This week wrap up!

I can't believe this week is already over. It can't be Saturday already!! The days and weeks are just flying by and I'm not liking that the boys are growing so fast and that Kipton is almost 3 years old!

On Thursday, Kipton and I went to an event with our Mother's Club. We provided the flowers, pots, and dirt for all of the kids to plant flowers for their moms. It seems almost cliche to buy something for yourself, but the kids really loved giving and crafting for their moms.

Kipton had a great time with mommy. Karson and Kevin went on a fishing trip. They had the best time. 

We have had lots of fun playing at the park with friends, and eating lunch on the porch :)

This is a great way to keep the kitchen clean :) I am ALWAYS looking for ways to keep the house from getting messy. I know sometimes it's rainy, or winter and that can't happen but in the summer and nice weather we are outside!!

My big 4 year old boy is getting ready to have his graduation from his little preschool. I can't believe how big he is getting. He is in love with baseball (even though he doesn't play yet), and loves to wear this Reds jersey. He wants us to call him Joey Votto. I think it's super cute!

Kipton is almost 3. I can't believe it!! He wants to have a party at Beech Fork Lake. I need to get on that!

These boys have really enjoyed the outside time. They have also been giving me a run for my money over the last few weeks. Kipton doesn't want to nap anymore. BUT, that just isn't gonna happen so he has to stay in his room for 1.5 hours or else he will wake up Karson. He does stay in his room very well. Sometimes he ends up sleeping, but most days he doesn't. It just goes to show just how different children are from each other. Karson is 4 and still taking LONG naps. Kipton is 2 and trying to stop them. 

Let's pray for daily naps :)

DIY - Bathtub Paint

Need a way to keep you kids busy while you sit down for a minute or clean up the kitchen from dinner? Stick them in the bathtub (age appropriate to walk out of the room) and give them some "bath tub paint". 

All you need is shaving cream(sensitive), food coloring, paintbrushes, bowl. 

Put it in a bowl and have them stir it all up.

My boys loved it. They mostly liked painting themselves to look like "hunters". Hey what can I say they turn everything into something country. Later we did smear the shaving cream onto the tub and then wrote our letters and shapes with our finger. 

You know, because you want to look like "Duck Dynasty" (so they say)

On this particular day, I was cleaning up legos left by the boys. O, I have a love/hate relationship with legos. I do love that Karson plays with them, but I definitely need a better organized system for them. Normally little brother makes this mess. 

Hope you'll enjoy this easy shaving cream paint. 

Haircuts & Critters

I thought I would write about a few things so that I remember. I started cutting the boys hair when Karson turned 2. It was really getting expensive with each cut being $10.00 at the barber shop plus the drive there every 2 weeks. With three boys in our house that was $30.00 every 2 weeks and you can see why I learned to do it myself. This is a great way to save money if you have multiple boys in your home. 

Here are a few tips if you are going to start cutting boy hair! 

1. Cut it outside! I have a chair on the porch that I have them sit in. In the winter we cut it in my bathroom and they sit backwards on the toilet. It's just easier to clean up. 

2. Watch your barber a few times before or watch you tube videos. I watched the barber we went to and soon realized I could do it on my own.

3. Get a good set of cutters with different guards to go on it. You will need a No. 1, 2, 3, 4. 

4. Give your child something to play with. My boys like to play with the little trimmers and of course they were not turned on and they pretend they are cutting hair too. I also give them a sucker during the hair cut. 

5. Do different guards. Both of my boys have wavy hair and it's just not good hair to leave long. So they both have short haircuts. I use a No. 1 on the back and sides, and then have the No. 2 guard on it for the too. Then when you get towards the front I use scissors to cut their "bangs". I normally leave longer "bangs" because I like to use gel on them and spike them up. 

6. If you are nervous ask questions! Ask your barber what settings/guards they are using the time before you start doing it. 

Kevin was next to get his hair cut and he let Karson do a little swipe. 

*Of course do not try this at home if you think your child would do harm!*

Hoe you can save money by cutting your boy(s) hair at home. It is a lot easier to give the haircut every 2 weeks whether they need it or not. When it gets really long it's harder. I like to keep them trimmed up so I normally do it every 2-3 weeks. 

I'll leave you with some pictures of our boys after catching some critters in the country. 

We now have 4 frogs and 1 lizard in a little cage on our porch. O boys are so fun!

Dozing the Land

A great blessing is that my dad has his own bulldozer. He has helped MANY times with dozing work while our house was being built, before it was built, and even still now after it's been built for almost 2 years. Our front yard was/is still recovering from a pond n it that was covered up.  We've had to wait a while to continue doing the dozing work just to make sure the hills weren't moving and all of the dirt was solid. 

