Alpaca Farm

 We had fun yesterday visiting a friend who raises alpacas, and just recently stocked a chicken coup.  The girls warmed up quickly to all the animals on the little farm.  While we talked with our friend, they chases the chickens around and even held a couple.

This was their first contact with the chickens

Hannah and Tess, our friend's granddaughter holding a chicken

Nicole holding a chicken all by herself

We then ventured over to the alpacas.  The adult alpacas were a bit nervous with us around, but the baby (called a cria) was very friendly.  He was about the same height as Hannah!  We fed him and spent a few minutes petting him.  They are extremely soft.  Their fleece is very valuable.  They are raised and sheered yearly to sell the fleece.  Our friend showed us some of the items she has made with the alpaca fleece.  She has felted the fleece and spun it into yarn to crotches purses, hats and other gift items.

The girls also had fun playing in a huge pile of dirt and collecting rocks.  We had a super fun morning.

If you'd like to see what items our friend makes with the alpaca fleece or learn more about alpacas, check out their website here.

New Challenges

The past two weeks have unveiled new challenges as a family of 5, with 3 small children.  I feel like I need to write out what's been going on, so in a few months I realize that it wasn't really that bad!

Where to start, where to start.....

Nicole and Hannah LOVE each other.  They fiercely love each other....sometimes that means being fierce, and sometimes that means being loving.  The two have been growling at each other, smacking and scratching each other....in a girly sort of way.  Here's a typical scenario.  Hannah and Nicole are playing in the green room.  Hannah looks up and sees a doll she wants to play with.  Nicole realizes that Hannah wants the doll.  She runs and beats Hannah to the doll.  Hannah screams at Nicole, waving her hands in the air.  Nicole responds by growling at Hannah, and Hannah responds by scratching Nicole's arms, or by slapping her hand.  No one is hurt....there is just a lack of self control.  We have been working so very hard on this for a couple of weeks, and I am seeing some improvement.

There are two totally different heart issues going on here.  Nicole, I believe is causing trouble for Hannah.  She knows she will get a certain reaction out of Hannah (a scream, slap or growl), which will then respond a reaction out of me.  Nicole is really doing very little physically wrong.  In the above scene, she has just as much of a right to the doll as Hannah (very few things would be considered "mine" in our house....).  But her heart is in the wrong place.  She didn't want to play with the doll until Hannah wanted it.  Nicole has memorized Proverbs 6:16-18

"There are six things the Lord hates, yes seven which are an abomination to him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers."

Yes....she's memorized all of that, don't give me that crap that kids can only remember a watered down version of the Bible....read the REAL thing...I digress.....

So....in that verse, we have been talking a lot about a lying tongue (which has not been a huge area of temptation for her yet.  She's been caught in a few lies, and I think she understands how much we hate that....but I feel I can still trust her), a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly (although she usually says "happily", which is kind of the same thing) to evil, and one who spreads strife among brothers (or sisters).  I feel like God's word is sinking into to heart, and I am praying daily that he will help her to understand it.  So....the past few weeks, I have been trying so hard to focus on her heart being wrong in the way she is acting.

Hannah is a different story.  She knows what she is doing is wrong, but obviously I can't have an in depth conversation with her about it yet.  We are still working on learning to have control over our hands and our voice and being "sweet", "nice", and "loving".  Of course I am also quoting scripture to her too...but she can't repeat anything back yet.  Hannah though, is an actress.  I've always known she was a bit manipulative...but, lately I have been seeing it come out pretty hard core.  It's nearly impossible to correct her because she is so good at distracting you.  She'll have you talking around in circles about whatever she sees that you soon forget why you even pulled her aside.  Or, she puts on this pathetically sad face that breaks your heart....only to discover that it was all acting!  She's a little stinker, in more ways than one!  I actually think she's going to be harder to parent that Nicole because of these tendencies.

It's hard to relate to them on such different levels.  I think Nicole will often talk or act like Hannah because she sees she's "getting off" a little lighter than Nicole may be.  Copy Cat syndrome....

Big issue number 2......Three children in one room!!!!  This had not been an issue yet, but I do believe it is starting.  A battle I am "girding my loins" for (I always thought that was a funny picture....back in the old days, the men wore long flowing robes, but before battle, they "girded their loins" or tied up their robes between their legs so they could fight.  Anyway, I just wanted to use that phrase).  So....where was I?  Ah...yes.  This is the problem, I can no longer sneak in and out of the bedroom without Nathan noticing.  So, when one child wakes up crying, often times at least one more, maybe two more also wake up.  When Nathan is rolled over at night, I can't just sneak in and roll him back, he sees me and laughs, and the screams when he sees  me walk out.

