They're Back!

Elizabeth and William have spent time with both sets of Grandparents this summer.

Separately of course.  I don't think Grandparents do sibling rivalry.

These photos are from their visit with Ryan's parents in Michigan.  They live right near Lake Michigan and our children took full advantage.  There are stories of sun, sand, waves, water, campfires, fish cousin Jazlyn and movies...they had a fabulous time, and are back home to their regular selves.  Bickering.

They were more than happy to go through their uniforms this evening.  Ha ha ha ah.  And bedtime? yeah.  They loved that too.

I think this picture makes him look so grown up.

And this one? made me giggle.

Did you read yesterdays post? I was feeling all discombobulated.  Well, today a decision was made. Isabelle will be attending Preschool locally, and she couldn't be more excited!

The dominoes have started to fall!

Sunday Nights

I am a FIRM believer that Sunday is a day of rest.  A regular Sunday usually goes like this:  Church.  Pastor Kurt had a great message today, I'll be thinking about it for awhile. Lunch with friends either at home or out.  (out is my preference)  REALLY good Sunday?  Nap, then dinner. And I flat out refuse to cook on Sunday nights, so it's usually left overs or popcorn.

On Sunday nights after Ryan heads off to work, my mind goes crazy.  Tonight is no exception.  Do you ever have weeks where it seems your whole life is in turmoil?  That's me, and it has lasted more than a few weeks. All summer pretty much.  Every decision it seems is dependent on another, and I have no idea when or what thing is going to happen first to put the rest in motion.  I feel like a giant domino design waiting to be pushed.

My work schedule is back to 20 hours a week, and I am excited to have more time for my extra-curricular activities.  Since I am working less, I have to be more creative with child care, in turn that makes scheduling my work hours tricky.  Along with the carpool schedule, whether or not Isabelle goes to preschool... blah, blah, blah.

Not only has my head been full of stuff, we have been busy!  Ryan and I went to the movies with friends, We saw "Grown Ups".  I laughed.  a lot.  Then we had Ice Cream at Cold Stone Creamery and enjoyed a pleasant evening chatting outside.  My Bunco girls and I had a yard sale, fun time hanging out and getting rid of stuff.  Elizabeth spent more money than I made, but now has some cute things in her closet.  We had a FABULOUS time with friends in their backyard surrounded by corn.  Relaxing with those girls really soothes my soul.  The wine helps too.  Ryan and I have surveyed the lawn and are thinking we should start the landscaping project. The laundry is done, but not all folded, the house is picked up, but by no means clean.  The school uniforms are stacked on the dining room table and I am on the hunt for our school supply list so we can go shopping this week.  I also started a grocery list so I can get some food in this house.  I have not got "real" groceries since June.... and thus begins my week.  What are YOU doing?

Let Sleeping Babies Lie

I snapped this photo of Jackson a few weeks ago when he was sick.  He looked so peaceful sleeping off his fever on the couch.  This sweet little boy is so spoiled.  Every night I rock him to sleep with a bottle, gently lay him in his crib, turn on soothing music and sneak downstairs to have him wake up within 30 minutes.  Really.  It's like clockwork.  He will sleep longer on the couch, but 99% of the time, wakes in our bed.

Usually right next to his sister.

Window On My World

Going Home

County Fair 2010

Friday Night Pizza

Our neighbors and friends host "Friday Night Pizza" at their farm.

From 5-8 pm every Friday, they make pizza in a brick oven they built just for that purpose.

You order your pizza at the picnic table covered with a red-checked cloth.

Find a spot on the lawn to set up your lawn chairs or blankets, open up your cooler and break out the beverages you brought.

Watch your kids play, enjoy delicious pizza, chill with your friends.

Ingredients for a perfect Friday night.

Check it out for yourself at: hawkinsfamilyfarm.com

oh, and get a little angry about the white spot on your camera.

Diva

"Hey guys, turn around so I can take your picture."

"Smile! look at Mommy! Smile!"

"I don't want to *smile* I want to do this."

"Please, I want to send a picture to Uncle Reuben."

"I DON'T WANT TO LOOK AT YOU."

"I'm NOT going to be your little sweetheart ANYMORE."

