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. 

A Bit Quiet.

Things have been a bit quiet here. 

May has been one yucky month. 

Weather hasn't been warm, we are trying to get back on track after the outage, and we are nearing the 1 year mark of Cody's last day on Earth. 

It seems so long ago - in yet also like yesterday. 

Im counting the days till June. A new month.

On a bright spot we had Mothers Day tea at Bristol's school which was sweet...

This girl is ALMOST walking. 

And my kids love to play outside in their undies... classy. 

Right Now.

Making: Learning to knit - making a winter hat for B. 
Cooking: Bacon and Eggs ( trying to get away from cereal for breakfast) 
Drinking: COFFEE. 
Reading: A Birth House. Its interesting. 
Wanting: To cross more projects off my list
Looking: different decking options. So exciting. 
Playing: Ball outside, riding bikes, and avoiding acting out the ENTIRE movie of Frozen. 
Wishing: People will always be kind and patient with my babes.  
Enjoying: A week off with my family.
Liking: Gardening (??) 
Wondering: how things will be in a year.
Loving: heading to the beach and living near the ocean. 
Hoping: for a great summer filled with great memories. 
Marveling: How big Boden - well really all of them- are getting. 
Needing: A girls weekend. 
Smelling: Bacon and coffee. And I think a poopy diaper. 
Wearing: Sweatshirts and long sleeves STILL. 
Following: plans for this year. 
Noticing: What works and doesn't for our family. 
Knowing: The days are long but the years are short. 
Thinking: Im so happy B got into Seacoast Charter School for Kindergarden! 
Feeling: Thankful for everything Matt and I have. 
Bookmarking: Paleo recipes to hopefully help my joints. 
Opening: The dryer door and pulling out MORE laundry. 
Giggling: during Bodens music class. I love that time with him. 
Feeling: tired after a long night of no sleep. 

Oh You Know...

The outage is FINALLY done. 

We celebrated by getting ice cream for dinner. 

I am now regretting it and ended up having to cook "real" food for the hungry minions. 

Here are a few pictures of what we have been up to. 

Pops with friends 

( Boden, B, and Bristol's friend) 

What my bar usually looks like. 

(sigh.)

When Brooklyn smiles like this it looks painful.

She loves to get in here by herself...

Bike tune ups. 

Together again after a visits to Grannie/ Nannies.

oh and Boden is POTTY TRAINED! :)