Corn Maze

Back in May, when we were coming home from our camping trip, we passed this Angry Bird display on the side of the road. We decided we had to go back here for their corn maze.

They had some really fun things for the kids to do. Lassoing a hay steer. A water pump rubber ducky race. Checkers using pumpkins.

Bowling with pumpkins!! And a farm combine turned into a slide.

Here's the entrance to the maze.

There were lots of these fuzzy caterpillars in the maze.

We finished the maze just in time for the pig race! The best part was their names: Pink, Stink, Stank, Stunk, Patty, and Links.

There were also baby rabbits for sale. They used a great strategy by letting all the kids hold the soft and cuddly bunnies. But we remained strong.

Walkathon

We participated in the Good Shepherd Alliance walkathon to benefit the homeless. This was not an official C.A.R. event for our society, but we had a great turnout of C.A.R. members. One of the things we ask the kids to do is provide 2 hours of service each year. This is a great way for kids to help out.

Brave

I have to say that ever since we got back from vacation I haven't been able to sleep well. I have had a lot of anxiety about Emma starting middle school. I have been so worried for her. I have heard so many scary stories about things that have happened at the different middle schools around here. It's just a different world from elementary school. I'm mostly worried about the different influences she will find there. 

This whole time I've been worried for her I have had a song going through my head. I first heard this song while reading my sister-in-law's blog at the end of June. It really summed up all my hopes for Emma. Stand up for what you believe in. Don't let others tell you that you can't or what to do.  

I want to see you be brave!! 

I cried the first time I watched this. I still get a little choked up when it comes on the radio. 

I shared it with both the girls and explained to them what it meant to me and what I hoped for them.

The good news is that everything has gone so terrifically for Emma. She has found a great group of friends and really likes middle school. She even got on in the Yearbook Club and is the team leader for her group  of 7th & 8th graders (she's the only 6th grader on her team). She's doing awesome. I still worry about her, because I'm her mother, I can't help that. But I am sleeping much better these days.

Wounded Warrior Retreat

Time for a meeting of the Reverend John Marks Society, Children of the American Revolution.

We had our meeting at the Boulder Crest Retreat open house. This is a brand new center for Wounded Warriors. A place for them to come with their families for healing and reconnecting. It is a beautiful facility with tons of eco-friendly innovations. There are currently only 4 cabins with hopes to build more in the future. They have a stocked fish pond, archery range, hiking trails, lodge, fire pit, and playground. Everything is handicapped accessible. And it is all free for these service men and women who have been wounded while serving our country.

We brought our kids here to help them learn more about veterans. The national project for C.A.R. this year is to raise money for Student Veterans of America (SVA). This is a program to help returning military get an education and a career. 

First Day of School

Can you believe it's time for school again??!

Emma is starting 6th grade. At the middle school!!!

Rebekah is starting 1st grade. 

They will both be at school ALL DAY! It's a big change for all of us.