And the blocks are out once again. At least the Little People village set isn't out too. There's a wonderful pile of laundry lurking in the corner (wonderful because it shows all the clean clothes we have to wear!). Someone really should fold that. And put it away. I'll make Henley do it. Just kidding. … Continue reading Morning Time
Parenting
Risky Play
I've been following the 1000hoursoutside challenge, I'll link to that blog below, since March 2019. We haven't exactly tracked our hours, but I know we've been outside much more since hearing about this challenge and researching the many benefits of outdoor nature time for children and their developing minds and bodies. One benefit plenty of … Continue reading Risky Play
It’s a Zoo
Current total of animals under my care: 100 cows 4 bulls 2 horses (okay so these top three are Mr. Racncher's responsibility but I'm counting them because they totally impact the rest of my life as well--wanna go on a date? Cows are out. Wanna have an early night? Cows are out. Wanna leave town? … Continue reading It’s a Zoo
Toys with Loose Parts
What's your take on toys with loose parts and pieces? Sets of blocks, duplos, legos, kids' kitchenware, magnets, animal figurines etc. Do you like 'em or lump 'em? I regularly vacillate between loving and despising this category of toy with every fiber of my being. On this day, I loved all the loose parts. All … Continue reading Toys with Loose Parts
Mushroom Picking Without the Mushrooms
We went to the mountains in search of morel mushrooms. We didn't find any but we did gather some beautiful flowers and cool sticks. Becca hiked most of the time with a package of graham crackers in hand. She couldn't quite make it up the embankment without some help from big sister though. We love … Continue reading Mushroom Picking Without the Mushrooms
Winter/Springtime Ranching
Winter is my least favorite ranching season. The weather is generally wet, cold, blustery, and rather than sipping hot cocoa, we have to be out in the inclement weather feeding cows or pulling calves or mending fence or breaking ice. I use the term "we" very loosely here. This year, the traditional winter months of … Continue reading Winter/Springtime Ranching
Arizona Trip
We went on vacation!!! Sometimes it feels like we never do anything cool or interesting or out of the ordinary for us, but last weekend rocked that notion right out of our lives. We took a weekend trip to Florence, Arizona and had the best family vacation ever! We left our house at 5:15 AM … Continue reading Arizona Trip
Riggins Life (at home)
My girls and I took a nice leisurely walk--at the pace of Becca's short legs--down our road to the stop sign and back home again. We nearly made it to our driveway when both girls wandered into the barrow pit at commenced digging and sifting through the dirt. My attempts to entice them back to … Continue reading Riggins Life (at home)
The Ending of Graduate School
Sometimes I really worry that my children are not learning enough or receiving enough attention from me. This past year of graduate school has been especially demanding, and increases in outside-of-the-home-obligations like storytime, Joy School, Sunday School teaching, Relief Society, and the ever growing ranch have really drained and depleted me as a wife and … Continue reading The Ending of Graduate School
New Traditions: Family Home Evening
Our primary takeaway, as a family, from General Conference is that we need to hold Family Home Evening once a week. This is not a new admonition, or better phrased invitation from the Prophet, but it is something we have struggled with and largely ignored in our home. Still, in an effort to show our … Continue reading New Traditions: Family Home Evening
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