Free Range on Fairview

Washington Tractor showed the class how to use a swather and tractor.  Last week all of the third grade classes in our area were invited to participate in a field trip to learn about agriculture in the Ellensburg valley. In the letter home it said parents were welcome to meet up and participate too so I took the opportunity to ask if the boys (almost 2 and 3) could come along as well. Since it was sponsored by local businesses and community groups, such as Washington Cattlewomen's Association and 4H, it was a little more relaxed and they were welcome to come along. The material was aimed at third graders so parts were a little over the boys' heads but they had a great time.  Lincoln riding a pig statue, yeehaw. We got there a little before the bus of students (yes one bus fit both third grade classes of about 20 some odd students and two teachers) so the boys had fun checking out the bronze pig statue at the fairgrounds.   Huge Farm Equipment  Warner didn'

Ok so this is a picture of the Oregon coast, but it is a true picture of nature's beauty.  Signs of Spring are all around. Wind, oh the wind, is back. It has taken me about five years, but I have finally realized that the wind isn’t going anywhere and I just have to stop cursing it and remember to put on a hat when we go out to play. If I can keep my ears warm, it’s not that bad. I’ve learned to cherish the early mornings without the blowing of   sagebrush across our driveway or trying to keep my hair out of my lip gloss. Ellensburg in the Spring is too beautiful to let that four-letter “W” word get the best of me. The days are getting longer. The sun is drying out the frozen ground. Soon we will be seeing colors of budding flowers and the lush green of fields of hay. Neighborhood kids are starting to stumble out of their cabin fever induced hysterics and harried mothers are ready for outside playdates, letting out a few shrieks of glee (children and moms alike!).

We weren't necessarily planning on having two under two initially but now that we are almost two year into it and survived the newborn stage, I can say with confidence that it is possible and we are starting to see some benefits.  Lincoln, the two year old and my middle boy, wanted nothing to do with his baby brother Warner. He knew a baby was taking everyone's attention, including his beloved oldest brother. He admires and tries to be exactly like his older brother most of the time. Until recently the two youngest wouldn't even play together. Warner was too young to understand play. Lincoln was too busy to be bothered by a baby. When school started I was home alone with the two little boys for hours on end and they were forced to spend time digging in the sand box together, destroying each other's block fortresses, trading colds and playing tiger tag. Lincoln has been doing much more preschool with me and we always make sure to include Warner if he isn't napping

Spring has sprung and I love seeing my favorite plants bud and bloom. Forsythia plants, a bright sunny yellow flowering bush, is one of my favorites and a sure fire sign of spring. I have seen many decorating ideas using the blooms as well. I am hoping to propagate some cuttings from my friendly neighbors around the corner this year so I can have my own blooms next spring but for this year I will have to settle for a cheery door wreath instead.  I have my standard grapevine wreath bought at the Dollar Tree and have hot glued flowers to it (using an old white tee-shirt and burlap). Plus my sparkly initial hanging in the middle. It is very versatile and can be modified for any season or holiday. For Christmas I just wove a sparkly green ribbon through it and it really made the door pop. The next step was to find fake forsythia blooms. Luckily the Dollar Tree came to the rescue again! I found two foot long cuttings, perfect for the project I had in mind. I just wove the bendable br