Boys Camp 2010

The first week of August became Boys Camp when Benjamin and Will joined Jackson and Harry here at Camp Amity (along with a tag-along baby girl named Mary Clem).

The Flagstaff Fam had gifted J & H with a castle-shaped bundt cake pan, which became a central part of Boys Camp (Sophie, this is a way you were here with us!). Benjamin asked to make it at the end of the week "as a celebration", which we did, and they had fun decorating it and posting their initial flags (for a few days we called them Camper B, J, H, and W at Benjamin's request, so these are their camper flags at the top of the cake)



Another essential element of Boys Camp was Bug Collection. Here they're flipping through books identifying their finds:
Our youngest camper! Boys Camp this year accepted only ages 2-5:

Swimming in the Big and Little Pools was a part of every day:

A field trip to the Mid-America Museum:

Being silly in a crazy mirror:

Friends are friends forever, if the Lord's the Lord of them (name that Christian camp song):

Early one morning watching deer scavenge for "They were here, I remember!" peaches:

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The last day of Boys Camp ended with an appropriate Grand Finale (beside the Castle Cake), Counselor BB and boys burning fences!

Other Camp Items of Interest (for world-traveling mothers who will want to know!):

Reading:

The Fairy Caravan by Beatrix Potter, 1929. This is one of Meme's books, a penciled childish scrawl "marring" the front of the book, "Mary Clementine, EFGBQQuart, Mary" (she was born in 1922)

Boys of the Bible by Harvey Albert Snyder
Dangerous Journey, the Pilgrim's Progress story for children

Boys Camp Souvenirs: Wood Elf Knives made by Counselor M

Boys Camp Fun Food: Macaroni and Cheese, Plates of cheese/meat/fruit in the shape of faces, Koolaid Fun Fizz & Special Drink, Frozen Pizza, and Castle Cake.

Boys Camp Movie: Pinocchio (about becoming a REAL boy)

Boys Camp Song, which you'll hear them sing here in the video, and popping "firecrackers", pods filled with pollen. . .

(to the tune of Fried Ham, Fried Ham, Cheese and Bologna) *note to understand song: The Counselors made them Special Drink every day at lunch, which was Sprite with some form of fruit juice and bits of fruit floating in it

Boys Camp, Boys Camp, Cousins on Amity!

After the macaroni, we'll have Special Drink, Ice Cream and Castle Cake,

And then we'll have more Boys Camp,

Boys Camp, Boys Camp, Boys Camp!!

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We look forward to more Cousin Camps to come, this time with Sophie, who was missed!

Mary Clementine Baldwin Wright

I hesitate to write anything about Meme's passing here in a "blog" post, and yet as I post about this summer, about this family this summer, I can't ignore what permeates.

So with a wet face I offer a few pictures. We miss you like crazy, Meme.


Mary Baldwin Wright, January 16, 1922 ~ July 26, 2010


The Obituary Read:

Mary Baldwin Wright died peacefully at home in Hot Springs on Monday, July 26, 2010.

Mary was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas on January 16, 1922 to William Alexander Baldwin and Ethel Clement Baldwin of Plainview, AR. She grew up in Russellville and graduated from Russellville High School in 1939. She attended Gulf Park College and the University of Arkansas. She was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. She was an associate member of Hot Springs Junior Auxiliary, the Symphony Guild, Lake Valley Community Church, and Hot Springs Women of Prayer. She was married to Dr. Jack Wright.

Mary hosted many Bible studies in her home and later at The Trinity Mini-Mall (formerly The Wright Medical Clinic). The Mini-Mall was also home to the Green Herb Tea Room, which Mary opened with friends, Nancy Smith and Winnie Goodrum.

She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law: Dr. William Jackson Wright and wife Sarah, the Honorable Judge John Homer Wright and wife Karen, and Jack Baldwin Wright and wife Twila; seven grandchildren: Dr. Cody Wright and wife Keri, Matthew Wright and wife Ruthie, Joshua Wright and wife Emily, David Wright and wife Lynn, Susannah Wright, Mary Elizabeth Wright, and Jack Paris Wright; and eight great-grandchildren.

The family extends special thanks to Mary’s caregivers: Betty Davis, Annie Harrington, Pauline Young, and Bobbi Ingram, as well as Stacey Davis and the other nurses from Arkansas Hospice. We also thank the faithful friends who regularly visited, celebrated, and cared for Mary (Meme) throughout her life and especially in her final days with us.

On the day Meme died, the Lord made sure Keri and I came upon this in her earthly home:

Week with Josh and Em

I somehow took no pictures when Dave and Lynn or my parents were in town, so I tried to be good when Josh and Em were here!

One morning Emily and I took the big boys berry picking, and these are our spoils. Amazingly, all of the blueberries are GONE. Mary Clement has almost become a blueberry (NOT like that girl in Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, thankfully):

Lemon ice cream made at Benjamin's request:

William and Harry

Look, Mom, No Training Wheels!

Josh took the training wheels off Benjamin's bike on Saturday and within minutes he was pedaling around like a pro!
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Dance Film in Festival

Front Porch Dance's dance film "Dealing" was accepted to the Crossroads Film Festival. Wish you all could be at the premiere!!!

www.crossroadsfilmfestival.com

B Birthday, Part 1

We had a pre-birthday celebration for Benjamin in Flagstaff last week. Here are some excited cousins:


Benjamin especially requested that Uncle Cody make a red velvet armadillo cake. He'd seen the pictures of the one from his first birthday, but was sad that he didn't remember it. Here it is, in all it's armadillo glory!

