Jersey, Swiss, Holstein - What Cow Would You Choose?

This week I did something I always hoped I would.  Let's backtrack a little first.  My thoughts are always so random, I'll try to be organized.  I remember a lot of good times from my childhood, this is a good thing - it keeps life straight in the Hostetler household.  Field trip day was big in our world.  Obviously a day out of the classroom was awesome.  I always did "my best" on field trip day, my dad would have been proud of that (inside joke sorry- my dream of being an nuclear physicist.).  Anyway, it was a big deal because my mom packed a lot of great treats in our lunch and most times she was right there with us on the field trip.  In my class, my mom was loved much.  All the boys wanted to sit at my table because my mom was so nice.  So when Sab's field trip permission slip came home, I thought I have to do this.  I should think things through more clearly!  I was able to find a babysitter for Mia and told Sab to sign me up.  He was just so excited.  Everyone on our side of the street knew he had a field trip, I was going, we would milk cows.  He had our seat on the bus planned, had many thoughts as to me not wearing a dress or skirt of any kind, and how active I would be at this shabang-bang.  Any time the teacher asked for a volunteer, Sab gave me the eyeball.  The eyeball is this wide eyed look with a head nod.  At first it looks like he is having some sort of seizure but really it's his, "MOM, LET'S GO LOOK."  So, first step, let's make butter.  I shook a jar for I don't know, 20 minutes?!?  Sweat is pouring down my back from the effort and the sheer exertion of trying to make liquid into a spreadable ball for a cracker with a balmy 90 degrees outside.  We ate that butter and moved on to the next station.  Belinda, Daisy and Cordelia the cows all lined up with no place to go.  The goo oozing from their nostrils and mouths was remarkable.  Sab of course wanted to get some of that action.  So I found myself stroking the big head of a cow who was cranky with full udders.  I've been there.  The day proceeds to a milk mustache station (this made me so queasy to watch 20 six year olds dump milk on their faces), lunch which consisted of juicebox opening and chip bag manuevering and the milking house.  Let's not discuss this other than 180 cows are on this farm and they are milked 3 times a day!  Can you imagine?  Even the dogs on this farm looked like cows, unusual. 

Two things learned.  Sab despite his premature teen moodiness still enjoys the company of his mother in front of his friends.  And two - our field trip return was almost a whole hour later than planned.  This blew my mind!  Traveling in this state has left me speechless.

Enjoy some shots.  I of course forgot my camera.  Sab's awesome teacher (truly an angel I'm convinced) sent these to me.

This is Cordelia the cow along with the dairy princess who resides on this farm.  The tour guides during this trip were excellent.

One would think Sab has a lot of questions to ask.  Notice his hand in the air?  He was actually calm at times - he just wanted another cracker.  Along with the butter which tore my rotator cuff - just kidding.

Rock On

When my mom told me what she was buying for Mia, I thought it was a great idea because I personally love rocking chairs and wicker.  Yes, I know the day isn't about me.  Then I thought if she doesn't use the chair it could become a great little decorating piece.  All these thoughts have been thrown out the door.  My mom always knows what to buy these kids  . .   This child sits in "her chair", asks for Curious George, a little juicy and crackers that are fishy.  It is quite the setup but she is very polite about it.  Many pleeezze and tank yous.  Good job Nana!

Notice the footstool she is using as a table.  This child has the life!

George was really living it up - she becomes lost in this show.  She'll laugh out loud and say, "That Huntley dog is so funny.

Mia Turns Two All Month Long

My little Mia Mouse now affectionately referred to as Toonce - turned two many, many times.  Her actual birthday was the 9th and the day arrived with a bouquet of balloons from her Nana, Aunt Shell, and Tat.

She was thrilled with the balloons and the bear.  The balloons continue to live in our dining room.  Each night at dinner there is much (MUCH) discussion over who will sit in the birthday chair.  Curt and I are never on the roster.

Unfortunately, the weather wasn't great and her dad had a track invitational.  That didn't stop our celebration with cake and a slide.

Pure delight.  No shoes, big slide, wild brother



So the party didn't end there . . . During a Thursday playgroup we decided to have a cupcake party at our house.  Mia, honestly used three bottles of sprinkles on her cupcake.  She took a bite and went into sugar shock.  Cupcake party and eight 2-year olds - a huge mess but she was so happy, I wouldn't have changed a thing. One little person in particular iced their belly and slid in the sprinkles on the table.  Love that kid.

Intense right?  If you look on the pink plate you can see the mound of cupcake with bottle number one of sprinkles!  She didn't bother with the icing in front of her - the sprinkles slid around a lot without it.

Still the party lives on . .  we traveled home for Easter.  How could we not celebrate Mia's birthday again?

Many hands - waiting for a fast one!  She blew out the candles and ate a Popsicle!

Easter egg coloring - enough said?!?

Easter morning "huggie for Sabbie."  Don't you love Sab's face?  It's like a cross between wisdom teeth removal and really bad cough medicine.  This shot is a keeper.  PS - Many thanks to Meghan for the turtle and blanket.  She carries it every day.



On your mark, set, EGG!

Monday was beautiful!  86 and fantastic!  Sent Sab to school in shorts.  We played and played and yes played outside.

Tuesday - not so great and today was our Easter egg hunt for MOPS.  These ladies think on their feet.  Seriously they had 300 (!) eggs to hide and they did it so well inside the church rec hall.

So it started with a little prayer which some little boy repeated after our director said it.  What a sweet kid!  Dear Jeeeeessuuus - cute stuff.  Then we ushered all 30 kids in.  Then we told them to wait - not so easy.

Then it was GOOOOO!  Mia took off like a shot, then stopped, looked at me and said Hunh?  Where she found this sound I don't know.  She makes it all the time.

So I pitched in a little.  After two she was off like a bullet.  Then she found out these eggs were stuffed.  Another party in her life.

Here she goes

All done.  Here she is with her friend Suzanna.  Seconds later they cracked all their eggs open and ate the candy.