Down On The Farm And Other Adventures

I forgot to post pictures of our fun time with the lambs and other fun animals:

They were so small!

The mothers were very patient with all of the unexpected guests.

Almost every ewe had twin girls.

Impish grins were everywhere.

Then we went to visit the new meat rabbits.

This is a possible mama rabbit, but we'll know if she's an 

actual mama rabbit in mid-April.

No visit is complete without a session with the chickens.

They are celebrities for these kids.

We've also had visitors!  My husband's sister came to spend her Spring Break with us and we did our best to keep her entertained in between her rounds of helping me around the house.  It was really nice having her here, and I felt like we were able to connect as adults for, quite possibly, the first time.  I was so used to visualizing her as a teenager that I forgot she graduates from college this year and joins the ranks among the big, bad world.

Anyway, we showed her around Philadelphia, introduced her to our favorite haunt at Longwood Gardens, and sent her and my husband off to NYC to explore for a day as well.  It was fun to see her marvel at how much more intimidating Philadelphia was than Kansas City one day, then have her come back from NYC almost dumbstruck at the contrast between Philadelphia and NYC.

She got to see the completed One World Trade Center.

She also got to walk around Times Square.

She saw plenty more, but I don't know that I should make this

post a mile long and full of touristy shots. :-)

She has an iPad, so every time she sat down, she had a captive audience.

We took her to Longwood Gardens.

We decided we could live there with little fuss.

Did I mention that it was during their Orchid Extravaganza?

Score!

Banzai trees are always fascinating!  

The oldest banzai tree there is from 1908!

Then there was the always-popular children's garden.

They chased a squirting stream together.

In Philadelphia, we stumbled upon the gate to Chinatown!

We paid a visit to Commodore Barry after peeking at Independence Hall.

We stumbled upon some possible Hepatitis.  Always fun.

We popped by Valley Forge as well.

Then there was spa night, which was lots of fun!

Even a boy or two got in on the action!

Like I said, we've been busy.  However, we've had a great time!

Springing Spring

I can't even begin to extrapolate on how busy we've been.  I can, however, show you bits and pieces:

With a simple cardboard box, imagination, and a steak knife...

...we have a mighty nice rocket ship!

The one spring-like day we had was spent at the park.

Come at my ladybug, bro!

Yes, he was really that happy to be outside.  We all were.

Wind-swept hair, pink cheeks, and that dimple...

What a cutie!

Wheeeeeeeeee!

For once in a long, long time, they were getting along perfectly!

So much to do!

I'm surprised he even stopped long enough for me to snap a picture.

We have been knee-deep in friends and

 Lenten activities in Sunday school!

We've been spring cleaning!
(yep, that's under the fridge and super disgusting)

I could not ask for better helpers!

And then comes the blissful sigh of relief.

The kitchen has looked just shy of immaculate for nearly 4 days now!

We've addressed long overdue personal upkeep issues

with capable and talented professionals...

...allowing for exceptional results.

Admittedly, professionals are the ONLY people allowed

to touch this picky boy's hair. 

Don't let the face fool you.  He loves it.

More spring cleaning is in the works.  This place has not looked this wonderful since we first moved in.  The kids have taken up so many supplemental chores, too!  I'm so proud of them!  Their efforts have allowed me to gain steam in decluttering efforts, which has allowed me to spend evenings working on crafty things, like the blanket in the works for son #1's impending 10th (GASP!!!!) birthday.

Also, seeds for the garden have been ordered and plans have been drawn.  I'm so excited!

Tucked into the folds of our full days have been a few observational gems from the kids:

"Moms have tough jobs.  I don't want to be a mom.  I'll just live with you forever so you can do all the cooking and laundry and stuff." -The Girl, always thinking of others...

"I have autism, but I'm pretty sure you're just crazy." -Son #1 to Son #2, when discussing the possibility that Son #2 might also have ASD.

"Mommy, that was tewwah-bull." -Son #3, critiquing my cooking skills, after finishing his second helping.

"Just because I have tantrums doesn't mean YOU can have them." -Son #2's public service announcement to his siblings.

Until next time!

Badda Boom

I know, I have been absent yet again.  Life continues to roll along at a pace I'm still trying to handle without turning into some psycho stress monster.  The long and short of it is that I'm lazy, which is also something I'm trying desperately to rectify, especially during Lent.

However, days like today come along where I'm itching to get out and make things happen.  We are heading to our friend's farm this morning to check out nine new lambs!  Over the last week, all of their ewes have birthed twins and one set of triplets!  I'm so excited to get the children dirty with some lamb care.  I'm also excited that all of the lambs have survived so far.  Another friend in upstate NY lost six of their ten lambs this year because of the cold, despite their best efforts to keep the lambs warm and fed.

I'll post pictures of this adventure tomorrow, hopefully.

Then it's off to Target to see about a nicer outfit for a filming this evening.  I get to meet up with some of the wives from John's work and be in the background of a filming for a Bible study geared towards mothers.  I get free dinner, a free babysitter (thanks, honey!), and a night of motherly fellowship.  Two solid hours of grown up time?  Niiiiiiiiiiiiiice!

Then it is home to finish up a few chores, get the kids to practice writing (they really need it), and get dinner thrown together for these crazies before showering and working to make myself look like I don't normally live and operate in a damp cave.

As for fun adventures in motherhood, my daughter has learned the line of logic, "Well, I didn't (fill in the blank as it pertains to the chore she was just asked to perform), so why should I (action that needs taking to rectify the situation)?"  This morning, for example, she was asked to help find her father's guitar tuner.  "But I didn't lose it!  Why do I have to help find it?"   Heaven help me!!!

More Food And A Few Scattered Thoughts

Roasted garlic hummus, anyone?

Chop chop chop...

Roasty toasty...

A little too much roasty toasty, but oh well!

Soaked and prepped garbanzo beans.

Add the a-little-too-roasted garlic.

Turn on the processor and stream in the oil.

Wait until it is amazing.

Confirm the amazingness with carrot sticks and pita triangles.

Success!

And remember yesterday's venture into Lego balloon cars?  Boom:

His went the fastest and farthest.

Hers had the most passengers.

His required the most redesigning, but he was up for the task.

Also, check out Maria's blog for the looooooooooong overdue dress refashion unveiling!

It's off to groceries and deep cleaning in anticipation of a visiting aunt!  :-)