2018 Reading Challenge

Goal of 52 books in 52 weeks. Loosely following this challenge posted in a book lovers group I am part of.

February 27th, week 9:

Book number #15 was finished this morning, Call of the Wild.

Looking for an Autobiography to read and always open for ''

Move it, Turn it, Try Again

Afternoon my twinks awoke from their naps I decided to tighten up the crib. When I had laid them down I noticed a corner had a loose bolt. Then I decided to go ahead and lower the mattress as I had been meaning too, and Gracers has crawled out, albeit with a push from Meekers, if reports are to be believed. They also have been crawling into the crib.  In moving the crib I noticed there was a lot of hidden debris underneath. At that level the same was easily noted of Bears bed. To make a long story shorter before another tangent makes it longer- I ended up rearranging the kids bedroom.

I tried a couple layouts, but with not being strong enough to move the boy's bunk bed by my onesies, I turned Bears daybed and moved the toy bench, play table and toddler rocking chair. I vacuumed multiple times in sections as I moved. Hauled out dirty laundry, sippy & bowls, and a quarter garbage bag of garbage. Yikes! A closer inspection will be needed in the future. I moved the play kitchen to a corner in the living room and have a corner play nook (Kitchen, dollhouse, rocking horse, small toy bin) that the toddlers have been enjoying.

It is that time of year where I start organizing something everyday. Whether it be a drawer, closet, or room. I have the purging bug. Tomorrow I think I will sort through toys again. Aiming for the things they play with on a regular basis and rotating out the extra.  The main things they have been playing with is blankets making forts anyway.

Calving Season 2018

2/25/18 - 1st calf on the ground! My husband did not report bull or heifer.  So it begins.

2/26/18 - Brother & Sister in law dropped off our meat tonight after delivering to the farm first. She said there was 1 more calf today.  Listening to my Husband and a different one of his brothers on the phone discussing overnight check schedules.

It kills me a little inside not to have a picture of the 1st calf of 2018.

“If only, if only," the woodpecker sighs,"The bark on the tree was as soft as the skies."While the wolf waits below, hungry and lonely,Crying to the moo-oo-oon,"If only, if only.” 
“If only, if only, the moon speaks no reply;Reflecting the sun and all that's gone by.Be strong my weary wolf, turn around boldly.Fly high, my baby bird,My angel, my only”

Once again wishing we were already living on the farm. 

Expert Level Excuses via Bear

I have Strep Throat and have been worried about the rest of the family catching it. Day 2 of meds so probably not contagious, but keeping an eye out in case someone already did catch it I told the tribe to let me know if they aren't feeling good or if they get a sore throat.

Last night little Miss 1,001 excuses, rises and ways to avoid bedtime informed me she was sick. She decided to go with her throat as the culprit and ended up sleeping on the couch because after 4 trips in and out bedroom and riling up siblings it was easy to sequester her, and also just in case she wasn't bluffing.  Fairly sure she was bluffing. No complaints all morning or afternoon.

After supper-

Me: How is your throat today? 

Bear: Oh it's pretty bad! 

Me: What is bad about it? 

Bear: Well my throat is just allergic to meat and asparagus.

Still not a fan of any meal I cook that isn't pasta or poptarts.

Battleship

So my life has come to taking pictures on my phone of Battleship layouts for proof of cheating/not cheating while my boys play boardgames.

Almost immediately Bug was accusing the Big D of cheating and requested me to observe. I gave a reminder to not cheat and enjoy playing. Walking by after using the bathroom I couldn't help but notice the child throwing out multiple cheating accusations had completely rearranged his navy, whilst the child being accused of rearranging had his ships in the same spot. If the accusee did cheat, which I don't put past him, he was subtle and only moved by a column.

Bug was informed that for cheating he automatically lost the game. Bug was upset that his argument didn't change his mother's opinion. "I thought he was cheating so I moved my boats too". Round 2, placements documented...and the Big D only puts hits on his board, because "really the misses don't matter". He however does not find it fair that if he guesses the same combination twice his brother says he loses his turn.

Battleship, intense battles that show the moral shortcomings of childhood.

Few of My Favorite Things Friday- 1/12/17

Gracers packing around a baby doll. Wiping the face, tucking in with blankets and pillows. She is such a sweet tiny momma, taking care of the dollies.

Meekers giggling "Nos" and face full of smiles when she means "yes"

The boyos excitement of going to the basketball games with Grandma & Grandpa 

Chair-blanket tents in the livingroom for a campout. Both boys received 100s on their spelling tests. Bear joined them. Then tents collapsed soo many times. Big D slept under the roll top desk for a cave. Bug made himself home on a couch.  Bear insisted on sleeping under chairs with her collapsing tent. What felt like a disaster was a fun and loved memory. Look at the world through eyes of children and what joy you shall see.

Temperatures starting to warm up.

Snuggles on the couch with fuzzy blankets.

Reading a book with a cup of coffee at naptime.

Enjoying a new guilty pleasure "The Crown" at naptime.

Welcome home hugs when Dad comes home from a long day.

My husband cleaning up the vomit off the floor from a child sick overnight and letting me sleep in a bit.

That's the thing,  small little moments woven into hard moments. Up all night with kods but sliding under the covers next to the man who in his sleeps wraps his arms around you. He makes coffee in the morning and tells you your are doing a great job when feel like a failure. The silver linings will always be my favorite.

Few of My Favorite Things (January 4, 2018)

Watching Ducktales with my kids. Actually enjoying the remake and David Tennant voices Scrooge and I am a nerd and love Tennant from his Dr. Who stint. Plus I loved Ducktales in my youth.

Finally getting weather above 0F. Bug declared it "kinda got out" and was trying to explain why he couldn't play outside with his coat because it was too hot for that many layers. Their unreasonable mother made them bundle, it was nice to get out of the house.

Kid stories. Today the girlies and I headed to the walkin (sinus infections & ear infections) and there was a little table and 6 chairs. Bear declares we should play family. I was assigned the mom, she was the big sister and the Twinks were her little sisters. We all felt confident in getting in character for our roles. Scene one, we had pancakes. Unfortunately after an improtu book reading session (despite Bear reminding everyone that Mom's rules strictly forbid books at the table when there is food) a beast stole and ate all of our pancakes. I was sent to the other side of the waiting room/kitchen to make more pancakes and we were able to trap the beast in a jar. He was described and verified as liking to play games, nice manners, and loves pancakes.

While watching commercials "Maybe Mom is right. Maybe we do want everything we see"

I picked up a pair of boots that I had resoled today. They were my Mom's from early in her marriage , didn't fit her right so she didn't wear them. I discovered them in college and wore off the heels early in my marriage. Sentimental thing and cheaper than buying a new pair. Only took me 7 years to get it done. By the way I highly recommend the Cowboy Cobbler.