Thanks for the chairs Uncle Reuben~ they love them!

A Weekend Full of Emotions

Some sad, some sweet.

The end of an era. 

A resolve to tell the ones we love how much we care.

My New Favorite Thing

This spring, while shopping alone, I saw this:

Kate Spade Wellie Magee

And fell in love.  I knew I had to have it, but the price tag said I didn't.

After stalking the Kate Spade web site, it went on clearance.  WOO HOO!

My new favorite bag  arrived last Monday, and I put it to immediate use at the fair.  It's absolutely perfect!
It's gone with me almost every day since, and it's already packed for tomorrow.

*I refuse to wear rubber shoes...but I'll carry a rubber bag!

Redemption?

Last night, Elizabeth had her friend Emily sleep over, and today, Our little group of girls (minus 2) went to lunch and a movie.  A big deal not having any little brother tagging along!

The movie was really sweet, and we all enjoyed it.  (Mommy bonus:  John Corbett)  I do believe she had a fabulous time.  I will post pictures of the day, and the cake she made herself as soon as I figure out how to get them off of her new camera.  I left mine in Ohio Wednesday... grr.

Grandma Great

November 5, 1928

July 24, 2010

Elizabeth

Today is her Eleventh birthday.
Unfortunately, her mother dropped the ball today.  She's been very gracious.
I hope the things I have planned for the weekend make up for it.

Fair Fun

I think I mentioned that my nephews were here all last week?  My original thought of having them here over fair week was
maybe not such a good idea.  It turns out that when you are at the fair the majority of everyday, it's only fun if you know people there.  Which we were, and they didn't.  That being said, they were WONDERFUL.  Very polite, understanding and HELPFUL.  I was so proud of them. I'll say it again.  They were Amazing.  Our fair was over on Friday night, and Ryan thought it would be fun to take them to the truck pull at a neighboring county fair.  Wesley and Logan (my nephews) had been several times, but our children never had.  Ryan and I knew that William would love it, and boy did he!!

One of the few times he wasn't talking.

 

The whole gang - except Jackson? Where is Jackson?

It's been interesting keeping track of 6 kids!

Here he is! Eating popcorn.  He was not a big fan of the noise.

Flames? yes. Smoke? yes. Loud noise? not so much.

I loved this one of Wes.

 

About half way through, William said to me: "Hey Mom"

"Yes?"  "When they take off, I scream as loud as I can, and I STILL cannot hear it!"

How much fun is THAT??

On a side note: You would think that after eating fair food all week we would have been tired of it.  But we weren't.  This fair had better food wagons.  Healthy options to boot.  Whole wheat pretzels, fruit smoothies, strawberry shortcakes and deep fried vegetables!

Head, Heart, Hands, Health

This week has been all about the 4-H fair.  And Elizabeth.  This is her second year showing livestock, and we all are a little more comfortable with the process.  She took three animals: a dairy feeder calf, and two dairy cows.  One that she took last year, and a younger one.  Both the beef and dairy shows were on Tuesday.  Made for a long day, but we got it over in one shot!  Ryan's parents came to enjoy? the festivities, and help us out.  I realized on Tuesday morning after taking ONE photo, that my camera batteries were dead.  All these photos came from Lonna's camera.  Thank You!

Pinning her exhibitor number on.

Took Ryan and I some time trying to figure out how to put on that belt buckle.

(COWBOY? COWBOY? anyone see a cowboy? we need help with our buckle...)

She won the buckle last year in beef showmanship.

Waiting....

My nephew Logan in the back.

Wesley and Logan, my nephews are here for the week!

Showing in her beef class.  She did really well.

The calf was the heaviest there, but did not place well.

Here she is, eight hours later, at the dairy show with her heifer.

We all were tired, but pulled through!

Dairy Showmanship.  Junior Division WINNER!!

(and another buckle...)

The Judge, Supreme showman, Junior showman and Senior Showman.

The other two showman are siblings!

And this is how William and Jackson entertained themselves during Elizabeth's classes.

Of course, only between: "Can I have a snow cone?", "Can I have an elephant ear?"

"I'm THIRRRSSSTYY". 

Isabelle?

Shmoozing with the Queens.

