Taste Better

Normally my belly starts to grumble and I get the shakes around noon when I realize I've yet to put any food in my body. I don't love food, I mean I'm extremely thankful for it but if there was a pill to take instead I would. When it boils down to it I don't like the amount of time food consumes, time grocery shopping, putting food away, cooking the meal, eating the meal and then the dreaded clean up time.



















Before you think I am totally whack I don't share these same feelings about candy and sweets and I do eat. I've discovered being home more I would rather wait until nap time to eat because it's quiet. Not sure what that means if anything but I guess food taste better to me in the calmness of nap time. And some days I have treats like caramel apples that are stashed away just for my time of peace.












































Today we ventured the few miles to Lapacek's Orchard and I nonchalantly added a chocolate chip caramel apple to my order. My good friend Kim and owner of the orchard didn't flinch, she knows how much I love those things but inside I knew it would be my quiet time treat today. Sweet, crisp and delicious, I welcome nap time today.

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Outstanding Orchard

It was an outstanding morning at the Orchard. We gathered by the goats watching them climb, scrounge for food and make noise before we ventured out on the orchard walk. The terrain was a bit rough but the apples looked delicious and the sunflower maze was a highlight. The kids raced ducks, rocked on horses and played on the swing set while mamas chatted in the sun.



















Kim was a fantastic tour guide showing us their coolers and apple sorting process. Each little one got an apple to try and us mamas received a caramel apple (I will be enjoying my entire apple in peace during nap time). All the apples are handpicked and sorted for numerous farmer's markets, school districts and for the store. The Lapacek family works so incredibly hard and has an amazing orchard. We just may go back tomorrow morning for cider donuts.





































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One week until the big fishing party and my craft room is filled with bobbers, lures, a burlap banner, lots of glassware, some fishing decor and fish bowls. ***Friendly reminder... those of you who will be in attendance, live fish will be present and available to take home.*** My party planning style has become a bit more last minute these days as I've been so busy with my kiddos, Poplin business and preparing for my new gig as a substitute teacher. Hopefully it will all come together next week and the weather will cooperate!























For hot cocoa- so cute!

Hello Fall

Shorter days, brisk cool air and a frantic search for long pants, the season is changing. From dirt covered bare feet to snuggly slippers, iced coffee to steaming apple cider and a thin sheet to thick comforter. This weekend we said hello to the fall weather and were thankful.





































We lounged on the couch watching tractors working on YouTube taking turns holding the laptop. Took an unpleasant car ride the Baraboo to meet sweet triplet boys who are identical yet unique in their own way. Spent way to many hours listening to my frustrated yet determined husband try and transform from computer programmer to toilet plumber fixing our stubborn porcelain throne. Just some ordinary happenings around our humble abode.




















Sunday arrived with sunny skies and excited boys. The Rock River Thresheree was our destination and expectations ran high. As we pulled up jaws dropped, the road and surrounding fields were lined with cars, tractor shuttles zipping by and mud as far as the eye could see. I am not a huge outdoors lover, don't get giddy from tractors and am not attracted to mud puddles but because my boys (husband included) were smiling ear to ear I loved it. With each turn and sight of something even cooler I couldn't help but think of all the families who should have come because they too would have loved it.






























Pacey is 2nd barrel from the front.




































The weekend ended with a birthday party right during nap time, daddy deciding that if anyone plans one during that time again we will not be in attendance and dinner with our favorite Uncle Andy and Auntie Jenna. Hello Fall... we are excited for all you have in store.

The Last Hurrah

TODAY: PARTLY SUNNY, WARM AND HUMID WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND T-STORMS IN THE AFTERNOON.
HIGH: 89
WIND: W 5-15

This is the exact weather forecast from one of our local news stations. It started out being warm, humid and 92 with no showers but by last night there was a chance later in the day. Perfect, sounds like a great forecast for our last summer hurrah. The Deforest Splash Pad closes this weekend so I thought it would be fitting we end our PB & J summer there.

