Magic

We've got a little Houdini at our house.

He performs on a regular basis. And everyone enjoys the show.

Yesterday he waved his wand over Sissy while saying "disappear!" If only problems were that easy to get rid of.

Harvest

After weeks of waiting for the corn to mature, we've finally started chopping. The kids and I have assumed our positions in our food wagon. Yes, my little Passat is part truck and we beat through the fields trying to catch up with everyone. The kids love being involved. The afternoons have been so beautiful. Food deliveries are the highlight of the day. "One for me, one for them."

Sissy- waving and cheer leading to passing trucks.

Rain On Our Parade

Shorty after the annual Spud Day parade started, the sky opened up and it poured. It slowed and continued on for most of the parade. While Brother sat in the stroller for cover, Sissy was out retrieving candy and waving. The rain didn't stop her from enjoying things.
After the parade, we made the pilgrimage down to the park and waited in line for the free baked potatoes and Gossner's milk. I think the entire town was there because the lines are always very long. I about decided to take the kids somewhere else for lunch, but it's become a tradition.

Thunder Cake

This week the kids and I read Thunder Cake. It's a folksy book about how a Grandma (Babushka) helps her granddaughter over come her fear of thunder. So when storms cloud rolled in yesterday, we decided it was a perfect opportunity to make our own Thunder Cake.I highly recommend the book, but here's the recipe in case you can't track down a copy.

Big Spender

This morning Brother woke up with a hankering to buy something. You see the other day he got himself a thrifted wallet. It's a fine wallet indeed. Complete with leather punching and name. Too bad it used to be "Ky's." Well, he earned a dollar to put in his wallet and somewhere along the way he found a quarter too. This wallet has gone everywhere with him. Joy School. The neighbors. On the four wheeler.

As soon as the money was tucked into the wallet, it's been burning a hole in this little boy's pocket. So this morning when I asked what day it was he replied, "store day." We did have to run to town, so on the way there I was telling him things that we needed to buy. He would listen and every time I mentioned some thing he would offer, "I'll buy that too."

It almost broke my heart to tell him he really didn't have enough money to buy much. So after running errands and me footing the bill, we stopped at the dollar store. (I knew I loved these kinds of stores for a reason.) Brother had a tiger by the tail, he could choose anything he wanted. And that's how we ended up with glow bracelets hanging from his bed post tonight.

Proper Introduction

Meet Peach and Pear, our new adorable little kittens. Hudson loves to feed them and Dalanie just wants to kiss them. We hope they will be an enjoyable addition to our family.

Answer Plot

Something exciting came to the farm yesterday. Croplan's Answer Plot. They brought in corn experts, a tent, and the makings for a steak dinner. We helped set up and Hudson couldn't wait to get back. Dinner was supposed to be at 6:00, but the Knowledge Event lasted quite a bit longer. It was windy and cold, the kids were starving, and Hudson kept yelling, "I am hungry and want to eat!" We survived and got ourselves some new hats and t-shirts out of the deal.

Joy School

Today's was Hudson's first day of Joy School and he was pretty excited. (I think he might already have a girlfriend in his class.) I had a hard time deciding whether I should get him involved already. I know once I start, running and chasing kids all over won't stop for a long time. But I finally committed and I think it will be good. We have a great group of kids and moms involved. Once the craziness of harvest is over, I'm sure it will be the highlight of the long winter days.

The Secret

To my horror, Hudson announced that he needed to go to the bathroom while we were visiting the Eastern Idaho State Fair. I knew there was no talking him out of it because he was already doing a little dance. Naturally he insisted that I be the one to take him. We made our way through the crowd and into the women's restroom. The line was winding to the door way and I knew we were going to have an accident.

Just then a woman came out of her stall exclaiming, "That's nasty! There is no toilet paper and the toilet sprays water all over the seat.." With that news, everyone hunkered in line. Except for us.

"We'll take it!" I said as I pushed Hudson toward the stall.

"Oh, and did I mention- the seat is all wet," the lady reminded.

"That's fine he stands," I informed. My audience in line chuckled with envy.

And that my friends is the reason there is never a line in the men's bathroom.
They don't care about toilet paper and wet seats are never a bother.

Babysitting: Part II

As mentioned before, I still have no life . . . and enjoy babysitting. Hudson loves when kids come to play. The other night we had 4 extra kids over. I found enough vehicles for all of them to decorate and ride in our "parade." They each got a piece of candy and could decide whether to eat it or throw it. We rounded off the evening with a lot of Duck, Duck, Goose (Hudson's latest craze.) We all had so much fun.

So Moms, thanks for trusting me with your children. And call again.

But don't expect me to call you. Because I'm weird like that.

Babysitting Blues

I can remember back to when I babysat for several different families. I know, I must not have had a life. Now that I have kids of my own- I HATE the entire babysitting ordeal.
First off, I never have more than a few hours notice to find one. I feel really stupid asking someone to watch my children and the possible candidates all have way more of a life than I did. Girls are busy. So for me to get my nerves up to finally call someone takes the majority of the few hours I have. As soon as someone is busy or not home, I usually give up. But for the entire 4 times I have gotten a sitter, I worry the entire time that my children are being horrible (which is usually true.) And then we usually get home later than I told them and I have to figure out how much to pay them. I just HATE, HATE, HATE it. If you have any helpful tips or know what the going rate is these days, please let me know.

The other night Brent and I had volunteered to work at a food booth at the fair. I was trying to decide who to call since our shift lasted until 11:00pm and it was a school night.

"Hudson, who do you want to come babysit?"

Without hesitation, "Grandma!"

"But she probably doesn't want to have to watch you again (for the 3rd time this week.)"

"Yes she does, she loves me!"

So lucky for us, Grandma lives just around the corner. I just hope she always loves my kids because I would never have a babysitter if it weren't for her.