Mommy's Little Helpers

This week we are studying space at school. AND it is my turn to bring snack! So naturally we decided to make star shaped cookies. Because who doesn't like a star shaped cookie?!

Riley Cates and I are both excellent helpers in the kitchen. She guarded the cookies, making sure to wear her oven mitts. Safety first!

Bonus: They are just the right size!

I even wore my space pajamas to help Mommy ice the cookies.

I can't wait to share my cookies with my friends tomorrow!

Camp Fire

Since the weather has finally turned to fall (again), we did the only reasonable thing to do last night... We cooked our supper on a fire outside! Yay for living in the country! It was a beautiful evening and a yummy supper--it would have made BigWal proud!

We roasted some hot dogs,

Which we quickly gobbled up because we wanted to get to the best part.

S'mores! This was a first for Riley Cates, and it was as big as her head! She did not seem to mind!

I never can remember where to put the chocolate...

It's all good wherever it is!

Of course Riley Cates wins the messiest award! A little dirt and leaves make a s'more taste better, right?

What a fun night by the fire!

(Followed immediately by a much needed bath!)

The Bell Tower

We have always had several pictures of a beautiful bell tower at our house, and we finally got to visit the real thing last weekend!

It was just as impressive as the pictures! Best bell tower I have ever seen, hands down! (Also maybe the only one I have ever seen...)

We look so small near it!

I did not like the loud noise it made, however.

I gave Riley Cates a hug to make sure she wasn't scared (she wasn't). Aren't I the best big brother?!

I also made sure I pointed out the ducks to her! I wish we had taken something to feed them. They looked super hungry!

We posed with Mommy at her alma mater! 

Oh, and I also have to show you the friend Riley Cates made in the bookstore. She loved this mannequin! 

Mommy and Daddy told us we have to work super hard so that we can go to school there one day!

Uh-Oh

Mommy and I went to lunch at Rush's the other day, and Aunt Abby came and joined us! Thank goodness she did! Why? Well, while they were chatting in the parking lot, I managed to lock the car doors... while the car was running...

Mommy was relieved that my window was down, but it didn't help much since the child lock was on! 

So Aunt Abby came to the rescue!

And yes, it was as funny as these pictures look!

The Fair

Warning: There are LOTS of pictures in this post. But that's ok since I went so long without posting any, right? :)

Welcome to the South Carolina State Fair! What a fun thing to see today!

There were so many amazing things to see and do and eat at the fair, and I couldn't wait to try them all! The first thing I did was head straight for the Jeep ride. BigWal would have been so proud! I got to ride with my good friend, Christopher. Actually, I didn't know Christopher until we stood in line together, but you know me, we're best friends now!

Poor Riley Cates just watched.

Then we rode the giant ferris wheel (and by we, I mean me and Daddy)!

While it made for a good picture, Mommy was a little nervous (a bit of an understatement) about my posing for this picture.

But there were just so many things to see, including this beautiful sight! 

Poor Riley Cates. Waiting is hard.

Finally Mommy took her out of the stroller so that she could have some fun. And what is more fun than the buckles on a stroller? Especially when you are at a fair... Hmmm...

Then we walked by some yummy smelling places and had to stop for a supper break. I was less than thrilled to be sitting down, but it did help that the band near us was playing the song from Cars. Have I ever mentioned that I like that movie?

So Daddy ate his polish dog, I ate my corn dog, and Sissy attempted to eat a ginormous turkey leg.

And Fiske fries. And part of my corn dog. What can I say? The girl likes to eat!

Were we done? Of course not! We all shared a funnel cake! 

Riley Cates was thrilled from the minute she heard the word "cake."

I was a little more cautious (and I was a little grumpy because I really wanted the deep fried butter I saw at another booth), 

But, of course, I LOVED the funnel cake!

Then we headed by our local news station's tent and got to meet some of their reporters. Mommy and Riley Cates took this picture with Grannie Pammie's favorite news lady!

Finally it was time to ride the giant chair lift! 

It was a beautiful night!

Poor Riley Cates. Here she was saying, "You have got to be kidding me!"

But then her dreams came true when she got to ride the bees!

I had two more tickets left after that, just enough to take a spin on a helicopter.

A green helicopter, my favorite! 

And when we left, I got to see the rocket again! I kept asking Mommy if someone was working on the engine. She said I have watched too much Apollo 13 with Aunt Abby!

It was an awesome day! And don't worry, Riley Cates really did have lots of fun, and she will get to ride more next time when she is a bit taller!

Treats to Celebrate Fall

Is there a better way to celebrate beautiful fall weather (finally!) than having treats from Sonic that are almost as big as we are?

We don't think so!