Rats!

We have added to our family....it was awhile ago actually.  Late last summer, I think.  One of the boys had wanted a pet mouse for several years.  Ever since he read the Redwall series (by Brian Jacques) when he was five he's been in love with mice.  I've been trying to wait it out, but then this fall when he mentioned it yet again, I was ready to think about it.  So off to the pet store we went, just for some information (hmm mmm, riiiiight) and home we came with two dumbo rats.  They were babies then.  Adorable as can be, and apparently much more social than mice, who really do not like to be held.  And the truth is, we just love them!  They are so cute and sociable and the boys are doing a really good job of cleaning out their cage and feeding and watering them. 

 Boy #3 loves them.  I was surprised at first at how brave he was with holding them.  Their quiet, busy nature seems to suit him.

 Their names?  Little Tan and Noir. (french for black)  Such good little buddies for our crew.  It is especially helpful for getting certain things done....like math or spelling....because those kinds of things are far more fun to do with a rat in your pocket.

The Elephant

 At Circus World Museum

 The elephant's name is Tiny.

The Plant Zoo

Today we journeyed to Olbrich Botanical Gardens for a little adventure.  The rain let up just for us, and we arrived there with the sunny sky above.  As we pulled into the parking lot, eldest boy read the sign, "Olbrich Botanical Gardens."  

Second boy said, "Botanical what? Aww, man, what is this place?" (yes, he's been here before many times, but it has never seemed more than a nice place to walk and he has never been atune enough to remember its name)

Eldest says, "It's a plant museum.  Don't worry it'll be fun.  We'll walk around and see all the plants, like a museum, only for plants."

At this point Owl (boy #3) pipes up, "No, it's like a zoo.  It's a plant zoo."  We all laugh and agree wholeheartedly and it's good to start our adventure with a smile. 

 So many watery places....so many little spots of beauty....

 It was the perfect day to walk in the garden with my love...

 The littlest man walked almost the whole way, and we walked for almost an hour.  Of course he has to "hold hands, mama!" and his little hat kept coming off every time he turned his head it seemed, to which he'd say "my hat is blowing away!"  which of course made me want to laugh.  But such tender little worries need to be handled with care, and I admit that even unaware old me is finally starting to get this, so you can imagine me dutifully rescuing his hat from the imaginary gust and putting it back on his head twenty times.

 This bromeliad flower was amazing.  The picture doesn't do it justice.  Notice the butterfly hiding out?

 My favorite spot.  I could spend a day here...with a book or a paint brush....

My little men.

Oh, and let me end by telling you that J took us all out for lunch at a place called "Daisy's cafe and cupcakery".  Yeah.  It was awesome.  I enjoyed the most amazing sandwich ever which involved breaded eggplant and edamame hummus followed by a mocha cupcake that was amazing.  I shared with little hen and he just kept saying, "hmmm, mama this is delicious!"  It really was.  The whole day.  Delicious.

The Trip!

J and I and our l'il troop headed to Door County this past week!  We spent four days seeing the sights, visiting with family, and I think we all enjoyed it very much indeed.  Here are a few of the highlights....

 Port Jackson's beach...

 finding crayfish with cousins....

 papa and hen...hen LOVES the water....

 Cricket....a relaxed and fun to be around traveler...

 Papa did a lot of carrying of the little guy, trooper that he is.   It's been really, really nice to have J with us for such a stretch of days.  I can't believe he has to go back to work tomorrow.  It's going to feel strange to be on our own again. (eek!)

 Bumming around the harbor....watching the boats....feeling the breeze....watching the water birds....

 walking on the pier....rain clouds rolling in....

the whole gang...perhaps a bit tired at this point?

 blue moon! (we stopped for ice cream at a place called the Chocolate Chicken)

 Bailey's harbor beach...Lake Michigan...

 It was storming off and on this day and the waves were awesome!

Bare feet.  Sandy beach.  Crashing waves.  A shore that beckons you to come and take a walk while the rain rolls in and your brothers laugh and skip rocks and go in the water too far for shorts because who can resist a wave like that?  

