Name: Amy Robinson

Children’s names and ages? Nicholas, 4 and Abby, 9mos

Where are you from and how long have you lived in NWA? Originally from Fort Smith. Moved to Fayetteville for college in 1992 and decided to stay after graduation.

What’s the title of the last book you read? The Other Boleyn Girl

Favorite kind of music right now? Anything that does not involve nursery rhymes or the ABCs.  I usually listen to sports radio.

What’s one of your funniest childhood memories? Making my little brother (4 or 5 at the time) wear my dresses and putting make-up on him.  I was six years older, but the closest one in age to him and the only sibling that would play w/ him.  He had little say in the matter.

Tell us about some traditions you started with your kids: For birthdays and Mother’s/Father’s day, we take our son to the store and let him choose a gift completely on his own. We love seeing what he picks out. I got an ice tea brewer/dispenser with matching plastic cups this year for Mother’s day. Our favorite part is trying to get him to spill his secret. It usually doesn’t take long.

What’s your favorite restaurant in NWA? Pesto Cafe. But Monte Ne Chicken is a really close second.

What are your personal hobbies? Reading, blogging, doing laundry… [Click here to visit Amy’s Robinson Family Blog.]

What’s your favorite thing about summer? That fall is just around the corner.

What’s something that caught you by surprise about motherhood? How quickly a 3 year old can bring you down to their level. Oh, that and how much you love them.

What’s something you’ve always wanted to learn? Photography

What’s something you never leave home without? My cell phone and hand sanitizer.

How do you relax the end of the day? Reading, watching my dvr shows or talking to my hubby.

Words to sum me up … Tired but content.

 

Name: Shannon Hobbs Jones

Kids’ names and ages: Cooper 7 and Lucy 3

How long have you lived in NWA? 6 1/2 years

What’s one movie you could watch over and over again? Pretty Woman is my favorite movie, hands down.

What’s on your iPod right now? That’s complicated. . . a little something for everyone. Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus (for Lucy), Zac Brown Band, Snoop Dog, Macy Gray, Nine Inch Nails, Katy Perry, Black Eyed Peas and Fergie, Prince, Chris Daughtery, Eminem, Nickleback, The Goo Goo Dolls… Get the picture? A little bit of EVERYTHING.

What are some favorite memories of your kids so far? These seem to change daily. I love all the funny little things they say, Cooper used to ask me for a little piece of quiet vs. peace and quiet.  Lucy is a total girl, she makes me laugh every day with her inquisitive questions and observations.

Tell us about some traditions you’ve started with with your kids: At Christmas time, we have the First Gift of Christmas, it is baby Jesus in a manger, it’s the first gift under the tree each year and it is the first gift we open to remind our kids that the season is not about the packages that Santa brings but that the gift we were given was much BIGGER. Maw Bess, my mother, started this tradition for my kids and it is something I will cherish with my children.

Favorite place to play in NWA: My kids love Gulley Park, it is our go-to park on a nice day.

Hobbies you enjoy? I love to scrapbook and don’t seem to find enough time to stay caught up.  Some friends have moved away from traditional scrapbooking and moved on with digital scrapbooking. I love the paper, the products and the finished books that I will get to pass on to my children. I love to travel and wish that I had more time and resources to do this more frequently.

What’s something your friends might not know about you? I am ashamed to admit that I watch way too much trash TV and record The Young and the Restless every day. My DVR is full.

If you could vacation anywhere in the world this summer where would it be? I would love to have the best of both worlds. I would like to have a family friendly, all inclusive resort that offers a great beach, fun activities for family, couples and children, daytime for the family and evenings for the adults. . . . . . relaxing time away and memorable time with the kids.

Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life? I think Julia Roberts would be fine : )

Something you have always wanted to learn? To play the piano, I took lesson as a child but, wasn’t very dedicated to the practice required.

What are three things you always have with you? iPhone, American Express and Wet Wipes (the best invention ever).

How do you relax? When I need a little break I escape to the bathtub with a glass of wine and a magazine or book. Eventually someone finds me, but it’s relaxing while it lasts.

One word to sum me up … Coordinator/organizer/sharer of information (that’s more than one, huh?).

