The last day of school 2013

Another school year is over.

I never in my dreams imagined how emotional and attached to each teacher and grade and age that I would be.

I just want to keep hanging on because it all goes too fast.

Now, when I look at their toddler pictures I just can't believe they are the same kid!

They change SO MUCH from how they were at 2, 3, & 4 to what they are at 5, 6, & 7.  

I'm sure I will be saying the same thing for 8, 9, & 10 and up.

During this school year, Tim has changed jobs, we have moved into a new house, both kids are reading amazingly, and have both learned and accomplished so very much.

I wish I could accurately portray how much my C Girlie has matured this year.

I can tell you, she is going to do some great things.

And she is SO FUNNY!

She loves making her teacher and friends laugh.

Everything academically has improved by leaps and bounds since the beginning of the year.

She never missed one spelling word, her handwriting is so neat now, and she is loving reading chapter books even at home now!

At the talent show this week, the 1st graders performed a couple of songs.  C was sitting on the front of the stage with some of her friends and she was not nervous about being in front of the entire school and she just sang her heart out!

I am so, so proud of her!

 B Boy had a wonderful kindergarten year.

He is a little smartypants.

He is already not too far behind C in his reading level.

Everything has just come so easy for him this year.

I hope it always stays that way.

He is a great friend too.

He had 7 BFF's this year in his class.

He even numbered them, like BFF1, BFF2, etc!

He loves teeball and playing basketball.

He loves to write pages out of books onto notebook paper.

He loves to write his own stories and illustrate.

He is sad about leaving his friends, but I know he will make lots of new ones!

He has grown up a lot this year too!

And gotten so tall!

 Please don't think I'm bragging on my kids (well, maybe I am a little, but don't we all?).

I'm a proud momma trying to preserve memories of them.

Just to balance everything out, I give you this-

That's how taking a picture of her really went this morning!

And yes, I'm one of those moms that takes pictures of their kids crying or mad!

C Girl really doesn't look a whole lot different to me, but B Boy does!  

He grew so much this year!

This week has been busy with all the usual end of school things- awards assemblies, Spirit Night, talent show, field day, tee ball game, and a tornado threat for good measure.

I sure am going to miss having a kindergartner and 1st grader.

The brand spankin' NEW Rogers Aquatics Center

Yesterday, I wrote about Northwest Arkansas, but specifically Bentonville.

Today I'm going to fill you in on another very awesome thing in Northwest Arkansas, the new Rogers Aquatics Center.

My family was invited to come this past Saturday to have a sneak peek of the water park before it officially opens to the public this Saturday, May 25th.

When we first arrived, I was instantly impressed by the size and layout of the park.

The kids could not wait to get in and play at Otter Holler.  

It has slides, water cannons that you can shoot water from, and a giant bucket on top that dumps water every little bit!

My kids are 6 & 7 and this was perfect for pre-schoolers and up!

One thing I really loved was that there were lifeguards stationed all throughout the park.

We played in this area for quite a long time!

By this time, it was lunch and we hopped over to Wet Willy's kitchen.  

They have general concession-type foods.

We had hot dogs, chips and drinks.

My only complaint was that all four of our hot dog buns were broken apart so they were difficult to eat.

They also have pizza, cheeseburgers, candy, ice cream, etc. all at affordable prices.

It would be nice if they allowed you to bring a cooler of food or drinks in, but they do allow you to leave the park and return as long as your hand gets stamped for re-entry.

The park has four private pavilions that can be reserved for parties.  

The fee of $250 includes the pavilion, 12 park passes, and 12 beverage tickets and is good for a 2 1/2 hour time period.

This would be great for a birthday party!

Some of the rides for "big" kids include 

the Tree Top Drop, steep side by side slides for racing, 

Super Flush, a big ole spiral bowl that dumps you into an 8' pool of water, 

and Hawk's Nest Falls, two winding flume slides with one being open and sunny and the other enclosed and dark!
After going down the "toilet bowl," you can swim over to the climbing wall!

I also cannot leave out White River Run.  

It is a smooth, flowing "river" that you float through on inner tubes!

This is so fun!

I went around "the lazy river" twice!

They didn't leave out a place for the little ones to play!

Tadpole Hole is a fun area with a toddler pool with zero depth entry (like a beach!), sprinklers in the pool, a little slide, and a splash pad!

Bonus- it's a shaded area!

This here is the Cement Pond.

This is a competition pool for fitness and lap swimming.

