Fair and Strawberries

We spent this weekend at our church's fair. The Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Country Fair is always tons of fun and this year was the first year that both kids were tall enough to ride rides without us going on them with them. Fair food is always on the menu even after TPG thought he was going to puke after riding on the Pirate Ship.

DCG is worried about TPG on the Pirate ride.
TPG on the pirate ride-sitting on top row with mouth open.
The ride lasted about 30 seconds too long and ended in tears and fears of puking for TPG.
There were many more tame rides that both kids enjoyed.
TPG liked riding in the "army" copter
and on the swirly boat ride
DCG likes to ham it up for pictures

Then it was off to Boyd's Orchard to pick strawberries.
DCG did not like the slide.
TPG did!
We picked a lot of berries



I have no idea how to can items and frankly I am afraid I would preserve some super strong bacteria that would kill all of us so I was just as happy to make a bunch of freezer jam. We ate the first jar on strawberry short cake we made. We even had cream left over in the fridge (see previous post about making butter) and made fresh made whipped cream. Yummy!
Of course the family fun could not last because my children are, well, mine. We ended our Saturday with both kids screaming and crying through their entire shower. I have no idea what they were crying about. DCG kept saying that she did not want to cry forever. When I told her to stop, she said she needed some pills. Should I be afaid??? TPG just begged to go to sleep. My children are weird.

Butter!

I bought whipping cream at the grocery because, well, I have no idea why, I just did. I put the cream in two containers and made the kids shake until we made butter. They thought it was really cool. We checked our progress as it went from whipping cream, to whipped cream to butter. I even let them taste the butter milk, which really has no taste. We then spread our freshly made butter on corn. They kids kept talking about how yummy it was. I put a teensy-weensy bit of butter on the peas too and they could not get enough of them. Home-made butter + vegetables= kids eat!

Memorial Day Weekend

We spent most of the weekend in Tollesboro at the Grand Opening (well re-opening really) of Thomas Family Grocery and Cabin Creek Crafts. The grocery is the original grocery that was run by the Thomas family (TTG's family) from 1950's until the 1970's. It sits on the Thomas family farm right in front of Mamaw and Papaw Thomas' house. Gramma B. (TTG's mom) re-opened the store and sells convenience items like milk, bread and ice cream as well as the crafts she and Pop Pop B make. Lots of people stopped by to check out the store but mostly we enjoyed hanging out and spending time together. TPG enjoyed the pond and actually caught some fish and DCG and her cousin A. played together the entire time. Here are some photos.

Thanks Pop Pop and Miss Jill!

TPG got a pair of "roller blades" for his birthday from Pop Pop and Miss Jill. The weather has been so rainy that he just got a chance to try them out today. It was quite funny. He is not wearing any protective equipment in this video but we went out immediately and purchased elbow, knee and wrist guards. Knock on wood, we have never made a trip to the ER with the kids and I don't want to start now :)

Happy Birthday in Spanish

TPG celebrated his birthday today and I stopped by his Kindergarten class with ice cream cups. TPG is in a Spanish Immersion program which means that he receives instruction in Spanish for half of the school day. He is not learning Spanish but learning IN Spanish. The students in his class sang to him in Spanish and English. Then his teacher asked him a question in Spanish and he answered it in Spanish. I have absolutely NO idea what they were saying but TPG seemed to understand. Totally amazing.

More Easter Fun

The kids had fun hanging with family and having an EasterEgg hunt. The last picture is of DCG hanging with her favorite Uncle Tony. Sorry all you other uncles out there. DCG just really loves her Uncle Tony.

Happy Easter

The Easter Bunny visited our house last night. We did not build it up or really even talk about the Easter Bunny this year. TPG has pretty much figured out that Santa and the Easter Bunny are us and he is really not good at keeping his mouth shut. So, I thought if I did not bring it up, he would not ruin it for DCG. The plan worked pretty well. They discovered their Easter baskets and were pretty excited. Notice DCG is wearing the same dress as on Christmas morning. She insists on wearing it most nights when it is not in the wash. Thank you Aunt Ahren for making this dress! We are heading to Falmouth to attend services at Pop Pop B's Church and then to Tollesboro for some more Easter celebrations. More pictures to come.