Hunting Camp

 On Saturday morning, John and Ben got up early and went to the hunting camp to help Grandaddy put a new ladder on a deer stand.  Ben played with Nana at the camp while John and Grandaddy worked.

 Ben sitting on the new ladder.

 Cheese.

Test driving Grandaddy's new toy.

When he got home from the camp, Ben painted this picture of a deer hunter for John.  He made it extra special with green glitter.  Notice the green deer head.

Dairy Farm

 We visited a local dairy farm with a group from church this morning.  We watched the cows being milked.  The man milking told Ben to open his mouth and he squirted milk at him straight from the cow.

Drinking chocolate milk and eating a cookie inside their store.  Mollie was having her cookie and milk in my lap so I couldn't take a picture of her.

 Ben and Mollie LOVED feeding the baby calves.  These calves were just a few days old.

After this calf finished her bottle, she was still hungry for more.  She was chewing on Mollie's shirt and Ben's shorts.  They laughed and laughed.

Mollie got to help feed a calf too.

We went on a wagon ride around the farm and saw where they were cutting hay to bale.  We also saw where they pasteurize milk and make cheese.

A Little More Yogi

Ben and Mollie taking a hot nap Friday afternoon.  They both slept really well in the tent and didn't fuss about napping.  The tent was in the shade so it was cooler than when we camped in Florida.

 Yogi loading up for the Hey Hey Ride.

 For the Hey Hey Ride, we rode around the campgrounds on a trailer and sang songs about Yogi and his friends like "He'll Be Coming Around the Campground" and C-I-N-D-Y.

John and Ben went fishing.  This time John brought Ben a scope out pole which was much easier for him to handle than his rod and reel.  They still didn't catch any fish, though.  Little fish stole a lot of worms from them. 

Ben wrote these directions for fishing before they went.  I'm not sure what it says along the side, but the BF on the fish is for "Brim Fish."

 Investigating the roly polys at night.

We were suppose to check out of the campground at noon on Saturday.  However, we awoke to thunder and decided to pack up quickly and leave early.  We put Ben and Mollie in the truck with a movie and hurried.  The rain started as we were were taking down the tent.  With Ben, Mollie, and me still in our pajamas, we headed to Nana and Grandaddy's house about 20 miles away where we dressed and visited until lunch time.  We had lunch at John's favorite Mexican restaurant before driving home.

Water Fun

After a rainy Thursday, we had beautiful weather on Friday.  We spent lots of time at the water slide and swimming pool.  We went in the morning after seeing Yogi at the flagpole, ate lunch around 11:45 and then returned to the slide/pool, and then went back again in the evening.

Mollie loved the slide.  She went down with either John or me each time.  As soon as we got to the bottom, she would say, "Do it again. Do it again."

After four weeks of watching Ben take swimming lessons, Mollie has become much more independent in the pool.  She blows bubbles, floats on her back with her water wings on, and kicks her legs.

 Her favorite thing to do was just walk in and out of the pool.  Mollie and I stayed in the shallow water most of the time.

 Ben wanted to swim in the deeper end with John.



Jellystone

John recently got a removable tonneau cover for his truck. He loaded all our camping supplies in the back end and we left in the rain for our camping trip to Jellystone Thursday morning. The rain stopped along the way, but it was thundering when we arrived at Jellystone. By the time we checked-in, the rain had begun to fall. We quickly set up in the rain and spent most of the afternoon in the tent.

The rain stopped in time for John to grill hot dogs for supper.  He was glad that he had this propane grill my parents bought him for Christmas.  All the firewood was wet.  As we were finishing supper, Yogi made an unscheduled visit through the campsites and Ben and Mollie got to see him.  (My camera was in the tent.)  That was the highlight of the first evening.

 Ben was fascinated by the roly poly bugs he found in a tree on our campsite.

 Mollie will do anything Ben does.

 Waiting at the flagpole Friday morning to see Yogi.

 Ben and the Yogi he got last year waiting to see the "real" Yogi.

 Here comes Yogi.  We don't know where Boo Boo was this year.

Posing with Yogi.

Station 3

 Wednesday Ben completed his second session of swimming lessons.  He worked very hard and was able to complete the third station on Wednesday.  He is kicking by himself with his face in the water.  He had to go about 15 ft.

 Nearly at the wall with Miss Jessica encouraging him to keep kicking.  She really wanted him to get his third sticker.

Getting his sticker from Miss Addy.

Message

Ben wrote this reminder for me Sunday while I was preparing lunch.  It says, "No cooked broccoli for me."

Station 3

Ben began Station 3 at swim lessons today.  He's learning to kick.  You can see his knees bent.  He wants to kick like he's pedaling a bike.  His teacher is trying to teach him to keep his legs straight and his toes pointed.

Apple

I love this apple Ben drew for me.  Notice how it has a bite out of it.

Swim Lessons II

 Yesterday Ben started Session II of swim lessons.  He has been working hard to complete station 2. 

Floating on his stomach with his face in the water.  He had to stay afloat with his face in the water for 5 seconds to complete station 2.

Getting his station 2 sticker and an enthusiastic good job from Coach Addie.  Ben was VERY proud.

Dentist

 Ben and Mollie both got their teeth cleaned today.  They were both very good and their teeth look great.  No cavities.

 Ben completely relaxed watching Cars 2 on the TV on the ceiling and listening through headphones.

This was Mollie's first trip to the dentist.  She was very calm and did everything they asked her to do.  I sat on the table with Mollie while she got her teeth cleaned so I don't have a picture of that.  She's trying out her new toothbrush while she waits for the dentist.

Aubrey's birthday

On Saturday evening, we went to Aubrey's birthday party.  Ben has been very excited about it.

Mollie and Olivia playing in the pool.  Mollie did everything Olivia did.

 It rained hard, but it didn't rain out the birthday party.

 Eating burgers with MawMaw Wilma.

 Hanging out with PawPaw Sherman.  Somehow I didn't get any pictures of the birthday girl.