This is a great time to mention that you can grab a $35/month membership for this pool.

The park also is now taking registrations for their Learn-to-Swim program 

and the "Ballistic Bullfrogs" summer swim team!

Handicap accessibility was an amazing feature that is available throughout the park.

There are also lockers and shower facilities on site.

We really had a fantastic time visiting.  

This is just another great thing to add to the list of things to do in NWA!

The park opens this Saturday, May 25th.  Hours are Mon-Sat 11am-8pm and Sunday 12pm-6pm.

Admission prices, concession prices, special admission offers, facility rules and group reservation forms are available at the Rogers Aquatics Center website.

A 10-Pass-Punch Card is available and may be used multiple times by one person or for multiple family members and friends.

Punch cards are available for 50% off until the Rogers Aquatics Center opens on 5/25!

There is also no limit on how many 50% off Punch cards that you can purchase!

You can get these at the Rogers Parks Department, 113 N. 4th St.

I know that I will be purchasing some for my family to visit the water park this summer!

Follow the Rogers Aquatics Center on Facebook to keep up with additional discounts and special admission days that will be announced throughout the 2013 season!

The staff at the Rogers Aquatics Center will be identifying trends and attendance patterns to help choose the best deals and offers to issue in the future.

I'm looking forward to some season passes hopefully being offered in the future!

Thank you City of Rogers and Arkansas Women Bloggers for the opportunity to check out this cool place before the masses invade.

Let me show you around my town: a weekend in Bentonville, AR

Northwest Arkansas is a really cool part of our state.

There are so many neat places and things to do and see.

 It's just a cool place to live. 

I live in Bentonville and there are some really great things here.

This weekend, we got out and enjoyed some of the things that make Bentonville unique.

Friday night after dinner, we headed downtown and stopped at this little food truck that I have wanted to try for a loooong time!

This is Crepes Paulette.

From their Facebook page- Authentic, delicious French Crepes, sweet and savory, in an open-air setting.

If you want to know more about crepes, go here.

I ordered a simple lemon crepe with butter and sugar. It was divine!

The kids and Tim shared a crepe filled with Nutella. They were in heaven!

They also serve a variety of other sweet and savory crepes.  I can't wait to try a savory crepe!

Afterwards, we walked over to the square to listen to some music.

They call this Pickin' on the Square.

Lots of people had brought their lawn chairs and others were standing or sitting on benches.  

The weather was perfect and we all had a great time.

Saturday morning, we visited the Bentonville Farmer's Market for the first time this season.

We purchased some great asparagus and broccoli and a jar of red plum jelly.

There are beautiful flowers, plants, jewelry, woodwork, hair accessories, bird houses, pet things, soaps, lots of produce and even baked goods.

A few food trucks are also there every week!

We also stopped by the unveiling of Artist Alley.

Bentonville Middle School and Junior High Art Student art work is featured.

This is located on Main St. just past the new French patisserie, Meridienne.

I cannot wait to try pastries from there!

This artwork captures some of the unique, awesome things that we are lucky to get to enjoy here in Bentonville.

a showcase, an anniversary, and a play

The end of the school year is coming to a close.

It does make me sad in the fact that my babies are getting older.

BUT.

Hot dog, I'm looking forward to summer!!!

To have days without stuff on the calendar makes me ridiculously happy.

So, this is another long post.  #sorry #notsorry

I've probably mentioned it before, but our district started a 21st century classroom program last year.  It is a grant that teachers could apply for and if they were chosen, they would receive a classroom set of technology.

Last year, C's teacher applied and was a recipient!

We already had planned for B Boy to be in her class, so it was neat that he would get to be a  part of this great new thing!

Grades K-2 receive iPads and all grades above receive laptops. 

The recipients for this year's grant are actually being awarded this morning!

With last year's and this year's recipients, our district will have 47 21st century classrooms next year!

This past Tuesday evening, our district had a Technology Showcase to let these classes show off what they have used the technology for this year.

B Boy participated in his class's station.

Using his iPad that he used all year

Presenting his weather book that he wrote and illustrated online to our assistant principal

The class project was based on learning about weather.  They blogged, had a meteorologist visit, wrote books online and lots more!

Yesterday was our 10 year anniversary, so we actually got to spend the day together kid free!

We finally got the opportunity to visit the Norman Rockwell exhibit that is at Crystal Bridges Museum until May 27th.

I didn't know what to expect, but I loved every minute of it!

 It took us almost two hours to look through the entire exhibit.  I could have easily stayed longer.

