Miel

Miel is finally making the blog.  Although I don't know her official birthday it is late August or early September.  Happy Birthday Miel!  She is now 10 years old!  A little about Miel:  her name is French, meaning honey; she usually sleeps with Brooklynn; she still loves to play with play mice and peppermints (however the peppermints are forbidden right now because Braxton would eat them) and still plays fetch.  Although she does have a few favorite visitors, she is usually hiding under the bed in her typical scaredy-cat way. 

The only reason she has made this blog is because she was the only living thing in the room when I was testing out our new camera.  We decided we needed to get a small camera that we can fit into our pocket when we go to places that we don't want to haul our expensive, bulky cannon.  Plus for occasions such as this coming weekend when we both need a camera and we are in two different places!  Heath/Brooklynn in Mississippi and Braxton/me headed north where we are planning on visiting the Ft. Wayne Zoo on our way.   So I was testing out the new features and realized I used the 3D image to take this photo - so if any of you have that capability you may view Miel in 3D!      

And I am giving myself kudos that I am keeping up this blog even if it means writing about my cat and my new camera!  :)

*I just discovered tonight all of the comments that people have previously posted the past few years!  I wasn't ignoring you - I just didn't know they were there!  I'm still learning....

Happy Birthday Laila!

A picture of me and Laila a few years ago at her parents lake house

My dear friend Laila's birthday is today!  Happy Birthday!  Although I don't have any pictures from our visit we did have the opportunity to see them this month.  They stopped by for a short overnight stay on their way to Wawasee Lake where her parents have a gorgeous lake home.  Her beautiful kids, Britton age 3, and Madison, age 19 months play well together with both Braxton and Brooklynn.  We are planning on taking a trip to St. Louis this October during Brooklynn's fall break where we can visit with the McGhees again.  Wished we lived closer!!!    

Indiana State Fair

We couldn't believe how high the corn was!



Heath never misses the Indiana State Fair.  We actually went on three occasions.  Can't beat $2 Tuesdays sponsored by Turkey Hill.   So the first Tuesday, when the kids were up north, Heath and I went as a date night.  We hit all of the adult things and also survived a small storm, almost getting trapped under an inflatable booth when it first was flying up and coming down hard on people, then when it was being deflated by the owners unbeknownst  to us!  We took advantage of the $2 samples and tried a variety of foods: fried pickles, corn dog, fried string potatoes, pork on a stick, donuts and more!  Donuts were our favorite with the fried potato string coming in a close second.

The next night we went back to see two of my favorite groups, Third Day and Mercy Me.  It was a free day and we had our vouchers in hand (Heath's hard work in tracking down the Monday Indy Star).  It was a beautiful night and a great concert.  Ross and my friend Julie came with us.

Julie and I posing for a pic

Enjoying the concert on a beautiful summer night

Unknowingly Ross and Heath were boppsy twins at the concert with their shades, khaki shorts, and black tops.

We didn't have time to venture around the fair but Heath did manage to sneak in some milk and ice cream from the dairy barn.

We didn't feel right going to the fair without the kids so we had to go back once more to take them with us.  So we headed back the following Tuesday for the discounted price and deals.  We hit more of the kid events and petted more animals.  The kids rode a few rides, also $2, and we saw some free shows such as the lumberjacks and the acrobats. 

Heath and Brooklynn enjoyed flying high in the air

Braxton and Brooklynn have a snack while enjoying the lumberjack show

Braxton enjoyed his rides - we even got him to raise his hands like a roller coaster!

Braxton chose this ride but the lady allowed Brooklynn on for free.  Not sure if Braxton like the horn or the ride better!

Farmer Braxton and Brooklynn sport their new hats on their farming adventure

Farmer Braxton is planing some veggies

It wasn't near as hot as last year but it was a school night so we had to head out early.  But the kids loved it and Brooklynn has been talking about going back next year ever since!

