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.