Sunday Snapshots

 Sunday Morning 9:15AM

Sunday Afternoon 3:00PM

Girl Cousins

We were so lucky today to have my cousin Jenny and her girls here! Camilla adores these two girlies and after putting up with five brothers all week, she was super excited to have some girl time! We enjoyed lunch together and then spent lots of time snuggling new baby chicks and playing outside. It was a great way to finish off our Spring break week!

Rochester Hatchery

 Today we were up with the sun to leave bright and early to pick up our new baby chicks. At the beginning of the month we placed an order for some new laying hens and I've been counting down the days ever since! Most of the time they just ship them with Canada post, but we thought that since the kids were on Spring break it would be fun to make a little road trip out of it!

 The sky was so pretty when we woke up this morning! I love it when I get to catch a good sunrise!

 We stopped on the outskirts of Edmonton for lunch at Boston Pizza. The kids are such great little travelers! With Ollie at home with Gramma, lunch was relatively easy and the older kids behaved well. Sawyer got passed around the table while we waited for our food and loved being out of his car seat! 

 The kids were so excited when we picked up the box of chicks! They argued about who would hold the box on their lap. Everyone peeked in quickly to see the little fluff balls noisily cheeping away. 

 After a little while we brought a few of them out to hold and everyone settled in nicely for the long drive home.

 The boys each had a little chick sleeping on their laps and Camilla was busy naming her favorites!

 We tried out a few heritage breeds this time and I'm so excited to watch them grow! The Ameraucanas and the Welsummers looked like little chipmunks with their stripes and colors. The little Brahma's already have furry little feet! The red sussex were easy to pick out and the black bard rocks were easy to find too. 

 We drove about half way home before stopping for a potty break and ice cream cones. The baby needed to nurse and the big guys needed to stretch their legs. 

 Ollie was pretty excited when we all arrived home and couldn't wait to snuggle a "kickie".

 Mom had prepped the coop with heat lamps and fresh water. We transferred all 60 baby chicks to their new home. Camilla helped take them out of the box and stick their beaks in water before letting them go. When I was a little girl I loved sitting in the coop and watching the new chicks run around. It brings back so many memories watching Camilla sit in their and hold them all. 

After the kids went to bed I snuck out to hang out with the baby chicks on my own. It was so peaceful sitting in their as they quietly peeped and ate their food. I heard the gate creak outside and foot steps across the front porch. I looked out the window in the door to see who it was, but didn't see anyone. Suddenly I heard a knock on the door, "Mom? I come in?" Ollie, my night owl, had walked all the way from the house to the coop in the pitch black with only the starlight to guide him. I chuckled to myself as I opened the door. He didn't skip a beat, "Hi kickies! How you doin' night?" He continued, "Dey so cuuuute! I hold one?" I let him snuggle one last chick and then we made our way back to the house for bed.

A Dusting of Snow

 The first thing Ollie did when he woke up was look out the window in the baby's room where I was nursing and exclaim, "It's dusty out there!" We received a light dusting of snow overnight and Ollie couldn't wait to get outside to play in it. Once I got Sawyer down for his early morning nap, Oliver and I wandered outside to make tracks to the chicken coop. I loved watching him as he took in his surroundings and marveled at the greatness of nature. Life is so good. 

Spring Break Shenanigans

Spring break is in full force over here! We didn't make any concrete plans, and everyone has been happily running around the acreage and keeping themselves occupied. Today they asked to play with my video camera as they had an "epic idea" for a video. As I was chatting with my dad at the kitchen table the all came into the kitchen, opened the cereal cupboard, and pulled out Camilla's hamster! I did not even SEE Camilla put Chester in there and laughed out loud when they pulled him out. Their video was called "The Terrorizing Hamster" and was basically about a boy (Joe) who would find the hamster terrorizing him all day long. When he woke the hamster was crawling on his chest, when he poured his cereal he found it in the cupboard, when he got his bike to bike to school the hamster was on his handle bars etc. There wasn't much talking, so all we heard was the "DUN...Dun....DUHHHH" when they found the hamster each time. I'm pretty sure he even found the hamster on his sandwich (that he thankfully didn't eat) at lunch. It kept them occupied for quite some time!

