La Coop ~ est. 2013

(Delayed post a few days for "after" pictures!)

 
I've been thinking... I have an amazingly fun life. Not every girl gets to come home, change out of her heels and chase chickens in the mud. 

 Yes, last night, after a full day at work, coming home to make dinner, pack lunches, direct homework, supervise baths and chores, and doing a load of laundry, I changed out of my heels to chase chickens… at dusk… in the mud from the fresh rain! At one point, with a chicken under each arm, my legs started sliding in opposite directions! 

 Chickens are, it would seem, creatures of habit. Previously, they entered the coop promptly at dusk… Enter.New.Coop. Now, they wander around in the vicinity, looking around with little clucks and murmurings… Their new, fancy coop made by my handy dandy hubby is just waiting there… inviting them... They just need a little direction. Once we get them in there, they love it. (Yesterday was night two…) They have a roost now with plenty of room for them all! 

 We find it ironic that Abercrombie and Fitch, the two bantam silky roosters who evidenced not a shred of chivalry to the girls, by hogging the very best spot in the temporary coop, have found themselves huddle on the floor while the chicks perch on their fancy roost! 

 My husband really is truly brilliant. I pinned some chicken coops on Pinterest and before I knew it, he had taken those ideas and made a cute little cottage for the girls (and Abercrombie and Fitch) and hopefully Henry William Thomas Alexander Rufflesby, whenever he shows up… or perhaps John Wayne… or Clint Eastwood… (All names being tossed around for a rooster.)
 

Below is the progression in pictures! I’d like to thank our friends, Jenn, for helping me with the painting, and Michael, for helping Kevin with the roof… (and also for the fabulous company over the Labor Day weekend!) 

My favorite part is the ramp and the roost... or the waterer and the feeder, or the nesting boxes...  Take a look!

 

Kevin pulled this door from the old house pile and restored it.





Such attention to detail!



Luke digging the trench for the pipes to feed the waterer



Work is more fun with friends! 

There was some indecision on the paint color. ;)





The chickens are Happy, Happy, Happy!



The End of Summer

The last part of the summer the kids spent with their dad. Skylar was with her mother. That meant time to catch a few movies, ride our mountain bikes, and do a few more projects…
 

I decided to sew the kids each a pair of flannel pajama bottoms. It was a small start to see if I still love sewing as much as I used to. Jury is still out. J Kidding. I do love it, but I need a table I can abuse and cut on without fear of scratching the surface! It’s on the list!  The girl's pajamas are still underway... that lack of time thing and other priorities getting in the way! 

 

Kevin made a lot of progress on the chicken coop! I’m so excited to post pictures of the finished product… very soon! All that is really left is the roof, the door, and the paint!

 
 

We actually have several projects that will finish up soon… it’s just tying up those loose ends. They will all wrap up around the same time.
 

We are also looking forward to visiting with the Molina family this Labor Day Weekend and Luke’s first football game of the season!!! Go Bobcats!

Back to School We Go...

Shopping…

I can spend money. I really am good at it… Without knowing price, I am instinctively drawn to the most expensive items… Every time. How does that happen? It isn’t like I was raised with money. I also HATE spending money. Even though I can, it makes me uncomfortable. It’s an inner struggle. So, over the years, I have typically avoided shopping. I find it’s the best way to stave off the “I wants” and be content and thankful with the many blessing I have… I also do 75% of all Christmas shopping online. I’m also not big on crowds… unless it’s at a concert where generally most people are on a blissful music high and the energy is one.

Occasionally though, you just have no way to avoid it. Back to school time is one of those times. I think my least favorite thing is the buying of school supplies. The reason for this is probably because I wait too long every year, because, (did I mention) I intensely dread the very thought. One or two items always thwart complete success. Generally, it is the same one or two items every year. (12 x 18 Construction Paper and loose leaf Manila in the same dimensions.) “Next year I’m going to purchase those back to school packs made by the PTA, like the other smart mamas!” Yea, right. I say that every year.

Then, there is the back to school shoes and clothes… Too many cute things. Oh, did I also mention, put me in a crowded store and my ability to make a decision flies out the window? I’m thankful that is behind me for another 11 months. Yay!

The prep…

In the middle of all of this, football season is back in full swing. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday practices, with a game on Saturday. Being organized it critical during this 3 month period. It means adjusting my work so I can get there at 7:30 and leave by 4:30 to make a 6 pm practice. It means tag teaming with Kevin so one of us stays with the little ones at home as often as possible to pack lunches, feed dinner, do homework, give baths, take care of the chores and get them settled for the in-bed-by-8:30 pm goal (the bus comes at 6:30 am!)… Their bedtime is just when Luke is getting back from football… Halfway through, we consider being checked to see if we’re crazy... By the end of it, we are weary, beat, and thankful it’s over. Overall it’s fun – watching your child (or sibling) play, and I’m excited because this year it is helping Luke’s transition to a middle school in a new school district.

In preparation for the first week, I spent Saturday cleaning and All.Day.Long cooking Sunday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I was done, I made 8 loaves of bread, five for the teachers and three for us… and I thought I was gonna collapse! But, I kept a promise to myself… I MADE my back to school gifts for the teachers… I didn’t buy them. And that made me feel just a little bit further along in my pursuit of craftiness!

The send off…

The fun part is the first morning. I love to see them all dressed up in their new stuff and their excitement for the new adventure. This year Luke started Middle School! Wow! I have a sixth grader! I told him I wasn’t going to go in and embarrass him. His response was “That’s okay Mom. You’re one of the cool moms!” I love that he still calls me “mommy” sometimes. Still holds my hand. Still lets me kiss him in public and isn’t embarrassed by me… yet!!! Fully aware that it won’t last forever, I’m enjoying it while it does!

As for the little ones, we decided to let them repeat kindergarten. They were on the bubble in that they could have gone on, or stayed. Being the youngest, and having no pre-school experience prior to this, we chose to let them stay another year. You can never know if it’s the right decision, but I feel good about it… It is my hope this will help their leadership skills as they grow.

I’m thankful for my hubby, who goes with me to deliver these precious little packages and share in their excitement on their first day of school, every year… so I don’t have to go alone.