Sunday, April 28, 2019

Catching Up, Again --- New Year, New Challenge - April 15 - April 28

52-Week Blog Challenge --- Week 16 - What I Do To Recharge

Depends...if it's been a hectic day or week and I need some quiet time, then I usually take a nice, hot bath with candles and Zen music or if it's nice out, go lay in the hammock and just listen to the birds chrip. If it's just that I need some me time away from RA, RF, and E, then it's usually a trip to Target or TJ Maxx.

52-Week Blog Challenge --- Week 17 - My Favorite TV Shows 
My favorites that I can binge watch are Friends, NCIS, and The Crown. I know every word to every Friends episode...and I love, love, love Mark Harmon...and there is something so incredibly enchanting about the royal family. We also watch The Andy Griffith Show and Jeopardy on the regular in our house.

Photos of Our Week

Monday, April 15
Ouch. As I was getting out two large platters from our cabinet, I dropped them and they both landed vertically (edge) on the top of my foot. Big bruise and super swollen, but pretty sure it's not broken. 

Tuesday, April 16
Filling Easter eggs for his class Easter Egg Hunt...and sneaking a few Hershey kisses for himself as he worked...

Wednesday, April 17

Still bruised and swollen two days later...

Thursday, April 18

Taking a look at our calendar, the next six weeks are ridiculously busy...three or four things that are due/happening/have to be prepared for each day. Come on summer break...

Friday, April 19

This little guy was so excited to see his daddy at his Spring party! 

Saturday, April 20

How I spent my Saturday...propped up. Still swollen, sore, and tingling pain which a full work week being on my feet all day didn't help...

Sunday, April 21
Happy Easter!

Monday, April 22

How the coffee table in our living room looks most afternoons...

Tuesday, April 23

After a challenging week, behavior-wise, last week, RF had a second day (this week) of not having to pull sticks for his behavior. He's learning, I know, but sometimes when they have to be corrected for the same thing (talking when not supposed to and not following directions - usually because he was talking and didn't hear the directions...) over and over again, it makes you question your parenting abilities...

Wednesday, April 24
Happy 6 1/2 birthday, RF! 

Thursday, April 25
Spring 2019 photos...they may be expensive, but I can't not get their school photos...so stinkin' cute. 

Friday, April 26 
Poor Ellis. Today was Field Trip Day for him (and I was going, too) with his Pre-K class, but he woke up in the middle of the night vomiting and was running a fever, so we couldn't go. He spent most of the day either on my bed or on the couch asleep. Luckily, he had great protection in the form of two snuggly beagles. 

Saturday, April 27
Now this is a story. If you look at the bottom of the photo, you will see two holes - one in the ground and one in the tree stump. A family of chipmunks lives in the two holes. RF heard them chirping (sound like birds) this morning and decided that he was going to study them. So, he asked his daddy for a notebook to write down all of his observations and off he went. He stayed near his daddy's car while writing down his observations (where they lived, how many there were, what they ate, whether or not they are an endangered species...) so that he wouldn't startle them. 

Sunday, April 28
Day trip today to local state parks. The boys are enjoying a lesson about the old mill foundation that is just outside of the view of this photo at High Falls State Park. 

Hope everyone has a great week as we usher in the month of MAY! 25 days and counting...

Sunday, April 14, 2019

New Year, New Challenge --- April 8 - April 14

52-Week Blog Challenge --- Week 15 - My Favorite Snacks

Salty --- Chips and dips. Definitely - chips and dips. Potato chips + french onion dip, pita chips and spinach dip, tortilla chips and salsa/guacamole/cheese dip --- I love all the dips.

Sweet --- rice krispie treats. Yum.

Photos of Our Week

Monday, April 8

I told him that he couldn't have anything out of the candy jar. After he pitched a little fit he stood in front of it and stared at it. I asked him what he was doing and he said, "Just looking...you won't let me eat it, but I can smell it."

Tuesday, April 9

 Ellis's page in his class book - his self portrait and he wrote his name. 

And what he said about his drawing. :-)
Wednesday, April 10

Evening reading time with daddy...
Thursday, April 11

When it's a beautiful day and you take your class outside to work on an assignment in the warm sunshine. 

Friday, April 12

A trip to Mobile for my sister's wedding allowed us to stay at The Admiral Hotel (the old Admiral Semmes hotel for locals). It was nice to get back and visit the Port City. 

