Meet Harriet

We picked up our Welsummer hen today. She is 10 weeks old, about 4 weeks older than our other ladies. She is so sweet and I hope that the other gals like her soon. Lola has been chasing her around and there has been some pecking going on. I hope that she doesn't miss her old home too much. Our flock is complete now that she is here.

Ewww

Since Prince Charming is putting finishing touches on the coop today, the ladies are holed up in their bin in the laundry room. I walked in there to grab some shoes and I find them all perched on the side. They must be bored. And, yes, that is poop on the floor.

The Chickens

So, the ladies will be 5 weeks old this week. They are getting too big for their box as I have found them perching on the side many times. The coop is not finished, but it can definitely hold the chickens. So, they are out in the coop during the day and in the box, inside, at night.

Lola, Henny, and Cutie

Also, for your viewing pleasure of course, a little video of their coop with a lame narration done by yours truly!

Tasty?

Today, B asked for a Peanut Butter and Salsa sandwich. Apparently it is a new favorite.

On being honest

I have stumbled upon a few blogs as of late that totally inspire me with their brutal honesty. There they are, writing for no one but themselves and have no trouble with just spilling their hearts and souls out onto the blogger template. Boy, I wish I could do that.

I used to write a lot. I have three journals practically filled to the brim with my thoughts, musings, dilemnas, frustrations, and celebrations. I don't write in those anymore. I don't really have time. Well, I don't make the time. I can type much faster than I can scribble down words on paper.

I desperately WANT to write more personally, here, for myself. I realize that this blog has an audience. Maybe I have stage fright! I have decided that along with posting my daily or weekly tidbits of my life, I will write when I want to write. You might enjoy learning a little more about what goes on under my surface. You might be surprised that I can drop an occasional f-bomb. Overall, I am writing for me and my eyes. I just hope I don't scare you away.

In light of my journaling history that I am trying to revive, here is an entry written during my freshman year in highschool taken from the Diary pictured above.

....................................................................................................................................................................

December 18, 1991

Hey,

Hey Hon! How'z it goin? Fine I guess. Finals are this week! Christmas dance was so fun! I wish it would happen all over again. I really don't know how he feels about me, he won't tell me. All he will say is "I don't know." I really like him and care about him alot. I don't want a relationship quite yet. I just want to see him for a while.

Vale! Kel

.....................................................................................................................................................................

I like how I ask myself how I am doing and then respond. I was very tempted to correct the spelling errors, but then it wouldn't be a true 13 year old entry. And, "Vale!"??? I was such a latin nerd. (high five, meems?) How many of you are wondering who "he" is?

In the spirit of being honest, why don't I share a few things that have been bouncing around my head lately:

I got my period the other day. I can't figure out if I am genuinely bummed or terribly relieved.

I love staying at home with the boys. I am so thrilled and lucky that I don't have to go to a work place every day. I am most certain that if I did have to work, I wouldn't be as happy as I am right now. I feel very blessed that I have a wonderful husband who provides for us and allows me to be the only place I really want to be. Home.

I think I might be addicted to delicious desserts.

I am wondering if I am ever going to get a more spacious car. (Selfish. Yes, I know.)

I wish I enjoyed my husband's beer creations more. He is trying SO hard to find a recipe that I will drink. The thing is, his beer tastes GREAT! But, if I am going to consume 300 or 400 calories, I would much rather have it be in a bowl and taste like ice cream! Therein lies one of our differences.

I love my parents. They are such cool people. I would live next door to them in a heartbeat! If only that house was for sale.

Okay, that is enough for today. I enjoyed just writing whatever came to my mind.

**Rach, I double dog dare you to post a journal entry circa summer 1996**

Pest Warfare

Last night I found a scorpion on B's bedspread. Yes, he was IN the bed at the time. No, he did not wake up when Prince Charming opened a can of whoop-ass on that little critter.

I can take an occasional scorpion on the tile in my kitchen. One whack with a shoe and the problem is solved. It is the price I pay for living in the desert.

But as soon as one climbed up onto my sweet boy's bed, oh man!

It is ON! It is on like Donkey Kong!

Plans

E just informed me that today he will be going on a bike ride with his friend Jack, his friend Nolan, his friend B, and his friend Aunt JJ.

