Getting out

On Friday we were duped into thinking it was "warm" because it was less cold than it's been!  So I took the kids to a local orchard where they have pick-your-own produce, but also a little farm/zoo with chickens, geese, emu, goats and usually horses, cows etc (clearly too cold for them)!

The kids were so excited and enthusiastic.  It truly melts my heart how much joy they get out of simple things.  

There's also a great wooden playground which has so much for the imagination!

"Best ride ever!"

Em tackled this by herself and I was very impressed.  She actually needed help getting out, and another little girl helped her, and then they were best friends!

She climbed up the tree stump by herself too - a feat of bravery!

One of Toby's friends met us there and the boys tried the maze.  Kept them busy for a while!!

We'll go back when it's warmer, but before school's done.  It gets busy fast because it's free!

Bunny pad

So we decided to reclaim our living room and move Benjamin in to the basement as originally planned.

We got two used 16' exercise pens on the internet for $20 each, put down some extra plywood, old carpet and boom!  Rabbit condo!!

He is liking the space but I think he's still getting used to the quiet, since we are not in the room with him as we were.

We still let him out, and he runs around the basement for a bit before coming upstairs and hanging out with us!

Yesterday he ran up to the bedrooms and the doors weren't shut so Scott went to find him - our room is not bunny proof!

He was still looking when I came up from the basement to find Benjamin stretched out on the sofa watching TV.  It was pretty funny.

He's still chewing on the baseboards if he gets bored or you don't watch him.  I'm going to try squirting him with water like they do to cats.  Otherwise he's doing really well and taking root in our hearts!

A Taste of Britain

I've lived in America for 10 years.  The whole time my friend Christina and her mom have told me about a little tea shop called A Taste of Britain.  On Friday I went with Christina for the first time!!

I NEVER drank tea in England, but was introduced to it by friends here.  

Toby had hot chocolate!

Toby and Aaron

Emma had water, but we showed her how to drink tea properly!

Emma and Nathan

I was so excited about having a pasty for the first time in years

It was good, but not a patch on my grandmas!!

And they had a little store full of things I haven't seen in years...

$20 for the bigger eggs!!!

It was an expensive lunch, but I was like a kid in a candy store!

Emma had cream crackers for the first time and loved them.  I got them each a treat on the way out: Toby had a Chomp (a small chocolate bar, 20p marked up to $1!!) and Emma had chips - Hula Hoops to be precise, and she ate them the right way without being told...

A white dress

Our friends Grant and Emily have asked Emma to be one of the two flower girls in their October wedding.  She is so excited and wanted to "practice" when we got home from lunch!

As a little hint of what's to come we stopped in at the bridal store to see what they have, and let Emma try a couple on!

She was very excited by all the bling, and asked to wear a veil herself!  It's going to be work just reminding her the wedding is not about her!

Bookworm

Emma's recent report card said that she is reading at a first grade level (she goes into first grade in September)!!

She loves to read and it's something she can do when she's bored!

It says "I would buy 100 dresses."

I hate to burst her bubble!!

Helpful Tips!

This is for my Grandma...

Focus

When I decided to get off my backside last year, and work for the body I want, I did not expect it to impact the whole family the way it has!  Most of all, the kids - especially Emma, have really embraced the concept of exercise.

I try not to let the kids get up with me at 5:30am (yes, really!) because they are too distracting, but they love to work out with Scott in the evening. 

Emma is really going for it these days, and her form is improving!

Whenever I get tempted to quit, I have to remember that there's nothing like leading by example!!

It says "I would buy 100 dresses."

I hate to burst her bubble!!

Wednesday Benjamin gets "fixed"!

(He has no clue!)

The weekend in pictures...(and a couple words!)

A belated birthday dinner for Sophia (2yo on 2/2) and Julie (2/13)!  Delayed by weather and sickness etc!

Cousin buddies - these two are together when Emma and Josiah are at school, so they've got a special bond!

Back home for "camping out"...

I decided not to join them, citing my good nights sleep is in everyone's best interest!  Emma ended up joining me, while the boys camped out.

Then the kids had some fun after church!!

Now we're just waiting to see if the "6-12inches" of snow actually materializes since they already cancelled school!!

Smile surgery in the news...

Click on the link to watch the incredible video:

http://fox2now.com/2014/02/26/child-gets-life-changing-smile-surgery/

This made me tear up!

Share alike

Last week we went to Goodwill, a huge second-hand store, and I saw a nice winter coat for Emma.  She has one but the zip always catches on the fabric and she gets frustrated.  For $5, I grabbed it.

Unfortunately I made the mistake of one who does not shop there much, and did not check the zip which was totally broken!

I mentioned it on Facebook and the mom of one of Toby's school friends said that her daughter has 9 and she would be happy to hand some down.

The offer was so kind and I'm not proud, so I said "yes please!"

They dropped off 3 coats yesterday, and they were all awesome.  One with faux fur still had tags!  They're also 7/8yr so they may even last into next year.

I really wanted to give her a few bucks but she refused!  

Anyway, Emma picked this one to wear today because it is similar to mine!

It took me a long time to accept such help, but when I do I'm blessed!  And I know when I am able to help others it also blesses me, so who am I to deny what could well be a blessing from God!

I am very thankful that our friends and family have a great heart for sharing and paying forward.  It's changed my heart a lot!

Toby refers to Benjamin as a "little angel"!  Here he laid down next to him and sang "I Have A Maker" to him - the song we sing to him at bedtime. Such a big heart!!

Family fun at Nanna's!  

No help!

Toby ended up in our bed this morning, and was fast asleep!

When it came to waking him up I had enough time to go with tickling (instead of yelling), which was fun but not very successful!

Emma came in and said "I can help!"  Climbing up on the bed she says "I can punch him in the back!"

Lovely!!

Sentimental

We went to a wedding today, and Emma was asking lots of questions.  We ended up agreeing that she could try on my dress when we got home!

I love to take it out of the box and reminisce, so I actually kept my word!!

I had to try it on too (never too old to play dress up!), and it still fits!

It'll be 8 years of marriage this May, and I wish I could marry Scott all over again!  Such great memories.

Emma wanted to keep the dress on, but I'd like to keep it in decent shape!  Instead I let her wear the underskirt!

Bunny town!

Heres the new bunny pen!

Keeping it upstairs for now until we know he's used to it.

We used Toby's car rug as it's rubber backed, and he doesn't really play with it!

The kids like playing in there too - this could have double benefits!!