School's out for the Summer!

YAY! Brandt has officially completed 1 year of Preschool, so proud of him. We went from him not wanting to go to being ecstatic to go every time, he has grown up so much lately, where has the time gone? After I picked Brandt up from Preschool today he kept saying to me, "It's Summer now Mom, let's go to the lake", ha ha, too cute. Don't you worry Brandt your Mama is just as anxious to get up there, we will be going soon:)

I can kind of officially say it's Summer too because Brandt has started baseball/blast ball, they call it blast ball for the younger kids, it's pretty much t-ball. Tonight was Brandt's first practice and he loved it. I laugh because last year we had him in it and he could've cared less, he would have rather played in the dirt, which he kinda did one game, lol.  Anyways, going to Preschool this last year has really made a difference and he has grown up a lot, so this year he really seems to care about it:)

Here is Brandt on his "Cargill"(who sponsored them) team.......

So proud of his shirt and hat:)

Look who wants to play too!

Lately the kids have been asking me to take their picture so they can see it, ha ha, how could I refuse? 

 Alivia never wants to smile at me or look at me though when I go to take the picture

This cracks me up, they weren't quite ready

That's pretty much it for the day folks. Hope you all had a great day/night!

Till next time.............

A Little Homemaker!

Lately I have been feeling like a "little homemaker" and it makes me feel good! Yesterday I planted a garden that the Hubs tilled up for me on Saturday. I haven't had a garden in awhile and I wanted a small one so I don't lose interest and give up on it. Believe me I have had my fair share in having a big garden, and let me tell you, it's a lot of WORK! This year I told Brett small, small, small, and I wasn't kidding, I want to be able to enjoy it and keep up on pulling the weeds even when it's scorching hot out when it hits July and August. I planted onions, peppers, tomatoes, green beans and some cucumbers, which in my book equals the perfect garden, if everything grows, ha ha!


Here is my "perfect small garden".....

I think it's just the right size

Another view, who am I kiddin', it's not beautiful but it doesn't have to be for my liking:)

I had a little helper of course!

Having fun digging holes for Mama

Alivia was napping while Brandt and I were planting the garden, this is after she woke up(still not alert yet)

Everybody needs a push sometimes:)

He loves to help with Alivia, what a awesome big brother!

Another thing that makes me feel like a homemaker is we are going to be getting baby chickens soon, real soon! The beginning of June is when we go pick up all 22 of our baby chicks, oh boy! We are having a local kid build a chicken coop for us. This story is to be continued.... YIPPEE!  ( I have never had chickens before, this could be quite an adventure, but I am up for the challenge)

In other news, on my way home from Zumba Monday night I spotted a beautiful rainbow and had to stop and take a picture of it.....

Now if I could just find the pot of gold with it, that would be great, ha!

At Preschool Brandt was so excited he got to celebrate his August Birthday! It's so nice they include the kids summer Birthdays to make them feel special too.

He was very proud of that crown:)

And here are a few more pictures............

Alivia sitting on Uncle Ryan's lap

Love them!

Now this "little homemaker"(or sometimes I like to think of myself as Martha Stewart, lol, its fun) is off to check my garden and maybe put some pies in the oven, who wants some? 

Till next time..........

New Mama!

The other day I had the chance to witness a beautiful gift. I witnessed a calf being born, no it wasn't my first time of seeing a calf being born but I thought it was SO neat to actually catch it on tape, what a beautiful thing, just a miracle like me and all of the Mom's out there that get to birth a child. 

I know I am not that close at all, and you really can't see much at all but it's still neat to me:) I like when she is standing up doing a circle and trying to get situated with the calf's hooves sticking out of her almost out! What a beautiful day it was to witness such a beautiful thing:)






Enjoy..... I didn't know how the cow would react to me being right by her during the birth so I kept my distance:) That's my brother checking her after she was done, to make sure the calf was ok:) At first I wasn't sure about a girl and then I realized oh yeah, we want a girl so we can keep her and breed her! I was really caught up in the moment and not thinking right! 

Till next time........

This is how we roll........

This is how we roll around the farm..........





I was so bummed that the gator was losing power... I forgot to plug it in last time, it can go way faster, that's for sure:)


The weather has been beautiful these past 2 days. Yesterday was 100 degrees and windy though, a little hot for May, that's for sure. Today is around 80, not to bad at all. 

Brandt went and helped my Dad plant some corn this afternoon, and Alivia wanted to go too, I will have to tell my Dad next time she wants a turn too. Alivia is old enough to know that she can't be left out anymore:) I forgot my ipad to take some pictures of Brandt and my Dad in the field, I will have to try to get some before he is done planting.

Here are a few pictures of the kids yesterday....

