The Happenings of the Holmes Household

2012-01-23T16:50:00.001-08:00

Homework: A nightly routine.

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2012-01-21T18:24:00.001-08:00

Movies!

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2012-01-20T17:21:00.001-08:00

Lower School Basketball Night

2012-01-19T17:01:00.001-08:00

At the debut of Flat Stanley.

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2012-01-19T17:00:00.001-08:00

My little rocking reader.

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2012-01-17T17:45:00.001-08:00

Minor insanity

2012-01-16T13:00:00.001-08:00

Curls!!

2012-01-15T19:25:00.000-08:00

This little boy sure wants to be big like his dad and tend the fire. So whenever dads not around he pretends for a bit.

2012-01-14T16:21:00.001-08:00

Sol crashed in front of the wood stove tonight.

2012-01-14T04:02:00.001-08:00

Piano lessons

2012-01-12T16:04:00.001-08:00

A cold day and a beautiful sunset.

2012-01-11T15:31:00.000-08:00

Our friend Sandy likes to hang out while the kids do their homework.

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2012-01-10T17:36:00.001-08:00

The neighbors new puppy. Just seven weeks old.

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2012-01-09T18:05:00.001-08:00

Soil analysis experiments

2012-01-08T18:02:00.001-08:00

The view out the door today.

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2012-01-07T16:34:00.000-08:00

Decided to cash in the change and open up the kids a savings account.

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2012-01-06T18:57:00.001-08:00

A wonderful evening with good friends. Pic courtesy of 9 year old Solomon.

2012-01-05T15:43:00.001-08:00

Unusually warm weather here. I love my polar bear.

2012-01-04T19:34:00.001-08:00

Warming up by the fire.

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2012-01-03T17:58:00.001-08:00

Wrestling!

2012-01-02T11:15:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T17:43:00.001-08:00

With love,
Sarah and Sean

Evening Routine

2011-02-16T18:54:00.000-08:00

Our evenings go by so quickly. I try to get home from work by 4 pm, but it's usually around 5. Once I'm home, the first thing to tackle is dinner. While dinner is cooking, I tidy up the kitchen and the house. The kids play outside if the weather is nice. Sean is almost always home before me, so when I get home he is working on the outside chores. This involves feeding and watering the animals and milking. When milking is done, he brings the bucket to me to strain and cool the milk. I can usually count on him being inside and ready for dinner around 6 pm. After dinner, homework begins. Sage has math, spelling, reading, or writing every night. Solomon has to read and practice his spelling words. Then if it is bath night, they hit the tub. If not, we might have time for a game like Go Fish, LEGO's, etc. Then it's almost 8 pm and it's time to brush teeth and go to bed!

After everyone is in bed, if I'm not too tired, I use the computer to read blogs and blog myself!

Tonight our routine was changed a little by Sage's insistence on taking a walk. So we walked around the pond as a family and 2 of the little puppies followed us! We noticed mice trails that were uncovered with the melting snow, muskrat tracks on the pond, and a nice moon. Sean and I chatted about the summer homestead plans.

I feel so lucky to be healthy, happy, and surrounded by love. It's a good life.

Sweet Things

2011-02-14T18:30:00.000-08:00

In honor of Valentines Day, some sweet things I've seen lately.

1. Sean painted Sage's toes tonight. Complete with little toenail applique stickers in the shape of butterflies and flowers. Two coats of clear top coat. Awesome. All the while she was beading a bracelet for one of Sean's friends. It had his name on the bracelet in beads.

2. Solomon asking me for a back scratch and saying ohhh... ahhh.... lower mom.... yeah... over to the side.... the kid loves having his back scratched. He MUST be growing because he can't get enough sleep and he ate 3 whole veggie burgers (no bun) noodles and sauce for dinner. This is AFTER a crap load of Valentines Day candy.

3. The puppies. OMG they are amazing. Blue killed an opossum tonight and they were checking the dead thing out. But that's not so cute. The little black one LOVES Sage. I'm serious. It looks at her and follows her and you can just tell that it is in love with her.

4. My good friend Jordan who came to visit me yesterday. He was planning on getting a puppy for his friend but realized that the puppies weren't exactly apartment sized dogs. I was so happy to see him.

