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Saturday, July 30, 2011

Happy 35th Anniversary Pop and Grammy!





Pop gave me some marriage wisdom several years ago that I will never forget...

"Your children will never understand how hard you had to fight to stay together.  They will just be glad you did."

Pop and Grammy, thank you for fighting.

Your marriage has blessed your children beyond belief.

We thank God for you both!

Friday, July 29, 2011

Momma said knock you out

Seriously, I nearly knocked myself out today.

One of my kitchen cabinet doors was open.

I didn't realize it.

I was leaned over putting dishes away.

I whipped my head up with full force RIGHT into the corner of the cabinet door.

It hurt so bad I dropped to my knees.

This incident reminds me to be super sympathetic when my kiddos get bonks.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

A couple of special announcements...

Coming in January....



Coming in March...

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Slumber Party at Four Sisters Farm


Maybe it's the heat? or playing with cousins? or the swimming? or lack of a nap? or our 8pm movie??? Whatever caused this scene, it sure is sweet. They stayed asleep while I carried them off to bed...well...except for Pop...I think I accidentally pulled his leg hairs moving little Ladybug. Hee hee.


Saturday, July 23, 2011

Basement Renovation Progress

The basement renovation has been a long haul and we are nearing completion. Last time I posted on this topic, we hadn't started the basement guestroom redo (although Farm Chick at Heart let you know that we were making progress a while back) and now we are finished and ready for company in our "lower level"!!

We have been doing the pesky little things that have been on our "to do" list for a l...o...n...g time - like building window sills and frames and coming up with a remedy for the exposed plumbing by the rock fireplace (which was noisy AND ugly).

Check us out...


Aren't we clever?? We wrapped up the pipes to cut down on the noise and Pop modified the cabinet to hide the pipes.
I got really tickled at a good friend of mine who didn't think the guest room was too bad...I have to give her credit because the last time she saw the room, it was FULL of wedding stuff for Pretty Princess and Romeo and I must admit that all the sparkly, glittery, beautiful wedding things did take the focus off the state of the room.


Anyway...here's a before and after and I'll spare you all the ugly details except to say that it involved a complete and utter demolition before we put it back together. If you really want details, let me know and I can even show you some pictures (for some reason, I'm big on documenting the good, the bad, and yes...the ugly).



So...we are ready for guests in our basement apartment and looking forward to the renovation for the main floor. Mostly, I'm looking forward to having it all done! I can't wait until we are simply living and maintaining Four Sisters Farm.


I know there will always be special project and that's okay...we all look forward to updates and new things...but we've had more than our quota for a while. Check in on us later...we'll still be working.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

“Alotsa” Kids Have Birthdays on the 4th of July

Our grandson, “Superman’s” birthday is on the Fourth of July. He is a sensitive and handsome boy with blue eyes that rival those of big screen star, Paul Newman. He has been a superhero ALL his life. He comes by this naturally as superherodom runs deep in his father’s genes.

Superman is a typical five year old and his world is not complicated or confusing. It is quite evident that the fireworks displays so commonly seen around the Fourth of July are obviously for his birthday or for some other fortunate kid whose birthday happens to fall on the Fourth of July. We know this to be true because when Superman told the clerk at one of these fireworks stands that it was his birthday, she affirmed she knew that and that is why they were all there. In addition, when he sees other fireworks celebrations, he deducts that the fireworks are for some other kids’ birthdays. I would argue that this is pretty solid reasoning for a five-year-old superhero (specifically, Thor – God of Thunder, which was the superhero birthday party theme this year).

As a result, Four Sisters Farm enjoys an awesome Fourth of July celebration each year.

Grammy and Pop are blessed by little Superman’s fortuitous birthday. It is a sneaky way to get the Four Sisters and all their families to the farm. As we all know, God has a sense of humor and this year we got to experience it fully. The day started out more than warm and Romeo and Pretty Princess were at the farm helping Pop and Grammy make final preparations…there were pools to fill, hot dogs to cook, lemonade to make, swings to hang, grass to be mowed…all in preparation for Captain America’s, I mean Superman’s, I mean Thor’s birthday. Sometimes we get confused because so many superheroes come to the Four Sisters Farm and unbeknownst to the average citizen, most superheroes celebrate their birthdays here.

This particular day, the forecast called for 100 degree temperatures. Sunburns and superheroes do not go well together. Consequently, Pop went to the local hardware store and purchased a sun shade canopy with every intention of building a shaded oasis over the pool. He and Romeo set it up and Pretty Princess and Grammy were delighted! As final preparations were being made around the farm, Kansas weather once again reared its ugly head. The wind shifted to the north and in a matter of minutes was blowing in excess of forty miles per hour. Just as sunburns and superheroes do not go well together, high winds and sun shade canopies do not go well together. Pop was able to run down the canopy as it parasailed across the barnyard. This left Pop in a precarious position. He was hanging onto the frame of the canopy, unable to disassemble what had turned into a giant kite. Romeo had gone to town on an errand, Grammy was in the basement, and Pretty Princess was working in the kitchen. This left Pop hanging on for dear life and screaming for help. After what seemed to Pop like hours, Pretty Princess heard his cries and came to his rescue…which is fitting because we’re all about superheroes at the farm. However, we are not all about sun shade canopies any longer.

