Little Ocmulgee State Park

It's no secret I love to get out of town, even for an afternoon to hike around.  I love to go, go, go...even when my body (and everyone around me) is telling me "slow down and rest".  Or, sometimes I just need a change of scenery, even when James is saying "but we can walk around at home".  And last Sunday I put my foot down and we all got into the car and headed to Little Ocmulgee.

We have not been there to hike since winter of 2017 when I was barely pregnant with Wesley.  We did go back there this summer for the splash pad, but it was too hot and humid to hike.  

Some pics from the walk:

I honestly think the Cyprus trees at the park are some of the prettiest scenery in Georgia. I just love them! Especially in the Fall.

Maryn just got tie shoes and loves to show them off.  She can't tie them yet, but we're working on it!

After the walk we hit up the playground and enjoyed the sunset on the swings.

This kid played hard, always trying to keep up with his bigger siblings! I can't imagine a better go-with-the-flow third kid for our family.

AHHHH.  I always love getting out in nature, getting out on Lauren's county, and this special time as a family.  Where to next!?

Fall Fest(s) at School

In a year when everything is different, I'm grateful when there is a creative attempt to create some normalcy!  The littler ones' preschool planned what are normally big, school-wide events in the Fall and turned them into class cohot festivities outdoors. Gotta do what you gotta do! And, the great news, kids don't care about the format as long as there are treats involved. They were happy to get to do something fun!

First, the Fall Fest: which always takes place during Halloween so kids can wear their costumes. Or, if they're my kids, they can choose and entirely different costume that has me scrambling last minute (this has happened to me multiple years in a row!!)  Gran Gran snapped some pics on their way to school.

Can I talk about these two for a minute? They have the strongest bond and are thick as thieves.  We love it.  Even if they get into all sorts of trouble together :)

Since James had COVID and now enjoys the antibodies, he served as the one allowed parent at the event. I snagged a few cute pics off Facebook.

Prior to this, they had Donuts with Dad.  I think I forgot to post those so here we go! Another fun, outdoor event that was by class. Fortunately James' office is next to the school so he just pops down from his office and walks over at the different scheduled time.

This past week we had a little Thanksgiving "feast" for each of the classrooms.  This time we both went, very cautiously and in masks!  

Mom of the Year over here messed up the time for Wesley's class so I arrived 30 minutes late, missed the small program, and he had to eat in the teacher's lap (in absence of a family). When I walked in the door he said "oh, there's my mom..."  Talk about feeling some mom guilt!!

Love these littles and how flexible they are to a different year. Sometimes I think it's the parents who make a bigger deal out of what they're "missing" than the kiddos.  May we all learn from their positive attitude and resiliency!

Another visit from Grammy and Gran Gran!

Grammy and Gran Gran visited us again in October!  (And, to be honest, we're nearly to their next visit in December when I'm writing this post...I'm a little behind...)

I already wrote about one of the biggest happenings during their trip (Halloween!), and we also had a bunch of other fun while they were here just doing nothing while staying home and social distancing.  A quick recap of the trip through some of my favorite pictures (mostly taken by Gran Gran and Grammy themselves).

First, in prep for Halloween, we had to carve pumpkins. Note I would have chosen not to carve pumpkins, but the kiddos insisted. They even found the cheapest, flimsiest carving set at Ollie's that came with the most complicated stencils.  James and Gran Gran were thrilled!

Of course, the gentleman had a few kiddos who served as foremen, QA-er, and gave critical feedback throughout... :)

And the finished products!  They looked great with the candles inside. 

While we didn't get out too much, we did hit up Cochran Brothers Wholesale because that's just always a fun place to explore.  I found me a great container for brining large amoun    ts of meat, and Daddy got himself a small saucepan for BBQing.  Two things we desperately needed!!  (Hint of sarcasm....)

We wanted to hit up the Farmer's Market but decided against it when we saw floods of people without masks walking around.  Our little town is not compliant in the least when it comes to CDC guidelines... Since we were downtown and the littles were upset, we hit up the train. That quickly turned tears into smiles!

Of course, we ate.  We did enjoy some al fresco dining at Saltwater Fishery, and then also take out pizza up at the office.  

Grammy also had some fun snacks that allowed the kids to get creative.  Like hotdog "mummies" - a huge hit (and not just because it meant a canned crescent roll!)

We spent a full morning out at our Farm (meeting the boys, who are hunting most every morning these days).  Since Grammy and Gran Gran had been here last we've put up a covered picnic table at the two ponds, added electricity for any future buildings, and cleaned up some more land.  While we rode around we saw turkeys and deer, and of course JB narrated the entire time.

Not sure what is going down here, but it cracked me up when I saw the pictures. Ah, brothers. 

We had such a great time with them!  And then, before you know it, they'll be back! :)