Dip in the River

It is has been pretty hot and today Ms Patti decided to take the boys on a special little field trip to the river boat landing at the park after school.  She told us she thought they would be tentative - and it would be a short little diversion.  Not so much, it turned out they went in as far as she would let them and they spent hours and hours.  They didn't even want to stop for lunch.  Finally at 4:00 she insisted that they leave and go get something to eat.

When I got home Gabe informed me they got in the water with Ms Patti.  I asked if it was the pool and they said - noooo.  So I asked if was the ocean - again they said - nooooo,  Was it a lake? - Noooo, it didn't have lily pads.  (well ok then) Then they declared it to be a river.  Too funny.

Meal Planning Monday : May 28

With the school year wrapping up and lots of last minute things to take care of, I think we are going to use a lot of 'old favorites' that don't require a lot of planning or effort.  I hate that there is nothing all that "new" on the list, but it what it is this week.

Monday: Doug's make dinner tonight - so who knows what we'll end up with!
Tuesday: left over ribs from Sunday
Wednesday: Taco Salad
Thursday: Quiche
Friday: Tuna Noodle Casserole
Saturday: Caramelized Tofu with Noodles (new)

Linking to OrgJunkie.com, where MPM lives

Pool Time!

Summer has begun!

With today the being the first official day of the summer season (though we are all still in school for weeks), AND the fact it has been hot as all get out all weekend, it seemed like time to break out the kiddie pool and let the boys have a field day.  The "big pool" is no where near warm enough, but the little pool was more than enough entertainment for the day.  The boys stripped fasterthan I could actually find their "swimmy pants."  Once everyone was wearing their suits they wasted not one second getting in.  Luckily, I managed to snap a picture before the point where Gabe decided to be "nakey butt" and remove his suit!

The pool kept them entertained for over an hour in the morning, then we took a break and had lunch and 2 of the 3 crashed for a nap.  After everyone was awake, we started the process all over again and they splashed and played for another hour or so.  It totally wore them out - but they had a blast! 

Highland Horse Farm

OK, so there are no pictures of horses to go with the title of today's post - but that's ok.  We were at Highland Horse Farm on Sunday and the boys got to putter around the farm free-range style.

We started with visiting the goats (Grayson was thrilled to pet them and feed them leaves) and several VERY large pigs.  (Gabe kept telling us to 'watch out for the poop!')  Then we went up to the top of the property where they got to pet bunnies, play on the pirate ship, and wander in the cow pasture and harass the cows. (and yes, Reece picked up a fresh new cow patty)

They also got farm tours on the Kabotas by two older kids - older being 7/8 years old.  This was probably the highlight of the day.  The boys were absolutely amazed that other "kids" were getting to drive these things around by themselves.  They took us all over the farm and told us about the different things to see/do. 

At one point, Grayson got behind the wheel and promptly told me "lets rock and roll!"  Apparently, this is what Patty says to them as they leave school in the afternoon.  We made a video to send to her:

Meal Planning Monday: May 21

Another crazy week on tap at our house.  It always seems this time of year quickly turns into a whirlwind of activity and despite our best efforts to keep it calm and sane, it always happens.  We are trying to keep it simply this week with a lot of easy prep/stand by kind of meals so they can be done without a lot of effort and by whomever has a few minutes in the kitchen to spare!  It is one of those times that I am glad I found Meal Planning Monday over on OrgJunkie.com - a few minutes making a plan helps keep us sane all week!

Monday:  Korean Lettuce Bundles
Tuesday: Frozen Lasagna from Costco (hey, it's easy and makes left overs for lunch - don't judge)
Wednesday:  (new for us) Tofu Stir Fry (recipe coming)
Thursday: Grilled Chicken, sugar snap peas, and roasted baby potatoes
Friday: not sure - I am hoping we can maybe get a babysitter and eat out :)

Beds and Bikes

The boys had another full day with Doug. It was a bit of an unusual day because they had to go all the way to Winchester to school, then all the way back to Strasburg for Grayson's speech therapy after lunch.  They ended up just staying at home in the afternoon.  Gabe got a slow start in the morning and we found him all curled up under blankets on the couch.

