Adventures with farms and ice cream

Today the kids and I loaded up for some "mommy and me" fun. We headed over to Brenham to visit a local farmer who sells organic meats. Our grocery budget allowed us to only buy pastured eggs. The meats are just too expensive. But, I love these eggs. They seem to taste so much better than the ones I can find at the store. And really since I pay three times as much for them...they should be better for us!!!!

Sam put on his overalls and "work" boots for the trip. It's a long way to the farm though. He and Reagan watched a movie in the truck while we traveled. Once we got thre, they were thrilled to see all the animals and meet the "farmer."

When we finished it was about 15 till 11. I knew that the Blue Bell Creamery did tours during weekdays and we were close enough to try and make the 11:00 tour. We hurried and made it just in time! Both kids did great. Sam was especially good with listening and following my instructions. He's getting to be such a big kid.

We got to watch a short film. Thankfully, a VERY short film. I was very nervous about how long I could keep Reagan entertained during that!!! We also got to tour the factory. Ok, tour is a very loose sense of the word. We looked at three rooms, but we did get to see them making homemade vanilla (our favorite!!). It was interesting to see how all of the machines worked.

At the end of the tour we got to sample some ice cream. I got a rainbow sherbert and mint chocolate chip. I thought that Sam might like all the rainbow colors and maybe sherbert is a little better for you than full-fat ice cream. But no. He quickly figured out which one was best and proudly declared to the room that he would be eating the mint chocolate chip. Reagan was just in heaven getting to share with us!

On the way back home, I let the kids eat PB&J in the car. This was a horribly messy idea, but they loved it. Once home we cleaned up and napped.

I've been waking Sam up early from nap to help with evening routines. So, an hour later we were all up and headed to the park. We met Madison and her dad there and played for two very fast hours.

As we were leaving the park, Sam yelled out to Maddie. "I have something for you." He had found a stick that was apparently the treasure of the moment and he asked Jared to break it in half for Maddie and him. This moment started off so sweet. Sharing what's yours (I guess...) with a friend. Then at just the right moment...

"wait, Maddie. I need the bigger one." Sam made sure that he had the bigger of the two pieces of stick.

Today we...

...went to the grocery store and save 20 dollars using coupons.
...hit Walmart to score some laundry detergent for cheap. Ok, this was maybe the low point!
...went to Lowes to buy rakes for the kids to use on the yard. Sam's excitement was too much!
...cleaned the house
...did the laundry
...weeded the garden
...kissed lots of boo boos
...played in the playroom
...decided not to take a nap
...weeeded the garden
...ate dinner with dad who got to come home at 6! Yeah!
...bathed two kids
...had adult conversation

What a great day!

Private

Well, I feel a little bipolar making my blog private again. This time I am leaving it private.

Moment of total honesty ahead.

I just discovered a blog where someone who knows my family was writing some very personal and altogether awful things. I get that not everyone loves my family. That's ok. Writing horrible things about us in a public forum...not ok.

So, I have been reminded of how public this blog really is. I don't want everyone in creation having access to pictures of my kids or reading about our struggles and joys as a family.

And I need to remember that being kind to others is the right thing to do. I need to be careful of how I talk and how I allow my children to talk (ok....Sam...Reagan is still working on putting two words together!!!:)

New Beginnings

How come new beginnings in the Lord always seem to come with tests? Oh yeah, the prunning of the bad stuff.

I'm believing today that God is great and His plan is better. It's better when things are going smoothly and it's better when things are getting rough.

In all things, we will give God praise.

Potty and pacifier

I walk into the front bathroom to find both children trying to stand on the potty. Already this is not a good situation.

I pick up Reagan. Her hands are wet. I assume she's been playing in the potty.

Sam says "No, mama she was not in the potty."

I smile with relief.

Sam says "But her paci was."

"I pee pee Mama and I get some on the seat. So, I clean it off, but the pacy fell in the potty. Don't worry Mama I washed it off. See."

He then shows me how he took the paci, climbs up to the sink, and rinsed it off.

What a thoughtful big brother he is!