Fodder Dodder Canoe Trip

There is something magical that happens every spring on a river in Arkansas.

The annual Fodder Dodder Canoe Trip.

Canoeing and magical together in the same sentence???  What?

That's right.  Magical.

Because to a little girl having her big, strong daddy all too herself for two whole days is very magical.

He is her hero.

Her knight in shining armor.

Her very own daddy.

Just nothing but time and a river to spend together.

She knows her daddy is all there for her.

When he should could be working.

He choose her.

And that, my friends, is magical.

True love between a daddy and his princess. 

And his really big hat.

Whirlwind

Got caught up in a whirlwind day today. Started with gymnastics, then grocery store, then creek class party, then skating birthday party, then dentist for both kids, then Taco Bell to redeem the dentist coupons, then home.

Having days like this is fun-ish for me. I am not one that can GO GO GO GO GO. Some of you can and you handle it beautifully. I am not one of those people. My kids are not one of those people either. I tend to get short-tempered with the kids, short-tempered with other drivers, irritated by life. They get ill-mannered and WILD. I wish I could be more flexible and enjoy what comes down the pike.

I try. Really try.

Most of the time, I am smiling on the outside and churning on the inside. Actually, I did pretty good today. I knew the end was in sight. The only thing I didn't like about today was that it is 1000 degrees outside and I hate to sweat when I am trying to look cute. You all know what I mean.

The one area of life that suffered most from this hectic, whirlwind day is my car. I would be embarrassed if anyone tried to ride with me. I will try to describe it and hopefully you can imagine the WORST POSSIBLE SCENARIO in your own cars.

Here are the things I pulled out of my car. Mind you, none of it was there this morning. It was all from TODAY. Today people.

5 beach towels (3 soaking wet), 2 pairs creek shoes, 1 bag dirty clothes, 1 bag swim suits, 1 bag clean clothes, multiple gum wrappers, 2 party treat bags (won't be eating till tomorrow because the dentist told us not to), 1 cooler filled with food, napkins, 3 grocery bags filled with food, dried- up dandelions, purse, cell phone, BOUNCE sheet (thought it would make my car smell fresh), 3 bag chairs, 4 umbrellas (2 adult, 1 Spiderman, 1 Dora), 2 bikes (those I do keep in the back), sunscreen, bug spray, creek toys, empty water bottle, Taco Bell food, lettuce, gas receipt from April 13th (I was digging deep now), Cub Scout applications, socks borrowed from friend, and a partridge in a pear tree.

The good news is that my car is clean. The bad news is that my laundry room is not.