Chicken Catcher

Our neighbors next door have, what seems to me, a small farm.  They have a chicken coop stocked with egg-laying hens, a half-dozen sheep, and a few ducks.  During the day, the chickens will fly over the fence and walk through our yard (both front and back) hunting for bugs to eat.  The kids love seeing them outside and have had fun chasing them around.  Daddy noticed this and created, what he thought, was an innocent game of "chicken catching".
Chickens are quick and it became a game of skill and speed to catch them.  Justin gave the kids instructions on how to catch the chickens properly and the importance of being gentle.  Lily became a pro very quickly and had no problem following instructions.  However, we did not realize that Jackson did not quite get it.

About two weeks ago, we were grilling outside and preparing dinner while the kids were out back playing with the chickens.  I just happened to look over to check on them when I saw that one chicken was crouched down and Jackson was "patting" it rather roughly on its back.  I cautioned him to be gentle with the chicken!  He started patting more gently, so I continued with my dinner prep.  A few minutes later, Jackson had moved on to play with Lily.  I noticed that the chicken was not moving, but still laying fairly flat on the grass.  I told Daddy who decided to go take a look.  He picked up the chicken, still alive, and decided to put it back in its coop.  The chicken was able to walk, albeit slowly.  Nervous that Jackson may have broken its back, Justin apologized to our neighbor in advance should it not survive.  Thankfully, we have kind and understanding neighbors!

Unfortunately, the chicken did not make it.  In the words of the granddaughter of our neighbor, "It walked over slowly to get a drink, took a deep breath, then fell over". Oh my...what a dramatic end!

Feeling terrible that our son killed one of their chickens, Daddy made it his mission to replace it.  He contacted a friend who knew of a chicken hatchery close by and today they brought home not one, but two chickens!  Lily picked them out herself and the neighbors were very happy to receive them!

So, needless to say, the game of "chicken catching" has come to an end!  There are moments when I ask myself, "Is this really my life?!"  Yes, yes it is.

Daddy is holding "Izzy"- Lily's chicken.  Lily is holding "Lion"- Jackson's chicken.  The kids named their own :)

Potty Training Bootcamp

(We have had internet issues all summer and it has finally been resolved (Yay!!!), so I'm catching up!)

The week after Memorial Day, I decided we were going to tackle potty training.  Lily was starting summer school and I thought this would be a perfect time (if there is such a thing).  I had come across a website of a mom who claimed to potty-train her three boys in 3 days!  Very skeptical of the success of this process, I read on.  And the more I read, the more I bought in to her idea.  Her process involved an hour-by-hour schedule, no pull-ups (which I was hoping to avoid), and a list of "what to do if" 's.  Perfect!  I thought it was worth a shot.  Terrified with the idea of cleaning up waste all day, I bought some dollar-store tablecloths and lined the living room, and some lollipops to help keep him seated for (ahem) longer potty trips. :)

And here he is on Day 1...Elmo Potty Time video, sippy cup full of juice, and his potty chair.

Lily helped out when she was home

What's bootcamp without a uniform?! Ha!

With the exception of a few minor accidents, this "3 day potty training" process worked!  Now, I will say that this summer has not exactly been a breeze.  I realize that the term "training" will be around a little longer this time around.  A prime example was during our last trip to CA- time change, more liquid than usual, and a mama who was "on vacation" and not on top of it!
But, I am very happy with his progress and can confidently send him to Preschool in a couple of weeks (sniff, sniff) knowing he will do just fine!

Bolinger cousin sleepover!

July was a flurry of activity in our house and I didn't want to forget to document an important event- our first Bolinger cousin sleepover!  Just a tad nervous about entertaining this group of 5, I went into planning mode and made a list of activities and snacks to hopefully get us through! :)  I think everyone had a great time and went home exhausted!  We hope to do it again next summer...with Christopher in the group as well!

Movie night with popcorn (and a few candies too :)

Waffles for breakfast!  Lola was still a sleepy-head, so she missed the photo op :)

Silly Powell

Playdough time

Making homemade volcanoes (baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring- thank you Pinterest!)

