Staying Busy

 

We have been staying busy here on the farm. We have worked, played and entertained.  

Poppie loves picking his girls flowers. They love receiving them as you can see. 

I was in the shower one morning and Poppie was on breakfast duty. Well, I come in and I see ice cream cones. 

Me: "Ummmmm......Poppie, why are we eating ice cream this early in the morning?"

Poppie: "Cause she ate all her breakfast and I'm weak." 

Me: "And why are you eating one?"

Poppie:"Cause she asked me to."

He's so wrapped. ❤❤❤

That face is the reason why he is weak and that is not even her saddest face. 😂😂

Poppie to Caroline: "why is a 20 lb little human being leading around a 275 lb human being?

Me: " because you're weak Poppie"

Poppie: "yep"

We gathered the last of the peppers and got them put up. I kept out some to eat fresh. The girls love them with ranch dressing. We had an assembly line going

 Poppie told these girls if they worked hard and helped Gmaw, they could have some chore money and I could take them to town to spend it. They kicked it in high gear. Atleigh is such a slave driver

 She said, "Girl, get these peppers, I'm beating you!"  They washed, I cut and we all bagged. They use to be terrified of my vacuum sealer. Now they want to help

 They helped us dig and gather all the sweet potatoes. We got them stored in our garden shed to cure. 

We celebrated Halloween. Mommy had to work and we took them to our community Trunk or Treat.  

With all the deer in our yard, they leave evidence of being there. Caroline saw deer poop and said, "Ewwwwww, YUCKY!!!"  This girl cracks me up. 😂😂😂

There is a little chaos in their little lives right now. Mommy is working and going to school and sometimes she has to work night shifts. Daddy kicks it in overdrive and helps pick up the slack.  Sometimes they don't know wether they are coming or going. But when they come to Gmaw and Poppies house, I want them to feel safe and comfortable. We keep them as relaxed and happy as possible so they don't notice any difference.  

I made them something one day to help them with motor skills and learn beginner sewing. I took a cardboard piece and punched holes in it with a hole puncher. Tied a shoe string to it and taught them how to go in and out of the holes like stitching. It kept them busy for a long time.  One day we made necklaces with small beads to teach hand skills. 

And then you have to teach them to blow a bubble within a bubble. I have talents. They loved it and I loved watching their faces. 

Of course there is alot of baking and cooking. I let them make their own little cheese stuffed breadsticks one night. Then they helped with supper. 

Then there is times you just need to let them be kids and play. 

Me and Poppie tag team sometimes if they get on each others nerves. He keeps one happy and I get one. 

About 13 yrs ago I got something started. I bought the boys some money lock boxes. Everytime they did a chore, they got a marble for it. They would put them in their lock box. Every Friday they would bring their box to dad. Dad would cash in their marbles for dollar bills for pay day. Well, 13 yrs later, I'm doing the same with the girls. I bought them some money lock boxes. They are having fun learning how to open them and already put a button in their for today since they helped us work today. I'm using buttons with them instead of marbles. ❤❤❤ 

They are loving doing chores and getting buttons. They love doing anything I'm doing and it helps me alot. It is also teaching them responsibility and work ethics and reward. 

They took their lock boxes to Poppie on pay day and then I took them to town to spend their money. They loved it and was so happy. 

Then there are times of rest. Even for Poppie. The girls were spoiling him and singing to him. Then Caroline just crawls up there with him and momma Atleigh sang to them. ❤❤

You know, there's days when we dont see eye to eye because Gmaw has to be the tough guy, cause we know Poppie is weak, and they will say "I'm not your best friend anymore!" Then there's this. They are so forgiving.  They fight to take turns to sleep beside me and they grab my hand and kiss it and snuggle it and say, "I love you Gmaw, you're my best friend!"  Then your heart is just all gooey. ❤❤❤❤ #teamgirl

I know our country is in total chaos right now.  Just keep yourself occupied and distracted. Lean on family and pray. God is still in control.  

Have a blessed day. We sure are.