Joy's Locks

Joy has got some beautiful hair, and it sure was getting l-o-n-g.  We told her about the opportunity to donate her hair to make wigs for kids who have hair loss (due to chemotherapy, a condition called alopecia, burns, etc).  We totally said the decision was up to her, and her big heart couldn't be held back - she wanted to give her hair to a child who needed it.  We went to a friend's salon to do the chop, and sent off her braids to Locks of Love (shortest to longest points were 10"-13")!

Tadpoles

A couple weeks ago I got a text from my friend telling me that her and her son stumbled upon a whole slew of tadpoles in a nearby pond while they were taking a walk.  The pond is not far from us, so the kids and I took a look.  We were pleased to find just about a bazillion of the little guys.

Micah braved the waters and scooped one up.

Joy would not be outdone by big brother and...

...scooped one up too!

There were TONS of them!!

We had wanted to go to the pond again, to see if there was any sort of change in the tadpole size, location, quantity, etc.  Well yesterday was that day and we were not disappointed!  After reading a couple books I found at the library, we pulled together some of our scientific supplies (journal, magnifying class, a couple containers and eagerness to learn) and took a stroll to the pond.

Links: Tadpole Book, Frog Book

Everyone examining the first tadpole Micah caught in the container.

Noah taking a closer look with the magnifying glass.

Joy discovering their "squishy" and "slimy" bodies.

Micah seeing how much they've grown over the past 12 days.

Enjoying the time outdoors. 

Here's what Noah told me to write in his science journal!
(See his super cute "tadpole" next to the top entry).

Dairy Discovery

On Friday we got to go on a field trip to a working dairy farm which was oh-so-interesting and educational (for the kids and myself!)  

We started in the 102yr old barn for chocolate milk and cheese sticks. 

Talking dairy with Annie (family member and worker at the farm).

Getting up close and personal with the cows.

Observing the "Milk Parlor" - all 1,600 cows get milked 3x everyday!

Loading up to take a...

Hay Ride!

This dairy farm rates #6 in the nation, #1 in Michigan.  That's hard, consistent work!

In the cows' "kitchen" (hay, grain, corn, etc).

In the nursery barn, feeding the calves warm water for snack time.

Amber trying to get as close as possible (she is naturally drawn to animals).

Our happy, healthy, informed group at the end of the afternoon!

 

Memorial Day Weekend

Did I really just let April and May go by without posting a single update on here?  Yes, I surely did.  Well, there's no time like the present to dust-off the ole family blog!  Though I would love to back-log our family adventures, and goings here-and-there, I'll just dive right into the present.

This past weekend we celebrated Memorial Day with a trip from Scotty's mom, my dear sis and bro-in-law and of course the local Ruth family.  It was super fun...and overwhelmingly tasty!

Joy lost her first tooth Saturday afternoon when she bit into a Twizzler.

Saturday night dinner - the first of many opportunities to eat.

Munching a marshmallow while daddy builds the fire for...

...s'mores!

Yummy!

Getting baby practice before their little one arrives in July.

Brief eating intermission to play Skip-Bo.

Entertaining the littles as the adults talked late into the night.

Sisters!  (And future nephew).

Fond memories made with Uncle and Auntie.

 

Over the Hill and Through the Woods to Grandmother's House We Go

Well, let's make that "Over the US and Through Many an Airport to My Parent's House We Flew."  Last week Amber and I traversed to California to visit my family - it was her last free flight before her second birthday this month!  What a fabulous trip filled with late night chats, good eats and sweet memories.  Scotty is amazing and wonderful...he took 3 days vacation and spent the time with the older 3 kiddos in Michigan.

Lunch with family - yum and fun!

Examining the flowers Cory gave me (the future
bro-in-law is racking up brownie points). 🍫

Going out to dinner with my 2 childhood bestes!! 💜

The insepearble toddler cousins...

...Amber and Rory.

Story time with cousins and aunty Hannah.

"Book-nic" at Lilly's school - read books while having a picnic lunch.

Sisters (Rory and Lilly) with cousin Amber.

And back at the ranch...

The kids first taste of Chick-fil-A...

...we just had 2 open in western MI!

Joy and Noah's first time rollerskating.