I want a goat!

In an effort to raise my WT status even higher, I have decided that I want a goat/s.  Yep, you got it!  (BTW - Jeremy is finding this out as he reads....hee, hee.) 

So when is the last time that you saw an ugly goat?


c/o Google Images

I will concede that Nanny Goats, with their bags of milk dragging on the ground, is less appetizing, but I think that comes more from a cleanliness thing rather than a disgust factor. 

Nanny Goat - c/o Google Images

I will also agree to the fact that their eyes are a little creepy.  I feel like they can see me no matter where they are.  (Left side, right side, left side, right side; it's still staring at me!)  Okay, they are a tad alien-ish. 

Creepy Eyes - c/o Google Images

Well, I guess they do smell bad, too.  Fine, I am popping my own fantasy bubble here!

There is not one time when visiting the umpteen million petting zoos that I didn't want to adopt on the spot.  I know without a doubt that I am weird, and I fit in to Austin very well.  Maybe if I lived closer to South Austin, I could actually own a goat in the city limits?

 Cuteness factor - Compare a baby goat to any small animal there is.  I believe that it and its little nubs would hold its own.  They also, other than the head-butting-thing, seem like nice companions.  I must see them a little like my "kids"; once they would get old enough, they could mow my lawn.  (Sorry, that is horrible...I couldn't resist!)

Yes, we're cute! - c/o Google Images

As much as I would like to own something crazy, I think the neighborhood that I live would not welcome my wishes.  I also think that the drought we are having right now would not stand up to the hungry little urchins.  My crisp yard would soon turn to tumbleweeds with little effort.  Even though effort has been placed into the manicure of the lawn, there is not much you can do with a drought the size of ours.  I think I could pee and the grass would jump for joy at this point.  Hence the reason that we let Brock pee on the trees in the yard.  So until, I can talk my parents into buying land and GOATS, I will have to marvel at them in the petting zoos.

Random Stranger with lots of goats -c/o Google Images

I know that I am so WEIRD.  I accept it, embrace it, and giggle at that fact.  Keep laughing to yourself right now, that someone out there is stranger than you are!

"Toof" #6

MacKenzie's tooth has been holding on for a few weeks now.  This is the one that signifies that she is really growing up.  This is the one that will prevent her from eating corn-on-the-cob, apples, and other foods that require you to bite things off with your front two teeth.  Well, my punkin is now missing "bof teef" with 4 others on the bottom.  So exciting! 

Even better was the fact that I was so miserable yesterday, and then went home to be a part of my family for one night.  I was there for a big moment, and also there when she woke up this morning to reap the benefits of the toof fairy.

Then Brock was feeling jealous, so I took pics of him as well.

These pictures really characterize my kids.  Both kids are never completely smiling at the same time.  I need to get savvy with cut and paste to create my perfect picture of the kids. 

MacKenzie and I practiced different words last night.  "Toof", "Teef", and the oldy but goody: "All I want for Christmas is my two front teef".  I do feel refreshed today, because I didn't miss this moment.  I also didn't miss finding the money the "Toof Fairy" left.  (Remember that my kids get up at the crack of dawn...) 

So proud of you MacKenzie Rae for growing up into a lovely lady....

Camping with Daddy

In the hopes of putting our state park pass to good use, Jeremy experimented with the idea of taking out a camper to one close by.  He even took the kids by himself!  He continues to be my hero over and over again.  Let's not get crazy, I still hold my place in the family.  I packed all the kids' clothes and the kitchen items, but he still had to go to the store to finish up the last minute things.  He was also the one responsible for keeping them entertained.  That in itself is a pain in the rumpus!

My kids get up early.  It doesn't matter what time they go to bed; they are up at the crack of dawn.  They are like mommy in being creatures of habit. But they are not enough like me, because they haven't grasped the internal monitor that tells them that they NEED their SLEEP yet!  So needless to say, both kids were raring to go early, went to the store, and all were on the road to Bastrop by 9:30 or 10:00. 




The panoramic function on the camera





Yes, you look fine!



We're ready.....



And we are off!

Yes, we are this cute!

 

"Caterpillar Leaf" MacKenzie

Yes, still trying

After arriving at the site, Jeremy set up everything.  The first thing they did to start the journey to excitement was hiking.  After 3 beat-red faces, hiking was not the best idea on a 100 degree day!  Thank goodness that the camper had AC.  (BTW - The camper was borrowed experiment.  We are trying to figure out if this is something in which to invest.)  Hello, nap time!

