A Hello

Why is it that we think we need something in our hands when we are at someone's doorstep? A peace offering I suppose. Although I have gotten better about going to someone's home empty handed, here's a quick and simple offering.

I wipe out my strawberry containers and hang on to them. They make the perfect container for small loaves of bread. When I need a little treat I whip up a batch of coconut banana bread and print out this label. It looks put together and is still easier than messing with plastic wrap in the Idaho wind.

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Hudson was supposed to wash eggs when he came in from outside.

Dalanie hollered at him from the door to come in and wash his eggs.

He kept playing, so she slid the stool over to the sink and washed the eggs. When they were clean she put them in the carton. I think she enjoyed herself, but I think she really did it to spite him. The previous time he said she was too little and that it was only a "boy" job. I guess she showed him.I just happened to find some loose change, so I gave it to her for her efforts.

Hudson was surprised to find his eggs washed when he came in. Dalanie flaunted her money.

Sometimes promotions aren't given, we have to take them.

And to ensure job security, we got some new chicks. The kids have loved holding and chasing them.*This was a few weeks ago. Now they've grown feathers and are with the other hens.

Spring Work

We've been blessed with some beautiful weather and sunshine which means we've been going gang busters. There is always so much that needs done to clean up and get the yard whipped in shape for summer. I wondered how I'd ever manage with a new little one, but Miss Ruby has been very cooperative. It's helps to have older ones to check on her.
While I was planting in the garden, the kids got tired of me "coaching" them and decided to plant their own. Hudson drew out a rectangle with his hoe and made some furrows. They planted peas and corn so close together that the seeds were touching. They were so proud and taunted how their garden was going to be better than mine.

Repair Shop

Shortly after Hudson started pulling around his new disc ripper, the hitch broke. It's sat on the mudroom counter ever since. Now with all the ground working going on, he was itching to do a little of his own.

Leave it to the Mom to be the mechanic. I tried soldering it, but lets face it- these toys aren't made with anything "real." So we opted for a drill and some wire. We fixed it up in real farmer fashion, jimmy rigging. It's holding up nicely. All big tractors have been moved upstairs to bigger fields of green carpet. He must running a little behind, because Dalanie has even been asked to help plow.

Princess Party

Our library had an exclusive, all girl story time for all the little princesses. Every day, for the prior two weeks Dalanie would ask if it was the "Princess Party." She was so excited. The girls got to decorate crowns and eat little cupcakes. They had it decorated fancy and every little girl got to take home 2 books and a wand.


She had several friends from the ward there.

Bubble Gum Bribery

I found this inexpensive bubble gum machine and thought it might be fun for the kids. Never did I imagine it being such a tool of cohersion. My two year old would do just about anything for a piece of bubble gum. She'd walk to the ends of the earth to earn a piece of "pink bubble."It can be a bit tricky to get it to dispense the desired colored, so several of the pieces have been recycled. The latest discovery has revolutionized the way we do things.
Turns out, I'm not the only using bubble gum as bribes. Check out these cute tags.

Just Peachy

I decided to have coordinating outfits for Easter. I took the inspirations for the color from Ruby's little dress. I made the girls silk flowers.
And for posterity's sake we even got a family shot. It was no easy feat, but I insisted. Coordinating is classy without being too matchy for my husband.

Bike Ride

It's one of those coming of age things.

Today Hudson conquered riding his bike without training wheels. It wasn't a quick and instant process. Last year we took off the training wheels and pedals. He's had to use his feet to push off and learn to keep his balance (same concept . Today when we put on pedals, he was able to ride his bike. It was all smiles.

No scraped knees or running behind him. I'm sold. It's the way to make the transition.
Dalanie has also been riding her new "red bike" around. She loves the compartment in the back that she can fill up with rocks. Maybe cowboy boots aren't the best biking shoes.

Hole in the Wall

We put our hole in the wall to good use this year. It was my favorite egg hiding spot.
In case you want one of your own, it's a quick and easy project (just ask Dalanie.)We need to get it patched. But for now it's a reminder that we're raising kids here.

{Filled}

We had a great weekend, full of everything good (with the exception of the weather.) Family, food, fun, egg hunts, marshmallow guns, and enlightenment.

Easter morning, the guys sporting their new guns.

The weekend filled my cup, my heart, and my tummy. You can't ask for more than that.

Spring Break

The area school kids have me to blame for the winter weather over their 'Spring Break.' I jinxed us all by putting away our snow clothes and turning down the thermostat earlier in the week. We got hit with some snow and tried to make the best of it with a sledding party.

Dollar Decorations

Since the weather has been everything but springy, I've come up with a few things to bring some color inside.


I made this simple bunting for the nursery valance by tying hankies together. The best part was that I found a 4 pack at the dollar store. I cut them in half using my rotary cutter so I had 8 triangles to work with. Simple and a quick fix.

These felt cut outs were also found at a dollar store. I cut out the green leaves to create a little grouping to hang on my old windows.
The little container from Target's $ spot made the perfect home for sprouting some wheat grass. Sparkly glitter eggs hang from a little tree, both found at the Dollar Tree.