Mr. Chicken and Ms. Hen

Ida has become quite the Mother Hen lately. She has taken to scratching Emerson's back, sweeping the floor, making house rules, and brushing my hair. Yesterday she was very interested in washing the dishes. I LOVE HER! We had a blast. She washed and rinsed and instructed me on how to dry. It felt good to be mothered by her. She is awesome!

We planted the garden today and decided our yield is going to be super yummy. We planted big beefy tomatoes, little yellow tomatoes, green and yellow peppers, green beans, and cucumbers in the Topsy Turvy. There is nothing like planting the garden and getting all dirty from the fun. We were pretty muddy and definitely needed a bath. Emerson was sitting on the floor all wrapped in a towel waiting to get dressed after his bath. Ida was doing her thing, so I decided to see if Emerson needed some help with his "sticky pajamas."

Mom: "Why don't you stand up, it will be easier to get your pjs on."

Emerson: "Well, I'm trying to lay eggs."

Mom: obviously laughing "What kind of eggs?"

Emerson: "The orange kind or the green kind or the scrambled kind....any kind."

Newspaper, again?

We have had a few visits from the "newspaper seller" since we have lived here in efforts to convince us that we need the paper because it's "such a great deal." So, I was not surprised on Saturday morning to hear Ida yell, "There's someone here!" But let me tell you, it was NO "newspaper seller," it was JOSH! I was SHOCKED!! Frozen. I couldn't figure out why the newspaper guy looked so much like Josh and was holding flowers. What a great Memorial Weekend surprise! It was SO nice to have him here. His visit was just the push we needed to make it through the next 6 weeks.....then we are done!:)
We did a lot of relaxing while he was home. A few chores in the garden and bathroom, but not much else. We just relaxed and spent hours talking and laughing. Seriously, it was so much talking and catching up. Telling stories....it's different and so much BETTER talking in person than over the phone, I LOVED IT! In a way, I felt like a college girl again laughing and watching movies with my man. We also made it to the Memorial Day parade. It was noisy, colorful, and FUN! Notice Ida's awesome, self-chosen outfit.

Happy Day

How does one decide which friend will drive an hour and a half to visit the other friend? The friend with the nicest car? No, Josh and I would technically lose, but win, every time!:) It's whoever is the better friend drives....man, I sure have a great friend. It is so spectacular having awesome friends who will drive down from Lansing and visit for the day! This is Des and I all sweaty after a great day together.

We spent the day in the pool and playing in the back yard. The kids had a blast!

A little game of hide-and-seek.

Nate watched the kids while Des and I took a little time to drive around, see the area, and be out without the kids for a minute. I REALLY appreciated it! Just a little time to breathe. When we got home, the kids were snacked, bathed, pajamaed, read, and ready for bed. He is a goooood babysitter! Thanks guys.To finish the night, we had a little photo shoot with our "Jesus" statue that guards the bushes.

My Man's Land....The Okie

Here are a few pictures from the "land of the cowboy." Slow life, good food, country livin', guns, dirt, and friendly folks.

After talking to Josh tonight, he reminded me that Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill is in Oklahoma City AND he is frequently there, like actually there. Ya know, chewin' on a rib and drinkin' a beer. Um.....have I ever told anyone that I LOVE Toby Keith?!! By the end of our conversation I convinced Josh that he was going to eat at that bar and grill and, while he was there, he would take pictures, steal something: a napkin, silverware, a leaf from a plant outside, a steak knife....oh, that's a good one, anyway, something. It's not like he could fit Toby or his furniture under his shirt? I'll let you know what happens after Josh "stalks by" for me. I am so jealous! Click below and check it out.

aFtEr NaP cHaT!

Emerson (picking his nose): "Mom, what are boogers made of? Sloppy Joes and pancakes?"
Mom (laughing): "Um..."
Emerson: "Oh, chicken nuggets and french fries. I got it." Runs off
Mom: "Ummm...."

For The Love Of Sparkles!

I found these shoes for Ida at a thrift store for $1.50 and I must say that it was the best dollar fifty I have ever spent. She LOVES them, sleeps in them, wears them to breakfast, to the Post Office, and has even tried to convince me that they would be perfect to wear while bathing. We are going on day 5 since I got them for her and she has NOT taken them off!

We had a fun day this weekend watching our cousin "B" play some soccer and spending time with her sister, dad, and Grandma. It was a raining day, but the kids had a blast. Emerson, Ida, and cousin "N" got to take cousin "B" her water bottle between play. They thought they were SO cool because they got to walk on the field.

Cousin "B" got to play goalie....awesome! She made a save and chucked the ball to midfield. From a coach and soccer player's perspective, it was a pretty sweet play. Way to go "B!"

ALL ABOARD TO DIRTVILLE

We are dirt obsessed! I am SO glad we have an outdoor hose because that is the only thing that gets these kids clean after a day in Dirtville! The ritual goes like this: play on the back porch, notice that it is sunny, get sunny hat, find little yellow shovel, find one doomed toy to be buried, start digging.

Ida avoided the dirt while setting up the Back Yard Express. Bit by bit she assembled this cute little train. She waited and waited for Emerson to join the rail. When he wouldn't come aboard, she persuaded him with his animals. Smart cookie she is!

Eventually, Ida was sucked into Dirtville too! I will be so sad for them when that beautiful dirt circle turns into my long-waited garden......oh, the pain!

I was officially not needed, like, "Mom, you don't need to play with us, o.k.?" I pulled the sewing machine on the back porch and did two of my favorite things; I sewed while watching and listening to the beautiful minds. It was a good day.

Clean up, let's eat!