Partridge in a Pear Tree

cardinals, a few days old

Ok, it is more like a cardinal in an oak tree, mockingbird in a pine tree, sparrow in a laundry vent and a common black bird in the roof line, than a partridge in a pear tree.  Our backyard has become bird central.  This past week, Daddy had to rescue a sparrow from Chloe.  He had fallen out of his nest and was taking shelter in our water hose.  Ben was able to climb up to the 2nd floor laundry vent and return him to his nest.  I am not sure if the bird or I was more grateful, I could just see myself feeding a baby bird meal worms for the next week until he was ready to fly.

canning

We are almost finished with our Little House in the Big Woods book and have had fun projects along the way.  My friends tease me how domesticated I have become, so I figured I needed to learn to can some things out of the garden.  First up, my favorite - my Me-Maw's (paternal great-grandmother) plum jelly.  Over Father's Day weekend, my mom spent the weekend with us and she brought her canning supplies.  We made 11 jars of plum jelly (if PawPaw is reading this we really only made 2 jars).  My grandfather's best friend has a plum tree that he lets my mom pick plums any time she wants.  I have teased that this jelly is made with crack and my worst fears were confirmed, it has more sugar than fruit.  I have reasoned with myself that it is ok, b/c store bought jelly would be the same way and it is loaded with all of the other crap stuff that preserves their jelly and hers is way better anyways.
We also made these homemade pickles from the cucumbers in our garden.  Ben and I really like them, but we have discovered the girls are a bit of pickle snobs.  Fine by me, leaves more for this preggo Mama's cravings.

new ride part 2

I finally gave in and we got a mini van.  I kept holding out for gas prices to drop (yeah, right) or God would put it on some philanthropist's heart to gift us a SUV, but neither happened and we are down to the final weeks before a bigger car was a necessity.  We sold my civic from college on craigslist and we have been saving since Disney World, so we were able to put a large chunk down on a used Honda Odyssey.  I will admit it is very nice and it drives just like my accord.  The girls are happy in their own spaces (which they can buckle/unbuckle on their own) in the back row, R2 sits high enough that he can see out the window and I like that the doors open with a push of a button.  I still have issues with being a "mini-van Mom", but it is super convenient so I am working on my attitude.

Daddy's Day

We did have fun celebrating Daddy's Day last weekend with a yummy breakfast of biscuits, homemade jelly, sausage, and eggs.  The girls made Daddy his own personal coffee mugs inspired from Star Wars.  One side is Princess Leia saying "I love you" and the other side has Han Solo saying "I know."  I found a pin on pinterest to decorate your own coffee mugs and we used a porcelain pen to write on mugs from the dollar store.
We also blessed him with a Tervis Star Wars mug, jerky from Robertson's in Salado and a can of honey roasted peanuts.  His big present came on Thursday in the form of a new mini van, so we spent the weekend cleaning out the garage and shed so both cars can fit.  Happy Fathers's Day to the best Daddy.

Princess Leia (hence the cinnamon rolls on her head)

corn cob dolls

We have started the Little House on the Prairie series as our summer read-aloud.  We still do school over the summer, just a more low-key version. My plan is to read a chapter and have a project to go along with each chapter.  Some chapters are easier to be creative with than others.  In the 2nd chapter of the book, Laura describes her corn cob doll.  When I was little my great-grandmother taught me how to make corn husk dolls, and I still have one of the dolls.  I thought they would enjoy making the dolls, but after that the dolls would be left by the way-side, but that was not the case.  Their dolls are displayed proudly on their bookshelves and I have even seen them play with them.
To make your own doll:
You need to clean your corn cob by pulling all off the strings and husks.  Then, using a sharp knife scrape off all of the kernels (done by Mom).  Next, you can use a butter knife or spoon to clean any remaining kernels and then, wash with soap and water.  Now, the hard part, waiting for the corn cob to dry.  It took ours almost 3 days to dry completely.  Afterwards, use markers to draw a face on your doll.  Lastly, wrap her in one of Dad's (or in our case, Mom's do-rags) handkerchiefs.

field trip - Blue Bell Ice Creamery

On Friday, Mimi joined the kids and I on a RFF field trip to Brenham to learn about how our favorite treat was made.  It was a 45 minute tour which concluded with free ice cream in the parlor.  LE's choice - homemade vanilla, Bella's choice - strawberry, R2/Mommy's choice - red velvet cake, Mimi's choice - Blackberry Cobbler, and Mommy's choice - Key Lime Pie.  I picked the best and it was something I would have never purchased, so I am glad  I tried it.
I went to school in Brenham and never did the Blue Bell tour.  I didn't even know where the factory was.  After lunch, we drove around the Blinn campus.  It has changed so much, but still holding on to its conservative roots.
It was our maiden voyage in our new car too.  What a difference that made!
Be prepared b/c you cannot take in your camera for employee's privacy, the pics of the kids in the ice cream parlor were taken with my phone.