Name:  Leah Carpenter

Children’s names and ages: Isabella 7, Chase 4, Campbell 3

Where were you born/raised? I grew up in Cave City, Ar. All of my family lives there.  I went to the same school (and even had some of the same teachers) that my mom and dad had.

How long have you lived in NWA? Ched, Isabella, and I moved here 5 years ago. 

What are your favorite hobbies? Reading, creative projects, snow skiing

What’s your work background? I teach second grade at Prairie Grove Primary. Ched and I planted a church called Reunion. So, on Sundays you can find me in the children’s church.

What’s your favorite thing about summer? Hmmmm… sleeping in. I also love having time to play with my kids and not being behind on my laundry.

If you could go back in time and have a “do-over”, what would it be? Ched and I got married when I was 20.  We then spent the next 7 years working with Chi Alpha at Arkansas Tech University.  We had so much fun!  I really enjoyed hanging out with the girls (oh the stories they have) and trading clothes.  So, if I had a do-over, I would live in a dorm my first few years of college instead of living at home.

What’s something that has surprised you about motherhood? Even though we never have time to stop and smell the roses, our kids help us find time to turn around and save the turtle in the middle of the road, feed it, name it, and set it free in a new place.

Your favorite place to hang out with your family in NWA? Ched is a huge sports fan, especially baseball.  We have tons of fun at the Naturals games.  It is very kid friendly.  The kids love the activities between innings, the inflatables (esp the one that sprays mist), the play ground, all the food, Friday night fireworks, and of course Strike.

Is there anything new in your life that’s bringing you joy? Ched surprised me with a ring by Holloway Designs. This year is our 13th anniversary, and in our house 13 is a lucky number!  It has 13 diamonds, the 13th anniversary stone, and if you look long enough you can see a 13. (I also got a new vacuum cleaner, and it is amazing!)

What’s your favorite way to unwind? A large glass of sweet tea, somewhere kind of quiet, and reading a book or magazine.

Tell us something funny about you: In my phone, I keep lists!  I love them.  I not only keep the typical list, but Leah’s crazy ways of keeping herself sane and not bored list. I have a list on How to survive a trip with 3 kids (always bring along bungee cords- they have numerous uses, from hanging bags from the Disney Stroller to fixing a broken futon at a cabin). The list I am continually working on is Thoughts and Wonders of a Mother of 3 (4 if you count Ched) (Why do they make dryers with the timer on one side and the start button on the opposite?  Every mother has a basket of socks that have lost the match on top of the dryer).

How would you describe yourself to a new friend? Easy going, sarcastic, always looking for the up side, real-I am who I am

What’s something you’d like to do but haven’t had time lately? Go on a date with Ched!

One word to sum me up: Blessed!

 

Name: Amie Throndson

Daughter’s name and age: Raquel, 13 months

First off, this photo is stunning. Who took it and where was it taken? A family friend took it. We were in Austin and the photo shows the infamous Texas bluebonnets. Every spring these flowers bloom and parents pull the family car off the road and snap photos of their kiddos.

Where are you from? Ohio/Austin, TX. We’ve lived in NWA almost 2 months.

Where did you meet your husband? We met via mutual friends at an Irish bar celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

Was it love at first sight? I don’t know if it was love at first sight, but there was intense chemistry.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? It’s a tie between Paris and the Andalucia region of Spain.

If you went back to college what would you study? Corporate Social Responsibility

What’s your work background? High-Tech Marketing & Social Media

If you had a whole day to yourself what would you do? I would explore the Buffalo River.

What’s something you’ve been meaning to do but can’t seem to get around to it? Learn Spanish!!

What are some of your favorite things to do with Raquel?I love reading to her and doing anything artsy. At her age, art is mostly coloring and hand paints.

What traditions do you hope to pass on to your children? We’re really looking to start our own traditions with our family. We hosted a Halloween Party last year for Raquel and five of her six-month old friends. I know that we’d like to continue that tradition as she gets older.

What’s a make-up essential you couldn’t live without? Blush

What would you do with an unexpected infusion of cash? Depending on the amount of this infusion, I would open an eco-resort in an amazing place.

What was the best parenting advice you received? Just do the best you can every day….

The worst? I’m sure I’ll hear it, but my daughter is still so young that my inexperience is showing with this question.

If someone wrote a book about your life right now, what would a good title be? One Day at A Time

One word to sum me up … focused