"Snips and snails and puppy dog tails, that's what little boys are made of!"
Surrounded by my sweet boys (hubby Eric, sons Connor and Ramsey, and our dog, Jango), I thought this a rather befitting name for my crew's blog. To our cherished friends and family, happy viewing! We love you!
We want to teach Ramsey that giving is always good and should be prioritized. Doing something purposeful for others is commendable and makes one feel good inside.
A local charity called Sleep in Heavenly Peace makes twin bunk and stand-alone beds for children in the area who don't have a bed to sleep in. Because the charity is child-centric, I'm hooked and find their mission to be one to devote time and attention to.
Today, Ramsey and I volunteered at the build facility. A number of people showed up to help sand, stain, and put bed kits together. Ramsey and I were two of the four in the bed assembly area.
I was very proud of Ramsey; he pitched right in like a trooper and did amazing work!
He had a "funny story" he wanted me to add to this post. So... at one point, Ramsey needed to use the rest room. He was gone for such a long dang time. Just about the time I was going to search for him to ensure he didn't fall in, he came scrambling back to the assembly area, in complete tears. He had gotten locked in the bathroom and couldn't get out! He explained the story in great detail, how this one-room bathroom/janitorial room was like a small prison, unable to escape. He even tried ramming a wheeled mop bucket into the door to get out, but it was no use. Finally, someone heard him screaming (even though there were a million sanders working loudly) and pushed the steel door in. Apparently he was trying to push when he needed to pull... and pull HARD (darn heavy door). Ramsey specified to me "Mom, please don't put the part in where I was so scared and I started to say naughty words." I told him I cuss too when I'm freaked out, so I couldn't really blame him. Poor kid! This will be all he talks about for days, I'm sure. Hopefully a paranoia of public restrooms will not linger!
After giving our time to this wonderful charitable cause, we stopped by to see Nana and visit.
Ramsey's working time was rewarded with ice cream and time at the park. He found a few new little friends to play with for a while, so he was content. :-)
Today, the school celebrated the elementary students who had completed the [optional] summer reading program. Kids had to turn in their summer reading logs in order to receive prizes... and ice cream sundaes!
In addition to the ice cream, Ramsey read enough to earn a new book from the book vending machine.
The day has finally come... FIRST day of 4th Grade! Insane!
It was a foggy and humid morning starting out.
Goodbye my sweet boy. As my Dad used to always say, "Give 'er hell!" Seriously though... it doesn't get an easier; Momma still shed a few tears once Bill drove the bus away.
As I got my morning breakfast ready, before heading downstairs, I caught this magnificent sight at the lake side.
"This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad."
Later in the day... got this picture from Ramsey's teacher; his 4th Grade class.
Oh Ramsey.... 4th Grade, here we come! Totally unbelievable that our baby is this old and growing up so quickly!
We've been trying to cram a LOT in the last few weeks before school starts. The Open House at his elementary school was planned for this evening. We had all of his school supplies bagged up and we headed out.
The theme this year for school is "Under the Sea", so fun pictures were taken in a photo op area of the ocean.
I completely FORGOT to take a picture of Ramsey and his new teacher, Mrs. Phillips. Gah!
When we returned hom, we had to make sure we took a picture of him in his Class of 2032 shirt! In a few years, this shirt will fit like a glove.
RIDE DAY at the BCF!! We were going to meet up with our friends Jonah and Charlie so Ramsey would have a "ride buddy".
We thought the day was going to be chilly (hence the long pants and LS t-shirt), as the sun was hiding for quite some time. But, once we got to the fair, the sun came out and it became rather nice!
We hit the food first so Ramsey could enjoy a fair funnell cake. Thumbs up, per Ramsey (though the picture is missing his thumb. Doh!).
We found Charlie, Jonah, and more friends.
A few years back, I took Ramsey down this big slide, but this year, he wanted to do it alone. I was happy to hear that, as my scaredy-cat self was NOT looking forward to climbing up those rickety stairs again and trying to maneuver myself into an old potato sack!!
Ramsey got a late start, but he made it. He was rather astonished, but also quite exhilarated!
His favorites are always the racecars, it seems.
Ramsey didn't love the spinning bear, but he made it. HA!
He asked himself "What the heck have I done?!?!" here! He wasn't looking forward to it. But again, he made it. I think he enjoyed it a little too. The exhilaration is the fun part!
The Fun House was a popular place for them. I think they hit it about three times!
The wobbly walking boards were throwing them for a loop... in a good way. ;-)
And, the BCF wouldn't be the BCF without "The Happy Swing".
Ramsey tolerated it, but still doesn't find it extremely "happy".
We ran into his friend Henry later who needed a ride buddy for his last ride. :-)
So these kids still had a TON of energy and did not want the fun to end. Ramsey and Charlie wanted to have a play date afterwards. So, the boys and I left the midway, but stopping for Dippin' Dots before we left.
Before leaving the fairgrounds, we hit the kids' play area.
And the awesome bouncy houses, of course. I thought the Butler combine/corn picker was a super fun inflatable!
The boys didn't care what it looked like. They just cared that it was full of air and fun to bounce in!
Later that evening, I had to snap a shot of the boys with Connor. Connor was just getting ready to leave for an outing with his friends... happily donning his "party hat".
Ramsey has heard small bits and pieces of my 4-H days and showing cattle. He's never seen much of it up close before though.
Today, we took a trip to the BCF to visit our friends who were exhibiting beef animals this week.
Kali took Ramsey into the stalls where they had a teeny tiny calf there that their young son would be showing the next day. Ramsey was able to pet him and learn more about taking care of him.
Ramsey played with our friends' two boys on the play set near the barns as I chatted it up with the ladies near the stalls.
Afterwards, what's the fair if we don't get some FOOD? Ramsey's choice: Dippin' Dots, of course!
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