Today's nap was rough..  Nate cried for 20 minutes because I was in and out of the bedroom trying to get the girls down (they had to potty, or couldn't find their doggy, or so and so scratched me, or....whatever other excuse they could come up with).  All the while, poor Nate is watching me come in and out without a glance in his direction (OK, I was looking, but I couldn't act like it).  He did finally crash.  Hannah I think crashed an hour later, Nicole is still awake.

Ah, yes...one more thing I forgot to post...and this is a HUGE milestone.  Hannah is paci free!  She woke me up one morning a week or so ago (staring at me until I opened my eyes), handed me her paci and said, "Num num, baby.  Hannah, no baby".  So, that day at naps she didn't get her " numnum" (paci).  She did cry for an hour...but that was it.  That night and every day since she has been free of it.  I've caught her once sucking on one.  She smiled and said, "no num num Hannah" and giggled.  Silly girl!  I am very proud of her though.  Yipee!!!

So, I guess the fun thing about being a parent is that it is always changing.  Just when I think I've got one thing in control, something new happens.  It an incredible responsibility that I often feel like I'm going to break under.  I take things very seriously and I know I carry a much heavier load than I should because of that.  I just so desire my kids to understand why they make the choices they make and to learn to discipline their body, heart and mind to go against what their flesh may say or want them to do...and to follow what the Lord wills.  This is something I so struggle with myself, my battle between my flesh and my spirit...especially as a mother.  Please pray for me, that I will treat my kids the way I am trying to teach them to treat each other, with gentleness, humility and love. 

A (not so secret) message

I 

L.O.V.E

You

Tomatoes, Herbs and.....yaya?

Check out our tomato!!!!  Our tomato plant has been doing awesome this year...and this is our first tomato.  Since I picked this one, we've used several more, and I have a lot more that are turning red right now.  We are having tacos tonight...just so we can use the tomatoes!!!

And, I'm growing herbs right now too....aren't they pretty?  I tried last year, but felt overwhelmed with how to use them and how to store them.  I'm doing better this year.  If you are growing herbs, or want to, but you don't know how to preserve them, check out this post from my new favorite cooking site.  They tell you how to dry and how to freeze your fresh herbs.

My mom watched the kids for me yesterday because I had something going on at church.  They had fun snapping a few cute shots, so I thought I'd share.

Hannah had been eating a very messy cookie and was covered in crumbs.  My mom told her not to move...and this was the position Hannah was "stuck" in.  She really didn't move...even when my mom picked her up to wipe the crumbs off...she stayed in this position.  She's a silly silly girl!.

AND....I'm very excited about this....my dad found a few whiteboards at Wal-Mart a few weeks ago for a buck!  I asked for two, and Jeremy mounted them last night on the wall in the kitchen.  I'm going to get an alphabet and a number poster to hang up there too.  The girls like to draw and practice writing letters on their whiteboards.

This has been a familiar scene lately...I love it!

Yesterday, Nathan cut his first tooth...his bottom right front tooth. The left tooth is close behind, it'll probably cut through today or tomorrow. Nate turns 6 months old tomorrow! If you know me well, or even kind of well, you know that I am not a "baby" person. BUT....I am kind of sad my little Nate is getting older. He is just the sweetest little guy. He loves to cuddle and smile and laugh. He LOVES my hair. He's always grabbing...and not in a bad pulling on my hair kind of way. He is simply fascinated with it. He is also fascinated with ceiling fans. Has been for a while...doesn't seem to be ending soon.

Nate still will not eat!!!! I mean, he simply refuses to. The last segment of the video shows him *not* eating. He will keep that little mouth closed tight....and if by chance some food happens to squeeze in, he is sure to spit it out quickly. The video, unfortunately, does not have all the coughing and gagging sounds that generally go along with us trying to feed him. You know what though....I don't care too much! I don't. He's gaining weight and growing, and I'm quite certain he will eat eventually. Maybe it's for his own good:-) Who knows.

Speaking of the video, the first part of it is a clip of Nicole and Hannah enjoying their birthday present from Yaya and Papa...a new pool, with a slide. They have enjoyed it. We were in a need of a larger water area this year. Poor Nicole, she's not quite even four, and she's almost to big for it. Her legs are just so long!!!!

There is also a little clip of Hannah enjoying the bounty of our topsy turvy planter....very tiny strawberries. She LOVES to pick the veggies and fruit off the vine and eat it right away. Speaking of Hannah...her vocabulary is rapidly growing. She hasn't said much until now, but she's been learning and storing up that knowledge for later. Today's popular words are "nine", "tongue" and "get it".

Board Book + Washer =

A BIG Mess!!!!

(after nearly 30 minutes of removal from the  clothes)

Imaginarium Children's Museum

Today, I took the kids (and my mom) to a children's museum in Ft. Myers.  I don't think I would have gone without my mom...she was very helpful with Nathan and keeping an eye on the girls running around.  I'm not brave enough to do something like that by myself!

