When I was little, I always got SO excited to take a trip down to Southern Indiana to see my family on their farm. This past weekend, I took Jack and Josie down to The Farm and they had a blast! My mom came along for some {much needed} support.
Josie met a real cow - face to face. Her name was Sissy and it was love at first sight. Jack collected the chicken eggs from the hen house. His first attempt at "placing" an egg in the bucket was a failure. He learned quickly that he couldn't slam dunk them.
This was Josie's second time meeting my grandpa...and she thought he was pretty great. I think the feeling was mutual.
Our first day on the farm included: ride on the mule (not a donkey), visits with cows, feeding the horses, collecting eggs, peeing outside {Jack}, playing with Chad's old tractors, eating pizza, and a good night's sleep.
My kids were still in everyone's {mainly my own} good graces...and yes, peeing outside on The Farm is perfectly acceptable, as long as he doesn't carry this over to peeing in our front yard {like he did a few weeks ago}.
The kids and I are heading south today. We have some people to visit…we may visit some cows, pigs, and horses, too…but mainly people. Pretty important people - who my kids don't see enough. So if you're looking for us this weekend make your way to Commiskey. We'll be on the farm.
Josie did some light reading to study up on farm animals. She's kind of obsessed with them.
If you have a second - stop by Mumbling Mommy today to see my post on Educated Birth! I promise I don't get too graphic (but I will, if you want me to).
Josie found Tyson's shoes the other day...which wasn't hard, since they were on the stairs. What WAS hard was walking around with them on. She clomped around the kitchen, scared the dogs, and asked, "Momma? Daddy home?" She thinks she'd like a pair in pink.
We hear it's your birthday. Mom & Dad sent you something special from Amazon. We know you'll love it. Love, J&J
Hope everyone had a great weekend. Those two {really cute} children didn't sleep well last night. Which means Tyson & I didn't sleep well either. Not sure what was going on…but we are all a little bleary-eyed today.
Perhaps they were still excited after the LIONS win yesterday! Bears fans? {you all were very quiet yesterday}
Last weekend I told Jack we needed to wash our pumpkins. I'm not sure why I told him this...because frankly, I've never done this before. But he was bored and this seemed like a good use of his energy. So he scrubbed the pumpkins. If you visit, make sure you comment on how CLEAN our pumpkins look. I know a 3 year old who was pretty proud of his work.
It's Friday and we're getting' crazy around here. Hope you have fun plans for the weekend!
Real Life Conversation (while driving Jack to school):
{Stopped at stoplight}
Jack: Mom - Look at that big F&%K!
{I look to my right and see a semi)
Me: Yeah, that is a big TRuck.
Jack: I like that f%&k. Where is that f%&k going, Mommy?
Me: I'm not sure. He's probably going to work.
Jack: I want that f&%k to come to my school with me.
{We turn left, the truck turns right}
Jack: Where did that f%#k go, Mom?
Me: He went to work, Jack.
{inner dialogue: Is this kid messing with me? Does he really know what he's saying? When he's 16 is he going to be like, "hey mom, remember when I used to cuss you out? hahaha. You were so gullible."}
Jack: I like F%&KS, mommy. I like dumb f&%ks and big f&%ks...
Me: Yeah? Me too. {Pause} Hey, Jack, can you say TRash?
Jack: Fash.
Me: {phew} Yeah. Okay, hey buddy, can you do me a favor?
Jack: What?
Me: Can you talk about BOATS while you're at school today?
And finally - make sure you watch this commercial. Yes, I know it's a VW commercial, but regardless of our loyalty to GM…it's funny.
We are happy to report that we are members at the Detroit Zoo again. Never thought that would happen. We love the Detroit Zoo! It's open year round, which means on sunny days in January - we can still go and take a walk around. Trust me, in Michigan, and despite the cold, this is a big plus!
Josie saw some flamingos and felt connected to them. Perhaps it was because they, too, were wearing pink pants.
