Tuesday, June 23, 2015

A Black and White Day (or three) in the Life

Summer is flying by, just like all the time does.  We've been fairly busy with the ranch the last month or so.  Then, we've had a few birthdays and well-checks.  Coupled with summer activities and day-to-day life, we've been on the move.  The other day I decided to document a day in our life...nothing special, just some of the activities lately.  Well, I barely got past wake-up time, so I compiled a few bits and pieces of our days last week.  Here goes...

Sometimes it take the kiddos awhile to wake up.  Usually it's John Paul awake first and coming into my room to tell me he needs his pants (he's obsessed with pants these days and will not wear shorts). This wakes Sophie, and then it's a domino effect, and the asking for things begins.

Followed by breakfast the other morning, we headed out to brand our last set of calves for the year. The boys take their perch on the back of the pick-up to watch the action, and Sophie usually sits in her stroller.

 Usually we have snacks to keep them entertained (story of our lives).
 Carter with a remnant of branding.






There was a fly bugging this horse and he gave us quite the show.


 Then we headed to Elley's yard for some lizard and frog hunting.
Later in the week, the boys helped me finally plant a few pots of flowers.  

Sweet Zoey (my helper once/week for the summer) was here, too, keeping the kids in line!


That evening, we did a bit more work on the yard...

Peter had water in the bug catcher, and a wet sock in another hand, and he was scrubbing the chalk off the walls.
 Carter was Peter's helper, spraying off the scrubbed parts.

And, Sophie was picking a few flowers.


At some point in every day, at least one kid gets a bit angry about something...

Then it was inside to make some popsicles for the next day.

Father's Day rolled around, and we showed Dad the little Biolite we got him for our teeny tiny pasture cookouts/camping excursions.



 Of course, we tested out some marshmallows.


Then, Peter took me on a nature hunt, and we found a frog...
and one of the million tiny grasshoppers terrorizing my newly planted flowers.


Chopping a bit more wood.
And, turing off the portable grill in order to head to bed.
Every day is a bit different.  We can count on the same wake-up and bedtime usually, three meals around the table, playing outside, watching some cartoons, frustration between siblings, and God-willing, good afternoon naps.  They play a lot on their own.  I read to them here and there (but need to more!), and then they help me with things around the house at times.  There are definitely days I'm more involved than others, but I'm always the one (or Dad) who fulfills their tiny needs.  Some days that requires more time than others.  But, we're pretty happy with our routine, and I love seeing what they discover on their own.  Until life has to be more structured, they'll continue to live as they do these days!

3 comments :

  1. I just love that you eat 3 meals around the table as a family; that is absolutely fantastic!

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  2. That second picture, where Carter has the blanket and looks thoroughly annoyed about being awake absolutely cracked me up.

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  3. Tell me more about that little grill! That is fantastic!

    ReplyDelete