Back to Reality

All too soon, our trip came to an end, and we arrived back to reality. Now we are struggling to get over jet lag, thinking of buying school supplies soon, and getting all the back-to-school things like doctor's appointments for sports and sports sign-ups sorted. 

The boys start school September 3rd this year, in 9th & 7th grades, both of which are middle school in France. Swimming starts September 9th.

Benjamin kills time in the airport parking garage.

Farm Time

Saturday, we went from St. Louis to Tulsa, for a short visit with Grandma Lundy. 

After a long, long drive from Tulsa to Montgomery on Sunday, we finally arrived at the farm around 7 pm.

On Monday morning, we drove down to Greenville to pick up Grandma Crowe and bring her to the farm for lunch and a visit. She recently moved to a senior living center, and she seems to be comfortably settled in.

Noah set his alarm for 6:30 every morning so he could get up and chauffeur Uncle Mark around to do chores. He took us on farm tours during the day. If you want your own farm tour, contact the Yarbrough Homestead, and the friendly farmers will be happy to show you around!

Happy as a pig in the forest

Wednesday we all went and had lunch with Grandma Crowe in Greenville.

We ate at the Alabama Grill, a newly-opened restaurant in downtown Greenville. The owner and staff were friendly and the food was great.

Noah and I helped sort eggs by size.

St Louis Home Week

After Arkansas, we headed to St. Louis to spend just over a week. Jordan & Kacey came up for the weekend, so we took the kids out to the Science Center Saturday.

We spent much of the week shopping and visiting friends.

Noah put in a special request for the Museum of Transportation, so we went there Friday morning.

Since school had started that week, we were among the first ones there, so we got a private train ride around the property.

We went up the hill and started with the car exhibit.

Moon Car, built in St Louis. This car had a one-cylinder engine.

After the car exhibit, we got a private tour of the train exhibit from Mel, a volunteer at the museum.

We took a ride on this trolley.

Inside the trolley car.

Us with a snowplow train

The advantage of taking a tour is you get to see parts of the museum that aren't open to everyone, like the Pullman cars. This one was used by Harry Truman when he was a senator. It was also used in the 1995 movie Truman.

That same afternoon, we met up with my 8th grade science teacher to go to a mineral and gem show in Bridgeton. Coming on the heels of our quartz mining in Arkansas, it was just the thing.

Noah wanted to take this home with us.

I gave the boys each $15 to spend, and they had a terrible time making up their minds.

Claudia Uccello, Benjamin, Noah, Alisa Cognard

We decided not to buy any of these to take back in our carry-ons.

Fossils, too!

Sooo many choices!

Showing off their purchases.

And we wrapped it up with dinner afterwards.

Hot Springs Village, Arkansas

In an attempt to limit our driving during this trip, we invited my aunt and uncle from Texas to meet us in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. My parents also came from St. Louis to join us. Getting there from Atlanta right after landing was daunting, but we made a first stop in Jasper, Alabama, so we didn't have to drive so far Monday, and the drive was well worth it for a relaxing, real vacation.

The house was the perfect size for the eight of us, and right on the lake.

We spent a leisurely first morning playing Molkky.

And fishing.

On Wednesday, Aunt Claire & Uncle Curtis rented some kayaks. Benjamin had learned to kayak at camp last month, so he was thrilled to get to show off his technique.

Uncle Curtis: Noah, what are you doing back there?
Noah: Trying to flip us!

My dad got in on the fun, too.

They hadn't had enough of the water, so hung out in the lake a while longer after kayaking.

On Thursday morning, we went over to Ron Coleman's quartz mine to hunt for quartz and crystals in the mine tailings.We found a few crystals, and a lot of pretty rocks! It was in the 90°s, so we only stayed a couple of hours.

Note to self: next time, bring hammer and chisel! These crystals were huge!