August

Challenge B started Wednesday, August 3.  Friday we took a field trip to the planetarium at the Space and Rocket Center because they are studying the history of astronomy this year.  Saturday Ben and his friend Reed helped Reed's little sister's team scrimmage.  Before practice, all the girls lined up took shots on Ben and Reed all at the same time.  The girls thought it was hilarious.  We had our second week of Challenge B.  Since Foundations/Essentials aren't meeting yet, Annie and Mollie Grace have had to tag along and hang out with us.  Although there are no pictures, Ben's team scrimmaged Thursday night against the Decatur 06 team and then played a friendly against the Shoals 06 team Saturday.  The pool that we've had for a couple of years completely died last week (the pump broke.  I had already patched two holes earlier in the summer and was having to add air to the top ring every few days).  Although there are only a few weeks left of summer, I decided to order a new pool because it's still extremely hot and they especially enjoy swimming with John on Saturdays.  So Friday Mollie Grace and I put up our new pool.  Friday night, Mollie Grace and Annie attended a 4-H Gardening Club meeting and started seeds for a winter garden.  Saturday after soccer they were able to try out the new pool with John.

 

Summer Fun Show

Although Mollie Grace was sad that camp was canceled, she did get to participate in two activities that she would have missed otherwise -- 4-H Sewing Club where they made a pillow and the Summer Fun Show at B&W Stables.  She competed in two classes at the horse show -- walk and walk/trot.  She won first place in the first class and second in the second class.  She was so excited.  After she competed she worked in the arena carrying the names of the winners to the announcer.  She had a fun day.  

 

Mississippi Children's Museum

 Annie had never been to the Mississippi Children's Museum so we planned to take her while Mollie Grace was at camp.  Since camp was canceled both Mollie Grace and Ben chose to come too and had a surprisingly good time.

Sewing and Hibachi with Nana and Grandaddy

Twin Lakes

 When Mollie Grace was five, she, Ben, Janey, and Mary Varner attended a week of day camp at Twin Lakes.  She's talked about how fun it was since then.  This year we decided she could go to Twin Lakes as an overnight camper.  We scheduled her week in February.  July 18, we drove to Jackson and spent the night with Nana and Grandaddy.  On Monday morning, Mollie Grace and I drive to Florence to drop her off at Twin Lakes.  I wasn't allowed to get out of the car but moved through a series of stops where I was given her cabin assignment, dropped off her luggage at her cabin and met her counselor, and then dropped her off with a big group of campers.  She was so excited she couldn't stop grinning!  Sadly, about 12:30 I received a text from camp that they had learned that a staff member had tested positive for COVID and a number of other staff members would have to be quarantined leaving them to make the decision that the final week (MG's week) of camp would have to be canceled.  At 2:30 I returned to Florence and picked up a sad Mollie Grace.  She has such a sweet spirit and was cheerful all week even though she was disappointed.  We were able to stay with Nana and Grandaddy a few days and they made sure she had fun.  Pictures at Nana and Grandaddy's house will be in the next post.