Terrapin Races!

At some small town festivals, attendees throw cow chips. At some, people race ostriches. Sometimes, cheese enthusiasts even roll cheese down hills. And at some festivals, kids race terrapins.

The fast-moving reptiles (ha ha) provide some high speed entertainment!

Some citizens aren't sure about this activity at first.

But they usually warm up to the competitors.

And then the excitement gets to their heads and they get a little goofy.

Sometimes, Fudge Pops Are Messy

Playing Outside with My Boy

Have I ever mentioned that I love my rock-climbing, bike-riding, super-fun boy? Because I do.

I do, I do! I love this boy!

Candy Land Cake

We celebrated my nephew Justin's fourth birthday today, and this was his cake. SO cute! And yummy! My sister, the dessert queen, made an edible Candy Land board. I think I'll try to talk her into making Colter's birthday cakes for the rest of his life because I can't compete!

Victory At Last!

All summer long, the music of the ice cream man has taunted my boy. We hear the ice cream truck's elusive melody every other afternoon, but we always fail in our attempts to be in the right place at the right time. The ice cream man doesn't come down our street, so in order to meet up with him, we have to meet him at the end of the street, but we never seem to hear the music in time. I don't know how many times this summer, Colter has run out the door trying to see the ice cream man that never comes. Today, however, luck was with us. We heard the music in time to race down the street, flag down the ice cream man, and purchase an overpriced sundae cone! It made Colter's day.

Victory is sweet!

Missouri Travels 2010--Part IV Animal Taming at Compton Ridge

Well, we somehow survived the night in a pop-up camper during a heat wave. The poor pop-up's air conditioner ran all night long, but it survived as well. While waiting for the pool to open at the campground, Compton Ridge in Branson, Missouri, Colter spent some time taming the animals at the playground. He may have a future in the circus, although the gorilla almost got the best of him.

Normally, Compton Ridge is a great place to stay in Branson. It has nice, shady campsites, a couple of pools, a fun playground, and it's close to Silver Dollar City. I just don't really recommend planning a trip when it's over 100 degrees. :) That's the way it worked out for us this time though! It was still fun, but after playing at the playground and swimming in the pool, we headed home to the A.C..

Missouri Travels 2010---Part V Silver Dollar City

It's hot. Ridiculously hot. I'm talking fry-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk hot. Speaking of eggs, it's so hot that chickens are laying hard-boiled eggs. Really. Sounds like perfect weather to head to Branson, Missouri for Moonlight Madness at Silver Dollar City! Yes, we are crazy. It's practically 152 degrees, so we went to Branson to camp and hang out at an amusement park. Great idea!

Although it is stinkin' hot, it's hard to pass up an opportunity to take Colter to Silver Dollar City at a discounted price. The Moonlight Madness tickets are only $25 while they are usually over $50, and the park is open until 10pm. The atmosphere at Silver Dollar City is great (the city is stuck in pioneer days), and there are tons of fun things to do, so we did it! Who cares if we melt? We'll spinning around in circles on amusement park rides and beating the heat on the water rides! Yes!

The key to staying cool at Silver Dollar City is staying wet. This boy has it figured out!