Sissy is the leader!

Cave walking path

The end of the trail - Happy Kids!

They did "try" to venture to the swimming hole, but with the lack of rain, what water there was, was stagnant.  Stinker poo for the kids and more time to fill for Jeremy! So back to the campsite... He did make good use of his time with a really cool camper.  Check out their sprinkler system:

I did nothing!  I promise! I swear that there is no one locked in the bathroom!

 Texas Style Sprinkler System.....I think my WT rating just went up!

Thank goodness that I packed small crafts for the kids to do.  They painted magnets, and I am sure they drove Daddy crazy.  He was so sweet that he sent me pictures of their completed projects.

The artists

Brock's race car

MacKenzie's cupcake

By this time, I am sure that the kids were tired of looking at daddy, so thankfully, Grandma and Grandpa came to visit that evening.  Grandma doesn't miss a chance to spoil the kids, so they had microwaved smores...Burn Ban, people; Burn Ban!

The Petersma Men

Chocolate Lover's anonymous is holding a place for her.

Jeremy and kids were back on the road 9:00 am on Tuesday morning.  I am sure this has nothing to do with the fact they were up at dawn, but I am sure that Jeremy was glad to be back at home.  Jeremy's tasks for the day include cleaning up the camper to return and taking the kids swimming for real.  Hello neighborhood pool!

Workshop Homesick:  Gone two nights, and I am miserable.  Tuesday night, I headed home to do some laundry and hang out with the kids and Jeremy.  I feel silly to be homesick, but I have not been without my kids for more than one day for a long time.  They do drive me crazy on some a lot of times, but they are mine.  They come equipped with hugs, kisses, smiles, arguing, pottying, and bull-headedness!  But they are ALL MINE!  I feel like a 2 year-old when I say: MINE, MINE, MINE!  Actually, Jeremy is lumped into that same category.  But even better with him, is that he is my BESTEST friend.  I don't tell him enough how grateful I am for him, so I am using the blog to help me with that.  To tell you that my heart aches for them would be an understatement.  I feel dysfunctional.  As I type, I find myself fighting off the tears. 

How am I ever going to survive in KEY WEST?  No, that is not a rhetorical question.  I want to go, but I am scared I will miss my kids too much.  Jeremy, you will have to keep me very busy....that sounds dirty....no, I really am talking about being busy; naps will also be nice too.

On adult vacations, I like to take naps, sleep in, pamper Jeremy, shop, eat a lot, and adult beverages aren't bad either.  All of those things aren't easily done with kids.  Their needs come before mine on all occasions.  And I am even sadder to say that they come before Jeremy's needs with me as well.  I know it is not right, but I do it anyways.  Is that called being a mom, or being a bad wife?  I think I search constantly for BALANCE - physically and mentally!  I will tell you more about that on another post.

So...long story short - I miss my family!  Ahhhh...home sweet home!

Workshop and Daddy Daycare

This week, I am in New Braunfels at a workshop.  How about this: I got out of school on Friday, and now I am in a workshop for 4 days.  Teachers never sit still and never stop learning!  Seriously, it could be a worse location.  We will be venturing out to visit the sites in the evenings.  Last night, we went to Adobe Verde in Gruene.  Just terrible - I tell you!

But on to more important things...Daddy took off to stay home with the kids.  I am so jealous, because he took them to McKinney State Falls camping.  Really, are-you-serious?  What a brave, brave man!  I am so proud that he is taking this on, because I don't think I could.  Even better, we bought a new camera to help in our endeavor of cataloguing our children.  He called me and said that he was doing okay, but it is too stinking hot to be a complete success!  They didn't get a chance to swim, but they did make crafts and hiked a little.

I can't wait to hear the stories that my kids will tell in the future.  I hope Jeremy comes back in one piece.  I am heading home tonight to see everyone, because we leave for Key West on Sunday.  I miss all of them terribly!  Daddy also probably needs a little time to himself. 

My workshop has been great, but there is nothing like home!  I will see you later tonight, babe!

Saying goodbye to Kinder!

MacKenzie is moving on to bigger and better things.




First day



Those scare me too.

