Bus Ride With Papa!

My Dad retired this year from his position as a correctional officer, but he still drives a school bus for Unit 5. It keeps him busy and he enjoys the kids. (Usually!) =o) He has been driving for the summer school kids this summer, and the other morning he surprised us with by pulling up in front of our house after his route! Holden was fascinated, which was no surprise...he loves anything that drives, the bigger the better. He got to look at all the cool gadgets up front and honk the horn, and then Papa gave us a couple of drives around the block. I can only imagine what the neighbors thought if they peeked outside...me climbing onto this school bus in my pajamas with Holden in a diaper and t-shirt! Can we say, white trash?! Hilarious! Holden had a blast and threw quite the fit when Papa drove off. Thanks for the fun morning, Dad! (Next time come when I am dressed and look cute!)

Family, food, and....water!

As I mentioned a few postings ago with my "Baby For Sale" ad, my relatives were here the other night for a backyard barbecue. My mom's sister, "Aunt Stephanie," and her husband, "Uncle Kevin" were here from Texas, and my Granny (mom's mom) came also. I only see Steph and Kevin once or twice a year, so it was great to catch up. They had only seen Holden once before in person, at his first bday party. Despite one very cranky toddler, we had a good night and I did manage to get a few happy shots!

Looks are deceiving: this was one of the few smiley moments he had!
Can you tell he really enjoyed the cookie cake???

In a desperate attempt to stop the whining, I pulled out the hose and let him "wash"
the roof to his safari wagon. He is so fascinated with water!

Aunt Steph being a good sport and letting Holden "water" her feet!

"It's cold!!!"

More barbecue pics!

"Water boy"

Can you tell Daddy is just a little annoyed with Holden's behavior this evening??
If looks could kill....too funny! (This looks like a charming little father/son time with the hose....
what you don't see is that Holden just threw a kicking/screaming fit until Jay turned the water back on!!!!!

Somehow we got a shot of all of us and Holden isn't even crying!
(Thanks, Uncle Kevin! He kept tickling Holden's foot behind me.)
From left: Mom, Dad, Aunt Steph, Granny, Uncle Kevin, me and Mr. Whiny Pants