Down on the Farm

We had a visitor today so we took her out to a new park we just heard about. There is actually a working farm right inside the park. It was great! Missy Monkey Feet (MMF) loved seeing the animals but was a little surprised by how noisy they really are. Some sounds were right down scary- like the very loud COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!!! less than a foot from us. Our guest had a good time reminiscing about growing up on a farm. From what we saw it looked like a lot of hard work. It also looked very rewarding. I would trade some of my amenities for the older versions but DEFINITELY NOT the dishwasher!

Here we are with some geese and their babies, MMF climbing the fence to get a better look at the horses- one of which I snapped a picture of while scratching his leg. The next few are the baby calf and piggies, laundry on the clothesline and MMF standing near it. Next, she's pumping water from the well. Our visitor is saying hello to the local mouser, and last are pictures of the back porch of the farmhouse and side yard. I would love to have an old farmhouse somewhere and dress it in antiques. You'll be seeing more pictures from this place in the future I'm sure.

The Native Is Restless

We've recently celebrated Father's Day and Mom's birthday at our house. We've also been busy coming and going with all sorts of summer activity. We went to the zoo today and took some pictures. One of them I could barely take for shaking with the heebee jeebeez- my girl actually petted a snake. (I encouraged her from a distance). I can't believe the things she isn't afraid of. I also can't believe the things she is afraid of. We rode the carousel, the train and MMF (missy monkey feet) even drove a safari jeep with her animal friends. (She informed me we couldn't leave the zoo because she had to drive her monkey around). There was a really funny old goat that was laying in the sun actually grinning. It made me think of how wonderful summer is. We barely made it out of the zoo parking lot before MMF was asleep. Quite a full day.

"Were you talking to me?"

Here she is in her element. These are jersey cows at the dairy farm last weekend.

"Help me pet the baby cow, Mommy"

Baby cow

"Awwhh, look at the teeny tiny baby cow Daddy!"

Look at me Dad!

This is at a dairy farm not too far from us. She loves to go visit the cows there.

Move over boys!

Whoever said that every boy loves a tractor? This girl looks like she's in heaven!

Buster got a fat lip...

Here she is at the beach at Deer Creek. She took a spill between fishing and playing at the beach that left her with her first bloody nose and another busted, fat lip!

This is my magic goose feather

Here's a big goose feather she found after the grueling 2 minutes she spent learning to fish.

Buster wants to fish...

"I can do it all by myself!"

Buster wants to fish...

Here is Daddy teaching Missy Monkey Feet how to fish with her princess fishing pole

Mommy...is it good morning time?

We're going through a different phase now. Behaviours are changing, like sassing all the time and refusing to follow instructions. Tempers are flaring, at times for no apparent reason. All of a sudden everything is a big battle, such as getting dressed, putting on shoes, sitting on the potty-even when it's her idea! The endless questions have come. "Daddy, what's water? Mom, is your car flat? Will the tireman be here today? Does he drive a truck? What color is it? Where does he work Mom? Does he have a mom? Will he bring his own tools? Where are Daddy's tools? You get the idea. Food preferences have become an issue. I'm trying to explain (out of one eye) at 6:44 am why we can't have gummie bears for breakfast or why we can't have ice cream for dinner. What happened to my good eater who would eat all her fruits and veggies every day? She'll eat about half the variety of fruits that she used to and is down to only a couple of vegetables that she won't even eat consistently. On the other hand, her smile is getting broader and her eyes actually sparkle when she laughs. She is handing out more kisses lately, giving "choker" hugs, and has recently discovered eskimo kisses. She put on her first real pair of flip flops today- not the kind with the sling heel. Anyone who knows me knows that this is a big deal. My girl is trying so hard to grow up. Daddy and I are trying so hard to keep up. In a nut shell, we're tired! One of my friends recently admitted to accepting that motherhood is quite a humbling experience. (This I also came to accept a while back). We compared notes for a few minutes about our recent challenges. Her daughter is a couple of months younger than mine so they're at about the same place. I discovered that I wasn't the only one doing a lot of crying and praying in the evenings. I now understand that old joke about wishing kids came with operator's manuals. I also understand that the reason they don't is because they're all so different that a generic manual couldn't really help anyone. What's the answer? I'm still searching. I'm also slowly realizing that as my girl changes, I have to change too if I want to have a good relationship with her. Since I'm definitely not a morning person, here I am in bed before 10pm. The dinner dishes are still in the sink. The laundry is unfolded in the dryer. My toilet bowls need cleaned and I'm having company tomorrow. Maybe they'll understand. It doesn't matter though because I want to be ready for her when she crawls up the length of my bed, wraps her little arms around me, moves my hair so she can kiss my face and say "Mommy, is it good morning time"?

