Superman, Forts, & Big Rivers

Last Saturday was suppose to be the boys' first T-ball game. Unfortunately, it was rained out. But fortunately, that left us with a rare weekend day with Daddy. So we took a day trip two hours south to Metropolis Illinois, home of Superman.

 The boys were so excited to see Superman's "house."  The museum is pretty nice. It cost us $5.00 a person for the adults and the kids were free. There was a lot of memorabilia from the early Superman movies. 

The big statue was a hit with all of us.

If you are interested in visiting the museum or want to read up on some Superman history check out the Super Museum website. We had tons of fun, I'm sure you would too!

Also located in Metropolis is Fort Massac. Unfortunately, the fort itself was closed due to structural damage. But we were able to see the outside of it and the original site and the statue of George Rogers Clark. We also saw the Ohio River. Landon could not believe that there was a river like the Mississippi, but wasn't the Mississippi. He was amazed.

Not the Mississippi! It is the Ohio!

Watching the river

If you want to read up on the history of Fort Massac, which I reccommend, because it is interesting, check out Illinois State Park's website. We will be going back when the fort is open to explore the buildings.

Happenings on the Homestead

Hello Spring! So many things happening around here. We cleaned out our big flower bed and planted some new perennials and put some lights in.

We also opened the coop windows so the chickens can get fresh air.

And the big thing? We started the garden. I planted tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, jalapenos, red bell peppers, cantaloupe, and honey dew. We are also going to plant carrots, green beans, zucchini, cucumbers, lettuce, peas, corn, and spinach. Hopefully they do awesome!!! I am excited!

Sam got me 2 strawberry planters for my birthday/anniversary and we, meaning the kids, have gotten about 3 each. I am hoping next year will be better. I also purchased a raspberry bush and we are looking forward to raspberries in the next few years.

Next week we are going to extend the chicken run. I have moved the baby chicks, who aren't so little anymore, to the big coop, but they are still caged and separate from the big birds.

We are hunkering down for the big storm we are expecting. If any of you are expecting storms today, be safe!

Whining and Screaming and Crying and Yelling

I am having a hard time with the kids, mainly the boys. They have turned into screaming monsters overnight. They yell and scream and cry at each from the moment they wake up until Landon goes to school and they start over as soon as he gets home. Something has to change. So I went and bought a clear tote, two glasses, some dragon tears (are they still called that?) and most importantly, cheap toys.

The supplies

I chose a clear tote so they could see the toys inside, which I hope will motivate them better.

Glass jars

Two different shades of colors, one for each boy

All the toys were a dollar

I am going to explain it to them tomorrow. They will earn them by being nice to each other as well as other people, I am going to call it "caught ya being good." And they will earn them by doing what they are told and their chores without complaining.

However, they can also lose them by being disrespectful, being mean, or not doing their work.


At 20 stones they can choose a toy in the box or they can save up to 40 stones and get a bigger toy (that I still need to buy) or they can save up to 100 and get a special outing such as Monkey Joes or Chuck-E-Cheese. I have a good feeling about this. Wish us luck, we will need it.

Today...

Is our 7 year anniversary! Yay us, right?!

I was 18, turning 19 in two days, and saying "I do" to the love of my life. We have come a very long way. And we are stronger than ever!

Happy Anniversary Sam! I love you more than ever! Here's to 60 more!

Cough Syrup

Whew, it has been a few hectic weeks. Landon brought home the tummy flu 2 weeks ago. We hosted Easter at our house the Saturday before. Then that night Alta and Parker got sick. Then me, then Sam. To say it has been a rough week and a half is an understatement. And now we are all over it. Finally. Thank God!

But then, last night Alta started coughing. And coughing. And crying. So, here comes a cold, I'm guessing, as my throat is a little scratchy. Or maybe allergies.

So I looked across the world wide web for homemade natural cough syrups. And I didn't find any that I liked. So I (think) invented my own.

First, I noticed a lot of recipes called for honey and apple cider vinegar. So I knew I wanted them in my recipe. A lot also called for olive oil or vegetable oil. Nah, not for me. I added my beloved coconut oil instead, I figured that would also make it a bit thicker. I also added some ginger and some cloves.

In a small sauce pan, I put in roughly 2 table spoons of coconut oil.

Next I added 6ish tablespoons of vinegar, and 8ish tablespoons of honey. I also added a dash of ginger and cloves.

I simmered them all together until the coconut oil was melted.

Almost all melted

Then I let it slowly boil together for about 3ish minutes.

After it boiled, I poured it into a jelly jar that I washed. 

It got foamy after I poured it into the jar

Then I put on the ring, then put the lid and ring and let it cool for a while on the counter then I put it in the fridge. 

Right after it was poured in the jar

After it sat in the fridge and cooled down, it became the consistency of really thin honey. It tastes okay. Not great. I just gave it to Alta, we will see if it works!

                                               

Next time, I will add a little more honey and a little less vinegar so it doesn't taste as vinegary. That is, if it works. I will update. But I am hopeful. It has to be better than nothing at all.


UPDATE: It works! She still coughed a little, but not nearly as much as she was!