Our Week.

Has been busy – I don't remember being busy like this as a kid, but then, our kids would like to do a lot more than we do do. Hmm.

Elizabeth had her "non-walking" projects judged Tuesday and Wednesday. Two long, hot days outside. I cannot remember the last time I sweated. (or is it "sweat"?). In any case, out of four projects, she received a blue star, two blue and one red ribbon. The blue star means she is in the running for the state fair entry in that category, which happened to be sewing. She made a pillow and it turned out really well. The red ribbon is because her mother did not read the rules correctly, and told her to put the recipe for her frozen blueberries on a 3x5 index card instead of a 5x8 index card. A learning moment for both of us.

Elizabeth has been walking her 4-H cows. This is her "Feeder Beef". Ryan says she is doing a good job, and the cow is doing well too.

Ladies in waiting. Waiting for their turn to be walked.

Last week, Elizabeth and William went to camp. I think they would live there if I let them.
And you would think that our lives would be a little slower down two kids, but not really.  They are entertainment for each other.  Especially with the little ones.  They still love their older siblings!

Elizabeth and her "roomies". They were sure they hit the room jackpot. Just her four friends and a counselor in one room!

 William opted to go to the longer camp with his sister (much to her dismay) instead of the shorter camp with his best buddy.  It didn't take long for him to make friends.

Camp theme was "Be Joyful!" I'm sure both of them will live in these shirts this summer.

This is the "Free family dinner" when you pick up your kids from camp. Hot dogs. T. and I always think it's a little hokey, but the kids like to stay, so we choke down a hot dog with some stale chips, wash it down with the sugar water colored green. It's not kool-aid. Trust me.

What have you been doing?

What Not To Wear

Wabash County Edition:

First contestant? Me.

When four neighborhood guys came over to help round up the 15+ cattle that had gotten out tonight,  not only was I wearing pajama pants, I also had on a stretched-out tank top.

Bra-less of course.

Holy Wow

We've been busy.
Elizabeth went to my parents for a week,
Fabian broke his leg
Elizabeth and William went to church camp
I got sick...again
Elizabeth lost three teeth
We planted our garden...finally
With the help of Matt and Teresa, all our our belongings are now at our house
We picked cherries and bought blueberries, zucchini, watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes, cucumbers and apricots
We saw my parents, grandparents and brother at Farm Progress days
Isabelle went to her "first" friend birthday party
We watched fireworks....twice
We've been working on 4-H projects
We've done the laundry, dishes, cleaned the house, did the shopping, fed this family.

Pre-fair judging starts tomorrow, and so the chaos begins-or continues!

Jackson and I 

June 25th

*35*

Deep Thoughts

What is the point of wearing shorts if you are going to put on socks and work shoes?

If your feet need protected, don't your legs too?

Frog and Toad are Friends!

One of my favorite books growing up, "Frog and Toad are Friends".  I think my Aunt Marilyn gave it to me, along with "Green Eggs and Ham"  Another favorite.  I cannot remember the occasion, but I loved those books.

Last week, while playing outside, much to Isabelle's delight, and Jackson's "hands-off" pleasure, we found:

Frog and Toad, living in our window well!

Maternal Guilt and the Indianapolis Colts

Monday of the crazy-busy VBS week, a friend mentioned to me that the Indianapolis Colts would be in town as a part of their "Colts Country" meet and greet.  And why would we want to stand in a steaming hot parking lot for hours to get the autograph of some player that we're not sure we've ever seen?  Maternal Guilt.

Somehow, someway, something in me changed over the last year, in addition to sudden, unexplained cry bouts, I now have an enormous amount of maternal guilt.  I'm blaming my friends for these new emotions.  You know who you are.

And how, you may ask does maternal guilt come into play with the Colts??  Well, my kids should want to see them right? It's summer, we should be doing FUN things, right? How often does a NFL team ( a super-bowl winning one I might add...) come to town??  Why should my sanity come into play?

So we went.

This guy met us at the entrance.

The ever so hot parking lot, and the long line.

William climbing the "rock wall".

The kids and the Colt.

Football toss.

Finally, the talent.

Jamey Richard and Jaimie Thomas.