Daddy's Helper

On Sunday, Zack decided to put his new license plates on his car.  Macie was napping so Weston and I went outside to hang out with him.  As soon as I put Weston down, he walked up to help his Daddy.  Zack said something along the lines of here comes trouble.  I agreed but said this his how little boys learn, it would probably take longer, but it was well worth it.  I know Zack loved his Daddy/Son moment.  I had to run back inside and grab my camera because it was too precious to pass up. I thought it was just precious that Weston grabbed at the tools and started mimicking Zack. Oh and I guess Weston needed his shirt off to do "man's work."  I sent a video to Nonnie and Grammy.  They loved it.  When I texted Grammy to tell her to look at the video I said, "This will melt your heart."  Her reply was, "Heart Melted."  YES IT WAS!  Nonnie said that the video was one we will have to show one day at his wedding.  I love my boys!  I am so thankful Zack has a son and that Weston has a great DADDY!

 

 Weston stopped working for a quick smile.

 Fixin' his own car

 When Zack went to the back of the car his little helper did too!  Look...he is trying to do the exact thing. 

The MEN resting on the couch after "FIXING the car."

Homestead Farms

Last night at dinner, Zack and I told Macie that she was going to be doing something really fun with her friend, Hayden.  BIG MISTAKE...that lead to her getting out of bed talking about the "big red barn," all the animals she would see, and roosters she didn't want to see at 4:30 a.m.  Boy for 4:30 she was full of energy but luckily she went back to sleep until 7.  Anyway, when we told her we were going to the farm she knew exactly what she would wear and she told me I needed to wear my boots too (I did by the way)! Macie was up and ready to get that farm first thing this morning.  Once we arrived she had a great time. She was a bit disappointed to not see the Big RED Barn because we have read this farm book called that so many times that I think she has the same image of a farm in her head that I do mine.  The farm was the real deal...it smelled like one right when we opened the door. Homestead Farms is a small farm run by a couple with a little girl.  The  sell fresh produce, meat (a couple of the pigs we fed are going to slaughter tomorrow) and goats' milk.  They seem to have a simple life but really it doesn't seem so simple...it looks like a lot of hard work.

 

 Ready to be farmers for the day...Weston, Macie, Hayden, and Walker

 HATS off to the farm life!

 Macie and Hayden liked the pigs but they were so muddy.  The lady warned the kids not to get their fingers too clothes to the pics because they were hungry.  The pigs were very hungry and fought over the food being thrown.

 The  goats loved eating from the kids.  These were all the female goats that they have.  He said they have a total of 75 goats.  After feeding the goats we watched goats being milked.  Weston was crying and crying so I was not in the milking area (took the shoes off and he was as happy as can be); however, Macie was able to help get the goats ready to milk.  My friend, Lauren, took her picture.  She was eager to help.

 Macie has a huge fear of chickens because we went to Pappy's work two Springs ago and they had a petty zoo for the kids.  Well, the chickens decided to chase Macie and give her a scare.  Ever since then she has talked about those chickens and has not forgotten that she didn't like them but Blake did. She retold us the same story last night at dinner.  Anway, we went in the chicken coupe together.  She cautiosly threw the food and also got to get an egg out of the coupe.  I thought that was funny because one egg we saw looked like it had poop on it and she reached to grab it and then decided on the clean egg.  GOOD GIRL! I was thinking the same thing.

 After feeding the animals, the kids planted a long row of squash.  Macie loved doing this so I told her next year's garden could be planted just by her.

The kids made puppet goats and then they made pizza.  The farmer told them about each item that was made and how they came from farmers (wheat, tomotoes, etc)!  I think Macie couldn't wait to get her hands on the pizza.  I noticed each kid got one piece of pizza but Macie and Hayden both grabbed two.  They were wanting thirds.  We had a picnic  after that.  It was a great ending to a great day on the farm (thank goodness for the nice weather and breeze...fall has to be in the air)!  I asked Macie if she wanted to go back and she said she did next week when the baby goats are going to be born. What a fun experience!

Preschool Begins

 This morning at 7:30 I went into Macie's room to wake her up for preschool.  The last few days she has decided that she needs extra sleep.  I hated to wake her but Hayden was coming over for preschool pictures.  I said, "Good morning!  Today you go to preschool."  She sat up and bed and this is our conversation.  "I get to go to preschool today and learn math.  I am so excited."  I told her I was excited too and then she said, "I am all growed up!"  I replied, "I know and it kind of makes me sad.  Why do you have to grow up?"  Macie's response, "Because that is how God made me.  I have to grow up so I can go to heaven someday.  But sometimes I disobey Jesus."  I said, "I disobey Jesus too.  We all make mistakes."  Then she said, "Yes, sometimes you say bad words."  (I know she heard me say s-t-u-p-i-d the night before on the phone.  I feel like I should just spell it instead of writing it but I can't do it on the blog.  UGGG!!! Lesson learned again for me.  Little ears and eyes are always listening and watching even when you don't think they are.)  So back to preschool...she dressed and was just thrilled to go to school.  As soon as we walked by Macie's last year teachers she hugged them and told them that she was in the "big class because Macie is all growed up."She told me that I was probably going to miss her but that she would give me a hug when she got home.  We got to school and Macie forgot all about hugs and kisses.  She put her things were they  belonged, walked in to wash her hands, and was busy playing.  Macie is in the older three year old class this year which is a good thing but some of her friends from last year are in the younger classes.  There was such a large group of three years olds this year that they had to divide them up.  I think she will have a wonderful year of making new friends and learning math, science, and how to read OR SO that is what she thinks she will be learning. Weston and I will miss her like crazy.  In fact, my heart aches right now because the house is quiet and Weston is napping.  Maybe I should go wake him up...MAYBE NOT.  I know that I am anxiously awaiting two o'clock so I can hear all about Macie's first day!

Gymnastics Begins

 THE NEXT USA OLYMPIC GYMNAST

 Today was priceless for me.  Macie woke up beside herself because gymnastics is finally here.  Her words were (because we told her she would start in the fall), "It is fall.  Why are the trees not changing colors?  I get to go to gymnastics today."  As we were walking out the door she said, "Hurry, Mom, we don't want to be late."

 We got to the gym a few minutes early to pay for her month.  As she always does she talked in third person.  She said, "Macie Loooovvveess gymnastic."  The owner thought she was referring to her friend, Macy, who takes at Flips for Fun as well.  I had to tell her she was talking about herself.  As soon as the other little girl walked in Macie ran up, hugged her, and started talking away.  Throughout the class, Macie would way at me and say, "I am doing gymnastics."  At the end of the class the teacher came and talked to the moms about each child's strengths and things to work on.  He said that Macie was a "natural leader."  I noticed she proudly lead the two other girls around.  He also said she wanted to do everything perfectly so she was a little aprehensive and would stop each time and look at him to see if he approved.  Right now there are two other girls in the class so this is perfect.  He said the girls should catch on faster since it is a small group.  The only NEGATIVE was that Weston tried to get into the gymnastic area the whole time which is fenced in. I think he wants to jump on the trampoline or something. 

 

Here is a quick video of Macie jumping. You will notice she turns back to see her teacher each time.

This little girl came up to Macie who is taking things very seriously and hugged/pulled her down.  After Macie sat back up she looked at the little girl like "what are you doing or get your hands off me." Macie then said, "I am doing gymnastics."