The girls had do much fun!!!

They touched sting rays

checked out alligators, frogs, sharks and fish.

Um, yes....the animals in the petting tanks were a little preocupied today, 

in case you were wondering....

We watched a little show that taught us about alligators, frogs and snakes (did you know that people used to WEAR ball pythons, as jewelry!!!  Totally gross!)  The lady who was presenting told the kids to stick their hands out in front of them if there was animal they didn't like and didn't want close to them.  Nicole stuck her hands out right away, each time a new animals came out of the box.  This was what she looked like!

Hannah was brave enough to touch the snake at the end!

We ate outside, picked flowers and played in a sandbox.

We explored inside in the science lab with rolling balls, shapes, puzzles, a puppet theater

and even experienced hurricane force winds.

(Notice that Nicole has her ears plugged! haha)

Nathan hung out with London, his little girlfriend that is 2 months older than him

It was a fun little trip.  Thanks mom for coming along!

Double Birthday Party

Here's a clue that's just for you....

Anyone recognize that?  It's from the kid's tv show, Blue's Clues.  I don't think they are producing new shows anymore, but my girls don't know that.  They like to watch Blue's Clues.  A few months ago, I decided to have a double Blue's Clues birthday party for them.  Their birthdays are about 5 weeks apart, and we would have invited the same people to both parties...so, why not make it easier on me and our friends by hosting one party.

We had the birthday party on the soccer fields at one of our local parks.  Soccer fields?  That's weird, I know...but it's one of our favorite places to hang out as family (even though neither Jeremy nor I like soccer).  We like to go over there with lunch and run around, kick a ball, tackle each other, fly a kite...whatever.  So, we thought it would be fun to invite our friends too.

It was actually perfect for several reasons....
1. The pavillion was very far away from the parking lots, so we didn't have to worry about anyone running out in front of a car.
2. There were NO soccer games to compete with.
3. W.I.D.E. open spaces (Dixie chicks?) perfect to run around and play in.
4. Large pavillion with 4 tables and lots of shade.
5. And, it just so happened to be a nice (very breezy) morning.

My friend Teri brought this very cool bounce house she got way on sale last year. 

We ate dog bone shaped PB&J (no picture:-(, a "mailbox" cake,  had a "Blue's Clues" scavanger hunt with "Handy dandy notebooks"

played musical chairs,

pin the paw on blue and

broke open a pinata. 

Good times for everyone:-)

The girls got a lot of sweet presents from friends like....games, play doh, sunglasses, dress up clothes, markers, etc.

Once Hannah discovered the candy, the rest of the party was over for her.  All she said was "Hannah, Candy.....Hannah, Candy" while nodding her head up and down.  She fell asleep in the car with candy in her hand, and the first thing she said when she woke up was candy. Here she is, trying to eat candy instead of opening up the presents.

I think this birthday party was a success!  The girls had fun and so did their friends.  It wasn't at our house, so I wasn't stressed about it getting "trashed" with so many little ones running around at the same time.  We didn't feel claustrophobic with everyone there because we had so much space to hang out in, and I didn't have to deal with children of people I don't know, like if the party was on the playground.  I think I may have every birthday party on the soccer fields at the park:-)

Alone time

We may not have a "Duggar" size family, but it's still pretty big considering how small our kids are.  With 3 kids 3 and under (I can only say that another couple of weeks!), they don't often get time by themselves with an adult.  It is mostly shared.  Today was very much an exception, and I think all involved have had a great time and been thankful.

Valerie called me this morning out of the blue and asked if she could take Nicole to work.  Then, my mom called and offered to take Nathan. 

So, that left Hannah-girl and me... We had  fun together!!!  And, Hannah understood this time was very special and rare.  We had to run a couple of normal errands, to the bank, return something to the store.  But, then, we went to the library.  We stayed there for nearly an hour, picking out books and reading them on the spot.  We played with puppets and stuffed animals and just had a sweet, laughing time.  Then, we got a pizza from Il Primo.  Hannah knew just what she wanted, and even offered to pay:-)  She filled up her own cup and got crazy excited over the zebras and giraffes that were on TV. 

I really valued that alone time I got with her.  I carried her neary everywhere (because she loves to be held!  I'm thinking when she gets married, Jeremy will have to carry her down the aisle:-)  We giggled and laughed and talked about funny things. 

Nathan had a dashing time with Yaya and Papa, going on a walk, falling asleep in yaya's arms....you know...doing what he most enjoys.

I'm not sure what Nicole is up to yet....but I'm guessing she is stapling papers, taping the desk, drawing happy faces and being a "big helper".  Right now, she's probably laying on the floor watching Cars movie.