Saturday, April 13

Wandering downtown before brunch we found this mural - very nice!

Sunday, April 14

The countdown to the last day of school has begun - we are 30 school days away! 

Enjoy your week, folks!

Sunday, April 7, 2019

New Year, New Challenge --- April 1 - April 7

52-Week Blog Challenge --- Week 14 - Five Guilty Pleasures 

1. Eating candy/chocolate while hiding from the kids so that they won't ask for a piece or for me to share.
2. Requesting additional bottles of shampoos/conditioners/lotions at hotels that have really good products. Our hotel in Kentucky offered the Bee Kind brand (check it out here) that is one of my favorites!
3. Regifting...if someone gives me a gift that doesn't fit my needs/wants I have no problem passing it along to someone that can benefit from it.
4. Naps. I know there are a million other things I should be doing, but when I have the chance to take a nap, I take it.
5. Scented candles. I have cabinets full of them in a variety of scents. Never know when you'll need or want a specific scent so it's best to be prepared for all scenarios.

Photos of Our Week

Monday, April 1

The drive home from Kentucky involved a stop at the Mayfield Dairy Plant in Athens, TN where we took a tour and enjoyed a big ol' scoop of ice cream.

Tuesday, April 2

Traveling dogs...

Wednesday, April 3 
Spotted this beauty as I was leaving the gym...I love pink dogwoods.

Thursday, April 4 
Watching the sunset from the hammock...

Friday, April 5 
Wine tasting at Chateau Elan! Give me all the reds!

Saturday, April 6 
Homemade chicken nachos --- it's what's for dinner.

Sunday, April 7 
Cherokee Rose is blooming!

Saturday, April 6, 2019

A Long Weekend in Kentucky

SPRING BREAK! SPRING BREAK! SPRING BREAK!

It is SPRING BREAK and we decided to make a long weekend of it in the rolling hills of Kentucky. RA and I have been to Shaker Village in Harrodsburg, KY a few times and knowing how much the boys would love it we decided to take them along this time.

As soon as school let out on Friday afternoon we loaded up for our six hour drive north.

He's got a snack, his iPad, and his headphones --- ready to ride! 

We stopped north of ATL (RIDICULOUS TRAFFIC THROUGH ATL...) to grab a quick dinner and get back on the road. We arrived at Shaker Village a few minutes before midnight and headed straight to bed.

We may have gotten in late, but the boys popped up around 7:00 ready to go! RA spent the day doing some volunteer work around the property, so the boys and I had a day to explore. 

Saturday AM sunrise in Kentucky...

Heading out to breakfast! 

Boys in front of our hotel building - the East Family Dwelling House, built in 1817. 

After a quick breakfast at the restaurant on the property it was time for two little boys to explore. 

Our first stop was the farm where we met Poco, the miniature pony. 

The boys thought Poco was super cool!

Saying good morning to the chickens! 

And the pigs - Sally and Lucy...

And the cows...

He loves animals. 

So does this one...

Good morning, Mr. Cow!

Stopping for a quick photo on steps of one of the stone walls. 

Hey Mommy!

Peek-A-Boo Mommy!

Time to say hello to the goats! 

And then we checked out the lake as well as the geese and ducks that were wandering around it...

The boys and I decided to venture into Lexington for a few hours to visit a children's museum downtown.
We stumbled across the site where Mary Todd Lincoln was born and raised!

Showing off the great state of GA!

Riding a horse...

And milking a cow...

And bringing order to the courtoom...

And walking on the moon...

Zoom Tubes! The boys loved this thing. You stuffed scarves into a box that was sucking air and it sucked the scarf up through the tubes. 

Ellis loaded while RF waited at the end of the tubes to catch the scarves. 

Then they switched - RF loaded and E was in charge of catching. I had to drag them away from this - they loved it!

Exploring how a green screen works!

After a few hours wandering the museum, we packed up to head back to Shaker Village. We made a pit stop at Chick-Fil-A to eat a late lunch and play on the playground for a little bit.
Back at Shaker Village wandering and talking...

A good swing just has to be swung on...

"Push me really high, mommy!"

We met up with daddy after his work day was over and headed out for dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. After dinner we drove through downtown and made a pit stop for a post-dinner treat. 

