What 2 quarters will get you these days

I decided to be a cool mom, just for once.  We never stop at the silly Walmart arcade.  Walmart sucks enough of our money through it's doors, and I refuse to give them more than I have to.  But I will, from time to time, all in the name of "coolness".

My kids love me.  

And small, cheap, 50 cent carousel rides.

Dairy Farm Preschool Field-trip

Every month, Hannah's little preschool does a field trip.  For April, we went to a Dairy Farm.  I have never been to one - I was kind of excited.  The kids were just excited to see the cows and say, "moo".  Besides the stench of cow manure - it was really cool.  I learned a lot, most of which I have since forgotten.  I can say it's mind-boggling to think about how much milk they go through on an given day.  Certainly made an impression on me.  The facility was really clean, and the guide was very good at answering all our crazy questions.

Of course every one's favorite part were the baby calves.  They had about 300 at the time we were there, and all were under 30 days old.  Hannah loved to let them suck on her fingers.  I wouldn't let them close to mine.  Nasty, slime-mess.  No way.

All the kids had a chance to feed them.  Hannah was a natural.  Not too many things scare her or gross her out.  She's a tough kid.

Luke was fascinated with them.

 

A cool place to visit and learn, even for grown-ups.

Coolest not-my-neighbor neighbors ever!

We were at my friend, Natalie's house.  She has 4 kids.  I brought my 4 kids.  We were out in the front yard visiting and 8 kids were running around playing.  Her neighbor happens to be the fire chief.  When he saw all the kids playing in the front, he decided to go get one of his fire engines - and take the kids for a ride.  

How cool is that? 

 The kids loved it of course.

Luke: Feb - March 2012

I have decided that I want to be two again.  You get to discover new things everyday...so life is exciting.  You get to scream and yell when things don't go your way...and up to a point, it's acceptable.  Heck, it's expected.  From a toddler's standpoint, the terrible-two's don't seem all that terrible.

Why not eat a cookie like this?...It's a cookie and a toy.  No Happy Meal required.

Sparring gear isn't just for the older kids...the irony of this, is this helmet fits his head perfectly.  It's actually saved him on the stairs a few times.  And no, I don't make him wear it.  He goes in phases and likes to wear all kinds of "hats".  This just happens to be one of his favorites (not that I am complaining).

And he is the only one that is allowed to walk around wearing MY pair of shades.  I do worry about possible damage, but who can resist something this cute?

Food.  Do I need to say more?

He loves his "Sha-shaaa".  Even she is not immune to his charm. :)

Kitty Kai

In March, we added a new addition to our zoo.  Meet Kai.

She's very friendly, well at least to most of us.  Of course, she has taken a strong disliking to Sasha, but not Quigley - oddly enough.  Probably because she thinks Sasha can eat her for breakfast and Quigley can't.  Evidently, she hasn't paid much attention to how much pigley Quigley can put down :)

This is also the first time we have owned a cat since Hannah was born.  Aleana had a cat when we lived in Colorado - but  Sissabelle (Aleana named her) was eaten by a fox.  We promised Aleana she could get another one.  Then we moved, then we moved again, and then again.  So 4 years later, we finally made good on our word, and took in Kai.  Kai's previous owners were pcs'ing and could not take her.  Trace did the screening process (you know, to make sure it wasn't a psycho cat - because we have certainly had our fair share of those) and she passed with flying colors.

The first time Hannah met Kai, she came running back into the living room where we were all sitting and exclaimed, "MOM! Our kitty is a...is a...VAMPIRE!!!  She went like this and everything!" [insert Hannah hissing and showing her fangs].  Stupid Vampire Twilight crap.  Cats can't even get recognized for their own hissing anymore.  And yes we did explain why cats hiss, and it took a few weeks for it to sink into Hannah's head.  Although the sinking in of Kai's claws may have done some convincing too :/

In the beginning, we were trying to get Kai to "play", so we broke out the laser pointer.  And she wasn't amused...but we were :)

Hannah - Feb/March 2012

I can honestly say there is never a dull moment with Hannah around.  Seeing the world through her eyes is always an adventure.  I can't get enough of her...

And neither can Tracy...

Nor can the wall...and when I asked her why the wall deserved such bright-colored kisses, her reply was "K is for Kiss".  At least I know she does in fact pay attention in preschool...

Oompa Loompa

You know it was a good nap, when he wakes up sportin' an "oompa loompa" hair-do.  Awesome.

Easter 2012

Easter turned out to be really nice.  We managed to get all the family traditions in, and we managed to actually get pictures of it :)  It was Luke's first time dying Easter eggs, and once he caught on, he had a blast.  He also loved the egg-hunt.  Trace did a great job at hiding the eggs.  He found some really creative places.  Hannah thoroughly enjoyed the festivities, and Aleana and Trent were great at making it exciting for the younger two. I love having family time and sharing with my kids the importance of our Savior and the sacrifice he made for us.

(smile says it all...)

(I just love the "easter basket" that Trent used.  He must have thought he was gonna get a lot of eggs.  Silly boy.)

(Never too old for the egg-hunt)

Luke Turns 2! (Feb 2012)

(Feb 2012) - I can't believe my baby boy is two.  Time has certainly flown by.  He is such a sweet kid.  He makes us all smile with those dimples and cheeks of his.

(how cool is this shirt?  My friend Natalie made it for his special day...)

Luke's birthday was low-key this year.  In fact, we celebrated it the same day as Hannah's party...which happened to be on his and my actual birthday.  Gotta love February in our house :)


He got a horse for his birthday.  I always wanted to have one of these horses for my kids.  But I just couldn't swallow the $250.00 price-tag.  I had one growing up, and loved it.  Well, I didn't love it so much when the springs would "horse-bite" my skin - but they solved that problem since then with spring covers.  Anyway, one of the neighbors across the street had been in the process of moving.  We never got to know them real well.

This lovely horse had been sitting on their porch for at least a month.  I asked if they were willing to sell it.  Sure, they would sell it to me...for $100 bucks.  (Are you kidding me?!?)  So I passed up that "deal".  A few weeks later, they asked if I would buy it for $50 bucks.  Still too much for my budget (we only budgeted $30 for Luke's bday presents).  So I told them all I had was $30.  I expected them to turn my counter-offer down.  But they didn't.  Sweet!!!  They made a little boy very happy.  And just to let you know, he rides that horse everyday...its his favorite thing.  Best $30 I have spent in a long-time.


We had store-bought cupcakes to top off the evening...like I said, a very low-key birthday.  I don't he minded one bit.