Snakes, Geckos & Toads . . . Oh My!

Saturday, our family visited the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh. This museum was hosting a free, all day event about reptiles and amphibians.

You can see from the photos that we truly had a hands on experience there. It was wonderful. The kids were able to touch, hold and learn about lots of creatures. They were able to hold some snakes and geckos. Scott and I were so proud of how open the kids were to touching and holding these amazing creatures.

The museum was packed with people. The building has four levels and all of them were loaded with live reptiles and amphibians. Needless to say, we were quite tired when we left. We were able to come home, rest and regroup and then go out to our friend's house for dinner and play. When we returned that night, we found a little toad by our front steps. Julian ran for his field guide and described it as an American Toad. Kalen couldn't contain himself as he ran for something to put the little guy into. Scott captured it and Kalen was able to hold it. After the little toad was checked out by the whole Morrison family, Kalen released him back into the wet grass. What a full, critter friendly day!

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

God's greatest gift to me this past week has been the sunshine.  I speak of it often, I know.  With getting over these sicknesses and dealing with some attitude problems, it has been so freeing to step outside and feel the warmth of the sun.  It has been so revitalizing.  

Yesterday, we had some friends over.  Payton and Jordan came over to our house and Kalen went over to their house to play with their little brother, Blake.  This is a trade off that I have worked out with my friend, Lisa.  It is so nice.  One reason it is so nice is because we live five minutes from one another.  Also, it is wonderful to have these kids in our home, sharing our toys and just living life with us.  

We have enjoyed our neighborhood park this week as well.  The kids call it the "squirrel park".  You could probably guess why they do.  It is a great little spot to roam and play.  

Today, we filled up the water table.  I did this mostly for Brayden, but the others enjoyed it as well.  Madelyn and Julian went out with Scott for the afternoon.  Kalen and I had some quality time together while Brayden slept.  We played games, had a fun snack, rode our bikes together, played ball, folded laundry, put sheets on Maddie's bed, and had a little rest time.  Kalen is a great pal and a super helper. 

 

I love summer, it is my favorite season.  However, I am really enjoying Durham this time of year.  Having the windows open, seeing the kids bare feet, and feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin . . . it is just glorious.  

Tomorrow, we are going to an event at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh.  They are doing this reptile and amphibian all day event.  We'll come home for naps and then we are heading to our friend's house for the evening.  Should be fun!

Enjoying Nature

Bits and Pieces of Our Day

Quote by Anne Lamott

I think joy and sweetness and affection are a spiritual path. We're here to know God, to love and serve God, and to be blown away by the beauty and miracle of nature. You just have to get rid of so much baggage to be light enough to dance, to sing, to play. You don't have time to carry grudges; you don't have time to cling to the need to be right.

~ Author Anne Lamott, in a recent interview. (Source:  The Washington Times)

Recipe of the Week

Anna’s Sweet Cornbread

Ingredients
(dry)
1 ½ c unbleached white flour
1 c yellow cornmeal
1/3 c cane sugar
1 tbsp baking powder

1 tsp sea salt
(wet)
1 egg substitute (1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water)
1 ½ c soymilk
1/3 c canola oil

*Preheat oven to 350F. Mix dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients.  Pour batter into greased muffin pan or round pie dish. Bake until top is browning. About 15-25 minutes depending on method of cooking.

~This is vegan, of course.  It is very sweet and smells cake-like when baking.  It is delicious with chili or a good southern meal.  Tonight, we had it with fresh green beans, black-eyed peas and curry rice.  

Still Healing

I kind of want to just run up my street yelling, "Ahhhh . . ."  This sickness feels like it has no end.  On a day that it is gorgeous outside, it is so hard to be still dealing with this bug that has invaded our home.  Julian and Brayden are currently the sick ones.  Poor little guys.  We are hopeful that this will soon pass and we will be frolicking around again.  

I think I am going to go scrub something, as I feel that germs are lingering everywhere.   

Our Garden

Yesterday, we planted broccoli, three different kinds of lettuce, and collard greens.  The kids and I also planted several kale seeds.  Scott was the main gardener, of course.  The kids and I were not feeling our best.  We all got our hands dirty.  It felt good to be outside, working together.

Our plan is to plant more vegetables in April or May.  Scott extended our garden area, so we now have a huge rectangular section, instead of a smaller square.  I think Scott and I both want to live more simply in a lot of ways.  Eating homegrown food is definitely a start.  We have a lot to learn in the area of gardening, but we are good learners.

After Scott finished putting all the plants in the ground, we watered them.  The cool thing is that we watered them with rain water that we had collected in our rain barrel.  It is the neatest thing to reuse water in this way.  

  

Whew

It wasn't a fun weekend for the Morrisons. I think the worst is over. Today is Sunday and I am feeling much better. We still have several sneezers, but thankfully all fevers are gone. It was tough, I am not going to lie.

Scott & Julian did an amazing job taking care of the four sick ones. It is not easy when Mom goes down. They did so well and kept really good attitudes. Scott put aside all readings and school related work to care for us. He changed diapers, he went to the grocery store for me, he played baseball in the backyard with Julian, he went and bought vegetables for us to plant in our garden, he played with the kids, he made all the meals for two days, and he'd come to me every now and again and ask, "Is there anything I can get for you?" Scott really knows how to love & serve.

I think the sunshine did a lot of good for me today. I love sunshine. Scott prepared our garden area for our new plants and we were outside quite a bit. I will post about that next.

I am posting a couple of photos I took yesterday as I was up and about for the first time.

Getting Worse

Anna is getting worse and Madelyn seems to have caught the bug as well.  Kalen took advantage of a three-hour nap yesterday, and he seems to be getting better.  Jules and I are doing our best to hold the fort down.  He has been a champ.  

I've included some pictures of the action this morning: Anna down for the count; Mads imitating Anna; Julian reading while walking and standing.  Fun times!