Brooklynn's first day of 2nd grade

Brooklynn started school on Tuesday, August 16th.  Although she is attending the same elementary, Amy Beverland, there were several changes this year.  The change that has effected the entire school district was they flip-flopped the elementary and secondary school start and end time.  So school now starts at 7:50am and is over at 2:35pm.  Instead of riding the bus to school Heath now takes her and drops her off at the school sidewalk that is located on the way out of our sub-division.  This allows her (and us) to sleep an extra 40 minutes in the morning.  But she still has her bus time on the way home so it works well for everyone. 

Brooklynn on walkway after being dropped off for school

Another change this year is that Brooklynn is now part of STRETCH, the gifted program, in Lawrence Schools.  Her class has 40 students with 2 teachers.  After her first week and a half of school she has been placed with Mrs. Marshall along with other 2nd graders and 3rd graders.  I guess as time goes on if they need to slide students up and down then they have that option.  I asked her if her work was any harder this year and she said no however we have spent more time on homework as it is much more challenging.  Not sure yet if it is because she has some catching up to do versus the students who were already in STRETCH last year or if this is how it needs to be in order to challenge her.  I'm guessing a little of both.  Although she is together with 1st - 3rd graders in the classroom the whole class eats and goes to recess with the 2nd graders.  So she is still able to see and play with her friends and classmates.  However next year the class will again eat with the 2nd graders so it will be an even bigger change then when she will be pulled completely away from her graduating class. 

Her traditional snapshot of breakfast on the first day - bacon and waffles!

Another traditional shot of daddy and daughter on first day of school

I have to say that aside from some homework meltdowns the transition to school from summer has gone better than I anticipated.  My days with only Braxton tend to be easier and quieter (because there is no fighting).  Heath has been home more as his schedule is lighter so we have had good family time and a more laid back atmosphere.  I only pray that it continues on the same path!   

Marion County Fair (July)

This year Brooklynn was in mini-4H, called Coverbuds.  Her club was Lawrence Township.  She attended monthly meetings held at her school where they worked on activities, had snacks, learned about 4-H and also did service projects.  In December we went to a local nursing home where we sang Christmas carols to the residents and gave them ornaments that were hand made at the December meeting.  Throughout the year she worked on her projects. The final part of 4-H was to display her projects at the Marion County Fair so we packed up and headed out one July evening.


I had never been to the Marion County Fair and to be honest I didn't have high expectations seeing as most of the county is urban (plus the fact that I grew up doing 4-H in one of the biggest county fairs in not only the state but the country).  However it was a lot better than I had anticipated.

They each had the chance to simulate milking a cow.

We spent time seeing the animals (I have no idea where people hide these the rest of the year as I don't ever pass them when I am around Indy).

 Braxton even had the opportunity to ride a donkey! 

We found Brooklynn's 3 individual projects along with her group project.

Brooklynn was in foods and she had previously made marshmallow crispy treats a few weeks before for judging.  So they took a picture of it to display at the fair.

She took a pottery workshop class last winter where she made this heart shaped bowl.

She also did a project called Adventures.  She filled out a book about herself and had to choose something to make and display.  Heath and she made that original bird feeder that you see behind her.

Her cloverbud group submitted a group project that they did together during the year.  She is standing in front of the poster they made, in which she weaved one of the checkered rectangles.

Because it is only mini-4H they only get participation ribbons but she was excited none-the-less.  We spent the rest of our time looking around at the commerical building where the kids got some fun things to play with and then got some good fair food!

Brooklynn is planning on continuing with 4-H so we will be frequenting the Marion County Fair for years to come!

Summer Recap....