So, this weekend Kevin was off work and they got busy! The boys LOVE when stuff like this is going on. They get right in there and start shoveling and digging. 

Growing grass as been the biggest job! It has been 1.5 years here at our home and still not much grass. It's hard to grow when you have clay and rock!

Kevin has been raking and raking trying to get rid of the rock. 

Our front yard after being dozed. Looking more like a football field. I wish money was growing on trees, I'd order lots of sod :)

Kevin and Karson are like twins in every way. This was before church last Sunday. Karson wanted to wear a belt just like Kevin. 

We have been finding lots of "critters" after moving logs and dirt. We now have a lizard and 2 frogs. 

I enjoy seeing the boys LOVE the outdoors and learning. We are turning off our cable today :)

Frugal living, Simple living. BE OUTSIDE!!

(my motto)

Life...

Life will for sure throw you some curves. We are having some of our own right now. I think just as we get comfortable with life, God throws us a curveball to let us know WE are not in control. HE is! 

I am holding steady in that fact that he will take care of our trials and see us through the hard times and give us glory through the good times. But he doesn't want us comfortable. 

My boys are loving the warmer weather and we love being home just working on the land. 

Kevin and the boys have built a garden in a different area this year, hoping that the deer don't notice :)

I have been planting, watering, raking, cleaning, mowing, and loving spring weather!

We got our John Deere tractor down from our attic, and got a different battery. Little brother thinks he is just too cool for words. He is definitely going to be a farmer/tractor driver someday :) Karson was the same way at this age, but now Karson has turned more towards real hunting/fishing. We love seeing them grow!

I think our boys have really grown closer with living in the country. It's not the fact that there isn't anything to do, so they are stuck together because there is LOTS to do. It's just that there are no other kids and influences around to distract them towards other things and entertainment. They play together ALL DAY LONG! For the past 2 days we have caught them trying to sleep together during naptime and bedtime. 

Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of quirks and arguments, but they are honestly BEST BUDS!

Karson's 1st Visit to the Dentist

This week Karson had his 1st EVER visit to the dentist. I had the this planned for about 5 months, but this new dentist in our area is BOOKED! I'm sure from the pictures and the great treatment you can see why it is so full. I mean what kid wouldn't want this huge display out front of their dentist?

The lobby was amazing! It's all about zoo animals. Karson was beyond thrilled as well as little brother. There was no time for unhappy kids in the waiting room, they were too busy looking and exploring around. 

Karson REALLY enjoyed these push computers with different games on them. 

Little brother was just THRILLED to be there! He was so good.

Karson got to pick out a new toothbrush, and then the dental hygienist got to work. She cleaned and scrubbed and Karson took it all like a champ never making a single word. I was honestly so surprised and shocked that there was NO drama whatsoever! 

Soon after she finished the cleaning, the dentist came and checked him out. A GREAT bill of healthy teeth!

Meanwhile, this cutie and I were sitting waiting quietly with his new Diego toothbrush. That is enough to make him sit still and wait nicely. 

All in all the first visit was a wonderful one! I am thankful I waited until Karson was 4 because that really was a long time that she cleaned. I'm not sure that Kioton could sit still that entire time right now without being squirmy and fussing. I think we will wait until he is 4 as well. 

Here's to healthy teeth!!

What I'm lovin Wednesday

This week has gone by super fast! I can't believe it is already Wednesday. 

I'm loving...

Karson's new dentist. Today was the first time he has been. More on that coming in a different entry.

I'm lovin...

that this boys had FINALLY realized he should sleep during nap time rather than just talk in his room for 1.5 hours. It makes our evenings SOO much better :) Both boys have had 3 hour naps for the past 2 days. Thank you Lord for hearing my prayers!

I'm loving....

these Aviator glasses I found at TJ Maxx. I used to think they were only for Duck Dynasty folks but they are super nice and I LOVE them!!! The boys have been calling me "Eric Church" haha

I'm lovin..

the fact that we can go outside without coats on!! I am SO over coats. Bring on summer!!

and finally I'm lovin...

my Weeping Cherry Tree with blooms on it. I know it wont last long, but it is really gorgeous!!

Springtime Front Porch

I am so thankful for Springtime  Honestly, this winter was the hardest on ME as a mom of two very energetic boys, but somehow with lots of patience and prayers we made it! I am a HUGE outside girl. I don't like sitting in the house watching TV and wasting my time "laying" around. I like to be outside and working. My boys have inherited my traits. I was so excited to get some color and ferns onto my front porch. 

I want to find some black lanterns to around the front door of the orch. But I am a little cheap and all of the ones I've seen are $25 a piece and that's just crazy for me! 

Hope you're enjoying Spring wherever you are :)