little britches has 2 new favorite toys....

I found the frog when I was going through some things..

it was left over from a project my daughter did in middle school...

Pawpaw gave him the rat...

the rat is named Whitey

the frog is named Froggie...

little britches is enjoying the butterflies ...

trying to catch them...

he checks to see if the guys needs his help...

he likes running through the sheets on the line...

splashing in puddles...

feeling a rock under his toes...

simple things bring pleasure to kids...

they don't need fancy expensive toys...

just things to stimulate their minds...

stimulate their imaginations...

This makes me SMILE....

Saturday night we went to the Lion's Roar...

some of my daughters dancers were performing there...

it was a great show...

I had to take this photo...

I thought it was awesome to see this man...

of a certian age...in his 70's using modern technology..

it's not only the kids on their phones all the time...

it is all ages...

I didn't get a lot of photos...

I can't believe I forgot to charge my camera...

These are the Vikas...

the drill team from my high school...

actually I was a Vika...many moons ago...

I believe their director was a Rockette...

it really shows in their performance...

there were a lot of singers, dancers and bands...

we definately got our moneys worth...

Sunday we went to my daughters dance show...

Little britches and my Mom came with us...

this was his1st real dance show to go to...

he's been to a few short little performances...

but this one was a hour and a half...

I was very proud of him...

he lasted better than some adults...

of course he was a jabber box through the whole thing...

we keep telling him inside voice...shhh whisper...

when it was intermission time people were getting up...

going down the isles...he started shhhhing everyone...

shhhh ballerinas....shhhhhh....

he was very excited to see his Aunt Didi on stage...

he shared a bag of O's (cheerio's) with his Pawpaw...

flirted with all the girls and women...

the butterflies have landed...

I don't ever remember seeing so many as this year...

every where I look I see them...

they make me SMILE...

speaking of SMILE...I started my quest yesterday...

to see how people would react...if I just SMILED...

first person to try it on was my hubby...

I walked in the den SMILING...

He said you sure look nice today....

I said Thank you...so do you...

with a big smile on my face...

he gave me a hug...and Smiled...

we went to breakfast...

I smiled at everyone I came in contact with...

they all smiled back...

before long...I was smiling...because...

it felt good to smile...

I'm going to continue my little quest...

to see just how a smile makes me feel...

and how it effects others around me...

will keep you posted....

would love to hear your stories too...

:)

 

Challenge for you today...

The butterflies are here...

I've never seen so many as I have this year...

I have a challenge for you today...

everytime you see someone today...

Smile at them...

see what the reactions are....

see if they smile back...

see if they look softer after the smile...

I'm going to do it...

will let you know what happens...

:)

This is the sun going down tonight...

sorry for the shaky camera....

thank you everyone for your prayers for little britches Meme...

she passed away this morning...she went peaceful...

too young she had just turned 61 last friday...

I made homemade mesquito spray today...

it is just  1/3 cup witch hazel... 1/3 cup vinegar...

8 drops of eucalpotis.... oil put in spray bottle... shake....

I tried it out...not one mesquito came near me...

I'm not sure if it works or if they weren't hungry...

my daughter is having her spring dance show at college

this weekend....I'm looking forward to the show...

we haven't seen her dance in awhile...

we are also going to another show to see some of her students

perform...so we will be showing our support for the arts

this weekend...We've been going to dance shows

for 21 years...I always enjoy watching them...

My daughter may have an opportunity to travel to Europe...

after Christmas this year to tap...she will audition soon....

they will be traveling with the school choir...

so send up a few prayers for her audition...

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend...

I read a blog today that got me thinking...

I think I have figured out what is wrong with our society...

we put off doing things with our loved ones....

because:

our carpet needs replacing...

the house needs painting...

I want to loose those last 5 lbs...

my hair needs to be done...

my car is old...

you get the drift...

we put too much stock in things that aren't that important...

and we miss out on a lot of good times...

why not have a party...cookout..picnic...

a card game....a family game night...

even if things aren't perfect...

everyone has things that need to be repaired...

need to be redone...cleaned...etc....

you are missing out on good memories...

the people that love you and care about you....

shouldn't care about those things...

it's the time spent that matters....

The things I remember most in my life....

are the laughing...the crying...the joy...

the dancing..the games...the conversation...

not what someone's carpet looked like...

not the car they drove...or even the dishes they used...

but the love...the togetherness...

so invite people over...

spend time with your loved ones...

don't regret it later...

don't say when I get this or that done...

do it now...live for today...

don't long for times you missed out on...

My house needs painting...

My plumbing is old...

my carpet is worn....

but I'm spending time with my loved ones...

