A Journey through Summer

Fair Oaks Farms Today my fearless adventurers and I set off to explore the wonderful world of dairy at Fair Oaks Farms.  The kids had visited before with their grandparents, but this was my first time there.  We planned ahead packing a lunch to enjoy after the tour.  Car bingo sheets were printed and in the car along with personal water bottles.  A quick Facebook check with my mom friends confirmed my hunch to bring the backpack.  Sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, and Pentatonix on Pandora and we were ready to roll.  Those who know me and my work  wouldn't be surprised to hear that I was eager to see the milking barn and possibly the chance to catch a baby calf being born.  We experienced both and so much more. The kids enjoyed telling all of the employees that this was their mom's first time to the farm. A Great Deal! Fair Oaks had a deal between Memorial Day and Labor Day that enables you to return for free anytime in the next year if you purchase a tour this summer. 

Today our family was in our happy place.  We were all home and in one place for the holiday.  No particular plans besides finding ways to beat the heat.  After a traditional Garner Breakfast (a.k.a. pancakes and Spam) the kids tossed out ideas of what adventure to have that day.  We soon settled on going to Prophetstown for a picnic then time at the Aquatic Center.  Naps almost guaranteed when we returned home. The picnic was a short one. How can you compete with the excitement of the first swimming pool visit of summer?  We weren't the only ones excited.  The line for the pool was out the door and into the parking lot 15 minutes before they even opened. Our daughter was so excited to find out she was tall enough to ride the water slides this year.  She had waited two summers for this moment.  No fear at all as we climbed the stairs.  Her confidence eased my nervousness and the ride down was so fun!  As soon as we finished she was ready to go again. The eldest enjoyed ex

The warm weather of summer has gotten off to an early start with highs in the 90s today.  It reminds me of our daughter's first birthday in May.  The temperature was over 90 and we had a tired rosy cheeked 1 year old content to be rocked by grandma on the porch swing in the shade.  We could have postponed the nap and passed the baby from relative to relative, but that would not have been respecting the needs of the child. This weekend, while the older two got some fun time at the grandparents house; we had the youngest home with us and my parents who were visiting.  We decided to check out the farmer's market and local art fair downtown.  Armed with multiple packs of fruit snacks and three other adults for toddler wrangling support, we headed off for our destination.  We had abandoned the stroller approach earlier last Fall as the toddler became too interested in the world to just sit and watch the world pass by.  Instead, like a heard of elephants surrounding the young

Day 1 - Setting the ground rules Today I entered into the brave new world of summer break.   Thanks to childcare, full time jobs, summer camps, etc. I have up to this point been spared the challenge of keeping children occupied for 10 straight weeks.   I have been looking forward to the task though.   Many plans have been made, adventures planned, and hopes shared about the upcoming season of freedom from the classroom.   I also have goals, including finishing some schooling myself, getting to know my children better, and hoping that my constant presence will be beneficial in some way. The morning was off to an early start with the youngest awake before the earliest of the alarm clocks.   The older two were not far behind, their internal clocks still on the early school schedule.   All eventually clambered downstairs.   The older kids were told that they were responsible for their own breakfasts; thus freeing Dad up from his role of being a short order cook.     Lesson One: How