6am rolls around and I find myself half off the bed with a two year olds feet in my face. Trexen learned how to open his gate and can now walk into our room so he must have crawled in early this morning. I had a pep talk with myself late last night trying to find the motivation for a morning run. Easily persuaded to stay in bed I peeked my eyes open looking for the slightest chance of bad weather. Instead the sun was just coming up, bright and warm with a thin layer of haze. Running shoes went on and out the door I went to work towards my 10k goal and spend time in prayer with God.

Just an hour later my phone is beeping like crazy friends are texting and emailing saying it is storming. Well that's funny it was beautiful at my house and the forecast didn't call for morning showers. The scrambling started and a new plan was made. My littles were helping me dust while I frantically vacuumed, scrubbed and made a metal note to keep my house more clean at all times. By mid-morning our home was filled with coffee, donuts, my favorite group of mamas and 12 kids (only 2 girls) running around, laughing and begging to wrestle.

The weather had been an obstacle this summer forcing me to be flexible and think quickly. Hoping this fall will be a bit more stable but if not we can have fun anywhere! Here are some upcoming PB & J Days:

~Friday September 9th- Lapacek's Orchard
~Friday September 16th- Sun Prairie Dream Park
~Friday September 23rd- Henry Vilas Zoo
~No PB & J September 30th

PS....A new blog is in the works, stay tuned!

Happy Weekend

One of the side effects to being a stay-at-home mom I've learned is never knowing what day it is. Although in my mind each day very much has a feel. I mean Monday definitely has a feel, Wednesday has that hump day, half-way through thing going on where as Thursday night has the let's stay up late because it's almost the weekend mood. Despite all that I tend to loose track of days especially when it is go-go-go, one event to the next.

This weekend proved just that, I lost track of the day only focused on my list of priorities, next event and plan to make it all coordinate. Thursday and Friday were devoted to one of my best friends from high school. She married her now best friend, handsome hunk, love of her life outside in the gardens at Olbrich. I admit at times I'm discouraged and feel disconnected with my high school group, I am the only one with kids and married (until Friday) and it's difficult to relate. I can't drop everything to meet for a late night visit or mid-day coffee, am not still in school and not traveling the world but we are all still friends. My heart was happy Friday night being reunited with our group, clicking like old times and supporting each other on a memory making day.

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Saturday was filled with an abundance of fresh air, laundry and chicken coop construction. My hubby doesn't get much time to build this chicken mansion but good progress is being made. Pacey loves playing in the coop and in my mind I changed it into a life-size girly dollhouse, hopefully someday.

















































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The great outdoors and I generally don't mesh, I prefer an indoor controlled climate but today the weather for perfect making the first ever Craft-apple-Ar wonderful. I met new people, sold some Poplin goodies and purchased my first gallon of apple cider this season. A end to the a busy yet happy weekend.

The New Summer

A brisk breeze, warm apple cider, colorful leaves crunching underfoot, that is what I am dreaming about tonight. I used make summer fun lists, get all excited for the warmth and long for days at the beach but not anymore. Fall is where it's at, I've declared fall to be the new summer in this household. As most people pack their summer full of events and activites having every second accounted for that is how my fall will be this year. I want to enjoy every minute making the season last as long as possible.
























Some of the things I'm dreaming about...

~Visits to Lapacek's Orchard where we run through the trees, devour cider donuts and feed the goats
~Hikes at Devil's Lake and Parfrey's Glen
~Football Parties where the guys yell at the tv while girls chat
~Drinking apple cider and making apple crisp
~Trienen Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch

























~A fall trip to the zoo
~Resuming monthly game night
~Celebrating my boys' birthdays
~New fall tv shows

Just a few to get the fall fun list started. What things are you looking forward to this fall?

Featured Mama

Each week we will feature an amazing, marvelous mama. You will get a peek into the daily lives of other local mamas, see pics of their family and learn some fun facts. This week we feature...

