Party Animals

The Lipsey's have been busy with parties, festivals, and end of the school year fun. Having a filled social calendar has taken its toll on the family, but we made time to vote in the primary (sans presidential) election. Here is a wrap up of our last couple of weeks.....

Greek Food Festival - As per tradition, the our family made it over to the Greek Food Festival at the Greek Orthodox Church in Little Rock for some Gyros, Pastitsio, and of course the Baklava. The food was very good (just reminded Matt and me of one of our favorite resturants in Norman, The Greek House), and Meredith really enjoyed the music. She was dancing and boy watching. Oh-Pah!

Sunday School Class Party - Allison and Jon were nice enough to host yet another Sunday School class party at their house. However, they do have one of the best places for it out North of Sherwood where the kids can run around, the parking is no problem, and good old country fun was the agenda for the evening. I think the cutest part was when Brooks and Meredith took a wagon ride together. Don't worry about things getting too serious with them -- the next part was telling Meredith to sit in the trunk, or "back seat" as they called it, of a toy gator.

Will and Russ

Meredith and a snack

We also have been to a graduation party for Matt G's law school completion, a going away party for the Byrds, and a night out for another group of friends. It has been quite a few days of feeling so blessed to have a lot of good friends.

Well, I think that summer has made it to Arkansas. With temperatures in the 90's, I decided to pull out the ever popular water table and let Meredith play in the water. Its as popular as before, and I think she is getting the hang of the water wheel a little better this year.

Stay cool out in that heat, and we'll blog with you soon.

Remember Me?

Hi Blog Readers!
I am so sorry that I haven't updated my blog in almost 2 weeks! It has been a busy time for us, so I'll try to catch everyone up. Matt went to D.C. on a business trip last week from Monday through Friday. I have never felt more blessed to have a great husband than when he was gone for that week! My wonderful parents helped me get through the week, but I was completely zonked out by Friday when we went to get him in the pouring rain at the airport. I have a completely new appreciation for single moms, and have added everyone of them that I know to my prayer list.

The bible study has been so good. The past couple of weeks during the study were focused on the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of the Tabernacle. I remember learning about these feasts growing up at church, but it has been a fresh new experience to see how they relate to Jesus' ministry. I highly recommend this study!

Meredith has been all about "self" these past few weeks. Anytime she wants to try to do something by herself the word "self" comes out of her mouth with grand determination. Its good to see that kind of individualism -- just hard when its eating strawberries in a nice outfit. One of the cutest things this past week happened up in Bald Knob (keeping reading to find out why we were there). We had stopped by a farm to pick up some strawberries, and while I was buckling Russ in, she sat in the front passenger seat and said "Mommy drive" while she began pulling down the seat belt so she could ride up front. That was one sad little girl when I told her that her car seat had to stay in back and that she had to ride in it.

In Russ news, he is eating solids now. He seems to enjoy several things, like sweet potatoes, bananas, and applesauce -- yet is not a big fan of the green beans. I guess all children prefer the sweet stuff (or maybe its just momma's sweet tooth). He is already wearing quite a few of his 6 month outfits, and has started communicating in a rather shrill squeal. Believe me, it is very loud and hopefully will be replaced with something in a lower register!

Here are some recent pictures:

First up is our Basket of the Month (BAM). Its a CSA (community supported agriculture) program, and it was our first adventure into the system. The quality was excellent, and our favorite parts of this month's basket were the milk and Meredith really liked the 7-grain bread. Who would have thought that!

The Whole Basket

Do you see the Blue Egg?

Our first meal made from "local food"
Sweet Potato Pancakes, Bacon, 7 grain bread, and a strawberry

While traveling with extension, I got to try several local specialties in various towns in Arkansas, however this one is one of my favorites! It's the strawberry shortcake from The Bulldog Restaurant in Bald Knob. Bald Knob is know for its strawberries, and the taste of this was just as I remember. If you want one, go soon! They are only around during strawberry season.

We pulled the tigger bouncer out for Russell this past week, and he of course liked it. And so did Meredith
And, we'll flashback for good measure, too.This is from the Mother's Day tea at our library. They let us bring Meredith's Dee Dee too. It was a lot of fun!

Keep us in your prayers this week as we are all battling a cold. At least we all have it at the same time (I think that's a blessing, anways!) I hope that you all are well and happy!