Worlds of Fun

While in Kansas City for a few days, we also went to Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun.  The kids really wanted to go to Schlitterbauns, but the weather was too cool for a full day at a water park.

 The log ride is always one of their favorites; therefore, they went on two times in a row.  Justin was so glad that he was tall enough to go on the big rides with the girls.  He went on the ride where the bottom falls out and you get sucked up against the wall four times in a row.  I thought for sure he would get sick!

 Cara went on this tame ride with him.  They were both so bored with the ride, but the line was short and we were walking past.

 Ashlin and Erica got really brave and went on the Detonator.  Cara said no way, but the other two went.  Although when they got off, they said, "Not again".

They are all four in that car together.  They wanted to go on this ride again, but the line was really long.  It was a great time at the park.  We did go over to the Oceans of Fun side, but I didn't take any photos.

Take care,
Michelle

A New Smile

Today Erica got her braces put on.  She will be wearing them for about 18 months to correct an overbite and get her upper front teeth in line.  She knew this was coming, but not quite this fast.  Erica had her first orthodontist appointment on Thursday and the spacers were put in and today was braces.  This will all lead to a great looking smile!

Take care,
Michelle

Going to the K

If you have every been to a Kansas City Royals baseball game, then you know what it means to go to the "K".  The Royals play at Kaufman Stadium and when you walk in the gates, the staff greets you with "Welcome to the K" or "Have a great night at the K". 

 We went to Kansas City for a few days a few weeks ago.  Going to a Royals game was on the kids' list of things to do.  Therefore, one Monday we left home in time to drive to KC and get to the stadium for the first pitch at 7:10 p.m.  The Royals were playing the Athletics.

 The kids got to check out one of their favorite Royals, Alex Gordon.  He had some great defensive plays in left field.  It was Hy-Vee night at the game so we bought the cheap $8 tickets.  The kids enjoyed watching the game and especially the big screen between innings when fun activities are going on.

The Royals pulled out a 3-2 win and this win put them into first place in their division by a half game.  It was a good game, although the weather was a little chilly.

Take care,
Michelle

First Day of School

Today was the 1st day of the 2014-15 school year!  The kids were up bright and early with no complaints.

 Cara is out of dress code because the jr. high/sr. high does not start dress code until Tuesday.

 Justin was very excited that his 1st Grade teacher was Mrs. McCormick.  The three still in grade school all have Cara's former teachers.  Justin was so ready for school to start again.

 Ashlin is in 4th Grade and has Mrs. Clausen.  This will be Ashlin's first year to have switching with her classes.  She will go to Mrs. Aren's 4th Grade room for Social Studies and Reading.

 Erica is in 6th Grade and is in Mr. Korth's classroom.  She will also switch to the other 6th Grade room to have Mrs. Wolf.  Mr. Korth is my first cousin and he will get Erica prepared for Junior High next year.  I snapped the photos with the classroom teachers at "Meet the Teacher Night" held earlier in the week.

 The school year's theme this year is "Hooked on Jesus"; therefore, the fishing motif.  The elementary school has a new principal this year, Mr. Hale.  He was the assistant principal/athletic director at the high school last year and he also was Cara's basketball coach.

Cara refuses to let me take any photos of her by the school.  Therefore, this photo in the backyard is it!  After the serious photo, naturally these goofy four had to have a relaxed photo.

Here's to a GREAT school year!
Michelle

Best Weekend in August - Part II

Day 2 at the Knox County Fair was Saturday and Saturday afternoon at the fair means wristband time.  The afternoon wristband time was from 1:00- 6:00 and a wristband cost was $20 each.  The kids rode the rides from about 1:30 until after 5:00.  Cara took a friend, Bailey, to go on rides with her.  The free style was the first ride of the afternoon for all five of them.  Justin was so excited that he was tall enough this year to go on all the big rides!

This is Cara and Bailey on Zero Gravity (a ride that spins in a circle and you get sucked against the wall and then the floor drops out).

They also went on the Zipper three times in a row.  No wonder Cara said that her stomach hurt.

The bumper cars and the big slide were the tamest things that Justin went on all afternoon.  He was so excited to be tall enough to ride the big rides.

Justin got off this pirate ride with Ashlin holding his head because he was so dizzy from spinning in circles.

In between a few rides, we walked over to check out the Bush Pullers Tractor Pull.  Justin was impressed with these high-powered tractors.  They are so LOUD!

After riding for hours, we ventured to Grandpa and Grandma Leader's house for supper.  The little ones stayed to play cards again.  Cara and Bailey cruised the midway for awhile looking for people they knew.  It turns out that Cara knows a girl from Wayne whose parents grew up in Bloomfield and her grandparents live in Bloomfield.  When Keith asked her a few more questions about this friend, it turned out that her grandfather used to be the high school football coach in Bloomfield.  Mr. Walling used to be one of Keith's high school teachers.  What a small world we live in!  Keith and I went to the Clay Walker concert.  Clay Walker put on a great show!