First of all, his paintings are wonderful.  

Secondly, to me, it is almost insane to be able to stand right in front of the actual paintings that he painted.

Thirdly, I was shocked at how many covers of the Saturday Evening Post that he had painted for.  They had every single issue that he had done in the exhibit.  It was 362 of them or something.

Fourth, his broad range of styles is very impressive. 

The paintings that he is most known for are the iconic Norman Rockwell style from the covers of the Saturday Evening Post.

But, he also did portraits of presidents, portraits of actors/actresses for movies, true historical paintings, and paintings for propaganda poster or advertisements.

His paintings are so detailed and some are so life like.

I love how a lot of the paintings depict a small moment during regular life.

He used models for his paintings, did lots of research, and did sketches and drawings before he even started a painting!

So, there is your history lesson for the day!

This was one of my favorites-

A Christmas Homecoming -Norman Rockwell, 1948

Last night, B Boy had his end of the year kindergarten Bugz play. 

C Girl had the same one last year.

and now I've watched the videos from last year and am boo hooing!

Sweet little army ant

Such a cute play yet again!

Can I please bottle him up and keep him at this age?!!!

Ten Years

Ten. Years.

That just blows my mind.

I was laying in bed the other night thinking about how I'm now 32, and how 22 seems so very long ago.  But, yet, I still feel 22! (in my mind!)

So much life has happened in these past 10 years.  

There is no way we could see what laid before us back then.

I wonder how the next 10 will play out?

Tim, you have made my life better in every way.  I've grown up since we were married.  The many things that have happened, we've faced it all together.  I've never doubted you by my side, and you are who I always want by my side.  The prayer of my heart is that somehow through it all, our kids will see a great marriage and have that as a foundation for their lives.  I hope you know how loved and special you make me feel.  Life has a way of getting in the way, but I'm so glad we keep making us a priority.  I'm so glad you are mine.

 And I thought I loved you then...

I'm feeling thirty two-oooh

I keeping it really light today because I'm needing that.  

I came across this video and thought it was kinda accurate and really funny.

And now, since I may or may not be this age, it's even funnier.

What a weekend! {hold on to your horses, this is a long one}

If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times: May is such a busy month.  May 3rd was Tim's birthday and this past weekend was my birthday, Mother's Day, and my nephew's birthday. 
All in the SAME day!  
Tim and I also celebrate our anniversary this coming Thursday.

Saturday, B Boy had tee ball team pictures and a game.  It was a PERFECT day.  The weather was fantastic!  
Afterwards, we hopped over to a "vintage" store I wanted to show Tim.  We found a couple of treasures there! 
Next, we decided to go to Tanyard Creek Nature Trail.  It was a great little hike and the waterfall was insane from all the rain we have received lately.

I woke up Sunday morning to a counter full of gifts, cake, and cards!  My favorite things are the cards that the kids made me and the gifts that they picked out for me. Tim said they did not hesitate when they got to Walmart, they went straight for what they wanted to get me.  

We had to get around and get to church.  They played a video in service about Mother's Day and I have literally never cried as much in church as I did during that video.  They are lucky that I didn't break out into a full on ugly cry.

Tim took me to brunch at Fred's Hickory Inn after church.  It was so nice and delicious!  

We then headed to Ft. Smith to go to my nephew Noah's 2nd birthday party!  He is my little birthday buddy :-)

I was overwhelmed on Sunday from all the love I was shown.  There were so many Facebook birthday/Mother's Day wishes, the same on Twitter, texts, calls, cards, and emails.  I even got birthday gifts and cards in the mail on Friday and Saturday.  It just makes you feel good to know that someone has taken time to think of you.  So, thank you.  It really made my day special.

 C Girl painted this pot at school and planted the flower for me.  I love it.  

How could I ever have imagined how blessed I would be?

 This picture is the epitome of C Girl. She is such a clown!  Those close to her get to see this silliness.

 My bubbas. Please tell me that I will never get too old to call them that.

 Mom and I.

 Sweet birthday boy.

 Oh this friend.  I love her so.  She brought me a birthday donut since it was my birthday too.  And she brought a singing candle!  I loved it!

 It kills me how much they look alike!

 Little cousins. My twin brothers had boys 5 months apart.

 I REALLY think he enjoyed everyone singing to him.

 And I basically had to wrangle these two to try and get a picture with each of them!  

And a final shout out to my brother Kevin who made the Sesame Street (Noah's Street) sign all by himself!  It looks great!