So take a look at this beauty!

Every Sunday for the past 3 months or so, we take a 'Sunday Drive." Greg and I try to have a plan of where to go, looking at different areas to possibly move to. The kids crab and complain and ask if we are going home yet. Occassionaly Declan asks me pull over so he can puke. It's good fun =) And since we are all confined in Maxivan, it counts as family time in my book. Well, this morning was no different. We headed out the door around 11:30 and spent the day tooling around the country hills.

I've posted on my Facebook page some of the houses we've come across. Most of them are either short sales or foreclosed. The past 2 foreclosed houses have been left unlocked, and we take a peek around. Well, today we didn't get lucky in that aspect, but we did gain entry to 2 gated communities that we would have wasted a trip out to the country for otherwise. Imagine my surprise when this is the house we pulled up to....

Hello LOVER!

Declan informed me it was 17 steps up to the front door.

I honestly could not decide which porch I would rather drink my glass of wine on.

I think it's been waiting for me to find it. It's totally the house I have in my mind. The only possible snag is that we don't think they allow any livestock animals... and since we would like to be as 'off the grid' as possible, we believe the house is not on a well or septic system. I've contacted our realtor to see what he can find out, he'll let me know Tuesday morning....

I think anyone that knows me would say this house is screaming my name!

Now, back to which porch for that much needed glass of wine...

The Country Life is for Me!

Declan's kindergarten class had a field trip to the Sacramento County Fair yesterday. I took the girls separate since I don't have my fingerprints on file with the school district. So, really we crashed the field trip... Any how, it was a perfect morning weather wise to be at the fair. I think it was open yesterday for all of the schools to have their field trip there, as there was about 2.7 million kids there - good times!

I hung around with the Mom who Declan rode there with, as she was assigned to 4 kids. Another Mom who chaperoned gladly came with us as well. She only has 1 child and being assigned to 4 kids at the county fair was enough to put her over the edge! LOL! I told her that is how I feel at any given moment - she turned white!

When we went into the pavilion with the goats, sheep, cows, pigs and chickens it became obvious right away that Maren did not like the animals! She was terrified in fact. So, we closed the canopy on the stroller and all was good! The country life is not for her....

The other two enjoyed themselves and touched any/all of the animals that we could.

Maren's new stroller has a small platform for another child to stand on, this was a big hit with the kids. They all took turns getting a 'ride' on the stroller. Can't you see how much fun I was having too? Botox anyone? Maybe I should add that to my Facebook quiz as a good gift to give me.... I wonder if I always look like I'm telling kids what not to do?

My brave boy even tried to rope, and he did good. Maybe the country life is for him.

I had been holding kids up to look in the horse pens, yeah, me!

Little Miss, being unimpressed...

Question with a 5yr old.

I saw this on Amanda's blog and had it on my Facebook page. Figured I'd put it here too, for the people who don't Facebook.

Questions to Declan:
1. What is something mommy always says to you? That you love me

2. What makes mommy happy? When I kiss and hug you.

3. What makes mommy sad? When I hit you.

4. How does your mommy make you laugh? By tickling me

5. What was your mommy like as a child? I don't know...

6. How old is your mommy? 35 (I was at the time)

7. How tall is your mommy? 1170

8. What is her favorite thing to do? Scrapbooking

9. What does your mommy do when you're not around? Gets us surprises sometimes.

10. If your mommy becomes famous, what will it be for? For being fun.

11. What is your mommy really good at? Getting fun toys

12. What is your mom not very good at? Racing

13. What does your mommy do for her job? taking care of all her babies

14. What is your mommy's favorite food? lasagna

15. What makes you proud of your mommy? When you hug me.

16. If your mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be? I don't know that one....

17. What do you and your mommy do together? go places

18. How are you and your mommy the same? we both have blue eyes

19. How are you and your mommy different? we don't wear the same shirts

20. How do you know your mommy loves you? because we do fun stuff together

22. Where is your mommy's favorite place to go? to Green Tangerines

23. Where do you play? at school

24. What will you be when you grow up? an atrist

Getting my Nutrition learn on...

I've been taking a class on Traditional Nutrition and Eating Sustainably on a Budget. Let me tell you how much I am *loving* this class! Last night we learned how to plan meals and what staples to stock in the pantry. This Saturday we are meeting at the Local Farmer's Market, and the following class is at Whole Foods. Amanda, a Nutrition Educator has a website: http://www.mydailydiner.com/ where she posts her weekly menu and other great info.

I'm also taking a Parenting Class through the hospital. I just got done with the first 2 week class on "Getting Your School Age Child to Co-Operate" and this week we start a new series on "Setting Limits." I look forward to getting as much out these classes as possible.

The school year is winding down. I can tell the kids are getting ready for summer. Declan asked me if he can wear his jammies all day during the summer. I've got D and T signed up for a few little day camp activities so we don't die of boredom.

We have also been a little more actively looking for a homestead out in the country. With the majority of the houses on the market here being short sales, we're not holding our breath. We've been poking around out in Shingle Springs, and would like to head in that direction.

Well, I'm sure I could upload some recent photos, but I'd have go downstairs to get the cable and I just don't see that happening right now! So, sorry, I realize a post with no photos is boring.

Well?

What do you think of the new pretties on my blog?