Inviting them over for meals...

for game nights...

little britches won't remember those things...

he will remember Oma drawing on the sidewalk...

going for walks...playing in a bucket of water...

chasing the dogs around...carrying a worm around..

till it was a little crusty....

sitting in Pawpaws truck telling Rooster to load up...

blowing bubbles with his Aunt...

sitting on the swing singing silly songs...

It's taken me a long time to come to this conclusion...

This morning I got up and made....

my own dish washing detergent....

all purpose cleaner...

and Playdoh for little britches...

I didn't have food coloring...

but it didn't matter to him..

he enjoyed making wormies...and balls...

Please send prayers for my DIL's Mom...

(Little Britches Meme)

she had knee surgery and has been having complications...

she had a stroke last night...

we are having beautiful weather...

maybe we will dry out a bit before the next storms hit...

little britches and I are enjoying our time outside...

we went for a walk yesterday....

a little treasure hunt...

he brought back 2 rocks...rosemary...

a magnolia tree leaf...

I had a butterfly land on my wrist...

he grabbed it off...

then tossed it into the air...

I'm sure the butterfly was relieved...

it didn't meet the same fate as wormie....

Playdoh recipe:

1/2 cup salt

1 cup flour

add 1/2 cup water

mix up

add food coloring

you may need to add a little more water

if it's too dry

All purpose cleaner:

2 teaspoon castile soap

5 tablespoons of vinegar

2 teaspoons of Borax

1 teaspoon of baking soda

Mix with 4 cups of hot water

1 teaspoon of essential oil for added smell

Load in spray bottle

use it on anything but glass

Homemade Liquid dish soap

 1 1/2 cup hot water

1 tablesppon shredded castile soap

1 tablespoon white vinegar

1 table Super Washing Soda

1/8 teaspoon of essential oil for added smell

combine all ingredients into a large bowl,

mix in the hot water, stir until all ingredients are blended

allow to cool completely (approximately 8 hours)

Stir occasionally

Store in your favorite dispenser

Antibacterial liquid soap

Grade 1 bar of Ivory soap with cheese grader

place in sauce pan over low heat

stir to elimate lumps

add about 3 cups of water

add essential oil of your choice for smell

let cool overnight

put in any dispenser

next time I make it I will add more water...

it was a little thick with only 3 cups

I'm really enjoying these back to basic things...

saving money...maybe helping our health...

and the environment...

just call me Ladybug on the Prairie...

I have found a few blogs that give great hints and recipes...

My healthy Green Family

Mooberry Farm

Frugally Sustainable

If you get a chance stop by and visit them...

they are full of wonderful ideas....

A little of this and that...

we woke up to a foggy morning today...

it gave everything a different look...

we did a little chalk art today...

this is little britches version of a X..

not bad for a not even 2 years old yet boy...

I think he had more chalk on him than the paper did...

the roses my Mom brought are still looking good...

the green beans little britches and I planted are really growing...

all the rain has really helped...

speaking of green...

we took Rooster to the park...

I just fell in love with the color of this tree...

my photo doesn't do it justice..

little boys are so much fun...

they are full of energy...

full of questions...

always up to something....

little britches can clear out a toy box...

in nothing flat...

thankgoodness he is learning to put them away also...

most days he is helpful to clean up...

looking for just the right toy...

then he will move on to something new...

I love toys that spark his imagination...

you can just see the little wheels spinning...

well back to Oma duty...

We had an interesting Easter...

This is my niece in her little Easter dress...

she got it at her baby shower...finally can wear it...

as soon as she found the ball cap...

the bow was tossed aside....

she loves ball caps and balls...

hubby fired up the smoker...

he cooked pulled pork...

and a brisket....

we added some healthy food...

My Mom brought the flowers from her garden...

the table clothes and runner were made by my Mom...

hubby insisted on the paper plates...

I was going to use my cute new pink and green plastic plates...

oh well...we used cloth napkins...real silverware...

we started out eating outside...

then it started sprinkling...

so we moved inside...

then it poured...and poured...and poured...

2 inches...it hailed...pea size some a little smaller than a golf ball...

a couple of branches fell...

My son...DIL and little britches were driving in all of it...

they arrived safe and sound...a little wet...

the babies got to play a little while...

then my brother...SIL...and niece had to head to another function...

it was still raining...and raining...

some roads were flooded...

little britches got a lot of hugging and cuddling...

with Nanny...(his great grandmother)

No Egg hunt...maybe next year...

the Easter bunny would have needed a boat to make

it around our area...our driveway was ankle deep...

My DIL...the queen of hiding..

and my son....

my beautiful daughter...

who got soaked in the rain...

running back to the house to shut windows..

and to make sure Nolan and Jake were fine...

it was an eventful day...

after everyone left the three of us watched Thelma and Louise...

I love that movie...

Overall it was a great day!

Hoppy Easter