ladybug release

Over the weekend, we released 1,500 ladybugs into our gardens. Ladybugs eat aphids and save our veggies from the little invaders. When released at dusk, since they do not fly at night, they will remain on the plants, eating up the bad guys and laying eggs until morning. I looked around locally and could not find any sadly, so we resorted to ordering ours. I was a little worried about the shipping process, but they arrived happy & alive.

The kids LOVED it! Ok, I loved ot too! Even the littlest who is not a fan of any bugs so far! He was calling them to him, like you call a cat, Chuuu chuuuuu... here lalalaloo bug. It was awesome. Once the bag was open they were quick to try and make their escape. We needed them in three area's of the yard so we held the bag so it could be moved when needed. If you only had one area you could just lay the bag down and watch them crawl and fly out. The kids liked and were also creeped out at times, with the bugs crawling over their hands & wrists.

When the last ladybug has flown the coop, the kids moved on to building a grand, obstacle course. Complete with yard toys, random "not" kid things like the shovel, and some newspaper I had used earlier in the day to block spray paint. They savored every minute of being outside after their normal bedtimes. Running, giggling and enjoying the early eve. Littlest guy decided he was bored with older kids and set out to be naughty. See that mischievous little grin up there. I may be in trouble with this one. haha!

Summer has arrived for us!

Welcome May

 May is here! I'm so excited. May means, my baby will be turning two, school ends, and Farmer's Market season has begun. Yes! I'm not gonna lie, we go kinda crazy about the markets in my house. It's my goal to get as much as possible from local farmers and artisans- cause they are awesome! We eat so much cleaner when we can swing over to the weekend or mid-week market stop and pick up breakfast, lunch and dinner for a few days. No boxes, no processing- just yummy stuff made with warm sunshine. Last weekend was the first of the outdoor markets.

I was so silly excited, that we actually went to two. I HAD to go to the last winter indoor market to stock up with Honeyrun Farms, soap & raw honey. They have officially ruined bland, grocery store honey for me. As in, I don't think I can live without their Fall honey, now. Yummm! We add their bee pollen to smoothies, and honey to anything we can. I've used their baby soap on Baby{J}, almost his whole life and can't say enough good things about it. It works perfectly to keep his curls moisturized, but not weighted down too, without nasty chemicals touching his new skin.

Next, we were off to the very first outdoor market of season where we picked up some fresh eggs, organic potato's, radishes, delicious tomato's, a few plants for the upcoming planting weeks {I'm trying to pace myself}, worm casting for compost tea from One20Farms, and Ohio Maple Syrup.  I even got to use my new market basket {love}.

I love that my children are learning where their food comes from, while helping sustain the local economy and eating HEALTHY. It's a triple score. That said, every summer there are weeks that I wake up and don't feel like dragging along four kids through the busy market, but we do. There are weeks that I have to recite the benefits like a mantra in my head, just to keep from going insane as the children all dart in opposing directions at one. Overall those moments are fleeting and I am helping my kids gain knowledge, and life skills... totally worth it! even with the few short lived moments where I want to cry. 

So happy you are here May. 

This week

Eating: This week, we are eating lots of tasty salsa, pretty much straight from our garden. This goes great with chips or homemade bread. yum! We've been able to do 90% of our weekly shopping at the Farmers Market & our backyard. I feel pretty great about that. Local tasty goodness!

Making: lots! Baby Quilts for friends, pillows, coffee sleeves, seat cushions, book slings, baby pants. Plus the 101 creative projects that the kids have going on each & everyday.

Enjoying: We are enjoying playing with that little kitten up there. He seems to be incapable of holding still for more than 30 seconds. He's also driving out two older cats nuts, so the children try to entertain him, for their sake.
We are also relaxing! Oh how I love just hanging out! School starts in a few daysand the next few weeks will be anything, but relaxing. I'm carry so much anxiety around with me before school starts. This will be the first year Dylan will be going off to school. We've always homeschooled with him, so it's a big change for me [& him]. He's my first baby. He's the child that made me a mom, not just Jessica. I'm happy & sad all at the same time about sending him off to school. Rest, yes... I do  need some rest.

Snow Day

Another Snow Day here today, well I guess it should be called an ice day. A thick layer of ice covered everything here last night. Looks like we will spend the day crafting some Valentine's, and staying warm.

These pictures were taken last week when we went sledding-for the FIRST time. Having grown up in Cleveland, it may seem insane to family that they have never been. It's just something you do with your kids back home! If you are old enough to stand, someone will take you sledding!

Our sledding adventure lasted all of about 10 minutes. Miss {M} was the first to be "over it", quickly followed by Mr. {D} and then Little {L}. The baby was over it before it started. I think he protested the moment I tried to put his hat & coat on. Maybe you can play with the kids next year, baby J!

I can't believe you put me in this foolish hat Mama!

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Join in at Soulemama.

Thanks!

A big thanks to everyone that came out to see me at Craftin Outlaws!! Another successful year for the show. We had an awesome day! Loved the new location, loved the crowd. A special thanks to my friend Mary who came and kept me company for the day. [It was so fun!]