5. Sean brought me a cool wooden beaded necklace and earrings from Costa Rica. And some bath soap and honey from one of the local coffee farmers he met. I dig international presents. :)

6. A thought I had. Dad used to buy my sister and me a little red heart shaped box of chocolates for Valentines Day. That was always so special to me. I guess I thought it was weird for a dad to get his daughters a gift on Valentines day but now it's like the sweetest thing ever. And tonight when Sean was painting Sage's nails, I saw how much he loved her when he looked at her.

7. Dove dark chocolate and cherry swirl individually wrapped hearts. YUM!

What happens when the kids watch too many Westerns.

2011-02-12T17:10:00.000-08:00

The kids watched Lonesome Dove (it's SOOOO long) and Pale Rider. Thus, Solomon and Sage are obsessed with it. They poured cranberry juice in glasses and toasted each other and called it whiskey. It was so funny. They like to take on the persona of the cowboys and cowgirls in the movie, so they call each other Gus or Captain. Solomon got into the skewers- to him they became Indian arrows. He stuck them in everything. So now I have holes in the fabric of the ottoman. But hey, it's just stuff. Our furniture is pretty raggedy anyway!!

Puppy Love, I can't get enough

2011-02-04T19:14:00.000-08:00

It was only a 2 day work week for me this week, as we had snow days Tuesday-Thursday. Nevertheless, today sure felt like a well earned Friday. Sean leaves for Costa Rica on Sunday, and the kids and I will take him to the airport bright and early that morning. Yesterday, Sean go stuck down the road as he was coming home. We finally got our road plowed today and got mail for the first time in 3 days yesterday. Anyway, I'm SOOOOO not looking forward to milking the cow and tending to the other outdoor chores in the COLD COLD weather. I am so ready for Spring.

My angel, and dear sweet helper.

Puppy loving, trying to get some love from Napoleon

He's not real into that.

Check out that chubby puppy!

Snow Day Activity: Part 1

2011-02-01T17:46:00.000-08:00

Not much going on today. This morning I ventured out to the local BP station to grab some batteries for our wireless indoor/outdoor thermometer. The roads were fine, but it was early. Little by little, more snow piled up. The kids played well together today--they played pirates, Lego stuff, and lots more of their make believe games. Sol convinced me to draw a beard on his face and Sean drew a patch on his eye.

We moved the new puppies into the back porch and moved the goats to a better shelter for the cold day ahead. The kids played outside, Sean and I cleaned out part of the loafing shed (he calls it the loafing shed because the mule likes to hang out in there) to make room for the goats, and I put together my seed order for this summer. It is almost exclusively from Baker Creek . They have a beautiful seed catalog that has great descriptions of the plants.

Here is a pic of the kids venturing outside. I took this

from inside the house...
Hope everyone is staying warm!

Puppy Pics and Sean's new scythe

2011-01-30T18:59:00.000-08:00

The puppies will be 4 weeks old tomorrow and they are already eating solid food. They are fuzzy little zipping and growling balls of fun. We moved them out to the doghouse outside about a week ago and when you walk around the corner of the house and they hear you coming they pile out of the house and waddle toward you! It's so cute.

Sage took a couple of these photos, she is enjoying toting around the camera and I like looking at the pictures she took.

Sean received his custom made scythe from here and he is really fond of it. He was using it out by the pond dam today.

That's about all that is happening around these parts!! Looks like more snow this week. boo!

Handmade from Me! A giveaway..

2011-01-24T07:46:00.000-08:00

This year one of my goals is to learn how to sew and make more handmade items for the house. I really want to make some table runners. I love the ones I see at the Family Center in Harrisonville, but they are expensive. They can't be that hard to make..... right?? I'd also like to make place mats and napkins for the table. So, in the spirit of giving, I will pass along the gift by giving away 3 handmade things to the first 3 people who comment on this post. I got this idea from a lovely and creative blogger here.

I just hope I have at least 3 people read this post....

Sage at the Arboreteum

2009-11-08T17:21:00.000-08:00

I thought this was a beautiful picture of Sage.

Sol loses his first tooth!

2009-11-08T17:19:00.000-08:00

First Day of School

2009-09-08T20:22:00.000-07:00

Sage starting 1st grade and Solomon in Pre-K.

