Whatever Floats Your Goat

We have recently discovered that the high school right down the street from us has penned four goats for FFA in the back of the school.  Which has lead us to to take daily bike rides to go visit them each day.  And, surprise, surprise we have learned that they like to eat! Pretty much anything we give them. Carrots, strawberry tops, lettuce, cabbage, banana peels, pepper tops, rubber bands, squash butts- yep, they really are like garbage disposals.  Okay, just kidding on the rubber bands. Just checking to make sure you're paying attention.

This big guy right here, who we have named Big Hero Six, gets VERY excited when our bikes come around the corner.  He leaps onto the fence and sticks his head through before we even get to the pen.

And what sweet goat manna have you brought me today?

Cindy also discovered that there are stinging nettle plants on the ground near the pen, hence the MJ glove and knee socks for ultimate protection.  Luke actually touched some on his leg the next day and acted like he almost died, so I am pretty sure the kids will feel the need to put themselves in full Hazmat suits for all future goat visits.

The other goats have been named Goldie, Oreo and Fluffernutter.  Is that supposed to be some sort of signal to me that my children are repressed when it comes to desserts? BECAUSE THEY AREN'T.  When it comes to sweets, they are goats.

The Sand Dunes

Last month I finally, personally, took my kids to the 'sand dunes' that are out at Carter Road park for the first time since we moved here 11 years ago.  Hey, I don't like to rush into things.  And wouldn't you know that it really IS just a bunch a cliffs of sand that you can run up and jump off.  Which is basically like heaven on earth for these guys.

The best part was definitely the dog that immediately stole Luke's shoes and ran away up the dunes with them.

It's too bad that summer is basically here and this place will transform into the surface of the sun in the next few weeks.  See you in December, sand dunes!

Nok Bok Tower

I got to go with Luke to Bok Tower Gardens on his field trip a few weeks ago.  The weather was absolutely perfect and I spent so much time in the moment, I only have these three pictures as proof of our day.  I think that counts as a mom win.

American Boychoir (With a Whole Bunch of Girls)

Last night Cindy's middle school chorus from South McKeel Academy got to perform a song with the American Boychoir at First Presbyterian Church on Lake Hollingsworth. 
I was sitting very far away and my camera skills are definitely lackluster, but I think this video allows you to get the general idea of how awesome it was.  The rest of the concert was just as great.  I am super jealous of the some of the soprano notes that were being hit by these boys. CRAZY good!


750 bonus points for being able to pick out Cindy's tiny head among the crowd :)


If last night was any sort of preview of YW camp this summer, do NOT sign me up to go. These three: Non. Stop. Silliness.

Hallway Makeover

After months of procrastination, I have finally finished a home improvement project! 

Behold! The hallway!

As you can tell, the idea for this project started in October of last year.  Yeah, it takes me a while to get to projects, I know.  Plus, the only way this was going to be done correctly was to enlist the free help of my carepenteresque brother, Chris, and his schedule can get a little hectic sometimes. But after enough badgering, I finally nailed down a day and time for us to bust this project out together.

My excellent pre-calculations and measurements actually were spot on, which allowed us to finish everything but the painting in about 6 hours. Seriously, I am shocked I did it correctly.

First we had to glue and nail smooth cardboard to the wall to mask the textured walls that I currently had.

Then we glued and nailed up the strips of MDF, which we were able to have all cut from a single sheet.  And that, my friends, is why Chris was here.  To save me a ton of time and money.  And to show me what the heck MDF even was.

After two coats of paint, we could see that this project was spot on.  

After A LOT more paint, we finally got it looking perfect and added the hooks, which was really the accent I was after to begin with.  

And there you have it!  A project that I actually finished!!  

Thanks to my brother Chris, who really deserves most of the credit. 

And if you are wondering about why we didn't paint the full front door, that outline is where we are going to put a glass inlay into our door. Surprisingly cheaper than buying a new one. Who knew?

The Tooth Fairy Returns

After a loooooong few months, Luke's top wiggly tooth has finally come out.

I'm no psychic, but I am fairly certain that braces might be in this child's future.

Beginner's Luck?

First time entering the Pinewood Derby and he wins 1st Place.

Not sure how the next two years can be better than this.

I had pretty much nothing to do with the actual car construction other than helping Luke hold the spray paint can, which explains why it ran so well :)

Luke and Ryan:  The bromance continues.

(Pay no attention to Luke's expression.  He loves that guy.)

Important Safety Tip. Thanks, Egon.

Tip of the day:  When you donate plasma and the lady takes out the needle to gauze you up and send you on your merry way, make sure she actually puts the gauze right where the needle was inserted and not slightly to the left.  Otherwise you get to the parking lot and your favorite light sweater looks like this.  

And BONUS tip of the day is to immediately soak your blood stained sweater in hydrogen peroxide and dish soap.  It totally works! Thanks to my plasma buddy Davina for mentioning that one. I guess I don't have to spend the $30 I made on a new sweater after all.

From Me, To You

Image

Schweinsteiger, Is That You?

This morning was Luke's first game of the Spring recreational soccer season.  It went well, shall we say.  Luke ended up scoring all four goals for his team, including one from a gorgeous half volley from about 15 yards out.  And the only thing more gorgeous than said half volley, was the weather: sunny and 70 degrees.  Is this heaven? No, it's Lakeland.