Rylee 5 year pictures

Another successful photo shoot in the books!  Just like last year and the year before that, she hated the outfit I picked out!  Oh well....I thought she looked adorable!  I did feel badly that I bought the shoes a size too small though (accidentally).  I made her wear them even though she was clearly in pain.  Half way through I let her go barefoot...compromise. 

Every year I bribe her with a sweet treat if she does well....this year we had ice cream after pictures :) It took us about an hour and we had to hurry to beat the rain, but she did very well and we were home before the storm. 

Here are some of my favorites:

Fun on the farm

I can recall the specific place I was at when I decided I wanted to live in the country.  It was none other than my best friend's farm in NE Iowa.  I remember how calm and relaxing it was.  We would sit outside on a warm sunny day and enjoy the silence (and maybe a "moo" here and there).  Life just stood still when I was there.

Ten years later, that same place still brings me peace. In fact, my husband enjoys the serenity of it just as much as I do.  Sure, we live in the country too and are blessed with peacefulness....but, it just isn't the same.  Perhaps, it's the company we're in on that farm in NE Iowa that brings joy to our hearts and souls.  In fact, I'm sure of it.  My best friend and her husband are the most genuine, down-to-earth people. They are so welcoming and generous.  Their hearts are made of gold.

We don't make the trek up to their farm as often as we should, but we were blessed to make it there yesterday.  And oh boy, did we all enjoy ourselves!!  The weather was perfect...80 degrees and sunny. In addition to our 2 kiddos and their 3 children, we were joined by several of their nieces and nephews (this is usual as everyone loves to visit the farm!).

The kids played on the swing set and in the little sandbox for awhile and then they changed into swimsuits for water balloons and jumping on the trampoline with the sprinkler underneath of it -- that was a hit!

Next, we all climbed into anything with wheels (Truck, Ranger, 4Wheeler and Razr) and headed out to the pasture to check cows and play in the creek.  The kids loved riding in the back of the Ranger...but even more fun was creek playing for Rylee and driving the Razr for Wyatt.

The kids told me the water was warm -- they LIED!!

We couldn't get him OUT of this thing -- he loved it!!

"Yeah, I'm gonna get one for my birthday," he said.

Actually, Wyatt wanted to make sure he drove EVERYTHING that had wheels before we left. 

"Now I wanna drive the yellow one!"

Not pictured is the real tractor he climbed into and the pedal tractor and tricycle he rode.  He didn't have any interest in riding the pony though...neither did his sister, which really shocked me....she was having too much fun jumping on the wet trampoline. This was also their means of cleaning all the sand and mud off from playing in the creek :)

All of the kids got along so well.  It was joyful to watch them all play together, in nature where they should be. There's just nothing like playing on a farm or out in the woods. It's good for all of our souls!

As many times as I've been to that farm, I never knew the history of it. As I rode in the truck with my friend's father-in-law, checking cows, I learned the history of the farm and a very touching story that went along with it. I've always found that place to be a peaceful retreat -- learning some history behind it made it that much more special.

As we drove home, with very tired kiddos sleeping, James and I reflected on how much we always love visiting there...the way it slows us down and reminds us to enjoy the moment....but more importantly, how much we enjoy their friendship and the joy it brings to us.

Gluten-Free Baking

I've never been much of a baker.  It just seems like so much work...so many ingredients to get out, several mixing bowls needed, multiple measuring cups and spoons required...and then the clean-up...Ugh!!  And sometimes after all that work, the recipe is a flop and it feels like wasted time. But probably the biggest reason I've never done much baking is because I don't like to have sweets and breads sitting on my counter tempting me.  I have zero control...I can eat an entire pan of brownies in one day, easy!

Last fall I was at a friend's house who has Celiac disease.  In addition to eating gluten-free, she is concerned about over-all health and makes sure she and her family eat as healthy as possible.  Being in her kitchen gave me the itch to try baking some healthier options.  I started doing a little more research on gluten-free flours and found a few recipes I wanted to try.  Of course, these recipes required lots of ingredients I did not have on hand.  So, one day I ventured over to Hy-vee's health market (I made sure to go on the day of the week that everything is 10% off)....and spent $50 stocking up on the ingredients I felt I should have on hand. Baking with healthier ingredients is definitely not cheap, but worth it!  I bought coconut flour, almond flour, cup 4 cup flour and a few other things.

