Thanksgiving in Arkansas and at Home

     I accidentally posted this out of order. Before it was getting to look a lot like Christmas, we had a nice time in Arkansas for Thanksgiving...

      My sister and I took our kids and our Dad on a hike at Woolly Hollow State Park. We walked the Huckleberry Trail around the lake.

Scenes from our day:

Gratitude List From the Week:

     Since I have stretched out my Gratitude List over the course of years, I'm sure I will end up repeating things occasionally. That's ok. They are different feelings and different reasons during different points in life. A beautiful day for a hike (#533), Woolly Holly State Park (#534), my Dad's improving health (#535), after 7 years, my soft, squishy (as more than one of them have described me), warm body is still the biggest comfort to my son (#536), that every time I express that I wish I could have another baby, THIS ONE declares, "Momma, you still have a baby!!!" (#537)

    He's talking about himself, of course. I read some people's opinions recently about how Momma's boys grow up to be narcissistic and terrible partners. :0 It did cause me to pause and worry for a minute haha. My boys aren't given everything they want, though; they are told no, I give it to them straight when I need to, they're pretty sweet boys...so I will just keep trying my best to love them like crazy without them turning into terrible romantic partners one day lol.

     Little girls who are quickly turning into big girls...but who can still giggle and make up dance routines that they perform for the family. (#538)

     Cousin movie nights (#539)...and my sister is really funny #540 (memory: Dash telling her about how people watch youtube channels that consist of watching others play video games - and Cary pretending to start a youtube channel about people watching her do her crossword puzzles)

My niece is amazing, and I adore her. (#541)

My nephew is amazing, and I adore him. (#542)

     The best drives from Arkansas to Florida (#543) include a stop at one of the Cafe Sunflower locations in Atlanta:

drumstix for the kids

     one of the best desserts they have (#544)

     We had spaghetti for Thanksgiving at my parents' house. The kids and I, feeling very nostalgic about our holiday traditions, were a little like "Whaaaattt?!" (However, we love spaghetti, and it was delicious. #545) And we also felt badly that Dad had to be at home, working (#546), and Thanksgiving food is one of his favorites. SO, when we returned from our trip, we made a Thanksgiving meal complete with Tofurky...(#547)

and pumpkin pie. (#548)

      Thankful for the 10 hands that belong to my children and husband.(#549-558)

Field Trip: Wilson's Creek Battlefield

     I took the kids to Wilson's Creek Battlefield a few years ago. We didn't have a full day and had always wanted to return. We planned another chilly but refreshing day outdoors near Springfield, Missouri.

 

     I feel nostalgic about Wilson's Creek for a few reasons. Of course, I grew up 30 minutes from here so there is that. Also, I am fascinated (in that kind of horrified way you can be about something so vile and sad about our history) by the Civil War. Third, I came here on my field trip in 5th grade.

     I don't know why exactly, but I was feeling extra sentimental this day. I mean, that's just me, so that's not surprising. I had these weird moments as I walked along that made me feel like I was in a movie scene. Like my eyes would fill with tears as I could almost hear my classmates and myself trudging along these same trails, like familiar little voices almost audible in the breeze. I know I sound crazy. I wasn't literally hearing voices. I know that I was probably feeling this way especially because of the funeral I had just attended a couple of days before. My childhood friend died a few years ago, and the funeral was for his mother. I still grieve whenever I think of him. Also, my 5th grade teacher who had brought us here - the one I had so adored, died a year ago. As I would remember certain spots and certain scenarios from that day, it was all so bittersweet and deja vu-like, I did fight back (and lose that battle occasionally) tears a lot throughout our hikes. I did, of course, enjoy making new memories with my own children here in these beautiful woods and hills.

     The way Wilson's Creek is set up: 

There is a visitor's center with exhibits, displays, and a movie. 

     You pay to enter past a gate. (Or you can just start hiking without your car.) Then you can stop at any/all of the many points of interest (to find your Junior Ranger booklet answers or just to explore) along the almost 5 mile road.

         Dash can be such a good big brother, always accepting Ninja's request to be held.

     Funny, I just posted a photo of Ninja playing with a stick on our last Junior Ranger outing.

     By the end of the hike, Ninja claimed he couldn't walk another step. We all took turns holding him individually, but he is getting heavy these days. I really wonder what it feels like to be this kid. I wish I could see inside his thoughts. I know there are parts of being the youngest that aren't ideal. His three siblings often prefer different things than him. His Mom is older than she was when the others were his age, and when I say older I really mean TIRED. There are moments when we all know - and he probably knows, too, that he has it made.

taking the pledge

their two new badges from this trip

     We were super hungry by the time we left the park. We ate yummy crepes at Aviary Cafe.

Field Trip: George Washington Carver Museum

     Our other field trip while in Missouri was to George Washington Carver National Monument...

in Diamond, Missouri. I took this pic because Tornado "collects" photos of water towers. He has a album on his ipad full of them. It's his thing to spot while we are traveling.

       It was another chance to earn a Junior Ranger badge.

They got right to work!

     My kids (even the older boys) always love interactive historical museums that include play kitchens and play stores. There is just something so fun about this to them.

 

    I get my "meals" made for me. 

     It's a nice museum, and I am surprised I have never brought them here before.

      The Junior Ranger booklet required a walk on the trail.

     We were glad about this because it was actually nice walking weather. The kind when it's really chilly and you have to be bundled up, but it feels actually refreshing breathing in the cold air. And it's nice to get some use out of our winter coats.

sticks: the cheapest, most used toy

And back inside the museum:

     They got their badges. We enjoyed learning more about the amazing scientist and inventor. There is also a film to watch in the visitor's center. Vistor's Center Films: no exaggeration, truly one of my favorite things in life.