Farm Visit

On our way back from the ocean we stopped at our friend's new house/farm. They have 7 acres along with a small orchard, gardens, and a few animals. So, not a full fledged farm, but closer than my kids have ever been.

Tate was in heaven. He walked right up to goats and chickens and thought it was the coolest thing ever.


My friend even let him collect eggs with her!

He only broke one :)
But look at that smile


We went to feed the chickens and Gracie was a little nervous. She had to have all of her "girls" and blankets with her from the car to go in the little barn.


Eventually she got down and she and Tater loved throwing the chicken feed around.


We got to play in their vegetable garden and pick fresh strawberries. This was Sean's favorite part since he is Mr. Organic lately. We got to take home eggs, lettuce, and other goodies. Now he is dreaming up ways to build us a garden by the shed.




I'm so thankful to have friends who can expose my kids to new things. Even if it means days on end of talking about goats and chickens when we get home ;)

Mama! I see Da OCEAN!!!

Last weekend we went to the Oregon coast with my extended family. This was the first family trip we have ever taken with husbands and kids and all that. It was a short, but eventful trip and the kids had a blast.

We spent time on the beach chasing waves and playing in the sand with cousins.




Benny loved being outside all day!


True to form Gracie wanted to do her own thing


Baths in the giant tub were so much fun

And nothing beats breakfast made by daddy and Grammy


(Pardon the alcohol. Not actually a part of breakfast, more for the adults after kids are in bed)

Two Quick Stories:

1. Saturday night we walk by the babies' room to smell poop. A check inside reveals that Gracie has unleashed another pooptastrophe (totally a word) on us all. She is passed out cold, but apparently pooped in her diaper she wears for bed (bc she is potty trained mostly) and didn't want in on her while she slept. So it was flung about the room and all over her pack n play. We had to clean it and give her a quick bath (making her scream for 20 min straight). Fun stuff, folks.

2. The Great Escape:
We had the bottom floor of the house to ourselves with a private entrance (that we kept locked). Well, while Sean and I were playing in the living room with Benny we hear the ominous silence that only means G and T are up to no good. I go to check on them and the door is WID OPEN. They were outside on their own!! I screamed and Sean ran down the street. Now I know in a crisis I am useless. I just stood there terrified and actually creeped out by a big spider in the doorway. Thank God, Sean found them quickly at the end of the street walking together in their pajamas towards the beach. Another 10 years off my life. Gracie proudly told us that Tate unlocked the door and she opened it. How can I compete with such criminal masterminds?

Now every time we get in the car G and T yell " Mama, I see da ocean!!" Which makes me wonder if they still don't know what the ocean is. *sigh*

Ruckus

Is that how you spell ruckus? As in, "The twins caused a great ruckus"?

Anyways, they did.

Yesterday was one of those terrible two's days that everyone jokes about. Only its not nearly as funny in person.

Scene 1:
Benny has explosive poop all over himself and I am in his room hosing him off. Enter Gracie covered in (I admit my first thought was more poop?!) chocolate. I scan my brain and correctly identify the only chocolate available would be the cupcakes in the trash. Return to the kitchen to find she has, indeed, been picking at a 5 day old cupcake in the trash. Moreover, she is upset I won't let her finish.

Scene 2:
I begged Sean to take us out to eat when he got home from work for a change of scenery (and to give me a reason to shower). Half way through the meal while he is taking G to potty, Tate starts spit/drooling on the floor. I ask him/tell him to stop about 17 times as the waiter comes up to check in. He is clearly disgusted. Thanks Tater, now my parenting failure has been taken public.

Finale:
We are home. Its past bed time. Scrambling to get all the kids in pj's, brushed teeth, etc. In the chaos Gracie takes the opportunity to swipe Tate's beloved Blue Blankie and give him a bath in the toilet. Now we are grossed out, Tate is crying, and bed time will be delayed even further as we have to wait for the blankie to dry in the dryer. Well played, miss. Well played.

Needless to say, they are at daycare today.

Little Man Party!

(copied this idea from here)


Benny's 1st Bday party was a success we had a lot of fun and it was so nice to see people get into our mustache/little man theme!
Started with the invite:

Of course we had to have shirts to match! I got Sean and my shirts on Etsy. How can you go wrong with an "I am Fancy" shirt!?


I made signs to direct guests to our homemade photo booth!



Basically, we set up our computer (mac) with the Photo Booth application and instructions for guests. They chose props and had a little space to be silly in private. We hung curtains to create the booth feel.




I picked up hats for cheap at Michaels and Target and then made the 'staches via this template! Oh and this one too!



Benny (sort of) enjoyed cupcakes and a chocolate mustache cake we made at the last minute. They turned out pretty cute we thought.



Decor:




I made the clothes line with pics of Benny and added mustaches and other disguises on photoshop. Then I strung them up on scrap book paper with neck ties. It was easy and gave guests something fun to look at.





The custom banner I won from 3 Monkeys Designs!
I also had chocolate mustaches on sticks floating around in mustache mugs, but I forgot to take pics. You can score them here though! They were yummy!





Favors were mustache crayons I got here. I made a card that said "Mustache Gracias" and tied them up! They were a big hit for the parents and kids!


All in all it was a great day with friends, family, sunshine, and mustaches to celebrate our little man turning ONE!


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