Slip'n'Slide time!  I believe they spent 3-4 hours on that thing!

Lily & Lola, BFFs

Frozen watermelon.  "It's SO COLD!"

How many kids can you fit in a kiddie pool?!

Corn dogs for lunch!  And a special visit from cousins Colin & Maria

Sprite & Gummy Bear popsicles (again, thank you Pinterest!)

Lily, 1st grader

And another school year has begun!  Lily is now a 1st grader!!  This morning she bounced out of bed, ate her breakfast, got dressed in the outfit of her choice, and even made her own lunch!  Sheesh!  If only this lasted all year! :)
This year she has Mrs. Davis as her teacher.  We have heard great things about her!  She contacted me earlier in the week to introduce herself and talk with Lily directly to welcome her to class!  When we arrived at Back to School night, she had a checklist waiting for us of items to complete and was highly organized.  I can already tell Lily and I are really going to like her! :)
So excited for Lily and this new year in the 1st grade!

Jackson had to wear his sunglasses to school

with friends (L-R Chloe, Maddie, Amelia, and Lily)

ready to start class!

Back to School night at her desk.  She chose the one right in front of the Smart Board...good girl!

with Mrs. Davis

CA Beach trip 2013- week 2

Unfortunately, after we returned to Grandma & Grandpa's house from the beach house, we said goodbye to Daddy as he headed back home to work.  We spent the 2nd week of our trip at the house with various activities throughout the week.
We were able to see cousins Amy, Patrick and Vianne for lunch on Sunday as well as attend Jake & Sam's new church.  Cousin Allison was home from New Zealand, so she, Aunt Liz, and cousins Kristin and Elli came down for a visit.
Great to see everyone and spend a little more time with family!

visit from Uncle Mark

New tradition!  Tea with the ladies

morning playdate with the Traficantes (L-R Dyllin, Jackson, Cameron)

cousin fun in Grandma's back yard!

happy hour with the family

S'Mores in the chiminea

watching a show with cousin Elli

styling Elli's hair

CA Beach trip 2013- week 1

We recently returned from our 2-week vacation in California!  I took so many pictures, it was hard to choose which ones to post! So this will be a two-part post :).
This was our first airplane trip without a stroller and with a potty-trainer.  Two factors to cause this mom anxiety, but Jackson did great!  Grandma L. bought him his own Angry Birds "roller backpack" for a carry-on as an early birthday gift, and he loved being like his big sister rolling through the airport.  This was a great distraction for him and helped in keeping him close to us, rather than chasing him down the airport corridors!
We spent another fun-filled week in Silver Strand at the beach house Grandma & Grandpa rented last year! It was a great week spending time with family- morning walks on the beach searching for sand dollars, playing in the waves, eating lots of snacks, and having fun!  We ventured down to Leo Carrillo Beach a couple of days to see our camping friends.  Lily also went out on the Sea Doo along with Daddy, Jake, and Mommy on the open ocean!  No pictures to post of that, but it definitely was an experience.  Let's just say the open ocean is a scary place for children when you are on Sea Doos :).
Cousins Charlie and Ethan were fun entertainment as they chattered and chased the "big" kids around the house.
So much fun!  Enjoy some highlights of the week...

In KCI heading to security.  These kids are naturals at traveling.

Friday night pizza dinner at Toppers Pizza in Silver Strand harbor

loved watching those pinwheels in the wind!

Charlie and Ethan - can't tell in the picture who is who!

ready to head to the beach for a morning walk!

sunscreen crazy hair!

all grandkids making stepping stones for Grandma's new landscaping

Uncle Phil and boys...

Aunt Sarah's British birthday breakfast.  Do you think we had enough food?!

Boogie boarding with Brooklynne at Leo Carrillo Beach

climbing rocks with Sam

playing with the girls (L-R Brooklynne, Lily, Reghan, Emily, Mariana)

Ender and Jackson

cooking up Daddy's trout from the Sierra mountains!

Charlie & Ethan on a horsey ride :)

lunch at the Silver Strand harbor

at the Ronald Reagan museum

Air Force One 27000