After helping Grampa in the chicken coop all morning, Ollie had a bath and then happily tucked in for his afternoon nap while the big kids played outside. As I was nursing the baby to sleep I heard Hyrum screaming my name through sobs. I put Sawyer down and rushed out front to see what was wrong. After watching some bmx videos on youtube he thought he would try a new trick. He ended up landing way wrong and going over his handle bars. His whole right cheek was smeared with mud and his clothes were soaked. I had to try hard not to laugh. A few seconds later Grampa and Joe came around the corner as Joe had run for help. Aside from some crooked handle bars, all was well. 

I spent the remaining naptime tackling this giant pile of laundry! Folding laundry for this many people is no joke.

I pulled two chicken pot pies out of the freezer for dinner. Joe was so excited! Last time I only cooked up one and all of the kids wanted seconds, so this time I was prepared! As we got ready for bed it started to rain. I cracked open the windows slightly to freshen up the house. There is nothing better than the smell of fresh rain!

Barefeet Weather

The littles were all up bright and early today! It's hard not to be when Mr. Sun wakes us up again each morning. We had giant pancakes for breakfast and then everyone was outside to play for the day. 

Mr. Stannix has still been counting down the days until my birthday. He's been hiding a little gift around the house each day for me to find and it's been so fun! 

Sawyer is looking so grown up lately! He is such a joy and we sure love the happiness he brings to our home! 

Camilla and Joe helped get the pots ready for Grampa's tomato plants this afternoon. I enjoyed running barefoot on the patio all day and nursing the baby outside with the warm sun on my face.

 

At days end we all come in with dirty hands and feet from a day spent outside. All of the extra sun has brought out a nice dusting of freckles on Joe's nose that I so adore. Ollie has been sneaking out of bed a lot at night time. He tinkers around with a few toys and gives us endless hugs. I remember Finley going through this stage and cuddling us as we watched our even show. I know it will pass and I try to gently guide him back to bed. Time goes by way too quickly! When the house was finally still and quiet I looked out the back window before bed to find a heavy fog had settled all around us. The lights from the highway were barely visible and I was happy to have everyone all safely tucked in.

Sawyer: Four Months

Sawyer is FOUR months old! He is giggly and so aware of everything around him. He is still sleeping like a champ and letting mommy get some rest at night. He can roll from his tummy to his back and kicks himself in a 360 turn when he plays on the floor. He likes to be entertained now and isn't content to just lay around anymore. He enjoys his saucer and adores when his siblings come and play with him. Ollie frequently covers him in kisses and talks to him in a sweet high-pitched voice. He enjoys peek-a-boo and being surprised. He is so easy going and easy to please. I often carry him around in the sling or the wrap when I'm doing house work. He loves to be held and loves a good snuggle session. He has found his toes (one of my favorite milestones) and I love watching him grab his feet while he plays on the floor. Happy four months Sawyer bean!!

Happy Chaos

Today brought an early morning trip to town for groceries. Sometimes taking three boys is a breeze, other days it is not. Yesterday Gramma picked up a new kid sized wheel barrow for the little boys. They had so much fun helping Grampa clean out the chicken coop and wheel the straw up to the big garden to compost. After lunch I noticed a smudge of pizza sauce on Sawyers head as I nursed. I smiled as I remembered Ollie planting a big smooch on his forehead just after lunch. The snow is still melting and there is water everywhere! We go through pants like crazy around here these days. This afternoon I looked out the kitchen window and noticed Ollie sitting in a puddle. He had slipped on the ice and fell and wasn't sure how to get up. Most of our snacks have been enjoyed out on the deck so that we can soak up as much of the sun as possible! 

After dinner the home was buzzing with noise as Camilla practiced her piano, somebody else was obnoxiously playing a kazoo, and dishes were clunking in the sink while the preschooler stood on a chair and rinsed them. Ollie screamed in annoyance at an older sibling and one of the littles was still at the table scarfing down seconds of dinner. Mike and I laughed as we tried to talk over the noise! 

