Monday, August 19, 2013

Benton County Fair

We spent Saturday night at the Benton County Fair. I've always enjoyed the fair. Despite the carny folk and the bad bands that typically perform, it's something I look forward to every year. So when I saw it advertised, I knew we had to go.
 Of course, we started our night with some massive 1-foot corn dogs. Haha- I love these kids and their enthusiasm for food.
Then Chris and Tanner rode the roller coaster together. Tanner loves all rides, but he really loves roller coasters.
 

Then Tanner ran through the little fun house.
And it ended with him going down  this huge slide.
Then we all rode the carousel. Bailey was especially excited about this ride when she saw the ostrich. She asked to ride the ostrich by name and I couldn't tell her no.
Seriously- Look at that face. She was so excited.
Tanner rode in the carriage.
We rode the carousel 4 times, because Bailey had to ride lots of different animals. We rode the horse,  zebra and the bear. She pretty much loves the carousel.

Then Bailey and I rode the Safari trucks. She liked getting to drive these little cars.
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After that, Chris and Tanner rode the tea cups. It was pretty funny to watch Tanner try to spin their combined weight. He loved it though.
Then Chris got out and Tanner and this other kid rode the tea cup together. They really got it spinning and were laughing so hard. It was adorable.


Then Mimi paid for the kids to play some games (she totally spoils them) and Tanner won this ridiculous samurai sword that he LOVES!
Then Bailey won this ugly purple dog that she completely adores.
Then we gorged ourselves on funnel cake and called it good for the night.
Bailey thoroughly enjoyed the funnel cake.
We had a great time and are really enjoying having Mimi here to visit!!

Sunday, August 18, 2013

More Summer time fun in NWA

I can't believe how fast the summer is flying by. It's already the middle of August- just crazy!
We got home from Mtn. Home on Monday, Aug 5th and we were all exhausted from Bailey's party and hanging with friends over the weekend.
Tuesday we got groceries and did laundry but we finally decided we needed to do something fun, because we were a little cranky.
We headed to the Bentonville Splash pad. The kids love going to the splash pad. Tanner runs laps around all the sprinklers and Bailey literally plays with the same one the entire time.
Wednesday we made sidewalk chalk spray and decorated our driveway.
It was fun. We drew pictures and then sprayed them with our paint.
Tanner enjoyed spraying letters with his paint. See his letter "T"
On Thursday we went to a play date at the fire station. We met our buddies at the "Firehouse Subs" first and all the kids got fireman hats. Then we went to our local fire station for a tour.
It was pretty cool. The fireman let the kids climb into the fire truck and he put on his fire fighting gear for them. They really enjoyed it.
 
Oh and we tried to get a pic while we were there, as you can see- my kids really cooperated.
Here's a cute one of the kids in their fireman hats.
On Friday we woke up to rain . Have I mentioned how much it's been raining lately? It's been CRAZY! Anyways, we decided to make some tapioca pearls to play with. By the time they were done, it had cleared up a bit so we went outside to play with them.
They had the weirdest texture. They were squishy but firm-so fun to play with!
 
But after a while, we decided to take the pearls into the tub. This was awesome because they could chase the pearls all over the tub without them getting away or getting dirty. They spent an hour in the tub playing together. So fun!
 
 
Tanner thought he might taste the pearls. After putting one in his mouth- he immediately spit it out. haha. They are edible but not very tasty.
These little pearls were so fun. I will definitely do this activity again.
 
Over the weekend we went to Devil's Den State Park. Then it was back to real life.
On Monday we experimented with ivory soap. Did you know when microwave ivory soap, it gets really huge and puffy. Check it out!
 
Then on Tuesday we met some friends for another play date. We had a "breakfast in your PJ's" play date at IHOP. It was fun and delicious! The kids ate so well and the food was super yummy!
Wednesday we made our own water wall outside. We painted some bottles, cut off the tops and then nailed them to the fence. The kids then took turns pouring water in the bottles and watching the water go down the bottles. Tanner was intrigued to say the least!
It was a really easy, cheap activity for this gorgeous weather we've been enjoying.
Thursday we packed our lunches and met some friends at the park. It was such a gorgeous day and we stayed there for 2 1/2 hours. It was fun. The park is fenced in, so the kids just play and the mommas are able to chat.
On Friday, Uncle David and Mimi arrived for a visit. We decided to show them around Bentonville. We took them to the "Walton 5 &10" and then to "The Station Cafe" for dinner.
Here are the kids in the little truck outside the "5 & 10". It only cost .10 cents to ride on. So cute!
Bailey was thrilled  she got to drive.
They loved the "5 & 10". It was such a cute little store. Mimi bought Tanner and Bailey both a toy. They are totally spoiled with her around. But it was so fun. And of course, dinner was delicious!
Now, school is getting ready to start. We have one week with Mimi and then Tanner starts preschool. I cannot get over how fast summer flew by. I'm getting very excited for fall though.