About 6 months later, I have FINALLY started using some of these ingredients and doing a little baking.  It started when I decided I had enough of buying the not-so-healthy packaged muffins for my kids every time I went to the store.  Muffins have been their go-to breakfast.  In addition, I had some bananas turning very brown. So, I looked for some healthy banana muffin recipes that use the ingredients I had on hand.  This is the one I ended up using.

http://www.thankyourbody.com/recipe-paleo-banana-muffins/

Surprisingly, they were very good!!  I was shocked.  All 4 of us enjoyed them. I then decided to go ahead and try another muffin recipe using coconut flour.  I did a Google search for "coconut flour muffin recipes".  I made these apple cinnamon muffins.

http://wellnessmama.com/2185/apple-cinnamon-muffins

Though they weren't overly apple-y, we still enjoyed them.  After baking these couple of times, I realized that baking with healthy ingredients is actually fun.....there aren't near as many ingredients as the "not-so-healthy" recipes, and knowing that I'm using better options for myself and my family makes it easier to get excited about.

Now, my 2 favorite baked items I didn't think I could ever live without are brownies and banana bread.  I try not to make either of them, for the reason I mentioned above (anyone else eat an entire pan alone in 1 day?!?!?).  Yesterday I was feeling like baking and had brownies on my mind.  I looked for a good paleo recipe and ended up trying this one.

http://empoweredsustenance.com/coconut-flour-brownies-paleo/

Now, there is just no substitute for a box mix brownie.  These did have a similar flavor to the brownies I'm used to, but the texture was very different -- a little cake-y and maybe even a little "chalky".  I did enjoy them enough to have 2, and decided the good thing about these is that I do not want to eat the entire pan in one day!   My kiddos loved them!!  Rylee asked for a second one and told me, "Mom, these are really good brownies!"  So - I'll keep this recipe, but might experiment with a few others too.

This morning, on the way to the grocery store, Rylee asked me to bake banana bread today.  This was a great call by her, because I did have some bananas on the counter starting to brown and I had planned on making the muffins again.  But, banana bread sounded even better!!  I searched for paleo banana bread recipes and read through several....I just didn't think there was any way paleo banana bread could be that good.  I finally settled on this recipe.

http://www.bakerita.com/almond-banana-bread-recipe/

I did not use the almonds, as I knew my kids would not eat it if it contained nuts. I pulled the bread out of the oven when it was done, with very little expectations for this.  After it cooled, Rylee and I had a bite --- I was impressed!!  It looked very much like "regular" banana bread and really didn't taste that different either.  Rylee and Wyatt both asked for a second piece!

My baking days may become a regular routine now.  I have found an easy process for getting out the ingredients and cleaning up, so it doesn't really seem like such a drag anymore.  I've also been mentally noting that it really doesn't take that long either, from start to finish.  What's 45 minutes out of my entire day?!?!  And....we have a snack or breakfast item that is so much better for us than what the kids may have eaten otherwise!

Rylee turns 5!

I still cannot believe my first child turned 5 yesterday!  It was neat that this small milestone birthday landed on the same day of the week she was born on.

We had a fabulous day! James and I were able to spend all but 2 hours of her special day with her.  After dropping her off at school together, James and I went for a walk on one of our town's trails and then stopped for a donut (we shared 1 donut-- I cannot believe it!).  We then had the pleasure of joining Rylee in class for her last hour of preschool that day.  When we got to the school, we immediately saw Ry and her classmates outside doing some work in their vegetable garden.  We tried to remain unseen, but she saw us right away and we heard her tell her friends, "My mom and dad are here!!".  Once inside, Rylee and her classmates were learning about the project they were going to work on with partners.  As it turned out, there were not enough kids in class this day for everyone to have a partner.  The teacher asked Rylee if she would like to choose one of her parents to be her partner...she chose her Daddy and I'm pretty sure I saw his heart melting a little :)  After the projects were completed, I read a couple of books to the class that I brought from home.  We have really enjoyed Rylee's preschool class this year and will truly miss seeing the kids and their families at drop-off and pick-up. Next year, we no longer have to escort Rylee inside -- tear.

After school was out, we took Rylee and a classmate to the zoo (she chose to do this instead of having a party). It was a long 40 minute ride with two hyper 5 year old girls!!  But fun none the less.  We had wonderful 80+ degree weather and the zoo wasn't terribly busy (the busloads of kids were all leaving when we got there).  Both girls told me several times that they were having the best day ever!

A cool treat was much needed on this warm day!

After a couple of hours at the zoo, we headed back to our house.  The girls played for a little bit and then I ordered pizza and went to town to pick up Wyatt and food.  My parents came over and joined us for the rest of the celebration.

After pizza, we did Rylee's pinata that she, James and I made. She had been asking for a pinata, and I thought it would be fun to make one ourselves.  I always loved making them each year in high school spanish class.  For some reason, I thought this would be a much quicker project than it turned out to be!!  Luckily, we started a week in advance and had plenty of time to get it done.  It only took about 4 swings for the girls to break it open.