Wordless Wednesday - just like Dad

new water table

My friend, Zelia recently gave R2 her water/sand table that her little boys had outgrown.  Talk about great entertainment.  R2 could play in it for hours.  He loves bath time and this is even better b/c Mama cannot wash his hair.
Thank you Miss Z and boys.  I think we are going to make lots of memories this summer on the back porch.

me like cupcakes

Biscuit Brothers

We went to a local fund raiser for the Susan G. Komen Foundation so we could see the Biscuit Brothers concert.  LE was chosen to pick an animal for the song Old McDonald and Bella was chosen to go on stage to lead a dance for She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain.  R2 hung out in the shade with Daddy most of the concert and snacked on juice and crackers.

thinking of others

I am a proud Mama tonight.
LE has been on the lookout for a riding outfit for Kirsten for awhile.  This past trip to the local store, there was a riding outfit on another off-brand doll.  The doll was on sale and would have cost $1.00 more than buying just the outfit online.  She decided she would buy the doll when she earned enough money and give the doll to Bella since Bella's fave doll is not an American girl doll.  Alexa Lily is a Melissa and Doug doll, but she is only 14 inches tall, so trying to find clothes for her is almost near impossible.  I was so proud of LE for thinking of her younger sister.
Meet Lisa Lily.
Presently she is wearing big sister, Kirsten's hand-me downs, but there is a great store that makes American Girl clothing for a small fraction of the cost, we will be hitting that store soon and Bella is going to purchase Kirsten and her doll a new outfit.

Top 10 Read Alouds for our 3 readers

Chapter Books:

1. Hank the Cow Dog by John Erickson (series)

2. Babe the Gallant Pig by Dick King Smith

3. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

4. Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingells Wilder (series)

5. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis (Magician's Nephew being my fave)

6. Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater
7. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
8. The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary (series)
9. Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
10. Winnie the Pooh by A.A.Milne

Picture Books:
1. Hooway for Wodney Wat by Helen Lester
2. The Little Mouse, The Big Hungry Bear and the Red, Ripe Strawberry by Don and Audrey Wood
3. The Mitten by Jan Brett
4. We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
5. Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guirano
6. If you Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Joffe Numeroff
7. Stand Back Said the Elephant, I am Going to Sneeze by Patricia Thomas
8. The Giant Jam Sandwich by John Vernon Lord
9. The Napping House by Audrey Wood
10.  King Bodgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood

Board Books:
1. Mama, Mama/Papa Papa by Jean Marzollo
2. Time for Bed by Mem Fox
3. Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman
4. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.
5. The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle
6. The Nose Book by Al Perkins
7. Goodnight, Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
8. Thunder in the Jungle by Jean Christie
9. BINGO by Rosemary Wells
10. Gossie and Gertie by Olivier Dunrea

This is a really good article on reading aloud written by Mem Fox, author of some of my favorite books.

Kirsten and Alexa Lily's birthday

LE has had it in her heart since she finished her American Girl books about Kirsten that we would celebrate her birthday, June 8th.  We had it in on her calendar and when she flipped the calendar to June there was no way we could skip it.  Luckily, Bella's Alexa Lily doll was the same day, imagine that!!
The girls had a list of friends they wanted to celebrate with.  They baked and decorated cupcakes and they even baked each doll a cake in their easy bake ovens.
I know we celebrated a doll's birthday, but it was fun and hopefully the girls will always remember it.  It was a fun day to spend in the park with friends and Mama even got some adult interaction.

feedin' myself

summer reading program kickoff

This week the summer reading program started at the local library.  The girls LOVE to participate in the program for the great activities, guests, and prizes.  Of course, it all starts with our favorite performer, Joe McDermott.  He sang all of our favorite songs and afterwards posed with the girls and their friend, Alexa. Read even enjoyed it and was dancing the majority of the time.

wordless Wednesday - campground breakfast

fearless

I don't remember how old LE was before she ever attempted the big slide, Bella was at least 4 closer to 5.  But, this brave fearless kid climbed to the top of the playscape by himself and slid down the tall spiral slide over and over at 18 months.

family reunion '12

The kids and I traveled to Fredericksburg for my great-grandfather's family reunion.  We left early Saturday morning and all three of the kids slept a good portion of the way.  Ben got a free pass to stay home for the weekend to work on his movie project.  I knew with Mimi, PawPaw and Granny tag-teaming I would have the help I needed.  PawPaw BBQ'ed and everyone brought sides and desserts.  I brought along a pinterest find of Oatmeal Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars.  I had never made them before and they were melty by the time we finally ate, but still yummy.
After lunch, we had our auction and LE's potholder sold for $20.  She was so excited.  I was most excited that Mimi bought it so we can still see it.  Bella decided she wanted to give her potholder to PawPaw for his birthday (7th).
R2 and I went to Mimi's trailer for a nap and hung out for the remainder of the evening and then him and I went to sleep at Mimi's house.  The girls stayed with Mimi and PawPaw in the travel trailer for a real campout.

bloggin noggin nonsense

I hate the sound of "blog brain dumps", so here is my alternative title.
I don't know what it is, but we have had a rough go of it lately.  Starting back with my blog post for prayers.  Two of those we were praying for passed away, one being a baby boy who was only weeks older than R2.  I took that one really hard.
Then, four of us, plus my mom who was here for the weekend got food poisoning.  I was sick for almost 72 hours b/c I got dehydrated.
We put an offer on a farm house on five acres in Georgetown, but withdrew our offer b/c of a pre-inspection-inspection by my builder dad.
Bella was very sick this week with a fever of 103-104 degrees for nearly 48 hours.  She was hours away from being admitted to the hospital, but God touched her and she was up playing, eating and feisty as ever when her fever broke.
Because of the fabulous bugs running rabid through our home, we have not been able to finish up the school year.  Bella is only 3 days away from finishing her kindergarten (which most of it she only began in December) and LE has 2 weeks left of her first grade math, everything else she has long been finished with.
This weekend, we head to my hometown for a family reunion.  I am excited to see family, but not looking forward to being away from home at 7 months pregnant.  And, yes amid all of the other in our life I have hit the emotional, dreaded third trimester.  And yes, the emotions have run wild over the past few weeks.  I am moody and I have cravings like no one's business, and I am uncomfortable, and cranky and rude and annoyed and tired and cranky and moody and hungry.  So bring me chocolate cheesecake if you are any where near.