As you know summer holds baseball and softball for Heath.  He has been playing once a week even through minor injuries with his wrists or what ever ailment he got from playing the week before.  Even though his body is telling him that he is getting old, he neither acts like it nor acknowledges it.  Late spring he met a younger version of himself, Ross, and the bromance has been steady ever since.  They spend time on a weekly basis out on the back porch strumming the guitars, often with a cigar and whiskey nearby...never getting too crazy, just enjoying the summer nights.  He also alternates between grilling or having a fish fry with friends and neighbors on a weekly basis too.  Heath has had his fair share of concerts this summer: Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Eric Church, Jason Aldean, Easton Corbin, Mercy Me, Third Day to name a few although there are many more that are escaping my  memory.  For those who don't know he also has temporarily ended his insurance job (until the heart of winter) to sell for Amerifence, working for his good friend Mike.  He LOVES it!  He gets to use some of his smarts with numbers and dimensions,  is able to work outside, meets new people on a daily basis and has all of his appointments set for him!  Although it has kept him away more from us at home when things were really busy, working 6 days a week, it has been more beneficial for our family as the saying goes, "happy hubby, happy life"...at least I say that!

Braxton has grown so much this summer not only in height but in speech and speed.  He continues to love being outdoors and has figured out how to get dirty pretty quickly.  We are lucky that he still is a people person and doesn't venture far from us when we are outside or out and about.  He took his first bike ride and loves riding on daddy's bike while watching everything as it speeds by. Although he is his father's shadow when he is around he tends to be more of a momma's boy....even dissing Heath if he is hurt or upset...he needs his momma's tender lovin' to feel better!  He was able to spend more time with his sister as she was home from school - there were some touching moments between them but on the flip side there were many times when the tension ran high.  I was kidding myself to think that because of a 5 yr 4 month age difference there wouldn't be as much fighting!

Brooklynn started summer off attending two vacation bible schools, enrichment camp (4-H), swim lessons, going to holiday world and spending time at meemaw and peepaw's house.  Then July hit and the whirlwind stopped and the fighting with her brother started!  She spent July playing with her friends and doing the typical summer thing...staying up later, sleeping in, playing with friends, swimming, catching lighting bugs and so on.  She was able to make it to the Rogers' family lake house a few times too - it was neat to see her enjoy the lake and cottage as I did when I was her age.  She has also worked hard to learn to ride her bike.  She is almost ready to take bike rides with us as a family.  She read so much this summer.  The library reading program had to cut her off as she acceded the points allowed to get prizes.  Not a bad thing!  Not a big surprise seeing as she made honor reader at school not only once, but twice.  We are extremely proud of her.

I spent the summer trying out new recipes from Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen's book, You On A Diet.  Heath and I did the 14 day diet in the beginning of June with good results.  I lost a solid 8 pounds and can now fit into most of my pre-Braxton clothes.  I have continued to maintain.  Heath lost 15 pounds and dropped a waist size and continued to loose 10 more.  We have maintained but on account of making a significant eating change at home.  No more HFCS in our home, only 100% whole wheat or grain products, no hydrogenated oils and more natural foods without the artificial crap and preservatives.  Yes, Trader Joe's is my new favorite store!  I have read some pretty good books this summer.  Right now I am reading the 3rd book in the Hunger Games, Mockingjay.  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE SERIES.  Definitely made my favorite list!  Heath and I had a 4 night/3 day break in August when the kids when to my mom's house.  It was AWESOME!  I had a list of stuff to get done but instead just enjoyed my time alone and heath and I spent a lot of quality time together, running around with out the kids.

We got a boat in June and have enjoyed going out on the water when Heath isn't working and Braxton isn't napping!  The kids love to jump off and swim.  I enjoy the strolls around the reservoir.  It isn't too pretty or new but is a good boat and we have had lots of family and friend time on it this summer!

Well...that is our summer in a nutshell.  I will be back soon to update with the month of August, with photos.  Until then, God bless! 

Blogging Pledge

I am no good at this blogging thing.  I just never get around to doing it.  I can blame life with toddler or a big house to clean or too many good books to read. Recently Heath and I have started watching LOST on Netflix.  We are well into the 2nd season and are already highly addicted to watching it every chance we get!  Who has time to blog?  :)  But I would like to have a nice updated blog so all of our loved ones that don't get to see us very often can "partake" in our life.So it should be important.  So today I pledge to try to do a monthly update at the least.  My goal is to have a steady weekly update about the Bailey family....hold me accountable!