Take care,
Michelle

Best Weekend in August - Part I

One of our family's favorite weekends is our weekend spent every year at the Knox County Fair in Bloomfield (Keith's hometown).  We look forward to this weekend all summer long.  It means the summer is almost over, but we get to enjoy one last adventure!

 

The 80's cover band, Hairball, was moved to a Friday night performance this year.  Cara decided to hang out at the concert with her parents and some of Keith's classmates and high school friends.  The other three were playing cards with Grandpa and Grandma Leader at their house in town.

 We enjoyed some Journey songs,

 some AC/DC,

 some Prince,

 some Ozzy,

 and some Kiss along with many other performers.  Unfortunately, the performance had to be cut short because of some fast approaching severe weather.  The rain started coming down fast shortly after the band was pulled from the stage.

 Erica and I checked out the 4-H exhibits and searched for some ideas for projects for the girls for next year.  These are a few that we found.

Take care,
Michelle

Summer Jobs

While growing up, your parents try to teach you a few life lessons along the way.  This summer was one of Cara's life lessons.  As parents, we made her apply for a summer corn detasseling job.  We wanted her to truly understand how hard you have to work sometimes to earn a dollar.  We wanted her to know that not every job in life is easy or without a little sweat or tears.  We also told Cara how great this job at 13 years old was going to look on a resume' going forward.

Cara didn't want to do it, but she applied at the end of the school year.  Around the first part of July, the phone call came that she had been hired and that the following week it was time to start work.

For three weeks, Cara got up at 5 a.m. to get dressed and eat breakfast to be on the bus at 5:45 a.m.  She got up every morning without complaining and got ready.  She would dress in long athletic shorts, a long sleeve t-shirt, knee-high socks, a rain suit and old tennis shoes.  The company provided her with safety glasses, gloves and a hat with a net.  There were days when she would come home caked in mud and wet up to her armpits.  But, she DID it and DID NOT quit or get fired.  Working in the cornfields is hot and wet work.  The kids have to pull out the corn tassels while walking down the corn rows.  Some rows are one mile long going one way.  Some days the farmers had just turned off the irrigation before the kids arrived at the field making it very muddy.  This is not easy work at all.

As parents, we told her to listen to her supervisors, follow the rules and work hard!  We told her not to get fired or quit because she was better than that!  We are so proud of her for completing three weeks of hard work.

The smile on her face when her pay check came in the mail was priceless!  She grossed a little over $800 dollars.  Plus, for completing the job, her Dad is going to pay her a bonus of $250.  Not bad for her first job that lasted three weeks and that she is only 13 years old!

Erica also did a part-time job this summer.  Occasionally, she would babysit for the two children that live in the house behind us.  One week she watched them every day.  Erica was very responsible with getting up early to watch Aiden and Addison.  She made them lunch, cleaned up the kitchen and dishes, picked up the house and played with these children.  Erica was proud of her paycheck at the end of the week also.  We were proud of her for being responsible and doing a great job!

Sorry there are no photos to go with this post, but Cara wouldn't let me take a photo of her in her detasseling attire.  She wouldn't even pose with her paycheck.  Oh well, maybe next summer she will let me get a photo.  The supervisor told the kids that finished the job that they are all hired for next summer if they want to come back and work the cornfields again.  Cara is really thinking about this - not a bad check for only three weeks of work.  Erica is thinking about joining her next summer because she will be old enough. 

Take care,
Michelle

Friends at the River

We were supposed to be on vacation last week and this week, but Cara was still working.  Cara's last day of detasseling was on Friday.  She was so glad for that three weeks of fun to be over!  Therefore, we have been patiently waiting for some fun and we all kept working.  Keith went to work, I went to work, Erica babysat for the neighbors and Cara went to work.

 Yesterday was our 4th time to go boating in the last week.  The kids got to take some friends and the boat was full.  Emma, Anna (aka Deuce) and Anna (aka Sauce) went along for a fun afternoon of boating.

 We commented when we got to the docks that we had never seen that many trailers parked in the parking lot.  The lot was completely full and boat trailers were parked on the grass and everywhere there was an open spot.  The river was really full with boats.

 Sauce fell off the tube while going with Justin.  He had stayed on the tube, but he jumped in to save her just in case.

 They wanted photos of them all jumping in!

 After jumping in, then a group "funny" photo was taken.  You can't see Justin very well and I'm not sure what happened to Ashlin because she had jumped in also.

It was a great afternoon at the river! 

Take care,
Michelle