But then she saw the zebras and was like, "What the heck, MOM? You dressed me like a zebra?" Jack didn't seem to mind that he looked like a zebra. We also saw the giraffes, gorillas, chimps, and rhinos!
Before we left we took a ride on the carousel. Jack chose a big white rabbit and Josie rode on Nemo. I was sad that no one wanted to ride on the falcon. I call it next time...
And, of course, no zoo trip is complete without a toddler tantrum. You may recall seeing Jack's a couple years back…and mine was also included. Must run in the genes:
On Sunday we traveled down the dirt road near our house and ended up in Salem, MI - at Three Cedars Farm. We weren't lost. We were on a mission to find some pumpkins! But we found a whole lot more than just pumpkins.
They have a ton of fun activities for the kids to do! Jack and Josie climbed into a barn, slid down the slides, rode tractors, and climbed on bales of hay. There were animals to see, in super cute pens - like three little pigs in a pen with houses made of straw, sticks, and bricks. Super cute!
After playing and running around saying HI to all of the farm animals - we were famished. Luckily, there were fresh cider donuts to snack on, along with delicious apple cider! The kids were in heaven. {Okay, Tyson and I were, too}
Before we left we made our way to the pumpkin patch and found two really big pumpkins to bring home. We also found some gorgeous mums for the front porch. It's looking - and feeling - like fall around Northville…and WE LOVE IT!
We spent some time this weekend in Ypsilanti visiting Nuala for her 4th birthday! Grandma Nancy, Aunt Kim, Uncle Tom, and Caitlin were all there to celebrate, too! It was a very girlie party - with clothes and barbies and princesses galore. After the other guests had left, Aunt Kim gave Jack & Josie each a present.
To say that Jack loved his gift would be an understatement. He got a Nerf Rocket Launcher. Josie was pretty excited about her Cooper-ette dog-purse, too.
Blake - having had enough princess for the day - was eager to help Jack set up the rocket launcher.
And then everyone, including the Birthday Girl, took turns launching rockets really high into the sky! (and in case you're wondering we've been launching rockets all weekend…and I'd guess we will launch them all week, as well)
We were so glad we could celebrate Nuala's day with her! She is so funny and full of life.
This post is dedicated to Doc McStuffins. I have a bone to pick with you, little girl. You see, you have given my son a false sense of reality when it comes to doctor visits.
(PS: I totally know I'm in Helicopter-Mom-Mode right now)
Here is what happened: I told Jack he was going to the doctor and he thought he was coming to see you. That was not actually the case.
Jack was excited about all aspects of his check-up. For that, I'm actually thankful. He was all grins and giggles. He jumped up on the scale, stood tall for his height measurement, and listened intently as I spoke with the doctor about all of his milestones. Before the doctor left he piped up, "Do I get a shot now?" The doctor looked at me for help before answering, "Well, yes...the nurse will be back with your shot." While we waited Jack had lots of questions. One of them was: "Why do I only get one shot and Josie gets four?" I tried to prepare him - "it might pinch a little" - while cursing myself for all those times I smiled and said, "Thanks! Now I feel better" when we were playing doctor and he gave me a shot.
Look how happy he was! When the nurse came in with his shot - he hopped on the table. She gave him the shot and he flinched. I saw him waiver between laughing and crying - so I squealed with excitement: "YOU WERE SO BRAVE!!!" He smiled and hopped down. Phew.
Josie received four shots and didn't have quite the same reaction. As a matter of fact, she stared the nurse down as she was walking out. Overall, we had a great visit! Although, later that night I asked Jack if he wanted to get shots at the doctor's office again and he quickly told me: NO! I have a feeling our next visit may not be as cheerful.
Here were the stats on the kids:
Jack: 39 inches tall, 36 pounds. That's 50% for height and 75% for weight. We'll take it...
Josie: 30 inches tall, 29 pounds. That's 50% for height and 85% for weight. She has really slimmed down!
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