When everything finally calmed down, there was water all over the kitchen which made me wonder if it was worth it to let the preschooler rinse the dishes. Luckily I've done this a few times and had put down a towel in anticipation before he even began. We let the kids play outside a little bit later than usual to enjoy a few minutes of peace before the chaos of bedtime ensued. 

Recorder Concert

Today was sunny and warm! I made a batch of my mamma's oatmeal cookies in the morning to snack on all day. Sawyer took a nice, long morning nap like he has been lately, allowing me to get lots of things done! In the afternoon Mr. Stannix and I went to the school to hear Camilla's recorder concert. At the end they had all of the grade 4's and 5's play a song on the recorder together and while they did great, my ears were not feeling so hot at the end. Ha! It ended shortly before school was done for the day. As the kids filed out of the gym I was able to tell my big three that I would take them home after school. We stopped at DQ for a box of dilly bars and brought some to Daddy's office to share. Fin, Ollie, Gramma and Grampa and I all enjoyed ours out on the warm deck when I got home. The kids played, ate dinner and then we were all back to the school for parent teacher interviews. All three big kids are doing great in school!

Mud Season

 It's officially mud season!

Happy Spring ya'll!

The BIG Melt

It was a sunny, wonderful Spring day! Puddles are forming everywhere at the acreage and splash boots are a must! There is a lake forming near the chicken coop which makes egg collecting extra fun! My laundry pile keeps growing and often I make the kids strip down before they are even allowed in the house. But all of the extra fresh air and sunshine makes for tired, hungry kiddos at days end. We had chicken pot pie for dinner and when I told Ollie, "You're a hungry boy!" He replied, "I not hungry, I Ollie!" At days end my house still looks the same as it did when I woke up despite my efforts to organize and clean. I only got through half of the dishes this afternoon thanks to the baby napping in my arms. After I tuck in the kids I can still hear fain sounds of the boys jumping on beds in the basement. It doesn't take long before he falls asleep and I again have to make the choice to snuggle him or to put him in his bed and get something done. Of course I pick snuggle, and tomorrow when I wake, the house will still look like a tornado ripped through it. 

Being Productive

Today was super productive! 

I made bread and froze a few chicken pot pies for dinners. 

Sawyer enjoyed some morning cuddles and conversation from his big brothers.

The pepper plants are growing well!!

Mr. Stannix is still counting down to my birthday. I found this on the seat in the van when I went to town to meet him for lunch.

Gramma's chickens are gifting us with lots of eggs.

Ollie is becoming a little less afraid of chickens!

The kids spent all afternoon outside after they got home from school making these hilarious snowmen. Hooray for sunshine!

Sunday Walks

Sunday walks have returned!

Saturday Morning Shadows

Oliver made a new friend this morning. They both have the same bedhead and the same love for helium balloons! They could have played together all day!

Fri-yay

It's Friday! 

We are pretty happy about the weekend being here.

Everyone has been pretty tired lately, especially this busy toddler of mine!

Organized Chaos

There is a happy medium that exists between a clean house and utter chaos. Most days I feel like I'm barely keeping it together! Somehow I manage to keep our home running through semi-organized chaos. This means that everything goes full circle each day. I wash the dishes just in time for them to pile up again. I clean up the toys and vacuum and then the toys come out again. The clean laundry waits in baskets to be folded when I have a spare moment. It frequently looks like a tornado ran through our house, but there's not a whole lot I can do about it. Mr. Stannix frequently reminds me that the kids are happy and that's all that matters. The extra sunshine has been such a blessing! Moods are lifting and there is a different energy in the air. 

I found my surprise in the crib this morning when I put Sawyer for his nap. 

The peppers that we planted last week are sprouting and we love watching them grow! I can't wait to get everything in the greenhouse and watch it turn into a jungle of delicious things to eat!

With all of the extra fresh air comes nice, long afternoon naps. When I found Ollie asleep like this in my bed it took a lot of will power not to snuggle right in next to him and nap myself.

Camilla was the only one who wanted to try my St. Patricks day craft this year. The rest of the boys were too busy soaking up the sunshine and playing with sticks outside.

When everyone started getting crazy, we went for a glorious walk to the end of the subdivision and back up the hill. The two little boys wanted to hold my hand the entire way and I loved every minute!