Baby Bunnies-look very closely

Krissy, Jack, and Kate Hardy

M.

G.

The Andersons- Jessica, Natalie, Isaac, and Jared

Movin On

It seems that everybody is moving on lately. Our baby bunnies grew up and left their home, although MMF (missy monkey feet) still insists on checking the nest daily in case they decide to move back in. It is also that terrible time of year when some of our church family moves on. Several of our friends graduated recently and have moved their families to places with new opportunities. While we're happy for them, we sure will miss them. We had a picnic in the park with a few of them recently to say good-bye. Among them were the Andersons, G., M., and the Hardys. They have all been great friends. I'm sorry I never had enough courage on first sundays of the month to let them all know how they've influenced me and how thankful I've been to have each of them in my family's lives. First of all, thanks Jared and Jessica for your friendship. You guys always made us feel welcome even when we felt like the elephant in the room. Jared, you are insane! (in a really good way) You're going to be a great doctor no matter what you decide to do. Also, thank you so much for being so patient with my husband and never giving up on him completely, even though he has to be the world's worst home teaching partner. He has a great amount of respect for you, despite his orneriness. Jessica you are the epitome of "hearth and home". You truly possess wisdom beyond your years. Thanks so much for all you've done for me and my family. G. you always remind me that Mormons are real people. Without doing anything you make me more comfortable with the lifestyle changes. You also have FABULOUS taste in music. :0) M. I learned so much about the gospel from you. You are so easy to talk to. Thanks for answering so many questions with a straight face. I know sometimes it couldn't have been easy. Krissy I can't believe we won't be a street apart any longer. I'm sooooo glad we got to know one another. I think you're an amazing person with so many talents. I can't wait to see your name on a designer bag some day. I hope at your big debut you'll call me up to ask what color you should paint your toenails and whether to wear heels or flats. I love all of you guys and wish you every happiness.

There's nothing like a rootin-tootin cowgirl boots-wearin girl on the potty!

Coloring Easter eggs.

Lookin ghettofabulous in my carseat.

Here's mr. lion. RRRROOOAAARRR!!!

Hang in there, Baby

I know, I know. It seems that I'm unable to update this as often as I'd hoped for. I've never been very good at journaling. I'm much better at ruminating. Too bad I can't project thoughts onto (virtual) paper without having to write or speak them. I almost always draw a blank when I attempt to record anything other than a grocery list. I read other blogs for inspiration as well as curiosity, but it still doesn't help much.



Lately everything in our lives has to do with babies. The last several weeks of spring have brought a robin's nest to our neighbor's house that was low enough for us to lift MMF (little Missy Monkey Feet) up to see in. We started with 4 blue eggs that hatched into 4 little ugly naked baby birdies that eventually took on some fuzz and began chirping. Finally one evening as we dodged mommy robin to conduct our daily nest check, the babies startled and flew away. The nest is still there and MMF insists on checking it often but the babies have grown up and left the nest. She has also spotted the little "baby" hummingbird in our backyard and she wanted to help feed it so she helped me mix the food and put out the feeder.



Our little nephew came to town for another brief visit. MMF really likes that he's getting bigger and laughs a lot more. He certainly enjoyed following her every movement. She did NOT enjoy baby spit-up. Every time she saw him do it her eyes watered and she gagged like she was going to throw up herself. She also couldn't stand touching anything he drooled on. Funny.



Currently we have a bunny nest in the side yard. The ground is just rolling with them. There are at least 3 but probably more like a half-dozen or so. MMF makes us check on them daily right now to make sure they're all okay, then she proceeds to the mailbox to collect the mail.



My baby, MMF has been very busy with well, everything. The biggest thing to happen over the last several weeks is that she is pottytraining for real! We are so very proud of her. Other recent developments include fibs, the emergence of 4 imaginary friends, saying grace at every meal, the relentless questions to anything and everything! We've been playing lots at parks, she's been to the zoo a few times recently, we've had lots of playdates, especially at McDonald's outside play area, we've visited family a lot, planted seeds, gone for walks, stayed up too late, gotten really dirty and a certain toddler has developed a preference for wearing pajamas all day long.



Our biggest battle lately is over getting out of bed. She has started coming out of her bed- several times before throwing down with a real fit, exhausting herself and finally going to sleep. I know it's time for a change. I just haven't decided what it will be yet.



Oh yeah. In case you didn't already know, we're trying to get pregnant again. We're tired of being the entertainment and figure it's time MMF have someone else to play with.