I always thought that the first day of school for Kinder was supposed to be the worst, but that day came and went with no tears from me.  But yesterday, I cried and cried when MacKenzie came home from school.  Her teacher had created a book of all the progress she had made over the year, and as I looked through it, I realized that my punkin was not going to be my little punkin for much longer.  (Still tearing up as I type)  No one ever told me about this part!  Dang you people!  Give me a little warning!
When I first started the Kinder journey, notice I say "I", because she is way more resilient than I am evidently.  Our family had to get used to a whole new schedule.  We had to worry about homework, handwriting, manners, timeliness, and much more.  I thought that having a kid in school would be easier, but I was WRONG!  I fought and argued with her over homework, and what she was and supposed to do.  Often times, she even put me in my place, because she was right.  MacKenzie struggled some throughout the year also.  At one point, we were advised to consider the possibility of holding her back.  I was worried, but that child proved once again that she could surprise us.  She fought back on those skills that she was lacking and succeeded.  Of course, the summer will not be all fun and games, but for the most part, she is good for next year.

Due to my work schedule and funky school schedules, Debbie had to pick up both kids today for a sleepover.  The kids were so excited to leave me this morning knowing that she was coming.  I did feel a little better about my waterworks yesterday, because Debbie relayed to me that she had them when they left MacKenzie's school.  Man I dodged the bullet on not having to pick her up - I hate the feeling of crying and especially in front of the kids.

Here is my punkin's last day picture:

A Swim in the Right direction and Aventures

As a former lifeguard, I am never off-duty.  As we sit next to the pool on vacations, I am cringing in my heart.  I worry about the one time that I turn my back what would happen.  Truly it takes me more than one drink to even watch other peoples' kids play in the water.  I am a freak when it comes to water, so I have done my children a disservice up to this point. 

We did put MacKenzie in lessons early on, but being the late bloomer she is, it didn't seem to click until this weekend.  Saturday, we went to a friend's party, who has a pool.  By the end of the day, both kids went from fear to embracing it.  They both still wore life jackets but didn't mind if their faces got wet.  MacKenzie jumped right in with no fear and held her breath as she went under, and Brock was jumping to someone with ease. 

Memorial Day Adventure:
Jeremy came up with a great idea.  We went to Pedernales State Falls on Monday, and we even talked our own personal guinea pigs into taking this adventure with us.  They also have two kids about the same age as ours.

Smiling Kids

We headed out at 8:30 and were there by 9:15.  We have been toying with the idea of buying a camper, so we purchased an unlimited state park pass to see if we would actually use the camper to its potential.

Still smiling...

The first stop - the falls. After hiking down to the "falls", I imagined that the only falling we were going to see was me or the kids rolling down the gravel roads.  Boy, scraped kids are a fun-stopper!  We all survived unscathed, however cranky three-year-olds are no fun, either. 



We rescued a turtle!



The Release


The trip to the "falls" was complete with a rescued turtle, a snake, and lots of sand in our shoes. 








Note that when I say "falls", it was more like trickles of water; Brock peed faster than the water was running!  Also, the water was just standing in most places, so we did a lot of hiking up the flattened rocks.

This should have been a river!

We had to hike to see these white caps.

We are experiencing a severe drought right now, yet I forget how powerful that nature is.  It can take something as hard as stone and grind it in to sand.  God is so amazing! 

Long walk home

If you look closely, he is scolding her.

Who looks more tired here: Parents or Kids?

Brock in the river bed (aka - Bedrock)

MacKenzie in the huge rock/river bed.

This reminded me of Jesus's rock, so I had to share.

Caves

They aren't happy and smiling anymore.

Our Journey

What goes up, must come down....yes, the giant slope we came down...we had to go up.  The kids did well, but I was dying!  I am so out of shape.  **Yet no matter how true this is, I feel better and more confident than last summer.

Picnic any one?  Yes, we even had our own picnic, complete with a cooler, fruit, chips, and sandwiches we made on the spot.  There was a nice breeze - a little tornado-ish, so we held our stuff down.  Saying that I was grateful for the wind tornado is an understatement.  I am an AC kind of girl.  I hate being hot, sweating, and burning.  I love viewing nature, but through the car window suits me just fine on most days.  This might be why I prefer Colorado summers?  But my digression is only making me long for the mountains, so I will stay with the bug catching our kids did after lunch, while we visited and packed for the swim area.

Hiking, Wading, and Splashing about!  Since the water was so low, we had to walk forever to get DOWN to the river to swim, but it was fun for the kids.  The not so fun part was getting all 4 back UP the hill without having to carry them.  The daddies' took care of that part while the wives lugged the junk.  The older kids just looked cute while the rest of us huffed and puffed up the hill. 

I am so glad we did this.  It was hot but worth it.