{Revisiting Papa Simpson's Farm}

Fall colors in Louisiana

Remember this handsome little guy?

This picture was taken just over a year ago when Trav made his first trip down to Papa Simpson’s Farm as a kindergartner.

Look at my BIG BOY now!!!!

How exactly did that transformation happen?!?!?

This year, Trav got to experience the farm as a big ol’ 1st grader and I must say, experience definitely seems to have its perks. The kids were full of energy, willing to participate, and ready to make their mark all over Papa Simpson’s Farm.

Our adventure was similar to last years. If you missed it, let me quickly explain that the students are guided through a real “hands on” learning experience on a real operating farm here in Louisiana. They learn all about the different animals as well as the land and tools that are used to keep the farm running on a daily basis. They had the opportunity to hold and feed different animals. Travin's favorite animal has always been the baby chick. The kids also learned how to milk a cow by hand and they even got to plant their very own corn kernels.

You will have to bear with me a bit on this one because I had a bit of a “mommy moment”. As I was going through the pictures from our day on the farm, I couldn’t help but browse through last year’s pictures. I had one of those moments where I just had to hold onto the memory of my little guy for just one more minute. I was completely stunned by how much he has grown in the past year.

Some of these pictures might look familiar. I couldn’t let the moment pass me by and I wanted to share my little moment with you because after all, some of my favorite people in the whole wide world check up on us every now and then.     

Here are some now and then memories from Papa Simpson’s Farm.

~Now~

~Then~

 ~Now~

~Then~

 ~Now~

~Then~

 ~Now~

~Then~

~Now~

~Then~

~Now~

~Then~

{A dirty face is the sign of a VERY good field trip}

{Soccer Girl}

Soccer Girl

She gets out there and hustles

She does her very best

It's all about the teamwork

And winning is her quest

Pretty as a picture 

She could be most anything
But for now she's chosen soccer
And working hard for her team 


Pony-tail is flying
The ball is flying too
She's got those rules down good
And she knows just what to do


So come on folks and watch the game
If you want to see the best
A girl who could be a beauty queen
But soccer is her quest!

~Marilyn Lott~

Somehow I managed to come across this cute poem. I couldn’t let it pass me by. The first one who popped into mind was of course none other than my newly appointed soccer girl, Miss Kalyssa.

I can’t say that this poem fits her to a “t” because if any of you know Kalyssa at all, then you know that she is not exactly the hustle and bustle kind of girl. She has definitely set her own pace in life and she is very comfortable with where she is at. She is however very good at always doing her best and teamwork is something that she prides herself with because after all, things are simply more exciting when there are at least two or more involved.

So in case you didn’t know...

Let me fill you in on a little family secret..

We are very new to the world of soccer.

Last weekend, we ALL got to experience our very first soccer game. Let me explain that there is not much that I understand about this sport other than the very basics. When I say basics, I mean bare minimal b-a-s-i-c-s! Needless to say, I learned very quickly that my job as of right now is to sit on the sidelines and cheer for the Bobcats as loud as I possibly can. Of course I have a few extra loud chants tucked away because I just so happen to have my very own favorite team player (#5) who likes to trot past me every now and then with her pony tail bobbing behind her.

This is the first time Kalyssa has played a sport. She has always been very content doing things within her own comfort zone. Both Jason and I were very excited about her desire to play soccer because we both knew that she was taking a huge leap outside of that little box she created for herself.

From the very first day of practice, she has been full of enthusiasm and ready to go.

She found the perfect shoes

the perfect color shin guards

and the perfect matching ball

because after all, a girl always has to have her accessories!

She somehow managed to push aside all of her fears and those pesky little nerves. She jumped right in and has not looked back once.

Although Kalyssa has always been quite eager to participate in EVERYTHING, she will also be the first one to let you know when she has had enough. We weren’t exactly sure how she would do at her first game. Playing in a real game as opposed to practicing are two completely different things all together. Add to that the fact that she is now playing at a competitive level. These are both new concepts that she has to adjust to. We have yet to play her best friend’s team. We know that will be a very hard day for both girls.

The level of endurance needed to play soccer is quiet shocking. As for Kalyssa, the whole concept of running around because you have to and not because you want to, sunk in pretty hard during the first 10 minute quarter. However, by the end of her first

soccer game, Miss Kalyssa was full of sweat, out of water, a little out of breath, and a bit exhausted but, she ran off the field bearing a smile from ear to ear that just so happened to be brighter than the sun that glistened above her head!