Thanks grandmas for giving me time with just Hannah, and for enjoying time with whoever you had today:-)  It was fun!

Where did my finger go?

A random conversation with Nicole during bed time....

Nicole: Mom, I think when I was little, I bit off my finger.
Michele: What???
Nicole: See, right here, next to my thumb, I think when I was little I bit off my finger, and that's why it's not there anymore.

Clean?

I was just wondering....are floors ever really clean?

Copy Cat

I think one thing about having little people around that both makes me crazy and cracks me up (depending on my mood...which is so not fair to them) is when they play a version of copy cat. 

Example:

We were reading a little Bible story from a great book called The Jesus Storybook Bible (It's a great bedtime/naptime kind of Bible book...every story is related back to the coming of Jesus and the redemption of man).  There was a drawing of a snake on the page that Nicole and Hannah were both fascinated with.  Hannah stuck her finger on the snake and then pulled it back quickly and said, "Oh, owe!"  I quickly replied, "Awe...Hannah, did the snake bit you?" She shook her head yes.  I was beginning to scold the snake "Bad snake, no bite Hannah" when Nicole put her finger on the snake and it "bit her".  I just looked at Nicole and laughed and kept reading.  Nicole made the snake bite her at least two more time, each time making her "owey" sounds louder until I recognized her snake bite to the same level that I recognized Hannah's. 

This happens numerous times throughout the day.  Generally...it's when Hannah it noticed for something, then Nicole will go and do it, to also get noticed.  When I get mad is when I scold Hannah for doing something(maybe "painting" with yogurt on the table) and Nicole does it right after Hannah's gotten in trouble for it.  What makes her think she'll get away with it, when Hannah didn't?  Testing those limits and boundries I see!

I am SOOOOO NOT looking forward to the day Nicole plays the real copy cat game with me.  You know it...you did it to your parents or teachers.

Mom: Nicole stop touching that!
Nicole: Nicole stop touching that!
Mom: Nicole please don't repeat me.
Nicole: Nicole, please don't repeat me.
Mom: Stop repeating me or else...
Nicole: Stop repeating me or else...
Mom: I said stop.
Nicole: I said stop.
Mom: Go to your room.
Nicole: Go to your room.

And it goes on and on and on.  Yeah...I am NOT looking forward to that day at all!!!!

Dirty Days

Yesterday, Jeremy worked hard in the yard all afternoon.  After the kids woke up, we joined him in the garden.  We are a bit late, but it needed to be de-weeded and tilled for the summer.  He had already done the hard work, so the girls joined him and helped him pick out the rest of the weeds. 

I love to have dirty kids!  I just do.  I think that to many children watch tv all day (mine watch TV...I'm not saying they don't) and just sit around playing video games (yes...mine already have video games they play too).  But I love to see children playing outside and I especially like to see them dirty.  My girls were Dirty Dirty yesterday and it was a blast!

They both plopped down in the dirt and started digging.  Nicole's imagination has really taken off, so she was busy making forts or castles or something.  Poor Hannah tries, but she can't quite keep up with Nicole in this area yet.  They were both making each other crazy, but they were also having fun.  Hannah kept destroying the "tower" and Nicole kept yelling at her for it:-)

When we were almost all done, Nicole asked me to come over and see something, she wanted to know what it was.  She took me to her "mountain" and there was a tiny little head poking.  Just the fact that Nicole wasn't screaming and running in fear was amazing.  We very bravely watched the tiny animal come out of her mountain and by that time, Nicole was hooked!

She made friends with a caterpillar!

She thought it was really cute and even said, "Awe...mommy, I love my caterpillar". 

Shocking from the girl who freaks out when there is a gnat in the car because "it might eat me".  Anyway...she spent the next 10 or 15 minutes playing with her new friend.  She named him "eggy". 

She totally hung out with the caterpillar, touched it, picked it up, and observed it while it crawled around on a stick.  I don't know what kind it was, but Jeremy touched it first and nothing happened, so I am assuming it was not poisonous (after more research today, I still can't figure out what it was...but I'm certain it wasn't a poisonous kind).

Nicole built a little home for him (out of a leaf) and tucked him in when it was time to go inside.  She went out today and briefly looked for him, but we didn't get in the garden to look to hard.  I'm hoping she sort of forgets about him so she's not sad he's not still under her leaf....but I'm sure she won't forget.

Hannah had fun in the garden too...and I simply love her sweet little self in that white and pink dress covered in dirt!

Hannah also kept getting in trouble for picking our unripe strawberries and tomatoes!  She's so excited to pick food and eat it right off the plant...she simply can't keep herself from picking them.  It's actually quite sweet.

I can't wait to take the girls out there later this week and plant some sweet potatoes, sweet peppers and maybe just some flowers too.