Just a Swingin'

I got a new 40" round swing to hang from a big tree while the older kiddos were at the grandparents. I put it together and hung it up by myself. Although I probably should have waited until someone else was there when I used the extension ladder, fully extended, to get to the branch to wrap the strap on. All's well that ends well. Hailey enjoyed it! And so did the other two when they got home; it really is a fun swing!

Ahhh...

Porch Snake

This snake made himself comfortable on my porch, under the eaves. I think it scared the pest control guy who was spraying that day and discovered it. He seemed to stay well away from it but I of course got close to get pictures and try to figure out what kind of snake it was. Pretty sure he thought I was crazy. But it was just a little ol' rat snake. I ain't skeered.

Red, White, and Blueberries

At the end of June, I called up the farm we picked blueberries at a couple of years ago to see if we could come out again. She told me to get out there that week because they were almost all gone already! So we made it out that week, for as early in the morning as I knew I could have us all dressed and ready and there. We ended up with about 4 1/2 pounds of blueberries, enough to fill my 3.5 quart colander. I'll be honest, I like blueberries in things, but I've never liked just eating them plain. These are an exception. They are so much fresher, sweeter, and tastier than anything I've had from a store. And the kids love them!

She got the hang of picking berries really quick. I can't tell you how many she ate. She was in heaven and NOT happy to leave.

 She wanted a picture with Mom too. With a mouth full of blueberries.

Deer Neighbors

While washing dishes in the middle of the afternoon, I notice movement outside the window and see this deer just walking up the driveway. A little while later I see it with a darling fawn, licking it and being a good mama deer.

You can't really see them but the mama and baby are just behind these trees, right in front of the cabin.

And I thought they were gone but as I walked close to where they had been, I see the fawn still here. Mama must have been just beyond in these trees because I scared them both and they took off in the woods.

Mattie Mouse

This girl. Full of attitude, stubbornness, confidence, and cleverness. She will blaze her own path in this world, I'm sure of it.

 Her future is looking bright.

And She's Off!

Hanging out on the porch with Hailey while the other 2 are out playing in the yard has come to an end. Hailey can make it down the stairs now and she makes tracks. Now if we go outside I spend my time chasing her down!

Corpus Christi Botanical Gardens

Justin finished building the platform and it is on its way to the Gulf of Mexico now! Which meant it was time to move out of the apartment down there while he has a few days off and before he starts flying out to the platform to test and prepare everything for it to hit first oil. But first, we took a couple of days to just be together as a family and enjoy being down there together. One place that I had been trying to make it but had yet to, were the Botanical Gardens. So that was our first stop as a family. The weather was nice (a cool breeze!) and there was more to see and do than I thought there might be. We started out in the reptile room where a couple of volunteers were available and let us hold many of the creatures they kept! I know plenty of people who think the only decent snake is a dead one and a few people who can't even stand lizards but we're not those people! From there we checked out the numerous parrots and birds in cages and fed them sunflower seeds that we purchased when we checked in. We did a quick walk through the orchid greenhouse (for me), the enclosed butterfly area (we saw lots of caterpillars but few butterflies - I guess it's all about timing for that one), and the hummingbird garden area. Then after a short walk around "gator pond" (we didn't see any), we looped around to a playground area and the tortoises before we were back where we started. By this point it was lunch time and we were hungry but Levi was already asking when we could come back. It's worth the trip on a nice day if you enjoy seeing those kind of animals and have kids that need to get their wiggles out.

Easter Festivities

It has been a busy Easter. The Easter bunny hid the eggs at about 6:15 this morning, then made cinnamon rolls in time for the Levi and Mattie to be up about 7:00. After a delicious breakfast treat, Levi and Mattie dove into their baskets to see what goodies were waiting. As they played with their new toys, Hailey woke up and had her breakfast. Then she got to check out her basket. Once that was done, it was outside for the hunt! I made it clear that any eggs on the porch were Hailey's, then gave Mattie a minute head start on Levi. She collected 1 egg in that time. She is the world's slowest egg hunter and walks by a dozen right in front of her before finally picking one up. Levi filled up his basket in no time and I had to make him stop and hang out with Hailey on the porch so I could literally point out and pretty much pick up the remainder so Mattie could have some more. After that it was time to go to church. I had to hold and deal with Hailey the whole time and Levi and Mattie bounced around sitting with different members. I'm so glad we go to a small church. After the service there was an egg hunt with a ton of eggs. Finally, when all baskets (plus some) were full, we headed home. It was sandwiches for lunch and rest/nap time. Which means Levi and Mattie talk in their room and bother each other. After an afternoon that seemed to drag on, we sat down for dinner. I made a ribeye roast, fresh green beans, cornbread, black eyed peas, and brownies for dessert. It was delicious. This Easter bunny is exhausted!

OH MY GOSH! I'ts just what I've always wanted!