Slowing down to play farm

Usually after my youngest rides in the tractor with hubby,

we come home to set up our own farm.  

HOURS we are talking about here!!!

I keep reminding myself to soak it all in for its only a season

and soon he won't want to do this anymore.

Sometimes I ask, how was plowing?  Fine.  What did you and Daddy talk about?  Stuff.  What kind of stuff?  Boy stuff.  Like what?  Never mind.     

Wow - he's learning early!  

I also love listening to him talk to his tractors or animals.  So many things he copies from what he's heard Daddy say.  "Tractor broke - going to cost a lot to fix."  "Wish it would rain - too dry."  etc.....  too funny!

Lay on the floor and play with your young ones today - soon they won't be so young!

Its planting corn time!

It's that time of year - planting field corn. 

Good and bad.

Bad - hubby has really long hours and is purely exhausted when he finally comes home.

Good - my youngest goes riding with him to be his "helper" and loves every minute

of his Daddy time.

I know, I know.  I have an obsession with wheat crops.  Just wait until it starts to turn yellow - GORGEOUS!  Then it'll be combine time and more time riding with Daddy :)

Just a canal in a ditch, but the water was running past go pretty!

I also love dirt roads.....don't know why - they are just so neat.

I remember braiding these  flowers weeds into bracelets and necklaces with other girls in elementary school.

Making the pass - better get lunch out of the cooler. 

Honestly, I try to remember my IPod and get some walking in while they are riding.  Nothing like sunshine, fresh air and a little Jason Aldean :)

Sometimes though, this is my view as I balance my checkbook, read or catch up on some phone calls.  A "Mommy" break :)

Ordinary day on the farm

Over Spring Break, we had the most beautiful weather.  

I tried to keep the boys outside for every moment possible.

When we do go out, I usually wander around with my camera

trying to capture things that can get overlooked by busyness. 

I slow down - breathe - relish.....

One of my favorite bushes - pyracantha. 

Great red berries that the birds love in the fall and winter.

Gorgeous flowers in spring. 

My azaleas are still hanging in there. 

Yes, I know I have a thing with a wheat field - LOVE IT!

This one....Marley.....has been getting on my nerves - really annoying

a nest of baby Bluebirds.  UGH. 

Probably a weed, I know, but a pretty weed. 

Garden is perking along.  We have been blessed with a decent amount of rain. 

Teamwork boys!!

Our other cat, Max, had such a large matted place on his hind quarter - 

almost like cement - we had him shaved.

I think he feels self conscious of his "nakedness!"

Go out side and wander around your house / neighborhood and see what you find. 

It Doesn't Get Much Better....

We had such a perfect weekend.  Hubby didn't have to work that much on the farm and the boys and I got to spend lots of time with him.  We spent most of it outside.  It was perfect weather - not a cloud in the sky! 

This is a picture I snapped of Hubby and the little one swinging by the house on a tractor ride :)

Good day to sit and count blessings. 

We are blessed. 

Slow down

I read a post on a friend's blog the other day.

Her words reminded me how lucky I was

to be a stay at home mom.

My boys will only be in my care for a short time

the dishes

the laundry

the cleaning

will always be there

and will come back again, and again, and again.

One day last week, I did nothing but lay on the floor with my

youngest and played.

"eye to eye" playing.

"really listening" playing.

It rained all day and finally cleared up in the evening

as I was making dinner.

Hubby was working a bit late on the farm,

so the kids and I ate on the porch on paper plates

to watch this........

A perfect day!

Slow down and enjoy what is in front of you!



Mommy, will you play with me?

My three year old has been "clingy" lately.

Between his brother starting back school and

my husband spending some time in the hospital

last month,

he has needed more attention lately.

More reassurance.

More cuddling.

More one-on-one time

More "look me in the eye" time

More "get on the floor with me" time.

So that's what we have been doing:

We love LEGOs in this house!

Add some Jenga blocks to heighten the fun!

Throw in some alphabet blocks and pompom puffs too while you're at it.

Just playing. 

Just he and I.

Simplify

Some days seem too fast

chaotic

loud

unfocused

When it gets like this, I take the boys for a walk.  

Most times, along with our water bottles, we take binoculars, pads and pencils

to take notes or draw pictures of our discoveries.

When we start out, the boys are running and very loud,

full of energy

but after a time

the only sounds you hear

are footsteps and breathing

birds....breeze

I love our farm

Its so easy to disconnect

 

To step away from it all -

It calms the soul for all of us

I love my walks with the boys

Sometimes I get sentimental about them

How much longer will they want to take walks with me?

Look at how small their footprints are....

Watch how they stare in amazement at ants crossing a path....

He actually took my hand to hold....

It is a season isn't it?



Most days, I try to remember that fact.

On some days it harder than others to keep that in mind.

When we are having a day like that, I take them for a walk. 

I know its time to slow down - all of us.

To explore,

To discover,

To be still

To be present

To calm

To simplify

To remember that it is only a season

So I enjoy every walk......