SunRay Farms

The weather in Greenville has been rather perfect for the last month or so.  It's warm, sometimes humid, and breezy in the shade.  Being a Miami-girl, I don't mind humidity.  But, even though I'm from FL, the summers here are more intense.  The heat is like a blow drier in your face, where in Miami it's more like the inside of a dish washer.  So, until the heat becomes unbearable, we've been trying to do as many outdoor outings as possible.

Last week, you read we went to the Happy Cow Creamery, we've also been to the park a dozen times, and on Friday we went to SunRay Farms.  SunRay is a small horse ranch that sometimes offers toddler time for only $5.  During this time, the children are invited to pet the horses, groom them and feed them.  They also have a few games and a wide open field for lots of running.

I don't think I have ever... I mean EVER, seen Marco that dirty before.  He was probably a little bit cleaner coming straight out of the womb than he was coming out of SunRay Farms!  Marco saw some of the bigger boys picking up hay, but he decided to pick up dirt instead.  He also played with the dogs water bowls, rolled in the grass and even picked up some horse poop.  Yes, my son knows no limits.  Before our picnic, I foolishly tried to clean him up a bit with wipes... as if wipes could handle a job of those proportions!  I swear, I swiped his face ONCE with a wipe, and it came back brown... but there were still 3 more layers of filth on that face!

We had a wonderful time enjoying the horses and being outdoors.  We were thouroughly dirty and tired by the time we got home.  After everyone had a bath, (myself included), we all had a nap, (again, myself included... yay!).  It was a great day and we look forward to visiting with them again soon!

Check out some pictures from the day.  Marco with his best friends, Bastian and Sloane!

 To find out more about SunRay Farms, like them on Facebook! 

Who Wants to Fight?

For those of you who know me now, you might not believe that once upon a time I was a not-so-nice person.  Yup, it's true.  I was super confrontational.  It's something I've prayed about and allowed the Lord to calm my heart.  Granted, I've got a ways to go in the "meek" department, but you should see how far I've come!  However, I've still got a few hot buttons that you should just never push, or you WILL see that confrontational side come roaring out!

On Saturday, we needed to run an errand at Target, and as we pulled into the handicap space, a black lady on the opposite side threw her cart into an unoccupied handicap spot and proceded to walk away. (Normally, I wouldn't comment on her race, but you'll see why...)  So, I look at Mau and say, "Oh hellz no she didn't just do that!" and I get out of the car.  Here's how our confrontation went... we'll call her Queen of the Parking Lot (QPT), since I don't know her name.

Me:  Excuse me, are you planning on leaving that cart there?
QPT: Yeah, so?
Me:  So, what if someone wants to park there?
QPT:  Then she'll have to get her fat lazy WHITE ass out of the car and move it herself!
(oh, no she didn't!)
Me: Really, a HANDICAPPED person is supposed to get out of the car and move the cart?
QPT:  That's not my problem.
Me: Don't you think you should just be curteous and take it to the front of the store or put it in a cart collector...
QPT: Are you gonna call the cops on me?
Me: Uh, no... but it would have taken you the same amount of effort to put it away as it took you to put it there.
QPT:  Then why don't you use YOUR effort and put it away for me.
Me: Yeah, I'm going to... because I'm not a selfish BITCH like some people!

Ok, I lost it at the end there... I know.  But REALLY... some people!  I was actually kinda hoping she would come up to me and punch me so I could call the cops!  That would have been something!

Anyways, nothing got resolved... I moved the cart.  But guys, I had a huge adrenalin rush... I could have fought someone... and won!

When we got back in the car, Mau asked me if I felt good about what I did.  And as I punched the air like a professional boxer, I said Ohhhhh yeah!  Well, he wasn't impressed.  He said that she could have come back around and keyed our car, or hurt me for real and that I shouldn't put myself in those situations.  And he's right... so I blame my motherS.

My mom would have done the EXACT same thing... once she pretended to be a cop when someone parked in the handicap spot without a tag!  And we say that if my step-mom, Vivian, were a super hero, her name would be "The Avenger"... fighting wrongdoing at every corner.  These have been my examples... women who can't keep quiet or let it go.  So naturally, I fall in the same category!  And honestly... IT FELT GOOOOOOD!

Mother's Day, Part Deux

Today I celebrated my second Mother's Day with my 2 boys!  It was actually a weekend celebration.  My husband made every effort to give me a carefree and enjoyable weekend, with a few fun things sprinkled in as well.

On Saturday morning, Mau got everyone up and we had a little cuddle session in our bed.  Everyone was dressed and fed, and just when I thought we were leaving, Marco approached me with a folded piece of paper, that read, "Mama, help me find my tete" (pacifier).  Ok, I smelled a scavenger hunt!  This was gonna be fun!

