Galactic Blast VBS and Kentucky Down Under!

Sorry it's been so long since I've blogged, but it is proving to be a busy, busy summer for us! I'm going to work my way backwards here. Last weekend we went to Kentucky Down Under in Horse Cave, Kentucky. We've had tickets since last year, but we just now had an opportunity to go. It was a really nice day trip, and Jackson even got to pet a kangaroo! We toured a cave there, which was also a first for Jackson. He probably wasn't as impressed by it as Tom or me, but I think he enjoyed it.

Notice that I am not touching this kangaroo. Wild animals give me the willies.

These birds were beautiful, but a bit aggressive. Jackson had one land on his hat as soon as he entered the sanctuary!

His face looks greasy, but it's because of all the sunscreen!

A peacock that was out wandering around!

More birds!

Just a silly pic!

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Jackson's second vacation bible school was held by Providence Methodist and they had it at Pump It Up since their church hasn't been built yet and they're holding services in a nearby elementary school. So needless to say, all Jackson had to hear was it was at Pump It Up and he was IN!

These pictures were from their finale!

I really have lots more to post, but I am so tired and I will never get anything up if I don't just go ahead and post this. Maybe I can put some July 4 pictures up tomorrow or the next day.

I Heart Faces Challenge - Pets

Ella

This is my friend's puppy, Ella. I have pictures of my own dogs, but I thought this one turned out kind of cute so I'm entering this one. Thanks for the opportunity!

Saddle Ridge Ranch!

Jackson went to his first vacation bible school last week. It was at New Hope Baptist, and he had a blast! The first day I took him, I was a little concerned that maybe he wouldn't want to stay, but I was wrong. He absolutely loved it. On Wednesday night, they had a family night and Darryl Worley sang a few songs. There were ponies to ride, a little train, a mechanical bull, food galore, etc. It was a really great experience for him.

Jackson absolutely loved riding the pony! He had a perma-smile on his face!

One happy boy!

Darryl Worley

Then on Friday night, they had a VBS finale where they sang and danced to the songs they had learned all week. Tom and I were rather surprised how Jackson just got into all the hand motions and dancing part.

Jackson praying

My patriotic porch!

I read too many DIY blogs! I always want to do something creative, but I never can put it into motion. And then I saw these pillows on UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING. I can't sew, but I can IRON and so I figured that me and Stitch Witchery would get along just fine. And I must say, I am really pleased with the results. Now I can dress my porch up for every occasion without needing to learn to sew or bother Mom!

Yesterday, Sunday, we went to a new church. It was a Methodist church, and pretty progressive. I really liked the pastor. We will probably visit it again. I got Jackson signed up for their vacation bible school that started last night at Pump It Up! The church is having to meet at a local elementary school because they're a new church and haven't built anywhere yet. That's why the VBS is at Pump It Up! The theme is Galactic Blast!

Anyway, after church we went to see our friends who just got a new puppy. Meet Ella! She is an English Springer Spaniel and cute as she can be. Jackson loved playing with her! Here are some pictures of Miss Ella.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my dad, Tom, Tom Sr., John and all the other fathers out there. I hope you all had a great day! Jackson took Tom to Waffle House this morning and then to see Toy Story 3 and then for a little dip in the pool. It was a fun day for them! I tagged along to Toy Story 3, and it was such a cute movie. I think it was better than the first or second! I'm not sure who liked it more, us or Jackson.

Here are a few pictures from our trip last weekend to Jasper. Jackson always loves to ride on Papaw's tractor. It always scares the bejeezus (sp) out of me, but it's something Jackson loves to do.

And I guess railroad tracks are my favorite photo props, so every time we're in Jasper, I know the perfect place to go for a great photo opportunity! Jackson cooperated pretty well this day. I love some of these shots.

We had a street BBQ yesterday afternoon, and it was a really nice time. I know most everyone on the street, but we rarely have time just to sit down with one another. We put the waterslide up and the kids played on that. I guess we had around 30 people. It was HOT, but not nearly as bad as I had envisioned! This is the invitation I sent.

It seems summer is in full swing! Jackson starts a Vacation Bible School tomorrow. I know he's going to love it. That will give me a little breather and a few days where I'm not trying to take him here or there and entertain him.

