A busy summer already!

Helloooo, summer! A rainbow snowcone--does it get anymore summery than that?

Even Molly agrees.

The Nockinbirds have been busy summering since Memorial Day weekend/Molly's birthday/the end of school.

We made a race car at Lowe's--is there a driver person named Jimmy Johnson?  I think it was "his" car.  Nascar's not my scene, but the usual nail hammering fun was had at the Build and Grow.

There was a "hometown" festival for Memorial Day.  I don't know who the genius was that came up with the idea of strapping harnesses on children and bouncing them on inflatable trampolines, but, gee, I'd like to thank them.  Instead, I just give them large amounts of cash.

And what's a street fair without sand art?

Looking very Disney princess here.  Little Miss informed me she's going to make sand people every time we go to the festival so she can make families of them.  You're looking at my new decorating theme, apparently.

I'm still struck not only by the beauty of the "recycled" tire made into a brighty painted hanging planter, but the ingenuity of the idea to begin with.  Who came up with this?  Is this a commonly found art form?

They look even more striking as a flock.  I especially liked the bald eagle.  Maybe they'll be back for the fall festivals and I can get some Christmas shopping done.  Look out! 

We also had a "cultural outing" to an art exhibit of the works of one of mom's friends, Terry Stephens.  If anyone's looking for Christmas presents for me, google him (hint, hint, hint--oh, who am I kidding?  My Santa's pockets don't run THAT deep!)

The McKinney crew had a wedding to go to, so Molly pressed us into babysitting duty.  Sunny wanted a picture of them dressed up, or at least with Trey in more than a stained tshirt, but nature abhors a vacuum as children abhor a photo in which they are being intentionally left out--there you go.  Note:  that's also Little Miss's cheerleader "smile" when they practice the march onto a field.  We're going to have to work on that.

Gratuitous baby cuteness.

I don't know how much longer they're going to be able to restrain this little dynamo.  She likes to be on the MOVE!  Lolo has the crawling down and is pulling up--you can tell she is dying to run with the big kids.

Tuesday and Wednesday were the last days for teachers, YEA!!  Our department head had a cookout for us and actually invited us to bring our kids!  She's nice that way.

A good time was had by all.

I think the kids cured her dog of his hyperactivity.

After Loverboy found this amphibian, the youngest daughter of a coworker's explained the difference between toads and frogs.  Look it up.  She and Little Miss are now buddies.  She's bugged me everyday to call "those girls"--her buddy and her three sisters.  Casual friends, perhaps--"those girls".

Say what you may about this town of mine, they LOVE a festival!  Friday was the Wine Walk.  Ten bucks for a wine glass, complete with logo, ten "tastings" and a map of where to get them at points around the square. 

And how about this gal?  Foot surgery and crutches keeping SarahBeth away from the fun?  I think not!  I did have to carry her wineglass for her as we hoofed it around, but what a trooper!  Here we were checking out an herb/plant vendor and a produce stand. 

I'm not sure what the toothache plant does.

Texas-grown olive oil, who knew?  While it was tasty, and the wines were usually impressive, the only thing I HAD to have was the peach infused balsamic vinegar this nice man was peddling.  A sprinkle on my blueberries this morning--wow.  Keep your wine, give me the vinegar.

Did I mention that the wine was really good, too?

So was the sightseeing.  I live here, but don't usually do much wandering around the square (especially with a wineglass, or two, in hand in 100 degree heat).  I usually know what I want and which stores I need to go to.  But there are some interesting things in this town of mine.

Like jeans with a rhinestone cross on the behind.  Is this....right?  Are they Saturday night going out jeans?  Are they Sunday go to meeting jeans?

And does it matter when the former First Methodist Chuch sanctuary is converted into an al fesco entertainment hall?  And there's a lingerie shop in what must have been some Sunday school rooms.  I know they've moved into some fancier digs north of town where there's more parking than on the square...recycling is good I guess.

This was supposed to be some sort of cooling machine--it looked cool with the water trickling down, but was not very cooling.

Not only do they carry my car insurance, they have a sweet vintage sign.

Wine Walk.  A very good thing.

And a lovely sunset over the lake and power plant.  I can't really explain why I love this view.  Not natural beauty at all, obviously.  Even the lake's man-made.  Something about the symmetry gives it a grandeur...did I mention the wine was really good?  And the way the electric lines crackle when you stand there.  I'm all for organic produce, but technology rocks.  Really, it impresses me enough that this is far from the first picture I've taken here--I hope I'm not on a terror-alert list anywhere.