Tooting Our Own Horn

Sissy earned her dancing baby from an accident free day. Turns out to have been a fluke, as she's still not officially potty trained. It's mostly the case of me forgetting and not being persistent enough, but we're still a lot closer than we used to be. Both her and Brother have been enjoying tea parties with the new doll.
And now for your viewing pleasure: Brother and his "flatbed" wagon. It might look like an ordinary Red Flyer, but don't be deceived. Notice the bungee cord holding on the plywood and lawn chairs? All part of Brother's genius. Now it's a real work wagon. He straps on just about anything he can think of. And below, in the box, the perfect storage place for his [insulated] coverall, gloves, and extra hat.

Now for some mouth-watering entertainment.
Home grown melons! Best and juiciest I've tasted (but I might be a little biased having raised them from seeds.)

Life's Not A Fair

And thank goodness, hallelujah!

We took the kids to the Eastern Idaho State Fair so they could experience the culture (or lack thereof.) Although we had a really fun time during the 3 1/2 hours we were there, I'm glad life is not A FAIR. Here's why:
-instead of college savings, your kids would have stuffed animals and wristbands from the carnival
-we'd all have heart disease and obesity from the fried this and fried that called "food"
-following the carnies' lead, we'd all think having 2 or 3 teeth was cool and the norm
-lung cancer would afflict all of us non-smokers just because of all of the 2nd hand smoke
-years of our lives would be spent in lines

My Creative Idea

Since living in our house, I've wanted to hang things on the exterior. But with it being vinyl siding, I knew my husband would flip if I drilled right through it, leaving an ever lasting scar. So I finally came up with a solution. I used the hooks made to go in the pre drilled masonite board (still can't find a technical name for them), and slid them up underneath the siding. Best of all, you can move them around quite easily until you get the look you want.
This one has been modified. A pair of pliers and wire cutters and you can get the exact length and angle you want.

Heterozygous: When am I ever going to use this?

After my blood test at my last doctors appointment, I was informed that my anti E levels were above the tolerable level. So what did this mean for me and the baby? It meant that we'd be meeting with a Perinatologist for a specialized ultrasound for a closer look at what was going on.

Here is my watered down explanation. Besides certain blood types, there are several protein types associated with our blood. My E protein type is ee (or recess) and my husband's is Ee (heterozygous). We each pass one on to our offspring. During the course of my baby bearing years and blood trafficking between me and my babies, I was introduced to the big E. My body recognized it as foreign (since it wasn't a little e) and started producing antibodies against it.

My first two pregnancies, no problem. But now with baby #3, my body is producing higher level of antibodies that are fighting against the baby. Luckily the E protein mismatch isn't nearly as severe as others. So we will continue to have weekly ultrasounds to monitor the blood flow and velocity in the baby's brain. If the levels stay within the tolerable curve, I carry the baby to term and no problem. If the levels rise considerably, the anti E has been destroying too many of the red blood cells and the baby runs the risk of being anemic. In which case, the baby can be given a blood transfusion.

So for now, it's a bit of a waiting game. Dr. Belfort was awesome about answering our questions and quelling our concern. Although I am now labeled with a "high risk pregnancy," we feel blessed with the prognosis.

Nipped

After playing outside and surveying my garden, Hudson came in and asked "Who burnt your garden?"

"It's not burnt, it got froze."

"Why didn't you cover it?"

"Because I didn't realize it was going to get that cold."

"Don't you want it anymore? The guy on the news told you you needed to cover it."

Wiring

Sissy loves getting her nails painted and enjoys showing them off even more.
She is tackling potty training in hopes of earning a "dancing baby." She doesn't say dancing, she just twirls around.
Her favorite word is "NO!" and is shouted in conjunction with "Mom".
The dancing baby leverage has helped her compliance a lot.
So have mermaid panties.
Where did this GIRL come from?

Wilkins Reunion

Labor Day weekend always means the Wilkins Reunion. We look forward to it all summer. It's always great to spend time with our awesome family. This year we had a series of challenges as a team and as individuals. First up, a 3 mile run or walk or ride. Any way it happened, we had 100% participation. Some even hitched a ride on Grandpa's train.There were adult-sized trike races, shaving your uncle, casting competitions, and canoeing.Some were more able participants, but we all had fun competing and being together.

Idea for Change

Brother had a sleepover on Sissy's floor last night. Too bad she bailed before the night had really even begun. . . Her sleeping arrangements have really become a problem.