B Birthday, Part 2

Benjamin requested a Mario Kart cake this year and a Mario Kart party. Here is my interpretation of the cake...



And the party... We borrowed a Wii for the kids to play Mario Kart on.

A bit of a trouble-maker as a birthday guest...


Benjamin enjoying his cake AND his status as a five-year-old.

Bible Verses set to Music

I finally found the Bible verses set to music that I learned as a child. Josh and I have been teaching 2s and 3s Sunday school at our church. Last week I put a cd on for the children and it was the very album! As a testament to its effectiveness, I still remember all the verses and tunes. Here's a link if anyone is interested: http://www.amazon.com/Hide-Em-Your-Heart-Vol/dp/B001EJH4SW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1263904647&sr=1-1

Emily's Salad of the Month: January

Green Smoothie

1 c pineapple

1 avocado

1 banana

3-4 c fresh spinach

Blend first three in blender or food processor. Add spinach and blend to desire consistency. Smoothie will be thick; add pineapple or apple juice to thin. Kid-friendly (Incredible Hulk juice :)

Emily's Salad of the Month: December

Roasted Pear Salad

(serves 8-10)

3 firm pears, any variety

1/3 c maple syrup

1 t fresh minced ginger

3 T olive oil

2 T apple cider vinegar

salt and pepper to taste

mixed greens, any variety

1/2 c toasted walnuts

1/2 c blue cheese

Core and slice pears (leave skins on if desired). Place on a foil-lined, rimmed baking sheet. Combine maple syrup and ginger. Drizzle 3 T of mixture over pears, tossing to coat. Roast pears at 500 for 12-15 min, stirring halfway through. Combine remaining maple syrup mixture with olive oil, cider vinegar, salt and pepper. Toss with greens. Cool pears and layer with blue cheese and walnuts over greens.

Benjamin's First Post (to Charlette)

Dad told me what to do on Benjamin's first post. (written to Miss Miriam)

Mommy like running so much. (to Mr. Jaime)

7

I like going to your house.

Fight the Holiday Bulge

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Happy Halloween!

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Gulf Shores for Emily's 30th

Everyone but Grey, who had to leave Sunday morning. 
Mary Clement and Emma. Three months apart, but wearing the same size clothes!:

The annual ShrimpFest was taking place the weekend we were there. There were arts & crafts booths, a sandcastle-building contest, Native American dancing, but THE FOOD! Oh the food!:

Napping on the beach:

And the birthday girl:

Happy 30th Emily!

Benjamin's First Word

Benjamin wrote his first word, spontaneously and without asking for spelling, last week at Josh's office. I have to admit I was thrilled at the content as well as the developmental milestone. - Emily

Super Boy!

Benjamin is very excited to share with you his new pjs. We saw these at the store while we were shopping for new underpants--his reward for keeping dry at night, so no more pull-ups! He begged for them and normally I don't give in to this. But my brother had a pair almost exactly like these when we were growing up. I have many fond memories of my brother rocketing around the house faster than a speeding bullet and leaping small sofas in a single bound. B always wears the cape until bedtime, when he wants to take it off and keep it by his bed until morning :)

Will Walks

(missing video)

At long last, William is walking. He took his first little steps on Labor Day, but really started walking later that week. He'll be sixteen months on Monday. He's very proud of himself! (And so are we!!!)

Will's first week of daycare

As I am going back to work next week, Will started daycare this week part-time to ease into the transition. We had a bit of a rocky start, with crying every morning when I dropped him off. The first day he cried when he realized I was leaving; the second day he cried when we got to the door of his classroom. By the third day, he was crying as we drove into the parking lot. Sigh. But his teachers are very sweet. They assure me that he stops as soon as I leave and that most children take 2 weeks to adjust and the crying stops. His class also has a video camera in it and I can peak at him online to see how he's doing. Benjamin will start preschool at the end of August (he'll be hanging with the Little Mars until then). He's also a little nervous about the start as he's completely forgotten the Seed in Phoenix. Please pray for my sweet boys' transitions this fall. Here's a few shots of Will..

After eating dirt in the yard, it's fun to bang on the kitchen window!

Here I am at my new school, about to have breakfast with my friends.

Still happy before Mommy leaves :(

June Family Gathering

A random assortment of the best pictures from mine and Sarah's cameras; hoping you can download from these. If not, let me know which ones you want and I'll email them.

Harry says goodbye to all of you - we miss you!

Dave and Lynn and babygirl to come:

Sweet William:

A cute one of Sophie:

Keri & Lynn at Garvin Gardens:

Uncle Dave with the cousins at Garvin Gardens; Jackson, Sophie, Harry, Benjamin:

And William exploring on his own:

Uncle Matthew & cousins still at GG; Jackson, Harry, & Benjamin:

Hiking the mountain across Amity; Harry, Matthew, Jackson, Sophie atop Cody, Keri:

On the way to that hike, Jackson, Sophie, Benjamin, & Uncle Dave:

On Mt. Nebo - Sophie and Emma, Sophie w/ curlers placed by Meme:

Emma on the Nebo porch:

Making ice cream on Nebo:

Still on Nebo, Emma sitting atop her cousin to come:

A day hike on Nebo:

Eating the aforementioned ice cream, Harry, Sophie, Jackson:

Back in Hot Springs, Uncle Dave reading to the cousins as life happens around them:

Meme, Lynn w/ Emma, David, Harry presenting, Susannah:

Meme preparing for family photos:

Everyone minus a sleeping William:

Capturing the 3 girl babies of 2009:

And the cousins! Sophie w/Emma, Benjamin w/William, Jackson & Harry: