Old MacDonald's Farm

We had a "staycation" recently and we spent one of our days at Old MacDonald's Farm.  It was HOT!!  It seems like a great place to spend time at when the weather is a little cooler.  There were a few deer roaming around (along with peacocks) and we were able to feed them. We were also able to go into pens and pet the animals as well as feed them...sheep, goats, calves, rabbits, pigs. 

In the goat pen, a little pygmy goat (so stinkin' cute!!) kept trying to eat Camden's shirt. Ha!  I had to keep pulling her shirt out of it's mouth.  Camden also got to ride a pony for the first time ever!  It's name was Andy and Camden did a good job.  She acted real cool about it...I thought for sure she would be super excited since she loves horses so much.

We finally got to hot and had to leave.  We ended up at Chick-Fil-A getting milkshakes. :-)

To Market

We drove out to the farmer's market this morning so I could buy pastured eggs, fresh Fredericksburg peaches.  I also ended up buying a bag of pecans from a little old man who said he has about 50 pecan trees on his property!

On the way, Camden said, "How are we going to the City Market?"  (The city market is a part of the Ratatouille video game!)  Cade said, "Food market, Camden.  It's called the food market."  And my response, "Umm, it's actually called the farmer's market.  We're going to the farmer's market."  Not sure how I got blessed with such adorable kids!

We looked at a few of the booths and there was one that sells local honey.  They also had a display container that contained tons of honey bees and a beehive.  There were a few bees flying around which meant they were flying around us as we stood there.  I was freaking out on the inside but I stayed cool!  I have a ridiculous fear of bees/wasps/flying, stinging insects but I never let on to it because Cade has developed a fear of them, too.  I don't want him to be afraid.  I'm always encouraging him to be brave so I figure I better do the same.  Anyway, we only stood there for about 10 seconds before we hightailed it out of there!  We ended up at the little playground and the kids got to play for about 20 minutes.  There was a nice breeze but it was so darn muggy (it had rained a little earlier) and the sun was blazing hot!

Cade made that face because he didn't want me to take any pictures of him.  He says everyone will laugh at him.  I told him if anyone laughs, I'll beat them up! :-)

Random Photos

I have a few blogs that I just love to read.  I think the one thing that really stands out is that they document the everyday things.  I want to do that.  I forget so much cute stuff that my kids say and do.  I want to remember!  I plan on posting more often.  I won't necessarily have a story to tell or great wisdom to share, but that's okay.  What I will have is a slice of life documented right here. :-)

A few weeks ago, my in-laws were out of town so we went to their house and used their pool!  The kids had a blast!  I even enjoyed myself.  (I'm not a big fan of the water--I usually don't like getting wet.) 

Cade is a stinkin' fish!  That boy is all over the pool, swimming and diving and just loving it!

Camden had so much fun, too!  She floated with the noodles and even practiced her swimming in the hot tub.  She's doing good...she'll go under and swim for a couple of beats.  I have to be right next to her, though. 

Jeff is such a good daddy.  He watches over his kids.  He helps them swim and plays with them.  He's a lot of fun!

For our mother's day MOPs meeting, we took our moms to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.  I had grilled salmon which was soooo good.  I also had Black Tie cheesecake for dessert.  Yum!  I wish this picture of me and my mom had turned out better.  I don't have any other recent pictures of the two of us together.  The back lighting made this such a poor quality.  At least I have this one, though!

90 day challenge update

I haven't completed the challenge yet.  We're on day 63 and I haven't lost as much weight as I'd like but that's because I haven't worked as hard as I should have!  I did great the first 30 days but then I seriously slacked off for the next 30 days.  Regardless, I'm down 10 pounds and I feel much better about myself.  Here's a picture of me and my sweet babies from Mother's Day.  I have so far to go but I have to acknowledge my victories along the way.  I'm wearing shorts again!  I haven't worn shorts in over 5 years. 

On May 4, I participated in the Gritty Goddess 5K obstacle course mud run.  It was so much fun!!  I didn't run it, though.  I walked with a couple of friends.  We had a team called the MOPs Mombies.  We're all MOPs mommas and after I told the story of how Camden called me mombie, we thought that would be a perfect name! 

I loved doing the obstacles and I even had fun getting all muddy.  The obstacles weren't really physically difficult.  There was a bunch of climbing and crawling.  One was very tough, though.  Monkey bars.  About 6 or 7 rungs and if you dropped off, you fell into the water.  I'm so proud to say that I made it all the way across!  It was so hard--it took every bit of strength I could muster.  Anyway, I had such a good time that I've already registered to do it again this September!

Another busy Saturday

We had such a fun day today.  I told Camden that she was going to a birthday party today and she would get fairy wings.  She asked if she would be able to fly! Ha!

My friend Kendra did a great job setting the party up.  Each guest received a bag with wings, a wand, and bubbles when they walked in.  There was a "fairy garden" station where the girls got to plant a pretty flower in a terra cotta pot.  Camden loves her flower!  I think it's a Marigold.  There was also a "sparkle station" where they were able to spray glitter in their hair, choose a bling ring, and choose their very own lipgloss!

Before cake and presents, each girl received a personalized letter from the queen fairy.  It was filled with glitter and asked for help gathering supplies to help Tinkerbell build a new home.  It was a scavenger hunt!  It was kept simple (the girls were ages 2-4) but they had so much fun and got a reward when they completed the hunt.

Most of my pictures of Camden look like this (she was so busy running around!):

After that (as if that wasn't enough activity for one day!), we headed over to Nanny and Grandpa's house to go swimming.  They were gone but they let us come over anyway.  Both kids LOVE to swim!  Cade is very good.  He's like a crazy water bug and is all over the pool.

Camden is getting pretty good, too.  She's taking swimming lessons so she's learning but she still has a long way to go before she can be alone in the pool.  She was swimming, though.  Going under and kicking her feet and having so much fun that she was literally squealing!

Jeff and I both got in and played with the kids.  It was freezing at first but wasn't bad once we got used to it.  It was so hot outside and the sun was beating on us so it was kind of nice being in the water.  I really don't like swimming...I don't like being wet...but I had a good time.  Since it was just us, I was able to relax and just enjoy my family.

April is "Autism Awareness" month

Here is a copy of what I posted on Facebook regarding autism awareness:

I wouldn't consider reading a cute little "autism awareness" slogan as truly being aware. There's so much more to it than knowing that these kids have language delays, social delays, and sensory issues.

Are you aware that having a child with autism means that I sometimes lie awake at night, my stomach in knots, wondering how things are going to be for my son when he's grown? He's 11...I only have a few more years before he's legally an adult. Will I be able to teach him enough, will he be able to *learn* enough, to function successfully on his own?

Are you aware that my heart breaks when I see little boys hanging out together, knowing that even though my son is as friendly as they come, he doesn't have the joy, the closeness, the comradery that comes along with having a best friend?

Are you aware that it tears me up to realize that maybe he would be doing even better if only I had been trying harder? My worst nightmare is to let him down, to fail him.

Are you aware that I am beyond thrilled that he still holds my hand in public? He has no idea that its not cool to hold your mom's hand and I love it! I love that I still get to give him hugs and kisses any time I want!

Are you aware that my heart just about bursts with pride when I hear my sweet boy say, "I did it, Mommy! I tried a bite of new food and I liked it!" (Even though he refuses to eat any more of it.) The little accomplishments feel so huge.

Are you aware that I love my son more than life itself?

He may have autism, but he is not autism. He is special, he is beautiful, he is Cade.

Mosaic Reviews--We Choose Virtues

I had the awesome opportunity to review a product called We Choose Virtues. You know what virtues are, right?  A virtue is "moral excellence and righteousness; goodness."  Honesty, patience, obedience, forgiveness, diligence, contentment, perseverance, etc.  Those good character qualities that we all need.  That's right...all of us, not just our children!

This is the idea behind WCV: 

Let's be honest, instilling virtues in kids is hard work! 

But can it be fun too?  We think so. In fact, there's no better way to learn. 

So We Choose Virtues brings memorable catchphrases, endearing characters, and just plain fun to 

Simply Inspire Character that Lasts. 

I was sent a set of Virtue Flash Cards, a Parent Card, a Family Character Assessment,  a Teacher's Handbook (PDF), Butterfly Award (PDF), and Coloring Book (PDF).  *Now here is where I'd like to let you know that this is not my first time hearing of WCV.  I've bought from them in the past. :-)  As a matter of fact, I currently own, and have hanging on a wall in my dining room, the Kids Virtue Poster.  This poster has been invaluable!  I love being able to direct my children over to the wall and have them look up the virtue that they're needing "help" with at the moment!  I also own the Virtue Clues cards--these are absolutely perfect for carrying in my purse and pulling out as needed!

The Family Character Assessment lists all 12 virtues and allows your children to rate themselves (you can rate them, as well--it's interesting to compare the results!) The Teacher's Handbooks includes 4 simple steps to teaching virtues.  The Butterfly Award can be printed as often as needed and is to honor your child when you feel they have been succeeding at a particular virtue.  To be honest, we haven't used this award.  Yet!  I've been reinforcing virtues and encouraging them daily.  I think this award will make them feel accomplished and have pride in their efforts.

I decided to start with "I am Forgiving" since that is the parent card I received.  Each parent card has a cute little "virtue kid" on the front along with a positive statement and a positive "I am not" statement.  It also has a scripture listed (you can choose from NIV or KJ).  Side note--you can also choose to receive cards without scripture if you want to use these in a secular setting.  The back of the card is jam packed with great stuff...a virtue user challenge, what to say after "I'm sorry," teachable moments ideas.  It also has a short story about the virtue kid.  While I was reading the story to my kids, they were able to color the corresponding coloring sheet that I printed out for them.  This kept them busy but focused as we discussed the virtue and talked about how it relates to us in our day to day life.

The Virtue Flash Cards are similar to the Parent Cards.  They don't have all the extra stuff that the parent cards have on the back, but they have the basics...the positive statements and the scripture.  There are game ideas that can help with memorizing these.  

We Choose Virtues has several kits available for purchase, including a classroom kit, home school kit, church kit, family kit and others.  You can also purchase each item individually.  Prices range from free (Yes, free!  Memory Verses, Bible Heroes and Truths; Family Character Assessment) to $244.99 (Classroom Deluxe Kit).

I highly recommend this curriculum, not only to homeschoolers, but to anyone with kids.  Like I said, character development is something that we all need to work on.  We Choose Virtues makes it fun and meaningful!  As an added bonus, I have a couple of coupon codes for you!  (They cannot be combined.)

VIRTUE15 is good for 15% off any order and is a lifetime code that does not expire.

HOME20 is for the Homeschool Kit and is good until the end of April 2013.