little wagon

This little wagon that we picked up at an antique store has been a favorite lately.  You never know which one will be sitting for a ride and which one will be doing the pulling. Emma loves to climb into it and hang out. 

 It's a little crazy to think that Mason was just starting to really walk around at this age and that Emma has been walking for months.  And she can climb in and out of the wagon like a pro.  Mason was chatting up a storm at this age, but Emma uses only a handful of words. So different and unique.

The other day Mason said to Ryan, "Daddy, you should put me out in the dog pen with Daisy." When Ryan asked him why, he responded with "because I'm driving you nuts!" 

generosity

We have some friends at church with a milk cow and to say they are generous with their extra milk is an understatement.  Every week they bring their delicious milk (and eggs and yogurt) to church for anyone who wants it. We've ended up with quite a few gallons thanks to their gracious generosity.  They always mention that they can't consume that much milk on their own.

We don't consume that much milk in one week either, so we've been making a couple gallons into mozzarella. We love to make pizza at least once a week and the addition of fresh mozzarella is wonderful!  

After making mozzarella there is a lot of whey left over. I recently discovered that you can use that whey to make ricotta cheese.  So, now we're coming up with all sorts of things to do with all that ricotta. 

While Uncle Luke was here we enjoyed roasted garlic and chive ricotta with homemade crackers. We've been making crackers almost as often as cheese because they don't last long around here.

 A couple weeks ago we made 3 cheese tortellini, which was amazing.  Mason was a big helper and Emma ate her fair share (maybe more than her fair share...she's been finishing Mason's meals lately!)

Making cheese is so much easier than I thought. Now I think we just need our own milk cow too!

windy weekend

We spent our long weekend with plenty of wind and plenty of fun with a visit from Uncle Luke! The boys chased Mason's new helicopter toy all over the fields, but it was so worth it to watch Mason's eyes light up every time it flew into the air.  Gotta love early birthday presents.  

Emma was quite the snuggle bunny and spent a great deal of time in Uncle Luke's arms.  

As always, time with family went way too fast, but we are thankful Luke could come for a few days. Before long we'll be soaking up the sun and celebrating some more birthdays Hawaii-style with my family!  Can't wait! 

another year down

It's hard to believe today is the last day of school. There is just something so sweet about all those second grade hugs at the end of the day.  One of my favorite things is their little handmade cards and sharing memories of our year together.  What a great class!

We are really looking forward to summer around here!  So many things planned, lots of memories to make.  

I love Emma peeking around Mason in this one!  One more day at school tomorrow to finish up report cards and check out of my room and then I get more time with these cuties!

rusty the rooster

We kept two roosters through the winter, because we weren't sure that they both would survive.  Everything was going along great until this guy turned into the little bully of the coop.  He was definitely the top rooster and started keeping Marsh (our other white rooster named after a marshmallow) confined to the coop. He wouldn't let him out.  After a few days of  this behavior we decided we needed to downsize. Fortunately, some friends of ours took Rusty to their place. One of their daughters is in my class, so I get regular updates on the little fellow.  And our own little coop is much happier.  

We put him in a box in our car and drove him across the valley. He didn't make a peep.  But, Mason was cracking up the whole time because he couldn't believe we had a rooster in a box in our car.  He is a little obsessed with Green Eggs and Ham at the moment and kept saying "Would you eat them in a box, Rusty?"  He kept us entertained the whole way. 

after school

School is winding down.  This last week was a blast, as the end of the year always is. Only 3 1/2 more days, but who's counting?  My head is already spinning with ideas for next year. 
When I got home from school on Thursday the weather was so nice we went for a walk and then played outside until we finally headed in to make dinner.

Mason kept snagging pieces of wood from the stack and bringing them to Emma. 

Emma playing peek-a-boo.

Can't wait for more fun filled summer days!

weekend

A little weekend picnic with some of our favorite people. 

who knew?

Do you know what these little bugs are? 

Me either.  They started popping up all over our greenhouse in various sizes.  Some are tiny.  Some are pretty decent sized. I was beginning to worry about what we were getting infested with.

Turns out these little guys are baby ladybugs.  Seriously.  I thought baby ladybugs would just look like mini versions of the cute adult bugs.  After doing a little research I learned that they actually have a pretty interesting life cycle.  I had no idea that they started out like this before a short period of metamorphosis.  The ladybugs are busy doing their thing.

