Bears, A Movie

My eyes teared-up a little when I first saw the preview for Disneynature's new movie. I'm dramatic and emotional like that. For a few months, Burl has asked for a real baby bear-one that can walk, wrestle, and sleep in his bottom bunk. We've explained to him why that's not possible, so he's focused all his love towards his teddy bears. It's a fierce love. He's also asked if he could go to a movie theatre. What better movie to anticipate than this sweet one: 

If you're having trouble finding the video, click HERE to watch it. 

Compare & Contrast Backpacks & Lunchboxes

This video is mainly for me to add to my blog for my personal record. I caught them in a cute discussion as Burl explained to Fern the difference between a backpack and a lunchbox. I've watched it several times. Even though I'm probably the only one that can understand it all, I'll still share for anyone else who wants to sneak a peak:

Six & 1/2 Thoughts

We have plenty of outdoor adventures coming and going through our schedules, not as activities that clutter the calendar. Instead, I'm noticing that the outside is inviting us, well, out. I have been organizing little trips, but I'm trying to fight the organization and let our lives gravitate towards the things we love doing. Here are six things that my mind is slowly drifting to today:

1. I'm still "vibing" off our camping trip. Seriously, that trip was extremely relaxing and amazing for us. I can't believe that a one night camping trip has such lasting effects. Outside + hanging with John = it's put me in a very slow pace that I am enjoying.

2. Saturday we had a last minute, unplanned family yard day. We were clearing our brush, loading it on the street, picking up broken yard toys, and chopping wood. We each got dirty and I got some poison ivy, but it was fun to be in our yard as a family. I've been doing yard work since I was a teenager, and it never fails to disappoint. The combination of being outside and accomplishing a task is hard to beat, and joining with my family of four in the backyard is what my dreams were made of as a child. 

3. Before the camping trip, I was terrified of being too cold. John talked to me and my basic problem is that I don't wear enough layers. I just ordered some extra tall tees to layer, and I'm excited to have long sleeves that actually reach to my wrists. Check out Old Navy and Gap for lots of clothes available in tall. I just got this shirt for $10 on clearance. Holla:

4. I'm trying not to be afraid of the cold because see #3, but there has been several rumors that we're going to have a "hard winter" which terrifies the humidity-loving southern gal inside of me.

5. I made this little movie on my iPhone from our camping trip and I must have watched it 50 times. We made some solid memories cooking on the campfire (that John tended to so well) hiking around Fall Creek Falls kid-free and I can't.stop.watching. (Click to my homepage to watch it.)

6. I've finally printed some of my pictures for a little decorating thing in my house that should come together soon.  It's taken me a long time to pull the trigger and bring this project to completion. 

ps...I'm loving the ease of a bandanna in my hair. 

Hunting

Here some raw footage from our hunting trip last week.
Burl got hot, so he had to take his shirt off, as well as Fern.

Insta{Friday}

My life right now is so full in a good kind of way. I'm stuck between everything is changing and everything is staying consistently the same. While our family of four is staying pretty much the same, our family that reaches into our friend zone is evolving at such a fast pace. Everyone's worlds are changing on us, and I'm processing it in a funny way. Mainly, I don't know how I'm processing it. In a way I'm giving an update on how we are: we're fine. We're living life like we normally do, but things are different. We have friends living in whirlwinds and we feel it.

Here is our life: it looks the same, but it feels different. My Instagram pictures from this week:

Tomato-corn pie by me, but John did the crust. I loath crust-making anything, but John excels at it. See the proof.  High five to eating in season and homemade crusts! Recipe via Smitten Kitchen.

I took this the first week I had an iPhone, only two months ago. This picture hurts because Home Alone Fern isn't that chubby anymore. She's passed her peak of baby chunk and has already started slimming down. John suggested a yogurt and ice cream diet to chunk her back up.  I'm in.

What else does John do that I don't? Well, a lot actually, but this time of year, we all enjoy his garden. I've been eating my dad's eggs, scrambled with sauteed swiss chard and tomatoes. Walking outside every morning to pick some makes me feel all kinds of spiffy.  

Love.Our.Burl.

My little Ferny loves to just plop down anytime, anywhere and pop that thumb in her mouth.  A little back rub and this girl is all kinds of cuteness. I love her.

Aaaaand, because I have a phone with a video, here are a couple of videos that I made this week:

Thanks for joining me and reading my blog. I have a lot of fun here sharing my life through words and photos (and a few videos). 

Linking up with Life Rearranged

Small Egg

If there is one thing that I love about raising children it's watching them have new experiences and learning new things.  I'm pretty savvy in taking the kids new and fun places, but when it comes to cool activities at home (like Montessori activities for toddlers) I'm at a loss.  I only think to do these things if someone else suggests them to me.  Recently, I saw a blog post about a 4 year old peeling a hard-boiled-egg and thought that looked amazing.  I let Burl have a go at it and he picked it up right away.  "Mama, this my job cause it's hard work to do."  Burl has become our residential egg peeler each morning.

While this activity is pretty basic and small, I'm completely blown away by what he can do.  Every morning, I'm taking videos and sending them off to everyone in the family.  He can peel a freaking egg!!!  With his chubby little three year old fingers and I love it!

While my friend Caroline sent her daughter off to her first overnight camp and I let my toddler peel an egg, we marvel.  Sure, they're getting older and we're suppose to be sad about that, but beyond that we find joy and excitement and gratitude that we get to be a witness to this growing up business.  In the words of Caroline, "it even more delights that the world is opening up to her" (or him).  Amen!

While it seems unimportant to some, to this Mama I marvel at the small ability of my son.  We all have those small things that make us take a deep breath, and this was my small thing for the week that makes me excited to be a mom.  Enjoy a few videos:

Know any other activities or good websites for resources for toddler activities?
Please send them my way!  Thanks!

Late Night Swim

To end this very slow and perfect Saturday, we took the kids to the pool for a late night swim.  By late night, I mean 6 pm.  While we were there, we got a some cute videos of Fern's favorite thing to do at the pool: jump off the side and Burl got in on the action.  (Perk #2985023 of having an iPhone: we can finally get videos of our kids.)  Also, ignore Fern's makeshift bathing suit for the night.

(We didn't get sound on this one...oops.)

Even though the quality isn't great, I can assure you that Fern is smiling when she comes out of the water which is the best part!  Oh well.  Good memories anyways!

Wendal Jams

Happy Mothers Day to everyone out there!
I hope that your weekend is full of jammin' with your little ones-
sans loud annoying mom voice like this...

What's Burl's current favorite jam?  Mr. Wendal.  {You know...the 90's throwback song about befriending a homeless guy before helping a homeless guy was cool...}

Brownies

I just figured out how to get video off of my little phone.  (Thank you, Patty!)  I'm really excited about it.  Here is one of my favorite videos.  Feel free to watch it over and over.  

It's called Burl verses the Brownie.

Did you hear that squeal of delight when he gets hold of the brownie?  Too funny!