This Kid LOVES me!

2009-08-10T21:29:00.000-07:00

Get your freaking hands off my dessert!

2009-07-29T14:35:00.000-07:00

Sage and Solomon at the Pool

2009-07-10T14:34:00.000-07:00

Solomon

2009-07-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

Lost a Wiggler!

2009-02-02T16:24:00.001-08:00

Sage lost her first tooth on Superbowl Sunday. She didn't even know she lost it! She was playing barbies and felt something hard in her mouth so she spit it out!

You will also see a picture of the bathtub after Sage took a long bath yesterday. I thought it was cute the way she lined up and covered the barbies.

Things you don't know about me

2009-01-25T06:24:00.001-08:00

My crazy fried, Jennifer, tagged me in one of those "25 Things You Don't Know About Me" deals. I'll try to come up with as many as possible.

1. I like to consolidate things. I will mix two almost empty bottles of shampoo even if they are different kinds. I do the same thing with cleaning products and food.

2. I can't decide if I believe in God or not.

3. I am a very affectionate person and I love hugs and kisses and just the human touch.

4. I really like to exercise, seriously I do! I just have the hardest time finding time to do it.

5. I have broken my leg, ankle and wrist.

6. I'm just really clumsy. Maybe that has something to do with #5.

7. I'm one of those crazy people that have a hard time relaxing until everything is "in it's place"

8. I've had LOTS of dental work.

9. I have a really bad memory when it comes to my childhood. Ask my sister.

10. I like gore.

How's that for ya?

New Years 2008

2009-01-01T19:51:00.000-08:00

We went to our friends house for a new years gathering and had an awesome time. The best thing was that the kids got to come to the party too. Adults played games at the kitchen table and the kids ran amuk, watching movies, snacking, dressing up, and having a good time. Sean and I both agree is was one of the best new years we have had. The time went so fast!

Christmas 08

2008-12-30T16:31:00.000-08:00

We had a good Christmas this year and got to see many of our loved ones. Santa was good to the children, so they must have been good.

Making Playdoh

2008-12-30T16:28:00.000-08:00

Last night I decided to make some home made playdoh. It's a simple recipe. We made ours green and added cinnamon for a great scent. The kids had a fun time.

Another visit from Uncle Daniel

2008-12-30T16:11:00.001-08:00

We were so happy to have my little brother Daniel visit us from San Francisco. The kids always have so much fun with him and we all miss him when he has to leave. Here are a couple photos and video of him and the kids.

A Whole Lotta Mexican Food

2008-12-17T18:47:00.000-08:00

Crazy story here. Coming home from work tonight Sage said she wanted to eat at La Fuente. (no coaxing I might add) So we called Sean and he thought it was a good idea. When we got home, we looked up the number, and called and placed the order for Sean to pick up when he got into town. We ordered 3 kids meals-for the kids and I (taco, rice and beans) and carne asada for Sean. We also ordered some queso and chips and salsa.

Sean got home with the food, and I was unpacking it only to realize that it sure didn't look like our order. Sean was very hungry and cranky (side note) I asked him to show me the receipt and he said they didn't give him one, it was just the total. I looked at the total and it was $36! Looked over the food and realized that we had
4 bags of chips, 4 cups of salsa, queso, 3 chicken enchiladas with sides, 2 steak quesadillas, 3 shrimp tacos with sides, and something that looked like a chimichanga. So I called the restaurant and indeed they switched orders. So I asked them if they wanted me to bring all this back and they said no. I went back up to the restaurant and they refunded our first order and gave us the right order (which was only $24). All in all, we have so much mexican food I feel like a fiesta --actually make that a siesta right now.

At least Sean isn't hungry anymore-- but he is still a little grumpy! :)

A Cookie Exchange

2008-12-15T08:58:00.001-08:00

Last evening, the kids and I went to my friends annual cookie exchange. We had a great time. Here is a picture of what I made. They are christmas mice. Sage helped me by dipping the cherries with stems in chocolate and adding the eyes.

YEAH!

2008-12-11T08:44:00.000-08:00

Lucky me, I get to watch Addison and Scarlet tonight while their parents go see Dialog in the Dark. I am excited to see them again. They are so cute. Sage and Solomon love to have friends over.