I came into the living room yesterday to find these two sitting so nicely next to each other, melted my heart

(this doesn't happen very often, ha)

Brandt was excited that the Police Officers came to visit his school yesterday and he got a badge

I asked him what they talked about and he said he doesn't remember, oh jeez, we might be in trouble lol! He then told me when he grows up he wants to be a Police Officer now! I then continued to tell him that they have a dangerous job, and he said "don't worry Mom, I won't die until I am way older", ha ha! I love how he reassures me on things.

Till next time..........

Preschool Graduation

Last night we had Brandt's Preschool graduation program from the year. He will be going another year to Preschool and then to Kindergarten. It's hard as a parent to decide when your kid will be going to Kindergarten when his birthday is in August. We decided it would be best to wait since he will be just barely 5 at the beginning of August, the teachers agreed with me that another year wouldn't hurt, and any longer I can keep him at home with me and not going all day makes me a happy Mom. As his Mom, I really am not ready to have a Kindergartner yet anyways, I enjoy my time with him, and so does his sister:)

Here are some pictures from last night.........

This is the best picture I could get of them, it was a challenge with Alivia

My sweet boy

All the class getting situated, it was so cute when they came walking in with the graduation song playing

Brandt did so well

Waving away, my little social buddy

The main director, Ms. Erin handing Brandt his diploma

Brandt and his teachers

Proud graduate:)

Brett and I were very proud of Brandt and how well he participated and sang along with the actions. It was fun to watch him with his classmates, they are all so cute. 

On the other hand Alivia, yeah she could have cared less about the program, all she wanted to do was run around and get wild, lol! Mommy and Daddy had to take turns taking Alivia out to run loose, the fun of an almost 2 year old.

I also wanted to share a neat picture of the Iowa State bird, the American goldfinch, he came by for a visit to my bird feeder the other day, Brandt saw him and told me so I ran and grabbed my ipad quick for a picture.....

I love his colors, of course because it's my favorite team colors, the Hawkeyes!

We are getting ready for Summer, it's just around the corner, can't wait! 

Till next time...........

Just like Mom, sometimes.....

Sometimes we have to be just like Mom! I noticed Alivia lately has been taking after me in some ways, she picks up on a lot that I do. Some things are good and other times maybe not so much, ha! Today I bought the kids new sunglasses at Wal-Mart and Alivia was so excited to wear hers. 

Here is what she picked up on from me........

Sunglasses must be on the head at "all" times! I wear mine mostly on my eyes but when I am in a store I put them on my head, but she insists on wearing them only on her head, even when she is outside in the sun.. lol! It sure is cute though:)

Brandt has the right idea.. cool shades, my he has grown tall looking at this picture, he's growing up too fast:(

Alivia likes to be like Mom in another way too... look out, here comes my little......

SHOPPER!

She puts everything in that cart that will fit

It's crazy what your kids can pick up from you. I always think to myself be careful what you do and say because I have little eyes watching me at all times.  Alivia I would say takes after me more and Brandt, well he takes after Brett more, which is a good thing since he is a boy! 

 I can't believe I am going to say this but I think I can be just like my Mom sometimes too, just ask my husband. I'm not saying that's a bad thing but I just never thought that would happen, I guess when they really say "Mother knows best" they really aren't kidding! Thanks Mom for teaching me to be the person I am today.. even if sometimes I think "Oh no, I'm turning into my Mother." Love you Mom:)

Bella sure doesn't take after me since she is a dog, but boy does she look cute today after her haircut......

Miss Bella

You want me to hold still? Really?

Bella sure is a GREAT dog, I can't tell you how much I adore her, she is the kids best friend and a great dog to our family. 

Here is a funny thought that goes along with my post today, my Mom always says you tend to look like your dog when you age, funny huh? I'm not sure I believe that but if that's true I might be ok considering Bella is pretty cute! 

Have a good rest of the night everyone!

Till next time.......

Chuck E Cheese!

Last night Brett and I took the kids to Chuck E Cheese for the very 1st time. They had so much fun eating the pizza and playing the games. Brett and I might have had a little fun too, it sure does make you feel like a kid again. 

Here are some pictures from the fun evening we had.....

Checking out all the games

The kiddos and me

Love them so much

Brandt playing a game

Really concentrating

This was the game he was playing? I have no idea what it was.. he was driving something

Alivia liked this ride

She was high up and not scared at all

Brandt's turn

He liked it too

Even Brett had fun:)

On the way home Alivia was being silly.. this is something her brother taught her:)

She kept saying "Mommy and Daddy, watch this", she laughs at herself along with us, which is really funny:)

We had a fun evening together and I really cherish these moments because the kids grow up way too fast!

We even got to go to Target and Scheel's afterwards.. 2 of my favorite stores:) 

Till next time........