Thursday, June 30, 2011

Strawberry Patch

The night before last, Carson and I ventured out to a local strawberry patch located by my work.  I have seen a sign that says "U PICK" for quite some time.  So, I thought it would be fun to go and pick some!

Carson actually did really well helping me pick.  He squatted down, and took a closer look at what I was doing.  He watched me pick one little red berry off it's stem, and he went to work.  I set them gently in the box, and he threw them in.  He is all boy, you know ;)  So, we worked on that task a little more..."set them gently in the box, please."  It kinda-sorta worked.  Well, until he decided that it would be fun to take the berries out of the box, and start throwing them.  It makes it a little more difficult to fill your box when that is going on...so we put an end to that real quickly too.  He then decided it would be more fun to pick them, and add them to the box---phew. 



We ended up getting quite a few berries.  They aren't big, but they are delicious!  We were sampling a few as we were picking, and they were so good.  Juice was running down our hands as we were biting around the stems.  That is a good indication that these were some good ones! 



Next up----cleaning and deciding which recipes to make with them.  I have a homemade strawberry jam recipe that I want to try.  I will check back in later, and let you know how it turns out!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

20 Months

Dear Carson,
Today is your 20 Month Birthday.

Your Daddy and I couldn't be more proud of you.  You are such a special little boy to us.  We are always in awe of you, and still can't believe that you are ours.  All ours. 

You are such a sweet little boy.  You share so nicely, and are always dishing out hugs and kisses.
You are a big time lover.  And, I love that about you.  You would much rather nuzzle your little head into our chest, than put yourself to sleep in your bed.

You are starting to test us a bit more, as you are developing more of a personality.  But, it is nothing out of the norm, or crazy.  I feel at sometimes you are getting us ready for the oh so famous "terrible twos" stage, and other times, you show off---and completely prove us wrong.  We have gone through a few meltdowns here and there, but that's ok.  It all comes with it, and you still shine through with a smile. 

You are still talking a lot of "gibberish" and don't really say many words that we understand.  But, your new word that you can say very clearly is "baby".....and it is so cute to hear you say it.  This morning I found you walking around with a little teddy bear saying "baby, baby."  I stopped in my tracks, and just listened, as it was so sweet.  Of course you were hugging your baby bear, and giving him kisses.  Your Momma almost got teary eyed, because you are such a lover! 

You are still wearing size 4 diapers, in size 12 months clothes, some 18 month shirts, and wearing a size 4 shoe.  The other day you wore a pair of shorts that you wore last Summer, that were a bit big for you then.  And this year they fit you perfectly!  They are a size 6-9 months shorts....and they fit you so nicely.

You are absolutely in love with animals these days.  You still love your puppy, Tucker, and any other kind of animal that seems to cross your path.  G&G Brouwer have chickens on their farm, and you love to chase them around.  We brought you to the petting zoo a while back, and you loved everything about that place!  The donkeys, chickens, bunnies, cow, pig, sheep, goats....everything!  You have no fear when it comes to animals.  It is so much fun to see your face light up when you get all excited to brace your bravery, and touch the animals.  You giggle in excitement, and we have so much fun introducing, and exploring new things with you.

The outdoors is another favorite of yours.  From the swing in our backyard, to the slide, from the park, to a ride in your cozy coupe---you love the outdoors.  We have a lot of fun with you outside, and we can really tell that you enjoy yourself.  Daddy caught a lightening bug for you the other night.  You were so intrigued by that little creature.  Dad had so much fun, you would have thought he was the little boy catching the bug for the very first time!  He introduced it to you, and it didn't last long.  I think you squeezed that little light right out of him.  ha.

We have so much fun watching you learn and explore.  Watching your face turn from confused, to complete amused, is priceless.

Our Dearest Carson, we love you so much.  You are growing up to be a very special and sweet boy.  You have such a calm nature to you, that makes it is so hard not to enjoy oneself when around you.  We are learning so much from you, it is truly amazing.



Love, Dad and Mom

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

My Little "Big" Helper

Carson and I have been enjoying some bonding time in the kitchen lately.  We have been really busy baking and cooking.  Since we are by ourselves every night, I am finding new things to keep us busy.  And, one of them being---exploring, testing, and trying new recipes!  I have been having a lot of fun.  Most have turned out great, with a few not so great.  But, we have had fun...none the less. 



A couple weeks ago, Carl had made the comment that there were "weeds" growing in our backyard  He said he was going to be mowing them over soon, because he was sick of mowing around them.  I didn't know what he referring to, so I went outside to take a look.  I don't do must venturing outside of our fenced in backyard, because it is pretty much our whole yard.  But, at the corner of our fence, on the other side of it, there were "weeds" growing that were on our property.  Well, I did some investigating, and found it to be RHUBARB!  In our back yard.  Amazing!  Oh gosh, I was so tickled.  I had been keeping my ears open for some, because I had some recipes I wanted to try.  Well, sure enough---there was some in our backyard!


So, Carson and I have made several trips up the hill, and have been picking rhubarb.  We pick some, bring it back to the house, sit on the back deck, and cut it all up.  He is such a good helper.



We have been busy making different rhubarb recipes, and they have all been delicious!  We have made several pans of rhubarb crisp, and a coffee cake.  Yum! 




We have also been busy making a few batches of chocolate chip cookies, which I think I have found my new favorite recipe.  It's a keeper, that's for sure! (If you want it, let me know!) 


(One of Carson's new favorite things to do is look at what is in the oven.  I turn the light on, and he just stares through the glass, with a grin on his face.  It is so cute!)

