Strawberry Picking at Vollmer Farm

Strawberry season is usually early May thru about mid June in central North Carolina. Drive anywhere outside of the city limits and you are sure to see signs every few miles that advertise strawberry picking at many of the local farms. I remember going strawberry picking with my grandmother as a child, but had yet to take my own children after all the years of living the country life. Last Saturday, the weather was perfect, so on a whim, we loaded up the three littlest kiddos and drove out to one of our local farms for our first strawberry picking experience as a family.

Not only does Vollmer Farm offer strawberry picking, there is also blueberry and blackberry picking mid-late summer as well. My grandparent's had a big blackberry bush that I remember picking from as a child, but I have never picked blueberries. I would love to go back for blueberries in another month or two.

Of course, we couldn't resist the homemade ice-cream, but overall, this was a relatively inexpensive day for us. Some of our best times are when we don't spend a ton of money, so we have made it one of our goals to go on many adventures this Summer, but to spend as little as possible. We already have a few other plans in mind!




So, what are we planning to do with all of these strawberries? 

I will be putting them in smoothies for a quick and delicious breakfast, adding them to water for refreshing infused water creations, making a delicious sugar free syrup for my paleo pancakes, and even creating some tasty frozen greek yogurt popsicles with the kids.

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Mini Style | Blue Jean Baby

It is definitely showing signs of warmer weather, but there are still some chilly days mixed in as well. I really don't like those kind of days because I never seem to manage the right outfit for the weather. Both Phoenix and Tyler have these really great jean jackets that I love seeing them wear. I have actually been wanting a jean jacket for myself as well, but I just can't seem to find the perfect one for me. 

Jacket: Target, $20

Jeans: Old Navy, $14

Shirt: Walmart, $3

Shoes: Converse, $30

Daffodil: Poppy and Grandma Darling's house, free :)

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Crafts for Kids: Rainbows & Shamrocks Watercolor Garland

We love St. Patrick's Day around here, simply because our heritage makes us part Irish. Plus we love holidays, and there's just something fun about rainbows, leprechauns, shamrocks, and pots of gold. Do don't go all out, but my kids definitely know when I holiday is approaching. 

Since my school children are out this week for Spring Break, I decided to keep them busy with some fun activities. The beginning of the week was warm, dare I say HOT outside, so we spent a lot of time outside. However, when we woke up today, we were a bit fooled because as bright and sunny as it was, it was bitterly cold out there. This mom is not a fan of the cold, so inside activities for us today!

Rainbows & Shamrocks Watercolor Garland

You will need:

• Watercolor paper
• Watercolor paint
• Paint brushes
• Baker's twine
• Hole puncher
• Scissors
• Tape
• Shamrock printout
• Rainbow printout

Because I only had really thin printer paper and super thick watercolor paper, I printed out the two pages (I had to shrink the rainbow down some), cut out one of the shamrocks, and the rainbow, and traced them onto the watercolor paper. However, if print onto card stock, you should be good. 

I just simply let my kids paint as they wanted and let them cut them out, after they dried. Then, we punched two holes in the top of each one and threaded the baker's twine through. Lastly, hang it up anywhere you want. 

We also had fun talking about the real meaning of St. Patrick's Day and finding Ireland on our new globe. Get yourself a globe! My kids love to look at that thing for hours! I see an atlas in our future as well. 

I knew Elijah was going to struggle with cutting his own shapes out, so I cut his for him, and allowed him to cut my shamrocks instead. I really wanted to make sure that his rainbow and shamrocks got hung up, but I also wanted him to get the opportunity to cut as well. My sweet boy definitely needs a little more practice! He tried so hard though. 

Of course, there are so many ways this can be done. The idea is to just have fun, am I right? If you don't have watercolors or any type of paint at all, use crayons, markers, or even allow your child to glue fabric scraps, for a fun twist. 

If you make a fun St. Patrick's Day garland, I'd love for you to share it with me. 

                    

Mini Style | She Wears Her Heart on Her... Jeans!

Well, it's freaking snowing again! That's that, I hate snow, and the kids are out of school again! They haven't been to school for a full week since before Christmas. I want my schedule back, and actually, the kids do too.

Shirt - Not sure of the brand, Gifted

Jeans - Target, $12

Boots - Journey's Kids, $35

Hair Scrunchie - Purchased from a craft fair, gifted

Necklace - Gifted

Earrings - Acute Designs on Etsy, $12

My poor girl was freezing! I just wanted to document the snow, so we were only out there for a couple of minutes without any snow gear. When I asked Phoenix what her favorite thing about the snow was, she told me it was building snowmen. She then promptly told me that bananas are grown in South America. Ha! My sweet girl is a bit random like that.

                    

Mini Style | The Cat's Meow

Oh my goodness, snow , snow, snow! I took this photo last week when it snowed, but this morning we woke up to another 4 inches. Ugh! I have never been a big fan of the snow and the cold and winter in general. Give me all the warm sun and margaritas!

 

Hat - Walmart, $5

Scarf - Handmade, gift

Jean Jacket - Target, $20

Polka Dot Shirt - Target, $8

Jeans - Target, $12

Shoes - Converse, $30

Lately, I have been buying a lot more of Phoenix, Tyler, and Elijah's clothes at Target. They have had some of the cutest stuff there that I haven't been able to pass up. I had been wanting to get both Phoenix and Tyler a jean jacket so when I saw these at Target, I quickly threw them in my cart, along with these jeans. I got a few other pairs of jeans as well, all with adorable prints and patterns on them. I am such a sucker for kid's clothes!

I found this kitty hat by accident at Walmart, last winter, and had to get it because Phoenix loves cats and dogs so much. We can't go anywhere without having to pet the dogs or chase the cats! She won't wear any other hat, so it's been worn a ton! Definitely one of the few things I have ever purchased at Walmart that didn't fall apart.

I almost always spend a little extra when it comes to shoes. Kids are already rough on shoes and cheap shoes last just a couple of weeks with my kids. Phoenix wanted a pink pair of high top Converse, but when we went shopping, they only had them in a couple colors that she didn't like so she chose the low top style instead. Phoenix is definitely my tom boy, and hates to wear dresses, but this adorable outfit has become one of her favorites lately.