Considering I haven't posted pictures in 2 to 3 weeks, I have A LOT to post! Luke, Landis, and I have been going on fun adventures each weekend. Here are some of the fun family events we have participated in...
Jamestown Celebration: a few weeks ago, Luke and I went to a carnival at a church in Jamestown. It was completely FREE and it was a blast! There were a ton of bounce houses and slides that Luke could go on, a huge playground, a huge sandbox, clowns that made things out of balloons, snow cones, and live music. It was a hot day so by the time we left we were super sweaty - but we still had a blast!
Here are some pictures to show our favorite parts....
The clowns made Luke a balloon sword...
A few of Luke's other favorite activities were the big jump house shaped like a castle - I was too busy watching to make sure he didn't get hurt to take a picture. He also went through this huge obstacle course bounce house. An older boy helped him through because it was enclosed and I couldn't even see him inside. I was a little nervous but the boy that helped him was very sweet. He made it through safely and enjoyed it. :)
After leaving the carnival, we were both starving but we didn't want to go too far for food so we stopped at a local Sheetz on the way home and got Luke a Mickey Mouse cheese and fruit lunch and I ordered a sandwich. We sat at the picnic tables outside and ate our gas station lunch together. :) While we ate, it started drizzling rain. We continued to eat and then as we finished up and loaded the car, the bottom fell out about 2 seconds later. I thank God for his perfect timing! It was an awesome day!
On Sunday (that weekend), we decided to head to papaw Donnie's to pick grapes. The grapes from his vines are delicious and Luke loves picking his own. The weather was gorgeous - it was the first day that started to feel like fall and I love fall! :) (Matter of fact - the weather was so nice that day that Luke and I went outside early that Sunday morning - before church - with our sweatshirts and pants on and played with tractors, built block houses, and read books on the porch. I loved having Luke sit in my lap on such a peaceful morning just listening to some good ole stories.)
After Luke picked a bag full of grapes at papaw's and tasted quite a few :), Luke and papaw rode the big red lawn mower, threw rocks and sticks in the pond and the woods, dug in the the crab holes, played on the rocks, picked and ate some pears from the pear tree. As Papaw Donnie and Luke explored and played, Landis and I just stood back and watched them together. At one point, Donnie and Luke walked around the pond together holding hands - it was so sweet - what a huge blessing for Luke to have a papaw that lives so close by that he can spend time with each week. It was another day full of the Lord's blessings! God is so good! :)
Here are some pictures from Papaw Donnie's house....
Luke and I have had a fabulous time playing together after I get home from work each day. We find something fun to do in the couple of hours that we have together before Daddy gets home.
Speaking of work - it is going great! I have had to work until 4:00 or 4:30 a few days, but, most days I have been leaving between 3:00 and 3:30. I am bringing some work home that I do after Luke goes to bed or early in the mornings but when I'm at school I am enjoying the kids so much that the extra at home work is worth it. Plus, I know that after I get going and get in a routine, the work that I bring home will decrease tremendously. Just the other day, one of my students that can be quite a handful at times came up to me as soon as he arrived in the cafeteria in breakfast. He wrapped his arms around my waste, looked up at me and said, "I love you Mrs. Bumgarner." Holding back tears, I told him I loved him too. That moment clarified my decision to return to the classroom as the right one. There's nothing like knowing that a child appreciates the time that you spend with them. I continue to pray for the wisdom to meet their individual needs at school each day. :)
Now....back to some adventures at home with my own kiddo. One afternoon, Luke and I broke a house rule for just a little while and did some back rolls on the sofa. Here's Luke doing his....
I'll get to some more afternoon fun in a minute....
But, first, last weekend, Daddy joined me and Luke for a trip back to the zoo. Luke and I went to the North America side back in June. When we were there, Luke loved the Dinosaur Exhibit that the zoo has own display so we wanted to go back before the exhibit closes in October. So, last Saturday, we headed to the zoo early and this time we focused on the African side. The animals were very visible this time. We saw the giraffes, elephants, zebras, and gorillas up close. We saw the chimpanzees and the lions too. Landis and I were more interested in the animals than Luke was. The animals were very calm - just resting in the sun - so that didn't excite Luke enough. He was more interested in climbing the statutes and playing with the rocks and sticks in the woods. So, after about an hour of looking at the animals, we headed to the playground and the carousel. Here are some pictures of our day at the zoo...
Climbing statues...
Like father, like son - they both LOVE ice cream....