So I ran upstairs to Marco's crib and in it I found another piece of paper leading me to another clue.  Mau had me running around our whole house... and remember, we live in a 3 story house.  I climbed up and down A  LOT of stairs!  But it was worth it!  I found a clue stuck to the inside of the toilet seat, another one underneath Jonas... but the best one was INSIDE Marco's diaper.  Yes, you read that right... I had to take off Marco's diaper to get it!  Finally, all the clues and running around lead me to this:

I GOT A KINDLE!!!  For those of you who are my FB friends, you already know this because I just couldn't contain my excitement.  And I still can't!  I'm already half way through my first Kindle book!  Seriously, this is such an awesome gift for me and COMPLETELY unexpected.  Mauricio floored me... I had no idea... what an awesome surprise!

The rest of the day was nice too... we went to Target and 5 Guys (mmm) and then back home.  We saw the Heat lose (Booooo) and watched a cute movie.

Then this morning we went to church and received an uplifting and encouraging message from Pastor Perry Noble that specifically spoke to me and reminded me that being a mom is a gift from God.  He entrusted me with these tiny people, to teach them and lead them and help them grow to know Him.  I am the Lord's servant.

This Mother's Day was wonderful!  I've felt special, pampered and blessed.  I only wish I could have given my moms (Mom, Vivi and Rosana) a big hug and kiss as well.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mama's out there... New and Old!  God Bless!

Ode to Dad

Back when you were oh, so young

Into parenthood you were flung.

A young man, just barely twenty-one,

Did you have any idea it would be so fun?

As a little girl, I thought you were a king,

And I still remember all the songs we would sing.

I used to adore our "Lovin' Fights",

And how you'd tuck me in each night.

You taught me about our Father above,

By daily demonstrating Jesus' love.

Today I walk in God's great light,

Because you made it shine so bright.

And though at times I pushed you away,

You know now that I am here to stay.

Your love has guided me through and through,

And I'm a good parent today, because of you.

So on this great day of your birth,

I come not with gifts or incense or myrrh,

All I have is this simple ode,

To thank you for all the love you have showed. 

Happy 50th Birthday, Dad!

I love you!

Happy Cow, Happy Boy

Today we visited the Happy Cow Creamery just a few miles outside Greenville.  The Happy Cow Creamery is a dairy farm that provides milk and other dairy products to South Carolina.  But that's not all... they're open to the public for tours, samples, trolley rides and picking.

Marco knew all morning we were going there.  On the way, we had to travel down many long back country roads, with pastures on both ends.  Marco kept yelling "Vaca?, Vaaaaaaaaaacaaaaaaaa! Moooo"  ("vaca"= "cow").  He was so excited!

Our play group made arrangements to head out there this morning... we were a group of about 7 moms all with kids under 2 years old.  But there was also a school field trip AND another play group with moms of multiples. So, needless to say, it was insanity... but still a lot of fun!

Upon arrival, all the kids were able to play out in the yard and run around.  They had this wooden cow with water-filled utters for the "milking".  Marco thoroughly enjoyed milking this cow, and hogged up all the space for a while.

I then discovered that Marco had a listening problem when I turned around and found him standing near the street, alone, looking at the cows.  When I called to him, he ignored me.  My fear was that there were a ton of farm equipment, tractors and other trucks, coming in and out, as well as an ELECTRIC fence that kept the cows in!  Oh, toddlers.  So I decided to restrain him... yes, with a book bag leash.

Don't judge me till you have an independent toddler running around AND a baby strapped to your chest.  You would do the same. 

We took a tour of the milking stations and got samples of their creamy milk.  They do things a bit differently there.  After watching many documentaries on the subject, it's really refreshing to see a dairy farm with integrity.  It was very interesting and I tried to listen as best I could while pulling Marco off the menure washed floor.  

We then got to go on a trolley ride, being pulled by a farm truck with hugemongo wheels.  Marco loved it, "Mama, truckkkkk".  We had some snacks and enjoyed seeing all the cows from a distance.  When we got back, we ate the rest of our snacks, had some ice cream and were set free to pick strawberries.  In the spring they have strawberry picking; in the fall they have pumpkin picking.  

Marco ate while he picked and he was excited to fill up our box with fresh strawberries... some were so fresh they were still green! 

Overall, it was a fun day, but exhausting.  By the time we were done, it was 1:30... well into nap time.  We were stinky, hot and sweaty... but happy to have spent the day at Happy Cow! 

http://www.happycowcreamery.com/