Over the Hump Day

The week has been busy, there has not been much time for picture taking much less breathing...our family has been car shopping, looking for a 2nd reliable family car and most importantly one with AC- we have several vehicles but only one that's reliable for our family of 4 with air conditioning which is a must have in an Arizona Summer which is quickly approaching. We've schooled this week, spent time with dad on his two days off, read many new books, visited the library, had our 4H meeting- enjoyed cupcake treats with friends and are looking forward to a Friday field trip day to swim lessons then packing this weekend to depart Monday to see out of town family and celebrate our special boy's 9th birthday. Yes, a busy week in preparation.

4H 'Chicken' Feathered Masks project for Clover Kids, along with 'Chicken Comb' booklets for them.

Chicken Comb booklet was free months ago here- http://liveandlearnfarm.com/?s=chicken+combs

 More ocean studies...

 A new hands on math book our son is excited about...tons of cool projects!

 Learning the history behind the holiday on Monday March 17th, also 'Grandpa's' birthday, my brother and his wife's anniversary and was 'supposed' to be my son's birthday (until he missed his due date :)

A great day indeed.

 Some more inspirational reading for momma this week.

Ending our day with an after-dinner nature walk around our neighborhood and yard.

Bunnies, different species of birds, insects flying around the hay fields.

Beautiful sun light and warmth as we have wonderful conversations during our walk.

And as I sit here taking a few minutes for myself to type, load pictures, my kids are engrossed in watching ocean documentaries on tv...and our daughter just let me know...

The brain of a bottle nosed dolphin is 25% larger than that of an adult human.

My kids teach ME everyday, I love it.

Wraping up the Weekend...Horses, Baking, Dinner- Vegan Pancakes

Wrapping up the weekend we piddled around the house, slowly waking up, reading, momma sipping hot coffee, all of us taking time to wake, get dressed then move into caring for the animals. Spending some time outdoors to clean cages, play with chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs we headed over to the rodeo grounds to support a few fellow 4H girls running for rodeo royalty. Sad we were unable to stay the entire time, our hearts and thoughts were with them as they worked hard and did their best partnering with their beautiful horses. Home so hubbie could go to work we took a walk around the yard and neighborhood admiring the wild bunnies and quail, crafting at home, cutting of material for side satchels to hold special items then afternoon baking of banana bread. More reading with a cup of tea, the house was extremely quiet today and has been quiet this entire weekend. Its nice, that ability to breathe, read, sip in the quiet at times without having to be somewhere, without the tv or other noises going on...just silence of children reading, playing, relaxing while momma does the same.  Trying a new vegan recipe, we have still not found 'our' pancake recipe but the one tonight I believe we did, although hubbie missed out it was #1 for the kids- I agree, fluffy, chewy, goodness. Now our son begs for an evening walk and this momma thinks its a great idea as the sun sets into the night and our daughter lays in her bed, engulfed in a book- this is nothing unusual, into bathes then into bed to start fresh tomorrow. One week to get things in order for our son's birthday trip for all of us to see family, much needed trip to visit, enjoy be with the ones we love.

 Vegan "Puffy Pillow" Pancakes

Recipe here: http://www.theppk.com/2011/12/puffy-pillow-pancakes/

Didn't change a thing- they were wonderful!! A little breakfast for dinner, with hash browns and fruit.

Restful, relaxing, quiet weekend...into the week we venture, excited hubbie has the next two days off for 'his' weekend.

Into the weekend...sleepy...

Into the weekend we came, Friday having lunch at home then taking daddy to work and driving a hour and a half away for our girl's first private swim lesson. A road trip filled with a book on CD, laughter, discussions, fun and treats. Passing the Hoover Dam our son commenting that he still would really love to go take a tour there...thinking in the next few months we can make that happen. Looking at the beautiful scenery of the mountains, valleys and river. Singing at the tops of our lungs, giggles, car games...we finally made it to the pool. A beautiful huge indoor heated pool. Our daughter got started on her lesson while our son and I swam laps in the shallow pool...he would stop to do a hand stand or somersault in the water or show me how long he could hold his breath. I'd stand looking over to the lane across the way where her lesson was taking place and marvel at how graceful her long arms and long legs flowed through the water as she learned freestyle. Done with her lesson she swam with us for a few minutes, sore, tired, but setting goals for herself of swimming one lap of freestyle by the end of the month. Hot showers, warm sweatshirts, grabbing some dinner we settled in the car for the long ride back. To bed as soon as we got home, everyone awoke Saturday late, tired and have been incredibly sleepy all day.

