Chicken Wrangler.

Im sure every evening at dusk our neighbors love watching all 4 ( Brooklyn is usually in bed by then)  of us run around the yard like insane people trying to chase our chickens back into their pen for their own safety. 

They are starting to get it on their own...but not quite yet. 

B by far is the best - having no fear - throwing her body towards a chicken in hopes of catching it. 

As I watch my pj clad kids running around the yard I can't help but smile 

( even through gritted, annoyed teeth) 

Thats this is what summer is for. 

And I love it. 

A Day At The Beach.

For about 2 years we have kinda avoided the beach.

 We love it but with Boden as an infant, than Brooklyn, it was too hard to drag all three for the 25 minutes we would probably spend there.  

Today though, we went. 

We took on the beach. 

It was a beautiful day filled with lots of fun. 

I feel like as a parent you have days where you say " Wow, Im doing this all wrong." Other days where you say " Ok everyone is alive, fed, and has a clean bum. Were good." 

Then a few lucky days you think " Ok we are at least doing this 50% right and actually thriving not just surviving." 

Today was the last statement. 

Many moments during the day my kids made me laugh, impressed me, and were well behaved. 

Today - even though moments were stressful - all in all it was a pleasure and Im so glad we spent the day together. 

Must eat snacks not 2 minutes after arriving. That 30 minute drive was tiring. 

Brooklyn trying her first of many fist fulls of sand

Brooklyn... climbing of course. 

Old Man and the Sea...

Daddys girl. 

Loves her My Little Ponies. 

About 20 minutes after we arrived I noticed Boden picking up. I asked what he was doing and he said " Clean up, go home, get cup, relax." 

Huh. 

Watching the motorcycles. 

My *almost* Kindergardener! 

Ended the day with fun at the arcade! 

Food For Thought

I remember a story my Dad has told ... 

When he was a young boy he was staying at his Grandparents house. He got a glass of milk but didn't end up finishing it. He poured the rest down the sink drain. 

Just then, his Grandfather walked in to see him pour out his un-used milk. 

I don't remember the exact words but It was to the effect of he better not ever do that again - did he know how much work went into getting that glass of milk? 

I feel today their is so much disconnect between where our food comes from and the work that goes into growing/ raising healthy food. When I hear people grumble about the prices of Farmers Market eggs or meat it makes me cringe. 

Do they know the upkeep, time, and of course money that goes into a quality product??

I don't think so.

I look that the farmers behind their booths - dirt still in their nails- and am so thankful that because of what they do I can feed my family with more local product and help teach my kids about where their food comes from. 

Not just Market Basket up the road.

I love the connections I make with each vendor.
This week a rugged old farmer pointed out I wasn't there last week.
To which I replied " Oh I stick out that much? " ( Laughing)
He very matter a fact said
" Well you look about 19 and have a whole bunch of kids following you around so yeah."

He sells the best produce.

Till next week guys. 

Story Rocks Camping Project

We love to have camp fires throughout the summer and this year are planning on spending some time backyard camping and up at Matt's family's camp. 

I saw this on Pinterest and thought it was a great activity for young kids to do around the fire that doesn't involving eating pounds of sugar ( s'mores) right before you tuck them in ha. 

Boden is a bit young this year I think but I know B will love this game. 

So the point is you pass around the bag and as it goes around each person takes turns pulling a rock out. What ever the picture is they have to include it in the story you all are building on and telling. 

While we were at the beach a while back I gathered up smooth, flat rocks ( I need to go get more). 

Using ideas on Pinterest I started ( very crudely) painting different things I thought the kids would find amusing. 

Flowers, trees, fairy wand, teepee, ladybug, balloon, boat, sunrise/ mountains, castle, etc. 

I used an old J.Crew belt bag and we are ready for our first back yard or fire pit story time. 

I can't wait to try it out! 

Summer is here!

Bristol is done school and Ballet so Summer is officially on. It also has been in the 80s so it actually feels like Summer. 

Our first week " on break" went well. Bristol and Boden have quickly learned how to push each others buttons- thus mine too. 

Over the weekend I put together a summer schedule to help keep us sane and limit the " Im hungry" aka bored eating. I have all kinds of things planned and already our summer seems so full. In a good way though. Im so excited to spend it with these crazies. 

Cause its never too early to start on your birthday party invites... for October. 

Rainy day movie 

Childrens Museum with our best buddy. Good thing we have trains at home...

Why we will all be sick next week. 

 Brooklyn will be spending the summer climbing anything and everything. 

Busy Endings.

These past 2 weeks have been filled with end of school things and Bristol's Ballet recital.

Mostly great moments where B has made me so proud 

( how is she old enough to know AND do an aribesque??) 

but, also bittersweet for me. 

This Fall will bring so much change to our family having a child in school all day. 

I know Bristol is ready and excited but I am sad. 

I hate change and this is a major one. 

I will miss not seeing her all day and hearing every little thought that pops into her head. 

This morning she woke me up by jumping on my bed telling me on the chicken coop was sitting 

" An owl phoenix - the coolest thing Ive ever seen." 

Hmmm. Too much Wild Kratts??

As I watched her tell me all about it I couldn't believe this big girl sitting in front of me. She isn't a little girl anymore thats for sure. 

When they sent home her final PreK stuff from school along with her extra clothes, name tags, and pictures I may had cried. 

Here are a few pictures from the last few weeks and all our milestones.