Father/Son Retreat

Franklin took DF on a Father/Son Retreat at Kanakuk last weekend.  I think they had a lot of adventures together.  They went cave exploring, did the ropes course, swimming pool, and paint ball wars.  I think there were even more activities packed into one weekend, but moms aren't allowed to know all of the details.  I do know they came home worn out, filthy, happy, DF with chiggers and Franklin bruised from the paint ball battle but memories were made to last a lifetime.  Franklin is such a good father. He is big on quality time.  He teaches his kids everything from how to water ski, ride a bike, tie a shoe, make a bed, shoot a BB gun, to doing math problems.  He's intentional, dedicated, hands-on, present, loving and he passed up playing in golf tournament so he could spend this time with his son.  We are so lucky he's ours! 

Back to school and Open House

All three Bass kids are at Lakeside together for the first time and they are So happy about it!  Isaac is at the Pre-K building there and his teacher is Mrs. Runyon and her full time helper is Mrs. Carmona.  He has lots of buddies in there and is super excited to be a big kid!

Nora has Mrs. Cowan with a switch teacher (her first time for that).  The switch teacher is Mrs. Watkins.  Nora was as excited as Christmas day this morning.  Up before 6AM and ready to rock and roll.  She has lots of buddies in her class and is thrilled to be in the big Intermediate building with her brother.

DF is in 4th grade, his last year in the Intermediate Building.  He has three teachers, but his homeroom is Mrs. Murry.  She is his math teacher, Mrs. Hartsell is his Language Arts teacher and Mr. Pettigrew is his science and social studies and he's very excited about that.  Mr.  Pettigrew is the only male teacher in Lakeside Intermediate and is the soccer coach, plus DF loves science so he's super pumped about this year.   We have been praying for good learning, friendships,  kindness and love to be shown all over that campus and for it's protection.   It's going to be a great year! 

Westly finally gets a Bass kid in her building! 

Last week before school!

The last week before school we blew it out!  We had a dock day and invited a lot of our buddies over.  The dock day got rained out so it was indoor play instead  :).  We went to the swimming pool, they tagged along to some PTO meetings and were great helpers, we got in some putt putt golf and dinner at the Habachi Grill.  Nora and Merritt got nails painted and we got Merritt up on skis for the first time!  DF is doing amazing on the wake board and Nora is loving skiing and pops right up every time now!  We played dress up, and went to Mammers house for dinner last night and Nora helped cook the whole thing, including a delicious peach cobbler.  It was a great ending to summer and now we are ready to hit the books and get back into the routine.   Another fun thing about yesterday is Mammers in now Nora's sunday school teacher.  She was DF's last year and they both really enjoyed it.  Nora, of course, asked for it to be her turn next so now she's the second grade teacher and has inspired other older ladies in the church to teach the children too.  It's a special thing and Nora is happy to have her "Mammy" be her teacher each Sunday.  

St. Louis trip

The Johnsons met us in St. Louis for a long weekend.  We went to a Cardinal's game and they won it in the bottom of the 9th!  It was a fun win to see.  We also went to the Arch, the City Museum, a Fudge Factory, a rooftop restaurant, city garden and splash pad, and of course, the indoor pool at the hotel.  We had lots of fun sightseeing and playing tourist in Dad's old neck of the woods and home state. I thought of Grands often and miss her so much. 

Franklin wasn't ready for the fun to end so instead of driving home on Saturday when we checked out, he surprised the kids and we stopped 1/2 way in Memphis for a night at the pyramid.  They loved the hotel, Bass Pro Shop and morning bowling with breakfast in an underwater themed bowling alley.

We had great time together and are trying to soak up all of summer before school starts soon.  I feel like July was the month of day camps and visitors and flew by too quickly.  

Fun with friends

DF learned to wake surf behind the Herndon's boat and really is getting good at wake boarding.  He'd go every afternoon if he could.  He also got paired with Kate VanBebber at the last JR. PGA tournament which was fun since their daddies have been partners for years.  The McCoys came to visit and so did Hallie and a friend.  We went to Will's cinnamon shop which is a huge hit with my crew and I've started getting Hello Fresh meals weekly and the kids have all been great helpers in the kitchen and we are really enjoying it.  Each kid has helped me cook and with the step by step instructions it's been really fun for us all.  Yes, I even need the pictures and instructions myself. ;)