Carson is my little helper in the kitchen...especially when it comes to stirring, and licking the beaters.  Because, we all know you can't wash that good stuff off those beaters.  Especially when there are pudgy little fingers, and little mouths around waiting to get all sticky, and enjoy that heavenly stuff.  So, Carson is the lucky recipient.  And, let me tell you....he doesn't hand me that beater, indicating that he is finished--until it is squeaky clean.  That's my boy :) 



The stirring usually gets out of hand, which results in flour everywhere, but that's ok.  He gets such a proud look on his face when he rotates that spoon in the bowl, that the cleaning up is well worth it. 


And, the secret ingredient in a lot of the goodies we make may, or may not be, his drool.  But, you know---we are all well rounded people, right?!  Haha.

Carson is my sweet little helper in the kitchen.  And boy do I love his company at night!  It doesn't get much better than that.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

G&G Brouwer's Farm

On Father's Day, we made our way to G&G Brouwer's house, to wish Grandpa a "Happy Father's Day!"

Carson is in love with the animals, so we headed straight to the barn.  He had a grin on his face the whole time.  He was chasing and feeding the chickens, petting the sheep, and feeding the donkey treats.







Carson also had fun playing with the objects around the barn.  He put himself in the dog kennel, and tried to take a drink from the hose.  I think our family secretively belongs on a farm!







Carson also had some fun with his cousins, as he always does.  We brought his 4-wheeler along, so he could roam the farm.  And, he pulls through once again, and makes us proud as can be.  Kennedy hopped on the 4-wheeler right when he was heading for it.  We were all standing there waiting for an argument to start, and we were all wrong.  Carson decided it was just fine, and started pushing her from behind instead!  How cute....what a little stud.  He is so thoughtful, and nice.



Carson really enjoys himself when he is on the farm.  And, we love to see him so content and happy!  We have a little Farm Boy on our hands :)

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Father's Day

Father's Day was amazing this year.  I think we appreciate Carl more and more everyday.  He is an amazing father, and it makes me so happy to see him with his son.  Carson is one lucky boy to have Carl as his Daddy.


Carl is a natural.  He excels in the Daddy field, and I love it.  The father of my child is definitely one to brag about!  He is a great example for Carson, and he loves that little boy like you wouldn't believe.


Carl and I also talk a lot about how amazing it is for us to have such special fathers in our lives.  We are so fortunate to have great father figures a part of our world. 

Carson and I made Sunday all about Carl.  I had so much fun planning the day for him.  We appreciate him so much, that it was only suitable for us to let him know that.  A homemade card from Carson, picnic in the living room equipped with signs and a paper chain, a 12 minute slideshow that I put together for him, gifts, lunch, dessert, and supper!  We were planning on having a picnic in the backyard, but the weather didn't really cooperate with us.  So, we had to improvise a bit, and had in on the living room floor.  It turned out perfect!






They are truly inseparable.  Everything Daddy does, Carson does too.  Oh, it is so cute to watch.  They have this special bond that makes my heart beam with great joy. 


It was a fabulous day, that's for sure.


We are in love with Daddy, and he is amazing!

Monday, June 20, 2011

Petting Zoo

Carl and I decided to take Carson on a little field trip on Saturday night.  The weather was beautiful, and we wanted to do something fun with our little Wee Lad.  Not to mention, Carl had the night off---woo hoo!

Carson loves animals, so we decided to take him to the petting zoo.  Oh, what a fun time it was!  We all had such a blast.  Carson LOVED it, and we could really tell he was enjoying himself.  And, let me tell you, he has no fear when it comes to animals!  He is so shy when it comes to other people, but put him in front of a donkey, or a chicken, and this little boy is golden!  Ha.  He makes me giggle.  But, seriously.  He is not afraid one bit. 

The petting zoo had........kittens.


Chickens and ducks........


Carson's personal favorite, the donkeys.........




Goats and sheep.....


Pigs......


Bunnies........



Chicks.....


Miniature Horses.......


Peacocks......


Caron's favorite animal was the donkey.  He loved to pet them, and poke at them.  He even got so friendly, he was poking at it's eye ball.  Like---his actual eye ball.  We told him to be nice to the donkey....so he tried to hug him.  Ohh, he is such a lover!


Carson also got the opportunity to feed the animals.  He gave the donkey a carrot, which---the donkey pretty much ate his hand, and he just laughed.  He also fed the cow, goats, sheep, chicks, and pig.  He was just lovin' it all.  We let him roam around...wherever he wanted to go.  The night was all about him, and he was havin' a blast....as we all were!


I loved watching Carson's face light up when he saw a new animal, or got to stick his hand through the fence, in an attempt to touch the goats, rabbits, and pig.  The animals were all so friendly, which was so neat.


When it was time to go, he followed us to the van, and didn't fuss a bit.  That makes me so proud.  He was gibbering when we left, and it was so cute to hear.  I think he was telling us all about how much he enjoyed the evening with us, and being surrounded by the animals!  He is such a sweetheart.


Carl and I are still talking about how much fun we had that night.  I think a trip back to the petting zoo will be in our future!  To hear Carson's little squeal when he gets excited is to die for.  It is the sound of satisfaction.  And that makes me so happy.


I think this is my favorite picture from our little field trip.  It is so darn cute.  He is just waiting patiently.  I wish I knew what was running through his head!

The Butler County Fair is going on this week.  We are already trying to figure out when we can make our way to Allison to check out all the animals.  Carson will love it, I am sure!