    

{Embrace the Camera: October 6th}

 Football

 t-Ball

Soccer

OH MY!!!

Scouts

&

Clubs

There always seems to be "just one" more.

Since our week nights tend to be a little out of sorts,

we really look forward to our 

weekend family movie nights...

AT HOME!

Happy Thursday {Embracers}!

{That Fall Feeling}

Little leaves fall softly down
Red and yellow, orange and brown
Whirling, twirling round and round
Falling softly to the ground

Little leaves fall softly down
To make a carpet on the ground.
Then, swish, the wind comes whistling by
And sends them dancing to the sky.

In honor of {my birthday}, 

I decided to surprise the children 

by finishing up the final fall touches 

on our house.

While they were at school and

only after I enjoyed my cup of coffee,

this was how I spent most of my day.

My favorite decorations of all time...

art from the "past"

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.  ~Albert Camus

~ Happy Fall Y'all ~

{Official Business}

IT'S OCTOBER!!!!

My ABSOLUTE favorite month out of the whole year (and no it’s not because it’s my birthday month...)

Fall is my favorite season! I love apples and pumpkins and soups cooking on the stove. I love the colors, the weather, and the fact that I can wear jeans and boots. My list can go on and on but I’ve shared it before so I guess I will stop there and move onto something more.

I wanted to share that I added a JSBKT fan page to Facebook. I was having some issues with the whole Networked Blog feed that usually updates my thread automatically. I’m guessing that it has to do with all of the changes that have been made recently. I decided to take an alternate route and try something new. I have had some questions as to what this all means for our family blog and if it can still be accessed through Facebook.

So here is the new scoop.

I will be deleting Networked Blogs which means that our blog threads will no longer show up on my actual Facebook page. ALL posts will link directly through the JSBKT fan page. If you “like” the page (click on the little thumbs up tab that looks like this  ), then any new posts that are made will show up in your status updates. This means that you can keep up with all of the crazy Mall Family happenings =) You can find the little like button on Facebook or on here by scrolling down past the pictures on the right side of the screen. Click like and you are done.

For those who are linked through Google or by email, this does not affect you. However, it took a lot of brain cell function from this girl to figure out how to make it all work so, you should definitely stop by and visit us on our new fan page and maybe even become a fan by liking us! After all, we are a pretty likable bunch!! =)

Okay now on to some official business.

There is a little something that I want to pass along. Not too long ago I discovered the world of virtual running. Before your brain starts thinking too much, let me just say STOP right there!!! I know what I first thought when I saw the words virtual 5K!

Welcome to a generation that functions off of technology!

A virtual 5K is simply a race that you do within the comforts of your own home, meaning you don’t show up to a specific location on a specific day and you time yourself. Usually someone or someplace will host the run. It can be a fun race or a race for a cause.

You sign up (a lot are free)

You have a time frame in which you can run it (usually a weekend)

You time yourself (this is important)

After you run, you email your time to the host/hostess or post it on the hosting site (sometimes there are prizes, sometimes bibs are made, sometimes you even get homemade bling)

I love participating in virtual runs! I have met some really great people who live all around the country and they also give me a chance to work on my pace.

Now down to business!

 

I just signed up over at Run With Jess to participate in her Cupcake Classic Virtual Race. First and foremost, we are running for CUPCAKES!!! How could you say no to running for cupcakes?!?! Second of all, as an added bonus you have the option to make a difference by helping Jess meet her goal in the fight against cancer.

The race is 3.7 miles (in honor of Jess's 37^th birthday...October birthday’s completely ROCK!).

Here are the details:

VIRTUAL RACE

The Cupcake Classic

~ 3.7 miles ~

Week of Oct. 17-23

WHAT:

A 3.7 mile walk/run virtual race where you time yourself

WHEN:

Anytime during the week of October 17-23 (Jess’s birthday week)

WHERE:

Pick your favorite local route or jump on the treadmill

WHY:

Fun, Fitness, Friendships... and duh, PRIZES!

Be sure to check out Run With Jess on how you can register and also how you can win prizes.

I know that we can’t always do things together or celebrate events together and trust me if there was a dislike button, it would be completely smashed by now. I would however love to share this event with my family and friends and since October is my favorite month and also a month to celebrate some pretty amazing birthday’s...




maybe just maybe as a special gift to a certain someone... 




you can sign yourself up for this race, 
cross the finish line, 
and share a virtual cupcake with...

ME!!!