Just an oil change?

2008-12-10T12:43:00.001-08:00

My errands yesterday left me with a few big bills! My cracked tooth will cost me a crown (about $300) and my leaky water pump (discovered during the oil change) is going to be around $350. Bummer.

Anyway, it snowed here yesterday, and it was very beautiful.This morning Solomon asked me where the polar bears were. Apparently he thinks that if it snows there should be polar bears!

Sage was tested for her reading today and her teacher told me she is an EFG, and she was an AB at the beginning of the year. Apparently they want all kindergarteners at level C by the end of the year. She's doing great! Loves reading. Makes me SOOO proud to be her momma!

I put curlers in her hair last night and this morning they were beautiful spiral curls. Looked awesome. I told her she looked "righteous" and she asked what it meant. Man I love my kids.

On another note, dropped off some film to my local CVS almost two weeks ago. Found out today that they "lost" the film. I am so bummed. They were pictures Sean took of our visit to see dad after Thanksgiving. I am supposed to stop by CVS tonight so they can explain and I can fill out some kind of paperwork. Pisses me off.

Taking a Day Off (with a dentist appt)

2008-12-09T05:13:00.000-08:00

I have a dentist appt this morning, I've got a tooth that has been bothering me about a week. Funny thing is, after I made my appointment yesterday it hasn't hurt a bit. It's like when you make a hair appt because you can't stand one more day of your hair and then it fixes beautifully!

Also on the list of things to do today include mailing gifts, UPS'ing some old electronics to a place in Boston for recycling, a bit of shopping for some great deals, an oil change, addressing christmas cards, grading papers, entering grades and making my final exam.

Sean took the kids to school for me today. I'm not sure if I can get this all done before I have to pick them up, but it's worth a try! I've been so overwhelmed with stuff lately I am glad to have the day "off" to gather myself!

Did I forget Halloween?

2008-12-08T19:12:00.000-08:00

Ok, I've been busy and haven't posted in a long time. Sometimes I wonder if anyone really reads this blog! I know I use Google Reader to stay read lots of other blogs, like the Langhorsts, Stranges, Millers, Searceys, Samsons, and Huebners. But I wonder if anyone reads mine??
Anyway, I took a few pics of the kids at Halloween and I don't think I ever posted them. Here you go.

A trip to the Fun Run

2008-11-02T16:30:00.000-08:00

How do you like the spiky mullet haircut?

The Good Human Giveaway

2008-10-02T08:43:00.000-07:00

Check out this awesome contest:

http://www.thegoodhuman.com/2008/10/02/eco-friendly-giveaway/

Uncle Danny Wack Visits from Cali!

2008-09-26T17:42:00.000-07:00

It was so good to see my little brother. He looks fabulous as you can see in the picture. The kids had a great time playing with him, as usual.

Sage turns 6!

2008-09-19T10:43:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

First Day of School

2008-08-14T16:27:00.003-07:00

Sage started Kindergarten today and Solomon started Pre-K. It's hard to believe it.

Bull Riding

2008-08-14T16:22:00.000-07:00

The kids and I enjoyed an evening of bull riding. Solomon rode the mechanical bull and got his picture with Henry Yoder, a bull rider from Garnett Kansas. Henry had the best overall ride with a score of 83.5.

Kid Pics- totally posed.

2008-08-14T16:19:00.001-07:00

Just a few pics of the kids. Solomon didn't want to take them, but Sage loves the camera!

Major renovations

2008-08-03T17:56:00.000-07:00

Some changes going on a the old Holmes homestead. I will post more info on what we found out later!

Limo Rides for the Stranges!

2008-08-03T17:53:00.000-07:00

Checking out the limo and a final wave good bye!

A walk along the trail

2008-08-03T17:49:00.001-07:00

Just a few pictures from a little nature walk we took with the kids.

The Springs Aquatic Center

2008-06-27T12:29:00.001-07:00

We visited the aquatic center with the cousins this week. They had a lot of fun. It was neat to see Leo so mesmerized by the water.

Sage, Solomon, and our neighbor Abby enjoyed the slides. They also went on the lazy river with me.

Jack and Roland were adventurous enough to try the high dive and the extreme water slides. It was a fun day seeing my beautiful cousins, sister, and family having fun.

