one afternoon on a farm....

Several weeks ago (actually during our Spring Break week), I took the boys to this local farm I ran across on the internet.  The lady that runs it has all sorts of animals.  The "main" attraction for me was the bunnies!  However, I think for Noah, it ended up being the baby lamb!

There were two baby lambs, and while I cannot remember their names, I can remember the little noise they would make when Noah would run after them laughing!   It was the cutest thing!   Noah would laugh and they would make their little baaaaaa noise!   Adorable!

And there were piggies!

And emu eggs!

And ten day old baby bunnies!  Yes, TEN days old!

We enjoyed a picnic lunch and the animals enjoyed our leftovers!

Great afternoon on the farm!

surf over for a sleepover!

Cameron's birthday was April 1st (Yes, April Fools' Day... try telling your husband you are in labor on April Fool's Day!!!!!!)  As luck would have it, we were able to do Cameron's birthday party (sleepover) on his actual birthday.

Of course, the theme of the sleepover had to be surfing!   Oh, my little beach boy!  The boys gathered the night before C's birthday and did the normal "eleven year old boy stuff"until time for dinner and cake.

I fixed the boys an "aloha lounge area" on our screened in porch that was a space just for them for the night.  They could play basketball (little brother's indoor goal) and listen to their music and "chill."  (Is that still a hip word, chill???)

I ordered surfboard shaped sugar cookies from Sunshine Bakes on Etsy.  They really were my favorite detail of the party.  They turned out so cute, I used them to add a little "bling" to an otherwise, plain birthday cake.  (Cameron does not like cake, so I never really put much thought into his cake.  He likes doughnuts and cookies!)  My leftover cookies I put in a mixture of brown sugar and something called demerara sugar that I found at the grocery that looked just like sand!

What's a surf themed party without sharks??!!

Strawberry filled white cake with the surfboard cookies around.

Happy Birthday Cameron!

We love you!!!

it's a zoo out there!

Bryson's kindergarten class took a trip a couple of weeks ago to the NC Zoo.   Not much different from being at the elementary school, but a field trip none the less!!!

B and his friends!

so sweet... friends checking out the baboons...... and their red butts!

B and his friend AND the BEST kindergarten teacher EVER.....  But, we LOVE you too Mrs. Park!!!

Mom and B 

(thank you Elionaid for taking this photo for me!)

just loved this shot!

Fun fun day!

our winner

Our fifth grader has been involved with our county's DARE (drug resistance program) program for the past nine weeks or so at the elementary school.  I did not grow up with DARE, so , I must admit, I was not that familiar with it when he started talking about it.

The more I heard Cameron talk about it and the excitement in his voice, I knew it must be a really good program for the kids.  Our instructor, a lieutenant with the Sheriff's Dept, was "off the charts" good with these kids.  They loved him.  He taught them, hung out with them, helped them at school with homework, really formed a relationship with them.  I think Cameron really developed a "connection" with Lt. Comar.

So, at the end of the program, the kids must take all the notes and info they have collected and form a written essay about the DARE experience.   These essays are read and judged.  There are classroom winners and ONE overall essay winner for the entire school.  This winner is recognized at the DARE Graduation ceremony and reads his/her essay for the audience.

So, I got a phone call the night before the ceremony that CAMERON WON!  I cried!   What is wrong with me?!  I cried!   I just felt like Cameron had worked so hard on this essay and seemed to "want" this so bad, and he got it!  He won!

The ceremony was so special and so great to watch.  And Cameron did a fantastic job reading his essay. I could not have read in front of all those people like that!

We are so proud of you Cameron !   You are always our winner!!!!!!

the "goods"on Easter

Photos of the Easter treats we created and enjoyed over the holiday weekend!

A little treat for family and neighbors.  Sugar cookies "hidden" in a cute little duck!

Easter bunny pizza kit!

My take on the Easter cake.  There has been a cake floating all over Pinterest lately featuring a cake using Kit Kat bars (in chocolate) around the sides and then topped with Reese Pieces!  Such a cool cake!  I used that idea and made my own version for Cameron's birthday cake (photos to come later on that!).  Then, for Easter, I took it a step further and created this little cutie!   Same idea with the Kit Kats, but used white chocolate version, then added "Peeps," chocolate Cadbury eggs, and a homemade handle.  Would have done the handle different though next time!

Love Easter treats!

Easter weekend 2012

A collection of photos from our Easter weekend this year.   We had not one, not two, but THREE egg hunts, wayyyyyy too much candy, a visit from the Easter bunny, and, a special treat.... real bunnies stayed with us for Easter!  (They are just "rentals" and go back to their farm home tomorrow!)