A Date With Skyla

This is from a week ago. I'm still having "technical" issues with my camera/computer.

I was feeling the need to spend some one on one time with Skyla last weekend. She chose to go for a hike together. We didn't see any deer this time but were still happy to come across a lizard, a snail, a beautiful butterfly and even our friends from our neighborhood. We ate our popcorn by the creek and played in the water for a while. We were still in the creek when it started to rain. It then quickly started to pour and we hiked back out while getting soaking wet. We laughed the whole way back to the car. I love my dear Skyla and I know as the oldest she has a lot of responsibility. I think we often expect more from the oldest than what is really fair to them. She is still only six after all. I really treasure solo dates and I hope to keep them going with all the kids.

A Trip To The Farm

I'll admit that at first I was having a hard time with the smell and the flies but we had a great time visiting Carlton Farm. We went on a home school tour with friends to visit a farm that produces raw milk, free range eggs, grass fed beef and organic fruit and veggies. It was neat to hear they have been a family business since 1919. We learned about the animals and watched a milking demonstration.

Mom, you will be amused to know that I asked the girls on the way home, "What was your favorite part about the farm today?" A question you always asked Sarah and I after family outings. I find it becoming part of our family outings now.

Here are their responses:
Skyla: Everything!, chasing the hens, feeding the cows

August: Washing my hands (they had a really cool table outside with six buckets set up as hand washing stations) and the moos

She continues to call the cows "the moos" or "the mooses"

Thanks Michelle for planning this outing...we had fun!

Inspiration

I need to hang this somewhere so that I can read it every day!

"I hope tomorrow is beautiful don't you?"

Cooper Alexander

I got a "new baby" fix on Sunday with my friend Heather's little guy. My dark photo doesn't really do him justice. I held him for a little while and was once again amazed by how small a newborn seems. Heather and I have been best friends since we were about 12 or 13. We have quite a few stories from the past and we can still laugh to the point of tears. Congratulations Heather and Cade. He is beautiful! Heather- I can understand why you wouldn't let me bring him home with me. :)





These cuties are Cooper's big sisters-- Logan and Alexa.

Sibling Love

Jude and the girls are playing a lot lately. It is so nice that I can leave them all together while I try to do something around the house or just prepare our meals. I know "Mama Skyla" has things under control (at least for a minute). August is still extremely affectionate and constantly hugging and kissing Jude. He can hold his own though and lets her know when he needs space. I love to watch them all together. There are still lots of moments around here when one or all three of them are either whining or crying BUT there is also a lot of giggling and I LOVE that.

Happy Mother's Day!

We had a nice day in Chattanooga today. It was a fun get a way. I have to give Les a shout out. A husband that carries the baby in the Ergo and rides the carousel at the same time. I love it. Thanks for always listening (I know I talk and analyze a lot) you help to make me a better mama.

Brown Bag Concert

Every Thursday this month there is a free concert at the square. We usually pack a lunch and go. It took a little (actually a lot) of motivation for me to get myself to get us there last week but I was so glad we went. We stayed until it was time for ballet class which ended up being almost 3 hours. I love to watch the girls run around and dance. The fountain is running again and that was a whole new source of excitement for them. They started with just their finger tips then moved to their feet and were soaking wet by the time we left. Jude was content to sit and try to eat some leaves and mulch. How cute is he in that hat? (Thanks to my sister for one of MANY hand- me- downs. )

Cousins

All four of the older kids were playing on Tuesday. Jude was taking a nap and I went down stairs to do a few things on the computer. I noticed it was really quite up stairs for a long time. I decided I better go see what everyone was up to that led to such unusual quietness. I smiled when I found them all cuddled on the couch together. Eryn was reading to everyone. These kids really are amazing and they constantly show us that ages 3-7 can enjoy and learn so much from each other.

Look at Ely. He seems different lately, older definitely. He makes me excited and a little nervous about raising a boy!

Catching Up

Thanks to the "Computer Chick" (that really is the name of the business) I am returning to the blog. I got the best service from these smart and kind women and I was happy to see my money go to their small store. They even called me back a couple of hours after our last conversation just to let me know that they would bring everything out to my car when I was ready to pick up because they knew I had three kids with me when I dropped off the computer. How thoughtful is that??

Here are a few photos from the the past couple of weeks. We had a great visit with Mimi and Granddaddy. The girls went home with Mimi for the first time with out us. They left very excited and had a wonderful time. It was very hard for me to see my sweet little girls drive away even though I knew they were in great hands. However, while they were gone I met this amazing man . We really enjoyed our time together. (I love you Lester)

One morning I asked the girls to play with Jude while I took a shower. As I was getting ready I got the play by play recap from them as they played three board/card games. By the way, Jude won the round of Bingo.

The girls also loved helping Les plant new flowers in the front yard.