But it did get me thinking about how much I enjoyed sharing a room with my sisters. So much in fact, once I got my own room I'd bribe a particular sister to sleep with me. I liked the company. So I think I'll give my kids the same experience and put them in rooms together.

First up, Sissy and Brother in bunk beds. Not quite sure when, but in time to free up the nursery for the baby. (And I'm hoping the longer walk will keep her in her own bed.)

Mom Project

Brent and I have cleverly devised some projects to help teach our kids the value of hard work and a dollar. So far I've decided that it's far more profitable to be involved as a kid. I can still remember all of the projects "we" did as kids, where Mom did the bulk of the work and got none of the profits (4-H steers, sweet corn patch, spud cellar brackets.)We had a large sweet corn patch, so we took some of the bounty to town to sell. Brother loved keeping track of the people that came and Sissy enjoyed the treats we packed in the cooler. She was a walking billboard, walking around with a cob of corn in her mouth.

Picture Perfect

The kids and I had the funnest evening last night. It was perfect. Perfect to the point that you hardly want to exhale for fear that things will get mixed up and change. But as a mother I've come to learn that things do change and little kids never quit growing. Here are a few of the things I always want to remember:
-how in love I was with being a Mom and how much joy my kids bring me
-Sissy crying inconsolably from spilling the parmesan cheese
-Brother sporting his new camouflage hat that Grandpa had given him earlier in the day
-eating spaghetti worms for dinner with a chunky vegetable sauce (full of garden goodness) on the tiny kids picnic table outside
-dirty little kids enjoying the time outside playing in the dirt and eating gigantic garden carrots
-the beautiful sunset and swallows flying over the corn field and our maturing garden
-Sissy eating icecream and fresh peaches with her wet hair after bathtime
-Brother thanking Heavenly Father for the resurrection in his sincere and heartfelt bedtime prayer

Wishing It Was Back To School

We had Brother screened for a special preschool, crossing our fingers that he'd qualify and receive a little help with his speech. No such luck, he was off the charts. Before we headed out the door to the tests he asked "are they going to poke me?" and "do they have to weigh me?" (Obviously he's been to too many dr. appointments with me.)

So ever since his encounter with "school" he has been asking/begging for his school to start. He will be going to a preschool at our local HS, but it doesn't start until after spud harvest break (October.) I thought it would be perfect and explained how he will be able to help through out harvest, help me take lunches, ride with Dad, and then he'll start school. To which he retorted "I already know what they do in harvest!"

He is so eager to learn. Looks like we might have a long month ahead of ourselves.

Date Night

Somewhere during the course of having kids, we traded in date night for a "dinner at a restaurant, with kids." Since Brent had to spend his 30th birthday at my class reunion, I decided to take back date night and plan something.
We rented Segway's and cruised around Snake River Landing, Downtown, and the Greenbelt. We rode to Sonic and had burgers alfresco. It was the perfect summer night to spend together. It was nice to do something out of the norm, something to make us feel young and completely in love again.Segways are easy to ride and a blast. I was surprised at how well they handle hills and rough terrain. It just so happened that we had them until 9:00 this morning, so the kids even got a turn on them (although I'm quite sure it's totally against the rules.)

Love/Hate

I love seeing all the "free" fruit and produce this time of year. It kills me to think of it going to waste, so I can it. This canning thing is a real love/hate kind of thing for me.

I enjoying being productive and listening to the sealing jars pop, but this spending all day in the kitchen on a nice day about drives me crazy. My kitchen gets taken over with boxes and bottles and big boiling pots. Once I've labeled the last of the jars and am off my feet, my little helper will ask "is tomorrow another canning day?" In the back of my mind I'm thinking "I hope not." To him it's good quality time. This week we made applesauce and chokecherry syrup. You just can't buy this kind of goodness in the store.

As a side note, I've found a way to make my canning day a little more productive in other places in my house. Instead of dumping the hot water from my water bath down the kitchen sink, I'll pick a "sticky" drain elsewhere and give it a good soaking. In between canners I'll put in a few tablespoons of baking soda and a cup of white vinegar. Wash it all down with the remaining canner and you're good to go. I also have lots of wet towels hanging around in the kitchen. They're perfect for wiping down the cupboards, bar stools, windowsills or appliances.

Whew!

