Mammers takes Nora on her 7 year old trip

Mammers, Nora, Honey and Lainey took Branson over labor day weekend.  Mammers took DF on a trip to Branson when he was 7 and now she's decided to make it a thing.  Or maybe my kids just have to even the score and asked for a turn. ;)  They went to a hotel with an indoor water park, went to Dixie Stampede, a 50's place for banana splits, and had lots of fun.   Nora and Lainey both love horses so they loved the Dixie Stampede show and even got noticed dancing in the isle and asked to come up to the front and be part of the show!  Sweet times.  When DF was in third grade he had to write about a memorable trip.  I was surprised when I read that he wrote about Branson with his Mammers, he's been on some pretty neat trips in his day.  I guess there is something special about being the only one and not having to share the attention with the others that we take for granted.  Thanks Mammers, I bet Nora will always remember it too. 

DF kills his first dove

Franklin and David Franklin went to East Arkansas for the big hunt at the Felton's with Franklin's Sigma Chi buddies.  They both look forward to it every year, but this year was special for DF.  Grandpa got him an early birthday present, a new gun, and he was very excited to use it.  It did it's job and DF shot his first 2 doves.   He loves the outdoors and hunting and fishing and we will be having dove for dinner very soon.  Franklin is hoping to add more first.  

Isaac's Turn for sports

Ikey started Micro soccer, and we have a few kinks to work out but he had fun!  He also scored a goal, even if it was for the other team.  Hey, it happens!  We are happy for him to get a chance on the field and he sure had a cheering section!  Grandpa, Meme, Lynny, Mammers and his brother and sister who were instructing him the most from the sidelines.  We are proud of the newest soccer playing sonny! 

Lakeside vs. Lake Hamilton

A big Rivalry game was renewed this year after our graduating year- 1999.  It was too much and the shenanigans had gotten too out of hand.  This year it was back so Cassie came in from Little Rock and a lot of people got in to this game.  The old Rams (pictured below) taught the kids the old cheer about Wolf Meat and we went to a pre-game party at the Choate's and Wesley served Wolf Brand Chili.  The kids loved it!  So fun and I can' believe Isaac and Connor are the newest Rams, and the cutest things ever in their Ram headbands they made! It was a great game with a heartbreaker finish but next year I think it will be even bigger and better because the Rams will want it even more! 

David's birthday balloon release

Yesterday was David's birthday and I went to lunch with mom.  It is never just us without kids or others and we got to visit and talk like we usually don't have time for.  It was really nice talking about David and remembering him and all of the joy be brought us.  We weren't going to do balloons but the kids asked and really wanted to.  Nora said, mom it's a tradition.  And apparently one they count on.  Franklin offered to get balloons and bring them to mom's house after work and we released them.  I posted it on Instagram and was so surprised how many commented on how much they missed him and thought of him.  It's been so long, but I am just very touched when people reach out and I heard from his friends, old girlfriends, even someone I don't know very well that said how much they thought of him and that all of the girls had crushes on him in high school.  I wish he'd have known that.  I am thankful that the kids enjoy doing this, more than I realized. 

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!