What is your three year old doing today?

Blech

My little darlings start off the day so beautifully and all is well and harmonious in our Household. And then, before the day is half over, I can't wait until they are in bed and I don't have to deal with them anymore. I hate it when that happens.

Tomorrow is a brand new day.

Walking

Every morning (when I can) E and I go walking. We drop B off at school and then hit the path for a couple miles. For our morning stroll (or run if I am feeling saucy) we enjoy the Bridle path on Central Avenue. I love this special part of Phoenix.

Sometimes we see people we know. But most of the time we chat about whatever The E wants to talk about. And every time I look down, I get to see this:

Is there a better way to start our day? Not that I can think of!

E turns 3!

The night before E's birthday (March 8), I prepared our cupcakes.

Prince Charming could hardly wait for our morning celebration. He wanted to wake E up at 6am, but I insisted that he let him sleep. Around 7am, Prince Charming woke up B and I got presents and cupcakes ready. We surprised E in his room with singing and candles to blow out.

Then we dined.

E got a bike for his birthday, so he had to try it out!

He also got a bubble bucket.

Later that morning, we had his birthday party and many friends and family were able to attend and help him celebrate. Of course, when he was opening presents, friends wanted to be right in the middle of the action!

E picked out a Winnie the Pooh cake.

E had a wonderful birthday! He was so excited about all of the fuss. He loved the special attention and all of the new presents. That night, after dinner, he insisted on having a candle in his cupcake and wanted us to sing to him again. He was such a happy boy that day. We were thrilled that we could make his day so special.

Listening

B returns to the bathroom after throwing his dirty clothes in the hamper and I ask him, "B, would you please take E's clothes to the hamper as well?" "Sure, Mom." He comes back empty handed and ready to play in the tub. While the tub is filling and the boys are playing in the bathroom, I wander into my bedroom to grab something. I find E's underwear on my floor. Puzzled, I go to E's room. His shirt was thrown onto the bed and his jeans were thrown into the corner of the room. Since when did "throw the clothes into the hamper" translate to "throw the clothes where ever you want kid, I want the extra work later."??

Men

While playing amongst Dad's tools this afternoon, B says,

"Where is a piece I can screw?"

That one had us giggling.

Meet the little ladies

These cute little chickadees made their way via paper bag to their new home at our house yesterday. The boys couldn't be more excited about having them here. B named the one on the right under the lamp, Cutie. I named the black one, Lola. And E deferred to B to name the last one, Henny. They are quite happy to peep, eat, and poop all day. They are seen in the picture above taking a quick rest before they get back to eating. And now, for your viewing pleasure, take a peek at their peeping!

The 32nd and the 5th

I have a love/hate relationship with Photoshop at the moment. I love all of the possibilities, but I hate how I don't know how to properly use it. I have decided that I will give myself a proper photoshop tutorial only after I finish my current projects (chickens, coop, and home made whole wheat bread). Anyway, sorry this post has been delayed. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

On Friday, the 13th, B and I celebrated a birthday. We started out our day with a new tradition that I know the boys will love (as will I), cupcakes and presents in bed. E and I woke up B with some singing and chocolate cupcakes. He was a little confused, but happy to eat a cupcake in his bed! E gave a gift to B and we waited for Dad to get home from work to open his gift from us.

Later that morning, I was invited to B's Valentine's Day party at his preschool. When I arrived, I noticed that my birthday boy was sporting a very special crown and the room smelled like a sweet's factory exploded. All of the kids sang special songs for their moms and we got to eat lots of treats if we wanted! B made me a frame with his picture in it. I think he was just so excited that I was in his classroom on such a fun day! After school, B and I went on a very special lunch date to Mary Coyles.

That evening we were invited to my parent's house for a birthday dinner celebration. Both B and I got to open even MORE gifts! He was very excited about all of the Battle Brawlers he got and I got to open a Sony Reader! The Reader is quite cool and new books are only clicks away! Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Our shared birthday was such a great day.  B felt quite special and was so good all day!

The black spray paint incident

After finding a can of black spray paint at Amma Gramma's house he decided to test it out. Unfortunately, it was pointing right at his face.

B: Amma Gramma, please don't tell my mom.

Amma Gramma: Don't worry, I won't say a thing!