I'm planning on  bringing a few to school to watch with my second graders since we just went through the whole life cycle of a butterfly.  I'm sure they will be just as interested as we are.  We keep looking for the pupa attached to our greens, but we haven't seen any yet.  This greenhouse sure keeps us on our toes. 

peas & parsley

We spent some time in the greenhouse this weekend.  We picked our first batch of peas and turned them into a yummy stir-fry.  Mason ate plenty of them right on the spot, carefully picking each pea out.   

We also had an insane amount of parsley that has gotten a little out of control.  We finally trimmed it back to a managable size and whipped up a double batch of parsley pesto. I'm thinking it will be great tossed with some homemade noodles. 

The greenhouse is their favorite place to play.  I'm so glad we decided to have it open up to the house.  I love to see them all covered in dirt, helping to gather food to add to our meals. 

of fishing

 On Friday we decided at the last minute to pack up the car and meet some friends for a couple hours of fishing.  It was a little chilly and windy when we left our house, but it was lovely at the lake. 

Emma enjoying the sunshine!

Mason fishing with Uncle Tim

In big news....Mason caught his first fish!  He wasn't quite sure what to do with it, but after we let it go he couldn't stop talking about it.  Nikki had been catching all the fish up to that point and Mason kept exclaiming, "I caught a whole fish!  Nikki shared one with me!"  Way to go, little guy!

weekend work

We're busy enjoying the weekend!  We've spent as much time outside and in the greenhouse as possible.  We've gotten a lot done, yet it seems like we've had lots of time relaxing together.  I've cleaned out and rearranged kitchen drawers and cupboards (much to Mason's dismay), made bread and granola, studied for my National Boards test, done lots of laundry and tried a few new recipes.  I love time at home, with no plans inparticular.  Time for impromtu picnics with Grandpa and Grammie. Time for movie night and chocolate with Ryan.  Oh, sweet weekends!            

wordless wednesday

ladybugs and life

We have lots of new friends living in the greenhouse. Hundreds of ladybugs actually.  They are happily munching on the tiny problematic aphids.  Mason couldn't wait to put them out there.  We kept telling him we had to wait until it warmed up a bit.  As soon as the sun starting poking it's way through the windows he was ready to let them out. 

Emma waited in the doorway, peeking in and giggling. 

Mason has spent a lot of time checking on the little bugs.  Little bits of new life crawling around our greens. 

The snow finally melted enough for a long family walk this morning.  I asked Mason if he knew that the Easter Bunny was coming tomorrow.  He replied, "A bunny?  In the house?  That's silly!"  I told him that he might leave a present for him.  He said, "You mean he's going to take some eggs from the chicken coop?" Haha.

Last night after a powerful Good Friday service Mason said he wanted to read his "Jesus Book." We read the story about Jesus dying on the cross.  He told me it was a sad story and I told him that he was right, but that in a few days we would read the happy story.  Mason was up before the sun this morning.  I set him up with a blanket and some books on the couch while he waited for everyone else to wake up.  Later when I came to check on him he told me he was trying to find the sad story because he wanted to look at the pictures again before we read the happy story.  That's where my heart has been today.  Thinking about the cross, remembering the picture in my mind, and waiting to rejoice!

good friday

Last Friday Emma and I had a girl's day with Grammie.  We celebrated Grammie's birthday over lunch at a coffee shop and then proceeded to drive all around town to find a yarn store that it turns out we could have walked to from the coffee shop.  At least we got a good laugh and Emma got a little catnap in the car.  Of course, I forgot my camera.  But while us girls were hanging out together, Mason and daddy were hanging out too.  A little time in the garage to "work on" their chainsaws.

It's hard to believe a whole week has passed and here we are on Good  Friday.  I've spent a lot of time this Holy Week reflecting on God's grace and love that He poured out for us.  I had a great discussion at bible study last night that gave me a new perspective.  I'm looking forward to some time with family this weekend, celebrating Easter. 

little lamb

We had a little lamb birthday party for Emma yesterday.  It was such a blessing to be surrounded by close friends and family to celebrate her birthday.  It was so nice to just hang out and be together.  All the kids kept us plenty entertained.   

Emma loved her cupcake.  She wasn't sure what to do with it at first, but once she tasted it there was no stopping her.

She also had a blast opening her presents.  She got a little help from her friends, which was sweet.

The sunglasses were a big hit (thanks marylin!).  Mason got some too. 

It's hard to believe your first birthday has come and gone.  What a special day with special people.