Sewing Bug

While I've been waiting for better weather, I've been bit by the sewing bug. And to think, I actually used a pattern. Yes used, I never said followed. I have a problem with this. Despite my ignorance, the dress turned out rather well.

Dress for Dalanie. I joke it's her wedding dress since it's way too big for her now.
At least she won't grow out of it too quick.

Quilt squares for a picnic quilt. Once again, ad libbed on the pattern from a picture I saw.
I'll post pictures once it's completed.

Branding Fun

All of the calves of the Hillman herd are now sporting an H, lazy J brand. Thanks to some beautiful weather and good help, we got the cattle ready to head to the hills. Now all we need is the snow to melt and the grass to grow.

Waiting their turn.

The crew.

Blue tags are "Hudson's" cows. He kept handing me blue tags for all the calves.

The damage.

Hudson was quite excited to have his cousins stop by for a while.

Being silly with Sydney.

Enjoying the cheesecake brownies at lunch.

My helpers.

Brotherly Love

Here's Dalanie in here recent disguise as the One Arm Bandit. I guess that's what you get when you have a brother that insists on carrying around his little sis. Yesterday I found them both on the couch. Trust me, I did not leave a crawler on the couch.
And her drowned rat look while taking a bath. Brother loves pouring cups of water over her. It always starts out fun as she gasps for a breath and then giggles. The problem is, he doesn't know when to quit. The game usually comes to a stop when she is screaming and I have to remove her from the tub to save her life.

Brother also eats her snacks off her high chair tray, pulls her toes, roughly "tickles" her, lays on her, and crawls around on top of her. But rest assured, after a good night's rest they can't wait to see each other.

Confessions of A Pyro

I love the looks of a freshly charred ditch bank with the green grass poking up. I've been creating some beautiful scenery lately with my trusty rake and box of matches. My burn piles have been devoured by hungry flames and I am left with piles of ashes scattered about.

I replaced my chainsaw chain and got a start on my pruning. Nothing real exciting, but you should see the big pile of limbs I've been collecting. I can't wait for them to dry out and take a match to it. Should make for a Texas sized bonfire.

To wrap up my week long burning streak, we loaded the family up in the Unimog and headed for the Lava Flows. We met up with some friends for a little off-roading adventure and culminating hot dog roast. Nothing says spring time like a hot dog charred to perfection like a ditch bank.

Little Sis

At nine months, Little Sis couldn't be more addicted to her pacifier. She spends most days hiding her cute, little face behind the plastic accessory. Most mornings she wakes up with crazy-wild hair and an appetite to match.

She is becoming quite a little dare devil, pulling herself up on anything. A favorite just happens to be the side of the tub where she will try and pull no hand stunts. She loves splashing and going after toys Brother has. She shows tendencies of aggression during her daily baths- why have I passed on all of my less desirable traits? I guess she'll be ready to win the greased watermelon.

For now she continues to be a serious Mommy's girl. Bad. To the point that I'm the only one that can hold her. I guess it doesn't help that she has been spending the past week literally "attached" to me. When there's yard work to be done, she's got to be in the Snugli or backpack. Good for my productivity, bad for attachment issues.

Still no teeth for the Miss. So should you ever catch her without her pacifier, chances are she'll be giving you a very gummy smile. Her lips are always pursed together. I think they go that way on default to try to keep a hold of the afore mentioned pacifier.

Our house sounds like an aviary most evenings. If she lets out a squeal, Brother is quick to reply in his perfected shrill squeal. They feed off of each other and communicate quite well without the use of words. She will fetch for Brother and crawl around after him.

Good Boy Beans

I came up with this incentive system and it's working rather well for my 3 year old. We labeled 2 jars, one for him and one for me. (He loved finding the correct letters to stick on.) Good boy beans are awarded when . . . you guessed it, when he's been a good boy. (We used to use jelly beans but I found them self defeating after he brushed his teeth, etc.) Now we use turtle beans. He earns them for helping set the table, brushing his teeth, being nice to his sister, saying I love you, using the potty, you get the point. Sometimes I give him the bean immediately after completing a task, other times I give him ones for things I remember from the day. He especially enjoys hearing all the good things he's done and is getting pretty creative about making up reasons he deserves another bean.

The kicker is that beans can also be lost for misbehaving. He hates when I take one of his beans and put it in my jar. It is also nice to give a simple warning, "I'll have to take a bean away if you don't _______ ."

What's the whole point of a hill or jar of beans? Glad you asked.

100 beans = $1

My Windex Commercial Morning

For months I've been looking out of filthy windows at my home. Of course, freezing temperatures don't make for good window washing conditions. So I have continued to stare out of streaked panes for some time now, all the while thinking "I really need to do something about these."

Well this morning as our family was eating breakfast, a dumb robin slammed right into our big window in the kitchen. We all found it quite entertaining and were laughing about it. My husband commented, "You must have pretty clean windows." I chuckled and retorted, "No, it's just a really dumb bird."

If you're in need of some sunshine. . . .

Make This!!

Lift, Twist, & Bend

Did anyone else feel like Elder Ballard wrote his talk just for you? I sure do. After a visit to the chiropractor to set a wayward rib I realize that it will probably just have to be a problem for awhile. Apparently ribs don't like to stay in place once they've been out. She cautioned me to be careful- in essence I really shouldn't "lift, twist, or bend." Tell that to Dalanie and Hudson. I suppose I can use the discomfort as a reminder of Elder Ballard's talk and of the importance of my role as a mom.

Fresh Air

The kids and I took a break from our stuffy house today and went to the park to enjoy the sunshine. It was breezy and still cool, but it was a nice change. Hudson decided he was finished with the swing while it was still cruising and bailed out. I give his dismount a 10- he did a belly flop as the swing swung back. He got a nose and mouth full of sand, but not a single tear. He's a genuine cowboy and got right back on.

Sissy is crawling all over and pulling her self up to things. She loves to chase Hudson when he crawls around on the floor with her. It's so fun to watch them. She is now eating mac n' cheese and peas and couldn't be happier.

Hudson is now wearing big boy undies and bathing five times a day. We are making headway by using the new tractor as bribery.Dad takes him for a ride when he uses the potty. The entire potty training process is a mystery to me. I'm beginning to realize that it's much harder for Moms than the kids. You sure have to be committed. We're hoping he's kicked the diaper habit by farming season.