Wildebeest Point-of-View

Last weekend we went to Holiday World and to visit everyone. Jackson was so excited to ride the new Wildebeest ride. It is a rollercoaster/waterslide combo, I guess. We waited in line for probably an HOUR to ride this thing. Yes, you read that right. I still cannot believe I waited so long. There were hundreds of sweaty, stinky people in bathing suits with various parts of their bodies hanging out their suits as they appeared unaware...or just didn't care. Probably the latter. And it was HOT, HOT, HOT out. I complained plenty. Jackson never had one complaint. He waited so patiently.

I told Tom that this would be my mom's hell on earth. It was kind of funny to imagine her standing there, first of all, in a bathing suit (NOT), then being in such close quarters with sweaty people (NOT) and most of all, waiting in a line for ANY amount of time to ride any kind of amusement ride. I am my mother's daughter, because it was not my idea of fun either.

Anyway, once we finally got up to the front and it was our turn to ride, then I started getting a little scared. Tom got up in the front, Jackson got in the middle and I got in the back of the raft. I wrapped my legs around Jackson's waist so he wouldn't be going anywhere, much less breathing easy for at least the length of the ride. Then here we go. Once the raft made its way up the hydraulic lift thingy, we were at the top. Then the raft started flying and we were going so fast that my body physically would leave the raft, and so I'd scream. I think I screamed most of the way down. As soon as I told myself I wouldn't scream any more...I'd scream! As soon as I got my eyes cleared away from the spray I'd just had...I'd get sprayed again. I felt blind going down a waterfall!

Here's what we experienced, without the sound of me screaming, of course:

We spent most of our time in the waterpark part, Splashin' Safari. We got there around 9:30 and didn't leave until 6:30. It was one long day! Jackson really loves the waterpark part and I'm sure next year he'll want to do even MORE there, things I wouldn't let him do this time. And I'm sure he'll want to ride the Wildebeest again, but next time, I think I'll sit under an umbrella and have an ice cream.

I took some really cute pictures of Jackson while we were in Jasper, but I'm too tired to upload them right now. I'll do that for Monday. Have a great weekend!

Meet Lilly!

She is Dad and Sherry's new puppy. I think she is a Shih-tzu/Rat terrier mix. She is so sweet and Jackson absolutely fell in love with her on our trip to Missouri last weekend. He is so glad she's little and asked me if she would be little forever, unlike our two who are 75 lbs. apiece.

She just let Jackson manhandle her all weekend and didn't bite on him at all. Her new little teeth are really sharp and I had warned him that she probably would scratch him or cut him, but she didn't. She was very, VERY tolerant. He picked her up by the neck until I showed him the right way to carry a dog. He's never been around one that small!

This is what he's been dying for Buster and Barney to do, just lay on the ground and lick and jump on him. I can't wait for the day when he can have his own puppy, but it will be a couple more years.

And yes, I took hundreds of pictures, but how could I resist when I had two of the cutest subjects on earth!

I wanted to somewhat update this blog now because we are going to Holiday World this weekend and I know I'll have lots of pictures to post and put on Shutterfly after that. That is if I can find my little camera. If I can't, then I won't be taking any pictures at Holiday World. I'm afraid I might have left it in Missouri. :(

Jackson is so excited about going to Holiday World again this year! He is bent on riding The Wildebeast (sp), and I guess he will as long as it's not too scary and he's tall enough, but that might mean I have to ride too and I really hate rides! This summer is whizzing by me at warp speed and I am just trying to enjoy it. That is proving to be hard because it seems we never have a weekend free.

Pool's Open!

I've added some more pictures to our Shutterfly site, so click here to check them out!

The pool's open, although I haven't been yet. I'm pretty much a fat mess, but still not doing anything about it. I know I'll have to suck up my pride and tuck myself into a skirted bathing suit within the week, but I am NOT looking forward to it! Anyway, Tom and Jackson went on Saturday and on Monday and had a blast! Jackson is so excited that summer is here!

The month of June seems to be BOOKED already with activities and birthday parties and library reading program and Vacation Bible School. It truly is crazy. I always say I don't know how people with more than one child pull it off! I have made plans to go see my friend Cathy in Houston in August and I can't wait! It's only for a long weekend, so I think I'll survive being away from Jackson, although I'll miss him like crazy! Her twin boys are just a matter of months older than Jackson, so that will be fun to see them.

Papaw and Mamaw bought this shirt for Jackson while they were in Hawaii. They got it at Pearl Harbor, I think. He loves it and it fits him perfectly!