Catching up . . .

 

We’ve been busy

camping with lots of friends*visiting the library*projects*work*watching the storms come in*school*gymnastic class*Dad’s 30th bday*family picnics*finding new pets (worms and salamanders)*flying kites*hitting home runs ie. playing baseball every.single.day*finding bird nests, with eggs and now babies*doing tricks on the swings*rhyming everything all the time*playing in mud*painting*screaming our heads off sometimes (ok, Brad and don’t really scream but sometimes we feel like it and J is still perfectly capable of making a huge, long, extremely trying ruckus)*making projects*watching the birds (hummingbirds love my flowers on the porch)*reading adventures—just finished Stuart Little*trying to be more clean, organized, and even fold clothes*birthday parties and more birthday parties*staying home for fun days doing “nothing”*having friends over*playing at the park*collecting flowers*finding treasure*raising a new calf and more chicks (hatched at J’s school)*working on the house*looking at other houses*cooking together (J assembled an entire lasagna completely by himself the other day)*singing silly songs*loving Rocky and Bullwinkle*watching a parade*planting*yard saling*playing on the tractor*playing games, games, and more games*weekly family dates at The Halfway House*cake making*holding hands before each meal (Joseph enforced)*and now mom is headed to the Cape with work and J has adventures with Daddy and two of his Grandpa's planned for the weekend . . .

Baby Booties!

Last month I went through a baby booty knitting obsession.  These are so quick and fun!  They challenge me just enough, but not as much as the sweater I am knitting for myself (that’s another story . . . it’s been in the basket untouched for over a month with only one sleeve left to do . . .).  These girly ones I gave to a friend who helps me an unbelievable amount at playgroup and recently welcomed a little girl named Mitzi!  The pattern is free on Ravelry.com (THE site for the knitting obsessed); just let me know if you want more info.

I have a TON of pictures I am behind on posting . . . soon I hope . . . but we have been so busy having fun!

Candy Land Birthday Party!

 

Today was Joseph’s kids birthday party.  This is the second year I have done a theme and I really do have a bit too much fun with it ;-)  I went crazy with Candy Land (one of Joseph’s very favorite things).  This was most of the spread.

 

 

The kids made necklaces out of cereal.  Joseph loves projects like this and I was really surprised that all his guests also seemed to have fun with it (well ok the girls did outlast all the boys except for Joseph). 

 

I was also happily surprised that the kids didn't seem to have any problem waiting till after eating to hit the candy bar.  They all got a little bag and had fun filling it up.

 

Next was the piñata.  No one got wacked.  Everyone took turns and stood in line.  And everyone got candy and games (little tiny tic-tac-toe games and packs of cards were my favorite finds).

 

Going in for the loot.

 

My FAVORITE: The cake!  I have to say I am pretty proud of how this came out.  It is my first real cake project.  It did take hours and I stayed up way late, but it was totally worth it.

Also love the hand decorated presents!

Opening presents

 

And lots of playing

 

Hope everyone had as much fun as I did!

Been busy :-)

the new green leaves against the springtime sky; dandelion fields, young grass, long-awaited sunshine, picnics and playtime

More of the unexpected milestones

The first time your child:

• leaves some unexpected masterpieces on your walls 
• goes to their room when you say to 
• makes their own breakfast, which in this house is peanut butter and jelly
• checks their library books out by themselves
• asks you what a word means
• tells you exactly what they think about the fact you are making plans that do not include them
• gives their own hair a trim
• turns down a kiss ;-(
• is the oldest somewhere
• can really actually play catch
• cuts a picture of a desired item out of a catalogue
• tells you they hate you
• says you are their best friend
• begins to wash and brush their hair and teeth on their own
• asks about why someone is different (“talks funny”)
• catches you telling a polite little lie
• is big enough you can start cooking with hot sauce again
• goes to a funeral
• wipes themselves
• asks if they are going to die
• tries a bike without training wheels
• eats your pickles
• spontaneously and sincerely tells you they love you

Spring is really here!

We made our last run of syrup.  Joseph even got to stay up late a few times to boil!  We made 4 gallons this year and had lots of fun again. 

 

Joseph has been very into birds lately.  When we head out first thing in the morning Joseph always chats with the birds.  Sometimes he draws them pictures when he is at school because he misses them.  And we rigged these birdfeeders for our friends enjoyment.

 

Brad sold the old tractor and got a new “Big Green Tractor”

 

Spring walks are always special

 

AND—meet Bean, our newest calf.  He was born here in Shoreham on April Fools Day and saved from the big sale because the farmer’s kids liked him. 

 

Brad and Joseph broke out their shorts

 

New frogs came to visit

 

The view out my kitchen window

 

A visit to Chuckee Cheese yesterday  with the cousins

Bogie and Bean hanging out for the first time today

 

nope, that is not going to work, but glad that they are getting along