We did more traveling too.  On the ferry boat. (super fun!) Around the little towns and shops.  Spent time with cousins and grandparents.  J and I felt like we were on a date "over the kids heads" most of the time.  And I'll be honest, going on vacation with four littles is not really vacation when you are the mama.  But....seeing it all through their eyes...building these memories with them....it's so worth it!  More than worth it.  And I'd walk anywhere with them.  With J.  Anywhere.

Memories & A Menu

 

Hiking at the park.  Miles of paths through shady woods, lined with blackberries and gooseberries everywhere the eye falls.  (No, the berries were not ripe yet, patience, patience! ) 

 

 We followed the creek through clearings of wildflowers, the creek calling to us for relief from the hot sun.  Only Millie gave in to the call.  I don't know if you can tell but she is lying down in the water.

 Eldest (Badger) was the dog walker.  He told me that if we were a pack of dogs, I'd be the Alpha female, he'd be the oldest offspring and Millie would be the least important dog.  Nice.  Cricket was the navigator.  He stopped frequently to check which direction we were going.  "We have been going South-west for a long, long time."

 The two littles got to ride (thank you, Papa) and it was fun for everyone.  (Except for the part where J had to push that stroller uphill through sand while watching for horse droppings)  He considered it exercise though, good natured as he is, said how good it was to feel oneself sweat.  Ha.

We've been making all kinds of memories these days.  We also went to the beach this weekend.  Hen flopped around like a little fish.  All the boys are growing in their ability in the water and J and I had our hands full just watching them.  (sorry no pictures!  I was too busy counting heads above the water) We had a picnic too and then came home to camp.  No we didn't sleep outside, but the boys put up their tents in Ravenwood and played among them all afternoon.  They are a regular pack of little Natives.  I love it!

We rested this afternoon and made a Flag Cake in honor of the day.  The boys made the "stars and stripes."  I used this recipe for whole wheat shortcake.  It was the first sponge cake I ever attempted and it was so worth the effort. Yum!

 (a moment of reflection? from this tired out camper)

 There were games of checkers tonight and then off to an early bedtime to help start the week off well.

And with that I'll leave you....with a Menu. (am I the only one who loves to read people's menus?)
At our house this week...

 M.....Spinach, green onion, and feta omelettes w/toast & jam

          Turkey, cheddar, and cucumber sandwiches and fresh veggies

          BBQ chicken, salad from the garden, and flag cake

T......Soaked oatmeal with raisins and nuts

         Black Bean Quesadillas, fresh veggies

         Beef & Pea Pod Stir Fry

W....Eggs in a nest w/ Nectarine slices

        PB & J, fresh veggies

        Felafel with cukes and toms and homemade flatbread

Th....Blueberry Pancakes

         Salad with cottage cheese and veggies

         Beef & Bean Tacos with fixin's and cornbread

F.....Soaked oatmeal with raisins or apples

        Nachos with beans and cheese and veggies

        Pesto Pasta with Broccoli and Grape Tomatoes

S....will be on the fly....just using up whatever we have in the garden and fridge! We are on a budget afterall, and I have found that instead of changing the variety or kinds of foods to save money it works best to just have a day of eating the random things that need to be used up.

What's cookin' at your place?

It's finally Spring

 I stand under the apple blossoms and feel as if there is a wedding happening all around me.  Such extravagant beauty must be the beginning of something wonderful.

 The currant bush that I have babied since we moved into this dear old house.  My dad says that grandma used to have one in the backyard and she would make currant jelly in the spring.

 The herb garden.

 We took a break from all the planting and headed for the lake.

 Skipping stones.

 Checking out the bugs.

 Brothers.

 What a difference a year makes.  He's keeping up with the big boys now when we hike.  He knows many different bird calls now and is eager to stop and take a closer look.

We watched the turtles basking.  There were many very small ones (babies?) but this big guy sat still for me to photograph.  It was fun to watch them swim in the algae water and poke their little heads up for air.  We also hunted for frogs but never spotted one.  We could hear a bullfrog though so we know he's out there somewhere.  Maybe we'll find him next time.