Rocky Creek Farm Birthday Party

We helped Beckett ring in his 4th birthday at Rocky Creek Farm last Friday night. It was the perfect day and the perfect simple little boys birthday party. The kids got to run around and climb the haybales, open presents in the teepee, eat pizza and blue ice cream birthday cake. And it was 80 degrees! Madigan and I had talked about going to the farm all day, but she thought we were going to one with chickens, horseys and goats. Those must be her 3 favorite farm animals because she asked for all 3 each time she brought it up. Sorry to say, there's was just a dog name Charlie...But we had a great time. Madi was a little shy and worried with the older kids and all boys, but she warmed up at the end and even joined Dad in the haybale tunnel.

We're debating having Madigan's party there, but we think we'll hold off and do next year's there when she and her friends can enjoy it a little more...she's still pretty young and we're determined not to make her birthday a huge crazy event.

Mock's Lincoln Log Farm

Nana started it when she sent Madigan a goat farm last winter. Since then, we've slowly been collecting farm animals. I found Madi's set of Lincoln Logs in the garage last weekend when I "cleaned it out" (in quotes because I didn't really get rid of all that much). I bought the set at a garage sale before she was even born for $3, which includes the rubbermaid bin they were in....(oh the joy I get from a good deal...ahem- did you say I'm like my mother?)

So, on Friday I decided I would just try to parent the day that Madigan and I had together- not try to finish an impossible list of errands and chores. And it was nice. We built this little farm and then we went out to Rocky Creek Farm for a birthday party (pictures to follow).

For Madigan's birthday I got her a squirrel, a set of ducks, a rabbit and another animal I can't remember right now. And last night I made her a hen's nest for her chickens, and next up are these adorable hay bales. Wow, I can't imagine all of the stuff I'm going to make when we get a dollhouse set up!!

Sunday Morning Walk

Oh, I would so like to "institute" a family weekend hike every weekend, never to be canceled. But, as life often does, things get crazy and you just can't fit everything in. This weekend was one of those weekends. I spent most of Saturday organizing our garage, which was in dire need of some purging and shifting. On Sunday, we decided that we didn't have time for a hike, so we headed up to Peet's Hill here in town and took everybody for a walk. We ended up spending a lot of time up there and the weather was so beautiful....and we actually had the small camera in a pocket! Then we headed over to watch Max and Oliver while their parents had a little date. We swapped them last weekend and caught a movie and dinner without Madigan- oh the joy of actually eating a meal from start to finish-wow, I miss those days....

Highway 12 Part 2

This is a short walk in an old cedar grove next to the road. Kyle and I stopped here before since and it's so calming and pretty. The trail has a short little "fence" lining parts of it and Madigan seemed to really enjoy walking along it. I originally pulled over just to take a few minutes and stretch our legs before getting on the road to go home... But, Madigan was so happy and excited about this trail that we spent almost a half hour playing in the large trees and walking along. Madigan hiked it like it was her kind of mounatin- very cute! (By the way this is her favorite outfil these days- her "horsey pants" and a froggy t-shirt.

Highway 12 Part 1

Labor Day weekend we again loaded up the Eurovan and set out for a weekend camping trip. This time we went North of the Selway Bitteroot Wilderness, west of Missoula, in the Highway 12 corridor along the Lochsa River. Kyle and I have been there before, but it was years ago. We hiked into hot springs both Saturday and Sunday. Being able to camp 2 nights feels like much more of a "vacation" then only one night of camping.... although it does take me an entire day (plus night before) to get us all ready and packed and things baked and dinner partially cooked. We've been using the dutch oven this summer -and Italian food definitely seems the way to go.

We joined The Hoskings family again that has 2 boys-Max and Oliver. Max is 3 1/2 and Oliver is a week older then Madigan....which is 2 is only a few short weeks!!!





Jerry Johnson Hot Springs- very popular, easy hike with lots of people:

More our style, Weir Hot Springs...less people, not so easy hike in some places (especially me carrying Madigan in the Ergo):

Pioneer's Scenic Byway

At the end of August we headed over to the Pioneer Mountains with another fmaily with 2 boys. It's in Southwest Mountain and only a couple of hours from us. There weren't very many people over that way and there was a TON of stuff to do. There's Crystal Park where you pick a spot and dig crystals; Elkhorn Hot Springs for a short soak; tons of camping and hiking; and 3 or so ghost towns. We tried a little bit of everything, but left plenty for the next trip.

My neglectfulness there pays off here

Yes, I've been neglecting my blog, my friends, and plenty of other things....For what? Some craft time and some major organizing (!) time, among other stuff. Here's what I've been up to:

Little oilcloth boxy pouch. So cute and so fast.
A new craft area for ALL of my craftiness to live, be organized and be accessed. (Can't express how happy I am to finally have an area for myself!!)
A went and bought us a coffee table.... And I'm feeling pretty proud of myself for getting it 70% off! I felt like I never wanted to sit in our living room because it wasn't "welcoming". Now, we have a coffee table to play and read at, to set our drinks and snacks and knitting on, and to gather around.....
Some major organizing is taken place in the Mock house this past month. Now, that we have some room to move about, our nooks of paperwork and general chaos don't need to exist. I brought the label maker from the office home with me and started in this past weekend- labeling everything and anything in my path. FYI-label maker is on my Christmas list this year!
Madigan finally got a room. Since she hasn't really slept in there, it hasn't felt like her own room. This week we started transitioning her into her own room-both nap and bed time. She naps fine, but only lasts a few hours during the night before coming into our bed...That's why it's called a "transition time", right? I set it up so she has a play area, all her books are in one location and not all over the house, table and chairs, the aquarium (built in night light)... we also hung her star paper lantern and a few other things around her room. She actually LOVES her room now and I'm so happy that she too now has her very own space.

I made a few of these "Magnetic Art Strips" after a trip to Ace Hardware. I primed the metal, painted them orange and then Shellac'ed em.These 2 are about 4 or 5 feet long and above the desk/computer. I made 2 other really long ones -one in Madigan's room within her own reach so she can hang artwork, pictures, etc., and then other I think will go in our room so we can also hang Madigna's artwork , pictures, etc. All in all, I'm really happy with how these turned out and for what I need them for. And best of all, now I can start using my own handmade magnets!

Neglecting....

I have been neglecting my poor little blog lately. I have tons of ideas and news to post, but never seem to find the right time. And every time I go to grab the camera, Kyle has taken it to work with him. The hail storm that came through in July has been a roofing company's dream,or nightmare, depending on who you are. Kyle's happy to have work, but swamped with getting bids measured and sent out to homeowners. We've been having very Fall like weather here the past 2 weeks or so.

In BIG news, we took Madigan's binky over 2 weeks ago. She's doing awesome! The first night was rough and it just got better each day. By the 3rd day she didn't even ask for it. We still talk about how we gave Madigan's binkies to Baby Mia and that Baby Mia has them at her house and she needs them since she's a baby. Madigan instantly got the message and has been fine. It's nice when you're own kid surprises and amazes you-and often.

Both Kyle and I's parents visited this summer and we're so happy they were able to make it out. It was so nice to have our families around and for Madigan to get to spend time with each of them. Now, we don't have any visitors planned, but have space in case you wanna come for a visit!