Maggie started her first day of pre-school on August 25. She is going to Campus for Kids and Miss Becky is her teacher. Miss Becky has been the teacher there for 17 years, so she knows what she is doing! Maggie is one of 10 kids in the class and only 3 of them are girls. Being in the company of so many boys has been an adjustment for her! She really enjoys pre-school though. The first week she was a bit nervous and didn't want to go and be without us, but this past Wednesday she was ready to go at 8:15! They get to do all sorts of cool things there like paint pictures and play with the Science center. It really is a good school and she is doing better each day she goes! (Madelyn wants to go too!)
While Maggie was at pre-school on her first day, we watched our neighbor's little girl Bailey. The girls absolutely love her and can't get enough of her. We love watching her because she is such a good baby! Here she is glamming it up for the camera!
We had been talking about camping "out" for a while now, so we took a trip to Farm & Fleet where they were blowing tents out and found this 7 person tent which is perfect for us when you factor in the dog. We set it up (easier than we anticipated) and the girls played in it all afternoon. We weren't sure whether or not they would sleep all night in it, but they did and they loved it. They strongly objected the next day when we took it down. (I am still amazed that we were able to get it back in the case along with ALL the parts!) That was the first time I had ever slept in a tent. (When I showed horses, we had campers and considered that "roughing it," though we slept in the barn several times.) I wouldn't mind camping "out" once more before the weather changes!
Blue slept in the tent with us because he had to keep watch over his girls. He absolutely freaks out if he is inside and they are outside.
Madelyn and Daddy played the guitar and we made smores once the sun went down. The night was beautiful and the stars were plentiful.
We celebrated Amber's 12th birthday on Sunday. She got Disney Monopoly, a new lamp, books, some makeup (which Madelyn found first as evidenced in the picture below) and the High School Musical DVD. We also went to Dairy Queen for some ice cream. (Now that we live in the country we have to plan these trips! The closest one is a 15 minute ride away!)
Flashback to 1980........all she needs now is pair of legwarmers and she'll be set.
Monday found us at a friend's house for a cookout. We ate good food, had great fellowship with our friends and the girls had fun. Madelyn found the desserts....and then a wet wipe.
Our weather had been stinky the past few days. It hasn't been over 60 degrees and Gustav found us. (I can honestly say that despite the deluge we received this spring, the crops really needed the rain.) We've learned more than ever about corn. Who knew there was male and female corn?!? Our neighbor Merrill is going to take us out when they start harvesting. Should be fun and a great lesson for the girls! The next week looks better in terms of temperatures and sunshine, but cold in the evening! Guess that it is that time of year isn't it? I've got tomatoes to pick and possibly can if I have enough. I've been getting creative with tomatoes when it comes to cooking. The kids and Rob just look at what I've created and go, "Tomatoes again?!" They are quite tasty though and there is something pretty satisfying about walking out your back door, picking a tomato and some basil and having dinner. Since the tomatoes and cucumbers did well this year and I managed not to kill everything, I'll think that we'll expand the garden next year. (Thanks for all the lessons while growing up mom and dad!) Amber planted eggplant and though the squirrels got the first two, there is pretty big one growing now. Should make for some good Eggplant Parmesan!