As usual, there was lots of outside play.  We have potatoes coming up in the garden, so that was a fun thing to check out.  And while you are up there you have to be on the look out for the garden snack that lives in the wall. 

The older boys continue to be very into riding their balance bikes.  I think they may very well be ready for 'real' bikes by the end of the summer.  Gabe is getting pretty good at holding his feet up and coasting for 10-15 seconds at a time.  Grayson is also getting much smoother in his riding.

Reece was out of sorts because he didn't get enough of a nap with the crazy schedule, so he actually ended up going to bed early.  But not before he let us know he really thinks he can use the potty.  He grabs his pants and signs "potty!" and takes off running for it.  He ended up a running around with a naked butt for about an hour and at one point he decided he had to pee so he ran out the back door and peed in the grass - then went back inside to play.  Not exactly what we want, but at least it wasn't on the carpet!

When Reece was in bed the boys worked on putting the final coat of paint on Grayson's new bed with Doug out on the porch.  They are so cute being little helpers :)

They have all been so busy lately.  I still can't believe how big they are getting and how much they they want to be like / do everything their Daddy does.

Possum Fun

What a fun Monday for the boys! Doug had all the boys today since Patti is having her arm operated on - and he was a bit nervous about surviving the day.  However, it turned out to be a great day all around!  Doug took the boys to 'the Big House' and when they were playing in the sun room they found a little baby possum that had fallen into a big cardboard box and gotten stuck.  They probably saved its' life - as it seems to have been there a few days and was really thirsty. 

 After Doug made sure it wasn't injured and in relatively good spirits (as far as possum's go) the boys picked him up and delivered him to outside to a nice puddle on the concrete so he could drink.  Then they took off across the yard looking for a good place to let him go so he could "find his momma."  And yes, Gabe kissed his tail. 

I don't know how it is that they always find this cool stuff when they are with Doug.  In the last few weeks they have seen the possum, a swarm of bees, and several snakes.   They are outside boys if there are were such a thing!

Meal Planning Monday : May 7

Another crazy week on tap at the Bowen house.  It seems like every week gets just a little more jam packed - just when you think 'surely this is as crazy as it can get,' it goes up a notch!  This week is going to be a lot of quick and easy standby meals.  I have to make sub plans for Wednesday, a meeting after work on Tuesday until 7 - and Grayson has ST after school, then Wednesday I will be running around taking Reece to his 18month well baby appointment followed by Grayson's IEP meeting, then more ST for Grayson on Friday - and I have an assignment due that I haven't finished.  Throw in Amanda being induced on Wednesday, a chance to work on my Scrapbook on F or Sat, AND the Mother's Day plant sale over the weekend and it is one INSANE week!

Monday: Grilled chicken w/ mango peach salsa, grilled zucchini, and Acini de Pepe side dish
      ALSO -- make bread!  Whole wheat sandwich bread + cinnamon raisin bread

Tuesday:  Kalua Pork in corn tortillas

Wednesday: Beef and Gorgonzola Gnocchi with salad

Thursday: Tofu with Peanut Noodles

Friday: Grilled bread with goat cheese and other yummy toppings

Linking to OrgJunkie, where MPM lives

Snakes and other fun stuff

The boys love to go look for the snakes that live up in the garden rock wall.  This weekend was a little dreary, but apparently it was just right for the snakes to come out.  They found one in the garden and one in the front flower bed.  And despite his fear of snakes, Doug caught them BOTH so the boys could look at them up close.  Now they know that the snake sticks out his tongue and that snake poop really, really stinks!

Gabe wanted to kiss the snake, but Doug convinced him this probable was not the best idea.  He did, however, like touching it and seeing how smooth it felt.  Grayson really liked the way its' tongue darted out - and Reece thought the whole thing was a riot.

I'm so glad our boys are growing up outside, enjoying nature and learning new things about the world around them everyday.  I think (hope) it is setting the stage for a life long love of learning.  It makes us odd man out amongst a lot of folks that our kids don't watch a lot of TV, play video games, or go to movies -- but I think this is really the way kids should grow up.