We started out the week with a trip to the local outlet mall with Jessica, Ava, and Jake-Jake on Monday morning. It was practically deserted, but I did get Linc a few t-shirts and Corinne an adorable sunhat to help protect her baldy head. I used to just spray Linc's hair down with sunscreen, then give him a crazy "do", but I don't think it will have the same effect on a little girl. We will see if I am lucky enough to convince her to keep it on her head! Then we headed to the park to burn off some energy and play in the sand.
This park is great because it has a partial canopy over the play equipment, so the kids are always somewhat protected of the sun and the slides stay nice and cool.
So far, so good with the sunhat staying on!
On Tuesday we took an awesome field trip to De Jongs Dairy Farm with Lincoln's preschool class. They are one of the few small farms left that raise, milk, and bottle all in the same place--then ship out directly to grocers. We got to see and feed cows of all ages and sizes. Here are the veterans.
And this little lady is only a week old. Lincoln eventually got her to snack on some feed, but she clearly prefers to suckle.
Then he moved onto the 2-year-old heifers and just ate up every minute of feeding them their alfalfa and hay.
He felt like these gals would go hungry if it weren't for all his hard work. He took the job very seriously and was not the least bit shy. By the time we were finished feeding, his arm was covered in cow saliva.
I think he has a serious future in farming. He didn't even mind the stink!
Then we got to see where they are milked and feel the suction of the milking machine. Luckily we walked away sans hickeys, but there were a few close calls when he stuck it right on his face!
After the tour we enjoyed some chocolate milk with cookies (even Corinne got a taste). Then we fed a few goats and sheep.
We were supposed to picnic on the farm, but opted for a picnic on the back patio instead, where I could better secure Miss Corinne.
We had our usual gymnastics class on Wednesday and Lincoln did an excellent job listening to Miss Nikki. Then Daddy called us that evening so we could wish him a very Happy 28th Birthday! Here is Lincoln practicing his loudest "Happy Birthday Dada!"
On Thursday we headed to base for a pony ride with Ava and Jake-Jake. But Ava said they smelled (they did---much worse than the cows) and Jake was a little nervous. So Linc took a few times around on his own.
After about a hundred "giddy-ups" he was ready to move on.
Then we introduced the Lewison's to our favorite AstroTurf park!
Corinne discovered a few new uses for her ride on toy that is supposed to function as a ride one, wagon for hauling toys, or shopping cart. But she dumped the seat and used it for a scooter.
And then a wheel chair that she propelled on her own.
Friday we had a date with our good friend Colton and his mom, Amber. It has been almost a month since we had seen them last and we were so happy to finally get together with them. The boys were wild as ever, but had a great time in their big back yard---playing on the swing set, accidentally whacking each other in the head with baseball bats, throwing sand, playing bubbles, tormenting the 40-year-old turtle that roams the yard, and burning off some serious energy!
This is what Lincoln looks like after a round with Colton.
Jessica and I decided to venture over to Toys 'R Us with our 5 kids---are we nuts or what---to look for picnic tables and pools. Dear Toys 'R US, I have a bone to pick with you! We found this Little Tikes pool that we both wanted and they were running a deal--"Spend $150 or more and get a separate Little Tikes Table (a $45 value) for free". So we thought, let's combine our purchases and cash in with an extra table. Well they were sold out of the "free" table. They didn't offer me a rain check or a gift card---I was basically out of luck and screwed out of my extra seating! Then we get back to the house and try to assemble it and find "umbrella not included" written on the box. The ticker here is that the lovely photo that 'R Us posts by its little pocket of fliers (that you take to register to pay with while some guy in the back pulls the box) boast a picture of six smiling kids seated at a table in shade---from an umbrella that is not included. And if you don't load the boxes in your vehicle yourself---I of course didn't--that's what they get paid for---you never know you just bought a table without an umbrella until you open the box and find it missing! To top it off, they don't even carry the umbrella in store or online. You must order it directly from Little Tikes. And of course they are sold out of them at the moment! GRRRRRRR 'R Us---the wrath of Abby and Jessica will come down on you soon!
Our visions of them eating lunch that afternoon at the table were thrown to the wayside, but they still enjoyed the food...
And the new elephant pool in the Lewison's lovely back yard.
Later that night after putting the kids in bed, I tackled the table assembly. Two hours, three beers, 40 screws, a butt load of washers, nuts, and bolts and two very soar hands later....the table was finished! I blame the extended assembly time on the fact that Nathan managed to "misplace" the normal--everyday size screwdriver that you would use on a regular basis for practically any and every project. (He will not take claim to the missing Phillips head, but neither will I. And since I am always right, the fault will lie with Nathan who can not defend himself at the moment.) So I was forced to use the midget screwdriver that has a hand grip that is only 1. inches long!
The following morning the kids were ready to check out the newest outdoor accessory!
Corinne was a little hesitant at first and not sure what to think of the new addition.
We quickly put it to use and ate lunch outside after church. I still like to strap her in---so her picnic table encounters will be more for snacking for now.
It is moments like this that make my heart smile. While I was bringing the food out, Lincoln climbed up behind her and stole a big kiss from his sis!
Corinne is a smoochy lover and was very grateful that the brother that she constantly pesters still shows her some love now and again.
Sadly enough, my legs don't quite fit under the table. So I had to sit off to the side during lunch.
They went for a little stroll after eating.
And we just enjoyed the rest of the afternoon together.
Corinne woke up from her nap early, so we headed back outside.
But the tempation to eat dirt clumps became too much for her.
After sneaking two dirt snacks in and fighting me to wash her mouth out, Corinne was banished to the house while Lincoln got in some after-nap playtime outside.
Quotes of the Week
Quote 1:
After pooping.
Lincoln: "I did it Mama! I saved the day!"
Quote 2:
After getting out of the tub and running around with his with his hooded towel on his head.
Lincoln: "I'm a super hero Mommy!"
Quote 3:
While trying to put Chomper in the crate before leaving, but he was ignoring us.
Lincoln: "Uh-oh Mama--Chompy not being a good listener. We need to say a lotta lotta prayers for him tonight. He is naughty."
Quote 4:
In the sweetest little princess voice you could imagine while talking to Nathan on the phone on his birthday.
Corinne: "Hi Dada!"
She did grab the phone and hang up on him right after that, but luckily he called back.
Quote 5:
Walking into Johnny Rockets with Ava, Jake, and Jessica
Lincoln: "I love you guys!"
Quote 6:
Lincoln jumping into a huge blanket/pillow/stuffed animal ball on the floor of my room.
Lincoln: "I love my friends!"
Me: "What about the Mama???"
Lincoln: With a duh attitude. "Ummm, Yes--you're my friend too!"
Quote 7:
Lincoln catches me tossing legos into the box while we pick them up.
Lincoln: "No throwing toys Mama! Toys are for playing, not throwing. That is naughty--we need to say a lot of prayers for you!"
I guess this is my lesson in "practice what you preach"!
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