As the time grew near, the clouds continued to build, and shortly before “game time” (5 o’clock superhero time), it began to rain. And rain. And hail. And rain. You get the picture. This presented a conundrum as superheroes like hot dogs, hamburgers, and brats grilled outdoors. While superheroes are not scared of rain, hot dogs, hamburgers, and brats are. Unwilling (and maybe a little afraid) to disappoint Thor – God of Thunder (this year’s superhero birthday theme), Pop slogged the grill through the rain and opened up the big door on the shop, thereby preserving the menu and avoiding the wrath of Thor.

All our little superheroes, cowboys, dainty little girls, and team members made it to Four Sisters Farm in spite of the weather and we gathered in the house amid squeals of happy greetings frequently heard when the cousins get together. With our immediate family count now at 20, we are a crowd by ourselves…then for this occasion, we add some friends and Superman’s paternal side of the family which bumps the number up significantly. We rely on decent weather so we can utilize the 40 acres and spread out a little, but with the rain still coming down; we were in tight quarters for a while.

The rain finally did quit and the party went on. We were thankful for the rain dousing the lawn and the adjacent hay fields since fireworks is the big outdoor finale to this annual extravaganza. It was nice that Pop didn’t have to stand at the ready – waiting to extinguish fires while the dad’s shot off the plethora of fireworks they had purchased. It seems there is a bit of a pyromaniac in each of our daughters’ husbands.


When the rain finally quit, Grammy and Pop breathed a sigh of relief as the superheroes were released to the outdoors. It was a superhero’s dream…puddles to jump in, small buildings to climb (yes – literally – the well house is conquered regularly), bombs to throw (okay – hedge apples, but you have to give them credit for using their imaginations), swings to swing in, go karts to drive, and mud to be had by all. “Q”, the youngest of the bunch, ran unfettered until he had lost one shoe and was covered with mud spatters. We learned that our dainty little Super Girl has a need for speed and a penchant for singing while she’s driving. Pop called her “Danica Patrick” and says all the girls in the family inherited this need for speed from Grammy (which Grammy does not try to deny).

The fireworks finale was enjoyed well after dark without any fussing by even the youngest members of the family. When the last fuse was lit and the men cleaned up the mess, the mommies gathered their broods into the bath tubs to wash them up and put them in pajamas for the ride home. By that time, the Unconventional kiddos were hungry so some leftover brats were quickly heated up to sustain them on their journey home. DW is pretty sure they were stalling instead of truly being hungry, but she let Grammy indulge them anyway.

There is a deep sense of contentment and satisfaction to watch your children, your children’s children, and those you love at play. God gives wonderful “little” gifts. It is truly spectacular to have grandchildren who are superheroes. We highly recommend it. It is especially great to have a grandchild/superhero who has a birthday on the Fourth of July because you get to blow up stuff without getting in trouble from your momma. We all know you’re not gonna get in trouble from your daddy, coz he likes to blow up stuff too when your momma is not around. We look forward to blowing up “alotsa” stuff at Four Sisters Farm (when our mommas are not around).

Happy 5th Birthday, Superman!! You throw a "mean" party. Nicely done!

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Free Toothpaste

Dillons is running a deal where you buy 10 specific items and get $5 off at the register.

Colgate Toothpaste was priced at $2.19 but was marked down to $1.49.

$1.49 x 10 = $14.90

$14.90 - $5.00 = $9.90

$9.90 for 10

Now the best part...Dillons doubles coupons up to $1.

I had 10 coupons for $.50 each which doubled up to $1 each.

$9.90 - $10.00 = + $.10

So I made 10 cents on my purchase.

There should be no stinky breath in this house!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

MOM

Remember that little man who wouldn't say "Ma Ma"? 

For some time now he has been very good at getting my attention by saying "Ma Ma".

He has a set of lungs on him you would not believe.

You should hear him first thing in the morning.  He hoots and hollers in his crib...

"MaaaaaaMaaaaaaaaa"

"MOM"

"MAAA MAAA MAAA"

"MOMMMMMMMM"


Good thing he is so cute!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Playing Angry Birds with Daddy


This was the scene one afternoon while Q was napping and EJ was trying to keep the big boys quiet.


As far as I can tell, Angry Birds is a game where little birds are peeved because pigs stole their eggs. 
As the player, you fling the angry little birds with a sling shot towards the pigs.  Is that even close?  I don't know.

I do know that they make really funny sounds when you fling them.



Tuesday, July 12, 2011

We use our manners around here!

All three boys were in the bathroom brushing their teeth this morning.  I walked out of the bathroom for a moment.  When I headed back into the bathroom the following interaction occurred...

