Deer at Tanglewood

One of the favorite things the kids and I discovered last summer that we were excited to attend again this summer is "Tuesdays at Tanglewood". Tuesdays at Tanglewood is a class that is held each Tuesday at one of the shelters in Tanglewood Park. Each week a different topic is discussed, and there are fun crafts and games for the kids to participate in. We didn't make it every single week, but we had fun when we did attend!

The Perfect Lunch Date

Mother daughter lunches can be so much fun. I usually have all five kids in tow during the day, so when I was able to break away for an hour or two to do lunch with just Britta, I was thrilled!

The Miracle of Nature

I've never been one to like flying insects. Or... I guess... insects in general, but specifically flying insects. I've always had this fear that they would fly into my face. It gives me the shivers just to think about it. My children do not share this same fear, thank goodness. Or at least I think that's a good thing.

Blueberry Picking

Last year we fell in love with berry picking. One of the berries we found here in North Carolina was the blueberry! There is a great little blueberry farm about 20 minutes from our house. When we went picking there last year we were super impressed with how fabulous the berries were, and how cheap they were, too! We were absolutely determined to go again this year. So glad we were able to make that happen.

Maple Bars

When I was a kid we use to go to Harmon's, a local grocery store in Utah, and get the most delicious donuts ever. My absolute favorite kind was the maple bars. They had the best maple glaze frosting I have ever tasted. I moved out of state when I was twelve, and have been searching for an adequate replacement for that maple glaze ever since. I have had very poor luck, until now.

Return to the Kid Zone

There are certain things that go right along with having small children. Messy diapers. Spending time in the lobby at church. And mall area play places. Unfortunately, when you have both older and younger children, sometimes that last thing fades away for the younger children.

Love Hate Relationship

I hate going to the pool. I know that is a very bold statement to start out a blog post with. Now, let's be clear, I do not hate swimming. I do not hate the pool itself. I also do not hate happy children. I simply hate going to the pool. It's a huge hassle and with two little babies I would prefer avoid it. Having said that, the list I just made of things I do NOT, in fact, hate, is motivation enough to get me to the pool a few times every season.

Tiny Biscuits on a Fun Date

It was my turn to take Maddy on a Mother Daughter date this month. I decided I wanted to go out and eat some food that I didn't have to make myself. Maddy was perfectly happy with this idea as well, so off we went!

Water Balloon Fun!

Service is really important. However, when you're a kid, and that service involves filling up water balloons for a bunch of kids to play with, kids that are not you, that's tough service. My kids helped fill up the water balloons for Activity Day, and I wouldn't let them throw a single one themselves. I figured, after enduring that, my children deserved a water day of their very own!

Piano Pals

It warms my heart to see the older kids share their time and talents with the little ones.

North will be a pro in no time flat!

S'more Awesome Ice Cream!

Sometimes you want amazing ice cream. Sometimes that ice cream is hard to come by because a certain ice cream company is having difficulties and you can no longer purchase their products {cough} Bluebell {cough}. We took matters into our own hands this time and made an amazing chocolate ice cream of our own.

BBQ in Mayberry

On our drive home from cherry picking we were all hungry and looking for a good place to eat lunch. At first we were inclined to stop at some Mom and Pop type place that we couldn't find anywhere else. But, after our first attempt landed us somewhere that, after we looked up online reviews, was rated very poorly, we decided to stick with what we know. We saw a Little Richards BBQ and decided that was the place for us!

Cherry Picking

One of my very favorite things to do with the kids here in North Carolina is going to harvest fruits and vegetables! We've picked strawberries, blue berries, apples, and this year we went to pick cherries!

Minion Hat

As I've mentioned in past posts, my sister Heather really likes Minions. It's a pretty fun love to have, actually. I especially like it because it means my kids get fun surprises periodically sent to them. This time it was an awesome Minion hat.

Britta's Modeling

When we decided at the beginning of the year to let Britta try out modeling we didn't quite know what to expect. Would it take up a lot of time? Would it be stressful? Would she even like modeling? How does the whole thing even work? Well, the answers to those questions have come slowly for us, but sometimes slowly isn't a bad thing.

When a Toy isn't a Toy

As a first time parent you tend to invest a lot into toys for your child. It's important that they have the best entertainment that money can buy. However, as your child grows up and you gain some experience (and perhaps a few more children), you realize that usually the favorite toys are those you wouldn't think of as toys at all.

Water Activity Day

Water Activities are some of my favorite things to do with large groups. When I was called to be a leader for the girls ages 8-11 in my church, I knew we were going to have to do some fun water activities. I was excited to have so many people to make them fun!

It's Science!

River received a fun science experiment book for his birthday. I had every intention of having him pull it out all the time and sitting down to explore the world of Science as a family. However, sometimes the fun things get put off when a trip to the store is required. Thankfully I had River look through the book again to find an experiment we had all of the supplies for. Also, I told him to make a shopping list so we could plan for more upcoming Science fun!

Stamp Out Monday

What happens when your 12 year old leaves out her new little Lion stamp from the birthday party treat bag she'd received from a friend? Fun for your 3 year old!

Baby North, Model?

We were contacted by Britta's modeling agency about a possible job for Baby North. We needed to take a few pictures first though. They wanted to see some pictures of him on his feet (since it was an ad for a footwear company).

Singer's Company

One of the things that takes a bit of research and determination with Homeschooling is finding some good extra curricular activities for the kids to participate in. Now, let me be clear, there are no shortage of programs for kids to participate in. The challenge comes in deciding which one is a good fit for our family. Thankfully, we've had some pretty good luck thus far!

Dinner and Ice Cream

Sometimes the most basic dates can be just want you need. We sometimes do elaborate dates involving funny activities or creative meals. But not always. Sometimes all I need is some good food, and a good looking date to keep me company.

Pretty Kingston

Someone got into his sister's play make-up kit. I can't say I'm pleased.

Then again, it does seem to bring out the blue in this baby's eyes.

Lost a Tooth

There are certain milestones that happen for pretty much every person in the world. For this particular milestone, exactly when that day comes tends to vary a bit, but usually it happens when a person is between 6 and 8 years old. As it happens, Britta is 7 years old right now. She has now joined the "I've Lost a Tooth Club." And she is pretty thrilled about it.

Birthday Boy

One thing I love about how we do birthdays in this house is that it doesn't matter how old you are turning! All birthdays are treated as equally important. This holds true even for Mom and Dad's birthdays. Thank goodness! I love birthdays.

Piano Girl

I always wanted to play piano growing up. My family bought a piano when I was a young teenager, but I didn't really have the time or funds to take it up more than a little bit here and there. I love music though, and think piano is a wonderful way of experiencing it. When I had my own children I was determined that piano would be a part of our family.