When 'fudge' is in the name, mama has to stop in...

Chocolate ice cream cone for RF, a huge chocolate chip cookie for E, a vanilla milkshake for RA...

And homemade peanut butter pie for mama...yummy. 

Sunday morning we got up early to make sure we took advantage of the gorgeous weather!

He was up early and spent a few minutes to watch a show while RA,E. and I got ready.

Sunday AM sunrise in Kentucky...

We grabbed a quick breakfast again in the restaurant on the property before heading out to explore some more. 

Good morning, Poco!

Morning view of part of the cow pasture...

The property is so quiet (other than the animals) and peaceful. It's going to be a gorgeous and fun day for the Hawks!

Beautiful view of the Shaker stone wall and the East Family Dwelling...

Sweet Poco and one of the goats...

Time to explore the trails and streams of the property. 

Saying good morning to the horses at the stables near our trailhead. 

RA found the horse's scratchy-spot...

Let's hike, boys!

We wanted to see the Old Mill Waterfall and in order to do so we had to cross the stream. RF and daddy went first. 

Then, daddy came back and got E while RF changed back into his hiking boots. 

We made it to the waterfall and RA took RF and E across the stream to see the waterfall up close! 

He was so excited!

Daddy and E in front of the waterfall...

Heading back across the stream (this time without holding daddy's hand - he said, "I got this, daddy!")...

We continued hiking for a little over three miles and crossed two more streams before starting the trek back towards the trailhead. 

Mama and her boys hiking all over the Shaker property...

Ellis said he was tired and cold, so we stopped by one of the buildings to rest while RA walked the rest of the way to get the car and come pick us up. 

Hiking 3+ miles works up the appetite, so we drove into town for lunch at a local country cooking restaurant. 
And the boys found a gumball machine...

As we were heading back to Shaker Village after lunch, we drove by Old Fort Harrod State Park and decided to stop. 

A HUGE Osage Orange tree...never heard of it, but the boys enjoyed climbing it. 

Also on the property of Old Fort Harrod State Park is the log cabin in which Mary Todd Lincoln's parents were married. This chapel-looking building was built around the log cabin to protect it from the elements. 

Ready to explore the fort!

These boys love to see new things! 

Taking a look around one of the cabins at the fort. 

Ellis teaching RF a lesson in the schoolhouse at the fort. 

Inside of one of the cabins...

I asked RF what the little bed beneath the larger bed was for and he said, "Their dog!" Silly boy - no that's a baby's bed. 

So simple and so pretty. 

Saying hello to the sheep at the fort! 

After we finished touring the fort, we headed back to Shaker Village. RA and the boys were going to go wander a little more, but before we knew it we were all four piled into the bed and fast asleep! We all four took a two and a half hour nap - it was glorious! 

Once we woke up and got moving the boys went out to wander for a while and then we headed to Lexington to dinner before coming back to the property and walking a little more of one of the trails before sundown. 

Monday morning we got up, packed the car, and started on our drive back south towards GA. As RA was checking us out of the Inn, Ellis started crying and said that he had lots of fun and didn't want to leave. A quick reminder that he was headed to Nana's house Tuesday to spend a few days with her perked him right up, though.

Breakfast time!

I love spending time with this little (big) boy...

We decided to break up the drive home a bit since we had all day to get back, so our first stop was to see Cumberland Falls in southern Kentucky. 

This looks so cool - definitely have to plan to come back to see the moonbow! 

Small rainbow at the edge of the falls!

Cumberland Falls! 

My boys wandering the shores of the river looking for treasures and learning how to skip rocks. 

A little more of our drive found us at an exit with a Cracker Barrel around lunch time - time for dumplings for this boy! 

He fell in love with this dang chicken at Cracker Barrel...

Our last stop was at the Mayfield's Dairy Plant in Athens, TN! We arrived just in time for the last tour. 

The end of the tour was met with ice cream samples for everyone!

A stop for gas + a snack for the boys made the remainder of the drive back to Covington bearable. RF is in a booster seat now and we've put him on the back row so that he and E will hopefully bicker less.  He created himself an organized little space for his food, his chicken, and his iPad. 

Traveling with kids is exhausting, but knowing that they enjoyed seeing Shaker Village and all of the other locations we stopped along the way makes it totally worth it.:-)