Getting close: Craftin Outlaws

Getting close to Craftin Outlaws! I'm so excited for the show this year! This will be Kunklebaby's 4th year attending the show as a vendor. The vibe of the show is what really makes it fun!

I'm sewing away trying to get ready. I'll have some new quilt designs, new boo-boo packs [so fun & useful], and a whole batch of cool, new bib designs. I'm really excited about all the new pieces, along with some old favorites.

Stop by and shop early for the holiday's. I'll have our newest addition with me for much of the day. While your there, say hello & meet the little guy.

A day of homeschooling

Our day of learning included some singing, dancing, playing with ducks, playing with friends, honking swans and a cute baby [haha]. Mr. {D} has started his second year of homeschooling. We are currently studying habitats, specifically forest animals. A trip to the zoo was in order to see a few of these animals first hand. Did you know a timber wolf [averaging 175 pounds] is more than twice the size of the smaller Mexican Wolves?

I love the freedom to learn "how" we want with homeschooling. I just finished a whole lesson plan for a year with a focus of photography for {D}. He would never have been able to take photography lessons in first grade in a traditional school. It allows him to flourish, be creative and incorporate letters, text, reading, science, art & design all at the same time. Lots of fun projects in the works-so perfect for him. So be prepared to see a few of his pics throughout the next year.

The only little hitch with homeschooling this year, is having Miss {M} enrolled in a traditional elementary school. We lose 1.5 hours a day to travel. In the car, outta the car, to pick up and drop off with 4 kids takes quite a bit of time [and a few meltdown from our resident toddler]. -sigh- Just the lunch making and shoe finding in the morning is exhausting. I'm tired and it's day 3...4? Of well, I guess it will work itself into a rhythm over time. I'm just excited to still share my day with my oldest son. A piece of my heart leaves every morning with my daughter, as she bounces into her school. I don't think it gets easier, you just get used to it.

Working

Kunklebaby will be at Craftin Outlaws for our 4th year this October! YAY! I know I have months to get ready, but... things have been going a little slower here since the baby joined us. I am actually trying to be prepared for something over time [-gasp-], rather than spending an entire week before an event without sleeping. The end result is the same, lots of kunklebaby goodness, but I'm hoping this is a little less stressful, path.

If your keeping tally, of the 4 years I have done Craftin Outlaws, I've been nursing for two[counting this year] and pregnant for the other two--yeah I'm that girl. Every time you see me, I'm either carrying a new baby or telling you about the new one I'm working on growing [and I love it!].

Looks like this is another year, hubby will have to shuttle the kids back & forth all day from the show so I can feed Baby Unicorn. If we get lucky, he may take a bottle or two, but O'm not holding my breathe on that one. Little {L} was a strict breastfeeder only, as in he would rather starve than have to even think of drink from a bottle [insert dramatic, baby -gasp- here].

This would be a handy time to have family or friends in town to babysit the bigger kids. Anyone in the family want to raise their hands and come to Columbus for a visit. Anyone... anyone...? Bueller? Anyone want to just come to the show and keep me company? Do I hear the kids Pet Cricket chirping?-lol.

Nature Walk

We spent the day on a nature walk with friends! It was really nice to get some fresh air and sunshine. Although I can't say a day at the park with six kids is actually "relaxing", it was super fun! While we only spotted a few birds and spiders, the kids were on the lookout for wolves & deer. [and Little {L} was desperate to avoid any snakes]. A quick trip around the playground and a little picnic capped off the afternoon.

Team Edward vs. Team Jacob-grrrr! haha just kidding!

This cool tree reminded me of a giant octopus coming to the sea surface to snatch up ships.

New friends-best friends!

More Fair

We were able to convince Daddy to go back to the fair. Yay! His mother was coming into town, and what's better than taking Nani to the fair? With all of our family living out of town, it's rare that the kids get to spend time with their grandparents, so we take full advantage when we can. Things that a lot of people take for granted are hard to come by for us. Finding a babysitter, playtime time or reading with grandparents, dinner with grandma or grandpa's are rare occasions for us! We are always excited when Nani come to town!

A few things had changed since we last visited. ALL the pregnant animals had their babies. There were three little sheep, chicks, and several calves. It was so fun to watch the new little creatures trying to walk, visiting with the children and just having fun!

Yeah...every year they make these huge sculptures made of butter. My husband loves them, I think they are so silly! He loves them because of just how ridiculous they are!

Flashback Friday

This is right about the time every year that I start lusting for Fall. When it's 100 degree's and the sun is beating down on me, I think, fall is so so lovely! So for Flashback Friday this week, I'm thinking of fall. We take a trip each year to Reznik's pumpkin patch in southern Ohio. They have as many pumpkins as you can carry for a set price. Each year the kids try and get their Daddy to carry more than the year before. [Pretty soon his arms are going to break on a trip-haha]

This was Little {L}'s first year to the patch. He enjoyed chewing on pumpkin vines most of all [yeah, gross!]. We've been going since {D} & {M} were babies. It's on the the fall activities that I look forward to most of all. Just a fun day hanging out at the farm. They always have some bluegrass band playing, scarecrow making booth, lots of yummy goodies in their shop also.

So I'm ready for you, Fall! Bring it on.