on the farm

  This week we went down to Atlanta because daddy had a short business trip there.  On Tuesday we had some time to kill so we looked up going to an aquarium near by.  It was going to cost $30 per adult and $25 per child!!  Ack!!  So I suggested a pumpkin patch.  We found one that would cost $16 each...better...but still a lot when you add up mommy, kiki, and four boys!  Finally we found one that was free to walk around and had a hayride that cost $2 for people 3 and older - so $6 total for all of us - muuuch better!!  It turned out to be the perfect little farm with just the right amount of simple activities for four little boys.

    

                          

Little Monkey was terrified...as usual...of this new situation and gave his best sad crying face until he realized everything was ok.  Little Lion here was all excited and climbed up into the wagon for the hayride mostly by himself...then realized his brother was crying and that maybe there was something not so good about to happen - but I say he has the courage of a lion :) and just looked minorly nervous and was asking "yap? yap?" in this picture (meaning "lap?") so I plopped him on my lap for a minute until we started to move and then he was good to go!

Not so bad!  And Big Brother loved every second of it!  :)

                         

We got to stop and walk out on that dock and feed the fish - another highlight of the day!  I mentioned that the fish had to be pretty big after being fed multiple times a day and sure enough! they were pretty good sized!

                       

                    

                    

                   

blowing hay at kiki was funny.  :)

                     

Here is an example of Little Monkey's sad crying face. Lol Precious silly boy! 

                     

The tractor that pulled us had BIG wheels!!

Lunch time!

                  

          

                         

Both Little Lion and Big Brother touched the goats.

and apparently petting them was hilarious.  :)

                         

The cows were a big hit too.  So was their dirty water.... boys...  :}

I love the way Little Lion's hands are clasped behind his back.  :)

                    

Next the boys got to pull and wagon and pick out their very own tiny pumpkin gourd!

                           

Little Lion couldn't decide if he would rather ride or pull...

Hmm...strangest granny smith apple I've ever seen!

We all had so much fun on the farm!  Next time we'll have one more!

free.

Tonight Catrina, Reegan, and I got to have one of the neatest experiences ever. A group of WW2 veterans had traveled to DC to see the memorials and I, along with many others, went to the airport to greet them as they came home. They had no idea what was waiting for them as the walked/strolled in wheelchairs through the door! Their looks ranged from serious, surprise, smiles, tears, and even a few who danced to the highschool marching band as they walked through the mob of people reaching out to shake their hands, give hugs, hand out balloons with thank you notes attached, and say thank you. One gentleman said as he shook hands with each person, "This was the best part of the whole trip!!"  :)

This was special enough. However, it just so happened that my little superman's great grandfather was one of the veterans! It was so special to personally know one of the men coming through. 

                                         

Waiting for the plane to land...

                                         

                                         

Even my doctor came just to show his support! (the guy in the black shirt on the left)

                   

How sweet is this?!  Just wait...

                            

I didn't plan to be there with Superman and his family but it worked out that we hung out together! 

                                  

Finally they were here!

     Catrina shook lots of hands and talked to many of the men.                             

                                 

Still waiting for a familiar face...

                  

This is Superman's great grandmother...and she sees her man!  :}

                                

It's him!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

                                

                                 

                                 

                                 

                            

These were the only two women on the plane.  I'm not sure what their jobs were in the war, but I am thankful for them too!

                            

Lauren's boss hung out with us too and made sure to get her picture taken with a veteran.

ok, ready?

                            

Awww!!

                           

Reegan handing a balloon and thank you note to one gentleman.

                            

                           

                           

This man shook Catrina's hand and wouldn't let go.  Then he asked if Reegan was her daughter and told her she was beautiful (which she is!).  

                            

"Can I get a hug???"

                           

I think he enjoyed that hug... lol!

                           

                           

It's moments like this that make you remember that no matter what political side you're on, no matter what you think of the government shutdown, no matter the things going on in our country that you may disagree with...when you're standing in a line like this, you remember that really, at the heart of our country are the men who loved it enough to protect it and us and our freedoms. They are who I want to think of when I hear the name America.

Thank you to those of you who have served of are serving. And to those who I know of who are currently stationed overseas, I am praying God will bring you safely home to your families...you also deserve a welcome home like this!  :)

mornings with mommy

Hi!! :) I would mention once again how I have been neglecting my blog...but we all know that already and I will just post when I can. Hopefully that will be more often...we'll see.

Today Superman and I went to Mornings with Mommy which my friend Laura had told me about. It is at a small church here in Knoxville and it meets twice a month for about an hour and a half. It is like getting to go to preschool with your child! It was super organized and purposeful and super laid back all at the same time! We started with circle time and sang a couple so vs and talked about the day's theme which was "on the farm" today. Then you and your child get to explore all the centers at your own (or your child's) pace. Each of the centers has a purpose behind it - sensory boxes, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, etc. Superman had a blast and I enjoyed chatting a little bit with the other moms. :) Oh! And it only costs $5 per family each time!  

Here is a glimpse of what it was like....

life and hanging with my kids

Well, this is officially the longest I think I've gone between posts...!  I'm still here...life has just been a little crazy this spring/summer.  After getting back from China, I was super jet lagged for about 8 days so I barely did anything in that first week.  The second week was spent getting ready for camp...and then I was out at camp for two weeks (that post coming soon, I hope).  After camp I worked on officially moving in and *staying* at my new condo and all the unpacking and organizing that entails.  So someday hopefully I will get around to sharing more about China and the amazing trip that was, but for now I'll just try to keep up better with life in general.  :}

So Saturday morning I hung the first picture in my home....

This is in my guest room that will be Africa-themed.  

Little Miss Sunshine drew it for me one day and I just love it and decided it was a needed addition to my guest room decor and I needed to go ahead and put it up because... 

...I got to have my kids for the afternoon/evening!  After taking an hour getting from their house to mine (usually takes 15 minutes but there was a huuuge 4-lanes-closed accident on the interstate so I took Kingston Pk instead...like the rest of Kville.  :-p), I gave them their gifts from China.  I think Mr. Happy liked his outfit.  :)  

We ran to a couple stores...yes, including Target, where apparently a quick photo shoot was needed using these red balls as props...lol.  Thankfully the afternoon rain stopped just in time for us to go explore...

...this new playground and splash pad I recently discovered!  This place is super cool! 

This splash pad has something that every single other playground should have - see that huge shade tarp in the background??  That is my pet peeve with playgrounds...they never have any shade!  :-p

After the water automatically turned off for the evening, we explored the playground.  It had some pretty cool items to play on!

You can also stand inside this one but with three people, outside was more fun.

My happy spot...surrounded by my three babies...who aren't babies anymore...but sometimes that's what I see when I watch them play...the sweet, funny, and once in a while exasperating lol, precious little toddlers they used to be.  Now they are in their first week of 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade and oh how I love any time I get to spend with them!  :)

superman turns one!!

Today my little buddy turns one!  Boy does time go quickly!  He has grown so much so fast! And while I was overseas he grew even more! He is walking with help, crawls with super speed, and likes to loudly say "mamamamama!!!!" throughout our day lol.  He is a super sweet little guy and has gotten to the stage of patting your arm when you snuggle him close.   Today he gets to have a "first" of riding on an air plane and I hope he loves it! :)  

Happy 1st birthday, Superman!!

**click on the picture above to see more of his birthday photo shoot. :)