Kim Lapacek

~Age- 29 yrs
~Birthday- April 15th
~#2 profession (mommy is #1)- I may have 3/4/5 professions. First, I graduated from UW Madison with a degree in civil engineering. I worked in my field until I retired at age 25 to stay at home with Cedi and have Capri a few short months later. For three-ish months of the year, I am an owner/operator of the apple orchard – Lapacek’s Orchard. The other 9 months I watch my kiddo’s and work on my crafty business (quilts, bags, hand dyed clothing and other fun sewn items) and The Apple (jewelry). I have a problem sitting still and doing nothing so I try to have lots going on so I avoid this problem.

~Names/Ages of Kiddos-
Mercedi Rose 4 (dob: 11/29/06)
Capri Grace 3 (dob: 2/24/08)
Persimoni ‘Pip’ Mae 0 (dob: 4/28/11)
~Favorite Nap time Pastime- Sewing/quilting/creating
~Guilty pleasure food item- Chips!

~Most Challenging Hour of the day- The first hour when everyone is awake – still trying to figure out how to feed all three mouths at the same time.
~Favorite Baby/Child Product- right now – my moby wrap for Pip, the adjustable roller skates for Cedi, and anything that is ‘buildable’ for Capri

~Blogs you like, follow or have-
My blogs:
www.onebeermom.blogspot.com
www.kimscraftyapple.blogspot.com
www.lapaceksorchard.blogspot.com

My favorite parent blogs:
http://theheirtoblair.com
http://my-merlot.blogspot.com/
http://http://www.mattlogelin.com(have LOTS of kleenex ready when you read Matt's story...)
~Favorite local place to take kids- Ella’s Deli, Bouncy Town, Prairie Athletic (swim lessons) the park in Morrisonville

~Your mommy style in 3 words- One Beer Mom
~Etc...
Favorite Spot to Buy Clothing for the girls:
Handmade: www.AlltheNumbers.etsy.com, Commercial: Old Navy

I HATE buying shoes for the girls! I swear – I buy them and then they grow out of them before they have a chance to wear them – ridiculous!

The Great Outdoors

The goats were talking, sun shining and kids running through apple trees, the great outdoors sure were great this week. Lapacek's Orchard offered a wonderful adventure and another successful playdate. The kids loved being able to run wild, sprinting ahead of the mamas thinking it was so cool to lead the way. Chocolate mini cupcakes were the perfect treat to celebrate Mia's birthday and the warm air was much appreciated after our unusually cold spring. We met little Pip and swooned over the two cutest babies.

Thanks for another fantastic PB & J Day.

Mid-Week

Our mid-week day was filled with green and blue activities, lots of whining, a fun play date, way too short naps, helping my mama out with her daycare kiddos and an anything but peaceful dinner. It hit me today how God's timing really is absolutely perfect. A year ago, heck six months ago, there is no way I could have stayed at home full-time with my boys. We dealt with colic, crying and no sleep for almost two and a half years making my time away at work necessary and restful. We needed my mom during the day so we could stay sane at night.

Life is different now, they are generally sleeping and we have a consistent bedtime. Just knowing there will be an end to the day, a time just for me, some quiet helps get me through the day. Yes my kids are still difficult (if you've ever come for a play date you know:) but they are easier when I get to sleep, so thankful for this time.

A few tips from my current read, The House that Cleans Itself:

• Determine a floor plan and flow- prioritize your spaces and determine what to clean 1st, 2nd, etc. Follow this same flow each time you clean.
• Decide on your "Home Base Zone"- what is the one spot in your house that makes you crazy when dirty??? (kitchen sink, closet, bathroom, pantry, etc.) Keep that one spot clean at all times, this will relieve stress and anxiety.

More to come along with a fun new "Meet Mama..." feature thanks to miss creative Kim L!

See you at the orchard Friday.