Garden in full swing!

2008-06-27T12:27:00.000-07:00

Harvested some great radishes and lettuce from the garden last week! My beets, carrots, onions and tomatoes are coming in fine. I can't wait for some garden tomatoes!

Fathers Day at the KC Zoo

2008-06-27T12:23:00.000-07:00

We headed to the KC Zoo on Fathers Day again this year. We barely escaped a huge downpour but we had a great time.

Kung Fu Panda

2008-06-27T12:20:00.000-07:00

So we went to see Kung Fu Panda a while back. It was a great movie. We laughed a lot. Here are a few pics of the kids after the movie. Notice the Daniel-San pose by Solomon.

Baby Leo is sitting now!

2008-06-05T13:04:00.000-07:00

My nephew is sitting now! He first sat at the Great Wolf Lodge on Solomon's birthday. I was lucky enough to catch a few shots of the moment.
Isn't that the cutest smile EVAH?

Solomon's 4th Birthday Party

2008-06-05T12:47:00.000-07:00

Solomon's car hauler, from the Strange's. Thanks!
Getting ready to blow out the candles!
YEAH!
A toast to family!
He was so excited to be in the Kid's Cabin.
Love those dinosaurs, Grandma Kay! Thanks!
Yeah, this boy can never have enough hot wheels.
Some very cool gifts from Aunt Kristie. Thanks!
CARS CARS CARS

Solomon had a great birthday party. I think he may have grown overnight.

Royals Game!

2008-06-02T07:32:00.001-07:00

We had great fun at the Royals Game yesterday. I forgot to bring my camera though.
The Royals won 6-1 against the Indians. Thanks to Grandma Kay for helping me out with the kids! After the game we came home, ordered pizza, and rented The Benchwarmers. Then we all crashed. Busy day!

Fun in the Sun

2008-05-31T17:49:00.001-07:00

Luke taking a chance at splashing his big brother.
Luke getting ready to run for his life as Jack starts to get up.
Solomon and Luke splashing each other. This way neither of them gets water in their eyes.
Jumping on the trampoline with the sprinkler underneath. Do you see the rainbow?
More action shots of the extreme jumping.
Sadie the swimming dog.

A Much More Laid Back Day 2

2008-05-30T16:43:00.001-07:00

Day 2 with the nephews is much more laid back. I think we were all a little tired from last nights campfire and hide and seek in the dark. It rained a bit today, but otherwise really hot and humid. We went to Jesse James Park, and the kids really enjoyed it. It has a huge play structure with slides, ladders, ropes, and all kinds of stuff.

Funny face Solomon. I swear I can't get any pictures of him being serious.
Here is Roland at the very top of the ropes. He was really proud of himself. He thought maybe he could see all the way to Virginia from there.

This is water, not Sprite.

The kids at the pond. They had a good time throwing sticks in. Sadie really wanted to swim, but I couldn't convince Jack to let her go.

Roland and Sage are so cute together. I think they would both vote each other as their favorite cousins. A little flower behind the ear from Roland. How sweet.

The boys acting like alligators by the pond.

The Nephews: Pictures of Day 1

2008-05-29T17:37:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I am new to blogger and the sequential part of me really wants to post these pictures in chronological order but I can't figure it out.
Are these two holding hands??
Maren and that rascal Sadie.
The most love I've ever seen between a wet boy and a wet dog.
Meatball subs on whole wheat buns! Yeah, we are healthy here!
Roland, playing the grumpy old troll under the bridge at the park.
Seriously, isn't Sage a poser??
Don't tell Jack, but I caught him peeing behind the bridge. Can you see him?
Guitar hero dancing on the stage at the park.
Sage and Luke had a good time spraying the other kids with water. Man, it was cold.
The whole crew, at the park.
I just love the look on Jacks face here. I drove off with my cell phone and camera on the hood of the car. I realized it after several blocks when I saw the phone still on my hood. We went back and Jack saw and retrieved the camera from the street. It still worked!!!
The neighbor puppy, Brock, laying the smack down on Sadie.

A morning snack, slurping cereal. Jack said, man, I'm glad my mom's not here. She HATES the sound of slurping.

Playing alligator.