Here are some pictures of Luke telling me all about that big bad wolf! You can really see his HUGE personality in these pictures....just check out the facial expressions. He has such a wonderful imagination!
-we made paper towel tube monsters with wiggly eyes. We painted them, used scissors to create some hair by cutting the top of the tube, and then added the wiggly eyes in weird patterns to make them look like very cute monsters - some had 3 eyes, some had 2 eyes, and some had 4 eyes. Then, we used Luke's blocks to build them houses. It was a fun craft and the monsters are still sitting on the shelf in front of me as I type this. :)
-we chase each other around the house constantly
-we dance together - there is a video of us doing the BG line dance at the bottom
-we read A LOT
-we play on the big bed - I throw him in the air like an airplane using my legs, we build forts, and do some gymnastics tricks - yes, Mommy can do a beautiful front roll! :)
-we love sidewalk chalk - playing in the sandbox, pushing the tractors, building towers, etc
You know the story - we enjoy everyday! :)
On Wednesday night (this week), Landis and I took Luke to the Davidson County fair in Lexington. I was really impressed with the number of rides that Luke could ride. He could ride so many that we bought him the wrist band so that he could ride them several times if he wanted.
Luke enjoyed all the rides but he also liked the animals - we walked through all the barns and Luke thought the huge cows were amazing. We also watched a goat show where they picked the best handled goat - it looked almost like a dog show. Luke sat with me and watched the whole thing - I couldn't believe it! :) It was very neat!
There was one place at the fair where a company had every kind of lawn mower, tractor, 4-wheeler, jeep that you could imagine. Luke was able to climb on every one of them and "drive." This was free and it was a lot of entertainment for Luke. Luke also fished for some ducks so he could get a prize of a few more stuffed animals (that he doesn't need). Here's a cute story - Luke was eating his popcorn when we arrived at the barn and I said, "Are you going to take your popcorn into the barn?" He looked up at me and said, "No, the horses might eat it." :) Good point!
Here are some pictures....
This motorcycle ride was one of his favorites...
This bumpy 4-wheeler ride was his MOST favorite!
Sitting on the big brand new lawn mowers and tractors....
One more cute story before we get to the videos - Luke got his hair cut last week and while I was putting him in his car seat, he said, "Mommy, when I get home, I'm going to look in the mirror to see how handsome I am." Oh me! He gets that "confidence" from his daddy! :)
Oh...and, one more thing that all of you mommies will appreciate. Why is it that parents who KNOW their child isn't potty trained take them to an indoor playground WITHOUT a pull up. In the last two weeks, Luke and I have been at an indoor playground and had to leave due to toddlers (or actually almost 3 year olds) using the bathroom on themselves (on or near the equipment) when playing. At Chick-fil-a, a little boy went to the corner of a tunnel and did a #2 - he had just come down the slide and was holding his bottom like he needed to go - his mom asked him, "Do you need to go to the bathroom?" Well, of course, he said, "No." And she didn't take him! Not a smart idea - the accident happened in less than 5 minutes. Then, in McDonald's last week, a little girl started doing #2 all over the play place floor. It was everywhere! Oh me - for these reasons, they have PULL UPS - use them! :)
Now, onto some videos....
#1 - Watch me and Luke do the BG line dance and then Luke decides that he wants to break dance instead. Please ignore my orange socks - those socks are the best, "Let me run and slide down the hall" socks so I had them own while Luke and I were chasing each other. Then, we decided to dance instead. It's quite cute to watch him!
#2 - Luke is "protecting me" from the Big Bad Wolf! Then, watch closely, he attacks him with a stick!
Gang, God is good - so good - beyond words good! I am continuing to draw near to Him each day and each day, I feel more and more alive because He lives in me. His love amazes me and my continued hope for all who reads my blog is that if you don't already - you will come to know Jesus as a savior, friend, and constant companion of peace. If you don't know Jesus Christ as your personal savior - NOW is the time to accept Him and draw near to Him. I can always be reached through email - bumgarnernatasha@gmail.com - and then (through email) would love to set up a time to talk with you in person if you are interested in accepting Jesus. God is still seeking people he can add to His Kingdom. :)
Have a great week! I leave you with this to WARM YOUR HEART....
I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the Lord, let all who are discouraged take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord's greatness; let us exalt his name together.
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy, no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and he heard me.
He set me free from all my fears.
For the angel of the Lord guards all who fear him, and he rescues them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!
Let the Lord's people show him reverence, for those who honor him will have all they need.
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing.
Psalm 34:1-10
Toddy
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