Wubba sternly said to me, "Get out of here!"

I said, "Excuse me, MISTER, you DO NOT talk to Mommy that way."

Wubba (in the sweetest voice ever): "Mommy, may you get out of here please?"

Not at all what I had in mind but I suppose it was an improvement.

Monday, July 11, 2011

cheap stuff makes me happy

4 pack of Razors...$6.54 each x 10 = $65.40

5 buy one, get one free coupons worth $32.70

Target offered $5 gift card with the purchase of 2.  So I got $25 in gift cards.

$65.40
- $32.70
- $25.00
 $7.70 for all 10 packages

That means I paid .77 cents per package or .19 cents per razor.

Why haven't I been couponing all these years?

Saturday, July 9, 2011

New Shoes

His and Hers

Aren't we so cute!

Here is a random fact about us.  EJ has purchased my tennis shoes for me for years.  Site unseen.  He knows to buy me something girly that I can exercise in.  We have a local shoe store where we purchase our tennis shoes and if by chance he gets something that doesn't work they allow us to return them and try again.  I think that has only happened once in 8 years.

I don't really know how it started.  I think he was just in there buying shoes one day and decided to get me a pair too. 

If you know me well, you know this is a weird phenomenon.  I like to pick everything out.  I may have a bit of a control issue.  But when it comes to my tennis shoes I am perfectly happy to be surprised. 

Today, EJ, the cowboys and I happened to be down town near our little shoe store.  He mentioned that it was probably time for new shoes for both of us. 

Would you believe I picked out my own shoes?

Ironically, they were the female version of the ones he chose for himself.  I didn't know that when I chose them.

It was fun to shoe shop together for once but I don't think I want to make it a habit. 

I like being surprised by the shoes my sweetheart buys me. 

It is kind of romantic even.

Who knew tennis shoes could be romantic?

Friday, July 8, 2011

Summer Days at the Farm

Pop and Grammy have a hammock these days. 

Pretty fancy!

The kiddos love it. 

They take it as a personal challenge to get themselves into it and then to stay there. 

I was impressed to find four of them on there together. 

The silly babies were busy playing in the back of Pop's truck. 

I love their facial expressions in this pic. 

They are so funny!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

That's right...

I jumped on the coupon bandwagon.

I've always wanted to figure it out.  I have finally realized that it is all about stocking up.  That way you can buy things super cheap and access them when you need them.  No more paying full price.

I am building up my "store" with all kinds of stuff.

Today I got my first FREE deal.

Walgreens was selling these toothbrushes for $1.  They are normally $2.99 each.

I had a coupon for $2 off two of these toothbrushes.

I had 10 coupons so I got 20 FREE toothbrushes.

Holla!
(P.S. I didn't realize you have to pay tax even when you get them free.  That means I spent $1.40 in tax for $20 worth of toothbrushes.  The bill would have been $64.16 if they were full price)

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Say What?

EJ and I were having a conversation about a friend who was ill.  One of us said something about the friend having an infection.

Bubba heard us talking and asked, "What is wrong with your friend?"

EJ, "She is very sick.  She has an infection in her body."

Bubba, "So someone peed on her?!?!"

Say what?  How did that possibly connect?

Monday, July 4, 2011

Exhausted

Am I the only one who is just plain exhausted?

Summer is supposed to be a time to slow down.

It seems like we have been so busy lately.

I guess I better coffee up because the summer is only half way over.

There is a lot more fun to be had!

P.S. Happy Fourth of July friends!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Ninja Turtles and other "good things"

Bubba: "Mom, I had a bad dream last night."

Me: "You did.  I'm sorry buddy.  When I have bad dreams I pray and ask God to help me think of good things.  Did you know there is a verse in the bible about thinking on good things?

It goes like this...

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."  (Philippians 4:8)
 
Me: "Does that make sense?  Think about good things?"
 
Bubba: "Yes.  Like Ninja Turtles!!!"
 
Hmmm...
 
Not exactly what I was thinking but it made him feel better.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Look out Four Sisters Farm...

Fireworks are gonna be fun this year!

The finale is in honor of all the mommas.

Hee Hee.

Isn't that a hysterical box of fireworks!

Friday, July 1, 2011

4 day get-a-way

Recently, EJ and I got to sneak away for a few days.

Pop and Grammy kept the cowboys.  The fellas had been hoping for a a Four Sisters Farm sleep over since we moved.  Word is they had a fantastic time.

Here is their visit in pictures

They did some swimming with cousins...



They did some go-karting...

They played some dominoes...

They helped Grammy in the garden...


 They wrestled with Pop...

They went on adventures with Pop and cousins...

EJ and I had a great time too.  We got to relax and have lots of fun.  We always miss our little cowboys when we are away.  We are so blessed to have fantastic grandparents on our team!

Here we are all dressed up after a special dinner.  Don't we look rested and refreshed? 
 

Thanks so much Pop and Grammy!