Peter Pies and Farmer John

The boys anxiously awaited daddy's arrival home last night just as they do every day but yesterday was a bit more special. My husband is all about nature and living off the land, I say he should be Amish or something. He strives to be self sustaining, needs to know where his food comes from and although works in the technology field likes to "disconnect" when possible. He has been wanting chickens for quite sometime and as much as I dislike animals I've decided to let him explore this adventure.


















Construction on the chicken coop or chicken mansion as I like to call it began this summer and has yet to end. For not even knowing if our family is a chicken raising one he sure has spent lots of time and money on this coop but I'm staying out of it.














Pacey wanted those chicks!











Yesterday was the big day, six baby chicks came home in a tiny cardboard box chirping away. The boys were squealing with excitement, my husband looked like a kid in a candy store and I immediately regretted this decision. The fluffy, loud baby chicks were born yesterday morning, freshly hatched and all I could think about was now we have to keep these things alive. Don't get me wrong I am not some cold heartless soul I just don't have that animal connection or bond. My hands are full with two little boys, a part-time job, sewing business and a dog.



















In true mama fashion though I grabbed my camera and captured my three boys in their glory. Trexen has taken it upon himself to name our new pets, 5 Peter Pies and 1 Farmer John. They absolutely love these baby chicks so for now I bite my tongue, repress the annoyance of being the one home all day with these new pets and enjoy my boy's happiness.

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.

Crafting, Chatting and Chickens

Our 2nd Mama's Night Out was just as I had hoped, chatting, crafting and laughing. Ten hard working mamas shared stories and savored the time away from our little ones. Gigi's Cupcakes was our first stop and a lesson was learned...either call ahead and place an order or go earlier in the day.

As we approached the super cute shop the pink tables and chairs had me at first sight, I want the hot pink bench placed at their front door so bad. You open the door to find more pink and smells of sweet sugar, our mouths were watering. Quickly the excited turned to disappointment as we discovered they were almost sold out, only a measly 7 cupcakes remained, big bummer. A few of the mamas scooped them up and raved over the delicious flavors.

Glitter Workshop had us digging through piles of vintage buttons, concentrating hard and creating button flower stems. Some went for colorful buttons others more muted, in the end the great conversation while crafting was really most important.

















Back to our starting point, Hilldale, for dinner at the Great Dane, yum. I rarely frequent this restaurant, kind of forget about it I guess, but am pleased every time. After serious deliberation over the menu I went for a picnic basket, half soup and half chicken wrap, maybe a few cheese fries too!



















Chatting continued as one big convo fluently turned into four little ones and back to one again. We even hashed out one of my biggest life dilemmas lately...to have real or fake fish at our upcoming 3 year old birthday. It is a fishing party and of course we are going all out but then there are those stickler parents who despise fish and run far away from all goldfish games at the carnival (my husband included). I took everyone's honest opinion into consideration weighing the pros and cons but in the end, it's me and everyone probably expects real fish so let's just go with it! (If you receive a cute vintage fishing party invite this week in your mailbox consider yourself warned, mentally prepare and don't be a stickler:).

























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In other news, our chicken coop is coming along. Did I tell you I finally gave in and agreed to my husband getting some chickens?






























































He is now one step closer to becoming self-sustaining (one of his life long goals) and the boys are squealing with joy. Trexen can't wait to hold them and take them for rides in his John Deere gator. I dislike most animals especially chickens but Jeff found a way to convince me...say hello to our chicken coop inspiration.

Honestly I am super excited to decorate the coop, chickens not so much, but making it look adorable oh ya. I will continue to keep you posted on the coop chaos.