Sleepy Saturday of movies, crafting, cookies, animal play, coloring, reading.

Looking forward to be tucked in our beds early tonight and start the day anew tomorrow.

Studio Ghibli marathon week...

 Book on CD...

 Painting green frames

 Button Art...T for our daughter, J for our son above their sides of the art/school board.

 Finally hanging some framed pics up.

 Afternoon treat.

 Trying a new recipe- Won the tastes of myself, hubbie and our son, 

Broccoli Mac & Cheese

We skipped the bread crumbs and used Veggie Broth.

Recipe here- http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/09/skinny-baked-broccoli-macaroni-and.html

Finishing the eve off with a dinner of soup and sandwiches, some out loud reading, a show and to sleep. Into Sunday we come....

{this moment}

{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Linking to Soule Mama 

Quietly creeping, gazing...how close will they come over. Love the peace within her, her love for all animals.

 

Nature, Math, Avocado Potato Salad

We are all still adjusting to a different schedule, with hubbie working different hours and having different days off, these past few weeks are moving slower, we are still getting much done, learning, exploring but working on finding our new rhythm as we all adjust.

We spent time outdoors...nature is budding everywhere. Our son is gathering yard items and constructing tools, forts, magic made up potions and spells. Hay is being cut and baled...I will never tire of seeing tractors or smelling fresh cut hay. It is a heartfelt reminder that we are where we were meant to be, out of the big city.

Every time we gear up to head to San Diego and know we will visit Seaworld or the beach or tide pools everyone sparks new interests in the ocean, species, plants, animals, weather, tides...everything and so we revisit these studies, learning more new things each time. This time hermit crabs and a marine biology video and a few books.

Our daughter continues on her Japanese lessons, today learning colors and animals. She is very devoted immersing herself in her lessons daily.

Everyone looked at math stories....they just make math more fun.

A simple lunch with a new vegan recipe of Avocado Potato Salad with some Veggie Cheese 'steak' sandwiches (sauteed onions, green bell peppers, mushrooms on a roll with garlic mayo and mozzarella, toasted in the oven).

And into the late afternoon...momma retreats to finish up work for the day while quiet reading is happening and sleepy puppies take time to nap.  Plans are being hatched to play a few board games before dinner and to watch one of the many Studio Ghibli movies our daughter checked out from the library. Favorites of the kids, interesting quirky stories..they are debating on which one to view tonight..should it be Kikki's Delivery Service, My Neighbor Totoro, or Arriety.  Either way, snuggles, a movie, bed time stories and sleep to come this evening.

A beautiful day.

 We watched Reef Life of Andaman, then a short Hermit Crab video. Our son then constructed his own mock hermit crab habitat. 

Creamy Avocado Potato Salad

Recipe here:  http://www.theppk.com/2011/05/creamy-avocado-potato-salad/ 

Uses avocado instead of mayo, what a great substitute especially with how much our family loves avocado's!

 The house is quiet, peaceful, today is a lovely slow kind of day.

Family Monday - Lake Fishing

7 days of work in a row, finally hubbie had Monday off...going with the flow, we took the day off from school, we ran a few much needed errands, did some much needed chores. Hubbie fixed our family car, the two kids and I shoveled and cleaned out the two duck pens then we headed out together to fish in the evening, grab a few pizza's for a late dinner with the new 'Thor' movie and let the kids stay up late. A new spot, trying out lake fishing, seeing sweet burro's wandering on the road into the lake, two kids exploring, a girl taking a break to draw, no fish caught but again much fun was had.

Much needed family time together with their daddy.

 As the sun set and we left with flashlights from our trip, we are thankful.