Well it is that glorious time again when you are a youngster, schools is back, and sadly summer is over. For my girls that doesn't really seem to matter these two like school so they were pretty excited to kick off this year. With two wonderful teachers for both girls so was mom! I am so thankful for the wonderful teachers my children have been blessed with and this year is no different. I just know we are in for a great year filled with lots of learning, lots of smiles and even more good memories!
B at her first real school desk! We went for parent day and she had to check it all out!
She was in her teacher, Ms. Nations lap in no time.
She even ran into a familiar face, her cousin, Juju.
And these are a few of their favorite things...for this year!
Showing of the new gear for this year, someone was pretty proud of their satchel they fought for so hard this year, big girl didn't want a backpack any longer :(
Little Miss B was all weighted down!
Hard at work already on the first day.
Dad and I both couldn't wait to see how school went so we met up to pick the girls up and take them for a treat to celebrate.
Second day of school and they are still all smiles so that is a good sign!
One of the first pictures from the teacher came the second day of school, I think she is going to be just fine she and the other kids share a love of watermelon!
That weekend we were in for a treat when our Chicago friends came to town. Always good to catch up with ole pals.
The next week at a banquet for economic development I was honored to get to designate a new endowment in the memory of our former director. This is the part of the job that I really enjoy, knowing how beneficial these scholarship dollars are to our students makes each award very special.
That weekend we were in for a first something new...auditions! AB was determined to be in the Nutcracker this year and so I took her along with some friends to try out this year but when she rounded the corner and saw this she was ready to run. The bad part is that she had to be dropped off and mom was to leave, my baby with all these kids in a big room for several hours. I was having just as much trouble with it as she was but to my surprise she toughened up and went through with it. Knowing she was the youngest auditioning can be frightening but so proud of my girl for seeing this through.
while she was away we found some fun to occupy our time!
She did it... you are looking at the coolest "mouse" around!
Moral support always helps!
All smiles after a little pep talk from mom. She was initially a little upset because she got the "kid part" but I reassured her that in fact she was a kid, the youngest to be auditioning for 1. and secondly she was going to be a mouse and in my experiences as a child seeing the Nutcraker that was always my favorite part. Besides, it is kind of a right of passage if you are going to be in the Nutcracker to be a mouse. I am super excited to see her "creeping" across the stage!
That night we celebrated having dinner with friends in a super cool new spot in Texarkana. Lots of atmosphere and great food, along with some live music made for a good night.
AB's #1 fan, daddy was super proud too!
The next day we raced up to Little Rock picking my mom up on the way to see the circus. B was a little too young to remember ever going so I wanted this for her since the rest of the weekend had been about sister. She loved every second of it. I think the walking dogs was one of her favorites. Hard to beat Barnum and Bailey when it comes to entertainment, I was even getting a little nervous for those guys. That is some crazy stuff they try way up high, but Nana would definitely win an award for most nervous of all.
The next week the girls and I stopped by the park in Texarkana to visit the Clydesdale's and geez are they huge! It is hard to tell in the photographs but in person they were massive. Such a cool experience to have them in town.
Just wanted to end the post with a few little pictures the girls and I took while dad was gone one morning in Hot Springs. We had a little fun with the camera and didn't get many "framers" I guess you would say but had some fun in the process. Still hoping to get a photographer, a real one, to capture these girls this year. It has been several years since we had pictures taken and they have both changed so much! Little B is a girl now, not the baby I have hanging on the wall anymore!
I mean who can so no to that face...
The background is from our artwork at the condo. AB and I created this years ago when she was around 2. She did the background and I did the letters. It hangs over our couch now but as you can see by the tiny hand print in the bottom left she was just a baby when we had it done.
Sisterly love
and lots of giggles!
Later that day Sheshe took us for a spin and these girls loved every second!
followed by a girls day of toes and shopping. What a great way to end a very awesome start to school.
A night on the boat with my sis and her family. They have their very own mansion on the water now...well it is more of a work in progress but we helped to take our maiden voyage back in September. It was beautiful on Lake Ouachita and we cooked out on the water, did a little floating with friends and had a few laughs as we sat in lawn chairs on the roof!
Labor day weekend brought lots of fun for the girls, Bobo and Sheshe took them to the razorback game. I think it got a little hot for their taste but they had a good time. Funny story from B at the game...some man was yelling loudly as the game started and she turned around to bobo and said "hey bobo, Bud's here" recalling the loud voice of family friend Bud Jordan. So funny, but one of those stories that we will keep telling Bud for years to come. So glad the girls had a good time and mom and dad did a little relaxing in the spa city too.
That night they came back to spend the night with their cousins in Little Rock and they had a blast playing that next morning.
Check out these two pictures and see if you can tell the difference...Max and B
AB and Mason taken several years earlier. Funny how these kiddos have changed! M & M look identical but my two are night and day!
Then they landed back with mom and dad for an afternoon on the lake
and tubing with the Gentrys.
The next weekend we headed to Little Rock for the game at War Memorial. I love the tailgating there and the kids are starting to get the hang of it themselves.
We even ran into a particularly special person. The Governor of Arkansas Asa Hutchinson!!! He was so sweet to the girls and asked if he could have his photo taken with them!(after mom had already stalked him) The girls had no idea who he was til I told them later on. then AB was impressed!
A little baggo with cousins.
Then on to the game for the older two while little B, Max, Brandee and I found a way to keep ourselves busy shopping!!
The unveiling of our new mascot at the college. It has taken a long time to come to this particular image but we are now officially the ironhorse. I know it sounds strange but the community voted and this was their pick. it is supposed to be a tie to the train history of this area. Ironhorse is the name given to trains in the early years. Glad to be a part of making this finally happen after years of talking about it.
This year I was selected to be a part of the Leadership program for Texarkana. I am honored to be in a group with some really amazingly talented individuals. It is going to be a year full of learning, connecting and volunteering to better understand how I can be used for the good of Texarkana. The year kicked off with an overnight retreat in Texarkana.
Touring the Red River Army Depot...feeling super cool in the goggles, headphones and hat.(not pictured it was just too much!)
the whole group ready to take on Texarkana by storm!
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