New baby!

I had the pleasure of photographing this sweet little baby earlier this month. She was just a week old and so cute!

Pumpkins!

Today we ventured to Benson's Farm off of 7th in Missoula. If you live in Missoula, and have not been to Benson's, you are missing out. Benson's Farm provides local, fresh, seasonal produce during the summer and fall months. There are bedding plants in the spring and flowers year-round. The kids had a lot of fun picking out their pumpkins and we got some gourds and dried corn for their wooden kitchen. Now it really feels like Fall!

Birthday Party and Animal Wonders

This past weekend we went to a birthday party for one of L's friends. The mom made a great cake and even molded a Pikachu out of fondant. Very impressive, and the birthday boy was very excited to eat it!

L had a very specific idea about what he wanted to get his friend for his birthday because, "he doesn't have one at his house and he likes to play with mine everytime he comes over." Eventhough it wasn't what I would have picked, the birthday boy loved the gift and I was glad I let L decide what the gift should be.

After the birthday events and lunch, we all headed to the Natural History Museum for Animal Wonders to learn about Mammals. There are some pictures of my favorites.

North Hills Hike

Little A and I had the morning to ourselves on Monday. "Do you want to go for a hike?" I asked. He answered, "Yes! Hike! Hike fun!" so off we went. I had to stay close since L was at preschool (just in case) so we opted for the North Hills. We spent about 2 hours getting from the gate to not quite the top of the hill and back down again. I think we went less than half a mile total, but no stone was left unturned as A explored every inch of trail. He stopped often to stack stones and chasing grasshoppers kept him entertained for almost an hour.

Little Brothers

I had the pleasure of photographing these cuties this morning. Do you see the yellow and orange starting in the background? I think I love Autumn pictures!

Eastern Star Exemplification

Last night was an Eastern Star function. Here are some pictures I took of the lovely floral arrangements and flowers provided by a member. Thanks Josephine Hepner and Miriam Chapters for the wonderful decorations and evening!

Bento!

I really don't know who is more excited for the first full day of preschool tomorrow, me or L. I'm not excited because he'll be out of the house (I will actually miss him!), I'm excited because I get to pack him a lunch! Yes, you read that right. I'm excited to pack lunch. "Why?" you ask. Well, it's because we got a really cool lunch box - and I don't mean one with Spiderman. It's called a Laptop Lunch and is a bento-style lunch box. It has lots of handy compartments for packing kid-sized portions of foods and makes it easier to send a few grapes and one strawberry without ending up with mush in a zillion plastic baggies. It is supposed to be healthier (more veggies, fewer granola bars) and greener (less packaging all around), but for me, it is a godsend because L really likes to eat real food. He likes fruits, vegetables, fish and rice. Thanks to lots of bento bloggers out there, I got some great ideas, like the zucchini risotto cakes that I packed for tomorrow. They are tasty! L and A ate a bunch before bed and I had to force them to stop so L would have enough for tomorrow. :) Enjoy!

Preschool!

Today was my son's first trial day of his second year of preschool. This means that mom got to stay with him today and take some pictures :) He is very excited to be a Dinosaur at University Congregational Childrens' Center (UCCC) and we are excited to have him there. He surprised me right off by cutting, taping and painting - all things he avoids at home. He also loved playing in the cornmeal - something that I avoid at home :) Yay for preschool!

Authentic

Every year for my older son's birthday I ask him what he would like to do. L has had a construction party, a trip to the city landfill (yes, he wanted to see the landfill for his birthday!), and a jupiter themed party. I thought, having set this precedent, I should at least ask my soon-to-be-2-year-old what he wanted to do. I probably should have seen his answer coming, but I wasn't really expecting it. He paused for a moment and then said, "Horse! Ride! Big Mama Horse! Ride Mama horse!" Oh my, I thought. Was I going to be that mom?! The one who got ponies for her son's second birthday. I decided to look around. I talked to the pony person, but she wasn't interested once I asked her about the price (yikes!) and he had asked for a "Big Mama Horse" anyway. Well... I googled - what else is a mom to do? I found this blog http://missoulamom.com/?p=1199 and thought, well, I could ask.... Long story made shorter, the wonderful people at Horse Share 4 Kids Sake agreed to have us out!

I was definitely nervous as the day approached. Would my newly 2 year old be okay with the big horses? How would he react? Would the kids have fun?

Kate from the ranch sent us a map and stayed in touch and soon the day was here. Three cars filled with kids headed as a caravan down the highway for a trip to a ranch. I have to admit here that I was picturing a ranch with a big wooden gate like the ones I see on my way to Seeley. I expected to show up and find a manicured lawn with a log cabin visitors center or something, so when we pulled in through the gate and found ourselves at a (log!) farmhouse surrounded by (gasp!) farm and ranch equipment I had to do a self double check.

My family is deeply Montanan. We brag about our seven generations here and are quick to doubt Californians, but I discovered, that somewhere, somehow, living in a small city like Missoula, I'd lost my perspective.



The ranch was beautiful and authentic. The family that owns it was nothing but fantastically sweet and nice and welcoming. They love their animals deeply and clearly care about both the animals and the land. They showed us a fantastic time, taking the kids on a long ride out into the field and going at preschool pace. They let the kids play in the creek and chase the goats. They expected us to watch our children around the animals and were not there to entertain us. The ranch was entertainment enough for the children.

After the goats, while the children waited their turn for horse rides, they frolicked in the side yard playing with frogs and kittens. No one was ever bored.



After horse rides, we had lunch and birthday treats inside a bug-net gazebo set in the front yard they had set up. After lunch, the children were given a second chance to pet the horses up close and go for another ride.

My children had a wonderful time and I had a wonderful time. We are already trying to think of ways to go back. I encourage you all to check out their program. Enjoy these snapshots and then contact them for a visit yourself.

e-mail horseshare4kidssakekh1969@yahoo.com, call (406) 288-3430 or write to “Horse Share For Kids’ Sake,” Kate Hansen, director, 472 Mullan Trail, Gold Creek, MT 59733.


The perpective I gained from getting an authentic ranch experience isn't going away anytime soon and I think everyone who eats meat should find a way to visit. Adam hasn't stopped talking about riding a "Big Mama Horse!" and I have a renewed committment to local food and open spaces. Thanks LH Ranch for a birthday experience and lasting impression.

Family at Sunset

I loved that this family wanted to try to catch a sunset. Tonight might be the first time I have ever been excited to see smoke in the sky! Thanks for the fun evening with your cute cute cute children.