I just survived playing event planner for our 10 year class reunion. (Although it's not as glamorous as a job as I had previously envisioned -- especially without any sort of a budget to work with.) It all turned out great and you'd think I'd learn not to stress so much. In conjunction with the reunion I decided to host a 5K to benefit Mr. Call, BHS drama teacher whose been battling cancer. It was a bit of a headache to coordinate, but turned out to be such a fun event. We had lots of community support.

Some fabulous people were on the committee and it was great working with them. I'm just glad there's 10 years to recover.

Celebration

This year my birthday happened to be shared with some of my favorite people as we celebrated the life of my Grandma Wilkins. She passed away last Thursday. I always love being around the Wilkins family, so despite the loss it was actually a good way to spend a birthday.

As I sat listening to my Grandma's life sketch, I noticed many similarities to my own life (the wife of a farmer, a mother, "Quast cheeks," and a notable work ethic.) Although I still have a long way to go before I am as proficient as a seamstress or crocheter as her.

She left behind a great legacy.

My little Hudson stood with rest of the grandkids to sing "I Am A Child of God" as part of the services. He belted it out with conviction. How blessed I am to know that I too am a Child of God.

Bless Her Heart

Art, Culture, and Icecream

We rounded up some cousins and checked out the activities for Youth Jam. The kids enjoyed making masks, floating boats, and leaving a little of their own graffiti. They were able to get their hands dirty and spark a little creativity. Of course, Brother's projects all revolved around the color green and Sissy enjoyed the room to roam.After that fun, we headed to a local ice cream shop where Brother insisted on treating us. (I helped him count out his change, so after the fact- he says I paid for it and was upset that he didn't get to.) Everyone enjoyed it, although I'd have to say my kids wasted a lot on their faces and drips. We had some time to kill before the Blues Berries concert so the kids posed for random pictures around downtown. What hams.The concert had us all moving and shaking. . . .well most of us. Someone had to dance for his ride home later. Brother couldn't stay in his seat, he jitterbugged the night away. He loved to take Sissy by the hand and twirl her around. He even attempted the climatic dip over his leg, a little shaky, but no one fell. Who knew they could learn so many moves from dancing around the house with me?

The day was the perfect balance of refinement and fun.

Living Off the Land

Now is the blessed time of year that our garden finally starts giving back to us.

We've been busy canning. 30 pints of green beans, 11 pints of cross-cut pickles, and 5 pints of apricot jam. After our day of snapping green beans, Brother prayed "and please don't let our beans give us more!" Since our first 7 gallons, I've been able to give another 5 gallons away, and they are in need of picking again. Our cucumbers are out of control too. (I love to share.)It's not all been about canning and tucking away for a cold winter day. We've been enjoying vegetable quiches, chocolate zucchini cake, creamed potatoes and carrots, cucumber/tomato salad, strawberry covered waffles, and the likes. I turn into a vegetarian and can't get enough of the freshness. Our pepper plants are loaded and the tomatoes are setting on well. Did somebody say fajitas? It's also been fun to have fresh bouquets of gladiolas adorning our dining table. I feel like I could go months without going to the grocery store, although my husband doesn't quite agree.

Little Buckaroo Rodeo

The four Hillman cousins

This rodeo is what has made our little town famous. It's all about the kids. Brother has been so excited for his turn to compete. We signed him up for the stick horse barrel racing. He got lots of cheers from the crowd as he rounded the barrels. And the best part is the belt buckle you "win" for participating. (He was so proud of his shiny buckle, he talked me into letting him wear it to church today.)He thinks he's pretty tough and is already talking about what he's going to do next year.

Sissy even got dressed up for the event.

Movie Night

It was a beautiful summer night, perfecting for visiting over the chatter of kids playing. There was music & dancing, volleyball, horseshoes, and a giant sandbox. As it was getting dark, people made their way to the concession stand. Here you could afford both pop and popcorn. There was a giant screen and big speakers, all part of my husbands new outdoor theatre. Kids could run around during the movie without disturbing a thing. It was carefree and the description of summer.

Here's to many more movie nights.

When did this happen?

It's hard to believe we'd had our Sissy around for 2 years. Thanks to Aunt Nik for the adorable tutu , she was able to celebrate her 2nd birthday in style. There was a pink pony cake and some great gifts.
So great in fact, she barely had a chance to play with them without cousins ripping them away from her.Brother wins for most thoughtful gift. He spent a long time in the toy section at DI to find the perfect horse that he decorated with ribbons and flowers. And what cowgirl would be complete without her own pink pair of boots?