After pinata, Rylee finally opened presents.  I could not believe she waited so long!!!  Last year, she opened them right when she woke up.  Every year, I have her presents set out on display for her when she wakes up, along with balloons, streamers and "happy birthday" banner.  This year, she wanted to wait until her friend and her Grandparents were here to watch her.  She even saved some of the mail she had gotten to open at the same time as her presents.

She was blessed to receive her very first camera (she is ALWAYS taking pictures with my phone), clothes, a couple of toys and my personal favorite....a large outdoor trampoline from Grandpa!  This is a combined gift for she and Wyatt, who will be 3 next month.  I had a trampoline growing up and always wanted to have one for my kids too.  Rylee finally started asking for one this spring.

Today, Rylee got another part of her gift....Grandma took her to Build-a-Bear, per her request.  I've been receiving picture texts...looks like she is having a great time!!  They are also with my aunt, who Rylee enjoys as well.

A few relatives sent Rylee money this year.  This has been another great gift, as Rylee is getting into shopping and, like most children her age, wants everything she sees!  Hopefully I can convince her to spread out the spending of her birthday money!

Rylee's special day couldn't have gone any better.  James and I were overjoyed to get to spend the entire day with her.  I've always hoped my children would feel very special on their birthdays, and Rylee's comments all day assured me she was loving it.  It was a simple, yet celebratory day.

Birthday breakfast

As our cat Heidi is the same age as Rylee, we decided they would share a birthday! Rylee gave her treats in the morning.

Two season rule?

James and I have always said we hope our kids don't get too involved with sports.  We will support them if they do, but the thought of traveling teams or being at practice and games every night of the week just sounds exhausting.

We are in the middle of our first sport.  Rylee asked to play soccer -- a sport neither James nor I know anything about.  We had 4 or 5 practices before the first game.  She impressed me at practice...she's fairly aggressive, coachable, pays attention, and truly seems to enjoy it.  We have had 2 games, and in both of them she looked like a deer in the headlights...no clue what to do.  She runs up and down the field, but doesn't seem to want to touch the ball.  She seemed a little lost as to which way the ball was supposed to go.  She often looks over at her coach, hoping he will tell her it's time to come out of the game so someone else can play.  Unfortunately, she has told us she doesn't want to play again after this season.

In our town, soccer is played in both the spring and the fall.  Because she does so well at practice and seems to genuinely enjoy practice, James and I have been discussing a 2 season rule.  Our thought behind it is that maybe playing a second season and having a different coach and teammates would bring a different experience.  It may or may not be a better experience, but at least then we would feel comfortable knowing that our child truly isn't interested enough in the sport, rather than it being a coaching or team thing that led to the un-enjoyment.

I tried several sports, but only once (other than tumbling, which I did for years).  Besides having very little athletic ability, I found that I kept joining sports a little later than my teammates and their experience put them so much further ahead than I was, making it un-enjoyable for me.  Knowing this, I want my kids to try sports early (only if they are interested in it), but I also want them to give their best effort for 2 seasons.  I will never push them after that, as I personally don't care if they play sports or not.  I would just hate to see them give up as quickly as I always did.  Plus, a little exercise isn't going to hurt them.

I do love to watch sporting events though and even if our kids don't play, we will still go cheer on their classmates for sure. Rylee and I have already attended some local sporting events.

To my athletic readers...what is your advice for children and sports??

Uncle A.J.

Yesterday was my brother's birthday.  I've been meaning to write this post about him, and decided now was a great time.

My kids LOVE Uncle A.J.!!  He is the fun uncle who plays rough with them.  It's probably because he is still just a big kid and loves to rough house with his own children at home.  Rylee knows when Uncle A.J. is around, it's time to play rough. This is a common demand you'll hear from her mouth: "Uncle A.J., come get me!!!" Of course, he never disappoints her.

Wyatt doesn't instigate these fun games like his sister does, but as soon as they start, he is all in! Wyatt is the one who will continue to talk about and ask for Uncle A.J. for days after they played together....because, lets face it....Uncle A.J. is way more fun than Mom and Dad!!

When I took my kids to see their new baby cousin in the hospital a few weeks ago, we had the "don't touch anything, don't run, be good, etc." conversation on the way into the hospital.  Not even three minutes into my sister-in-law's room, my brother starts chasing my kids and making them run and scream.  I should have known....

He also took them to go throw coins into the fountain at the hospital, and now, to this day, Wyatt keeps telling me that I need to take my coin jar to the hospital to see Uncle A.J.  Thanks Brother....I planned to use that money for something better....

I'm pretty sure my brother will never officially grow up...and that's okay....we all need some young energy around us to keep us going....AND, let's be honest...he's a great babysitter!!!

Thanks A.J., for being a family member that my kids enjoy being around :) It really is nice to have adults in the family who enjoy playing with the kids at their level.  Love you!!