Mon Artistes

Yep. 

Charlie ate most of his...but BOY, were they quiet for a solid 30 minutes!

Felt Mardi Gras Masks

Today's agenda is focused on 1 thing:

 Mardi Gras!

-Make Masks

-Homemade King Cake

-Soaking beans for tomorrow's red beans & rice

The masks turned out so cute and the boys really had fun making them.

Well, Tripp had fun making a mask.

Charlie had fun eating a marker, dumping our supplies out and then, picking them back up to start the cycle all over again.

Notice the marker mouth?

Deciding which treasures to decorate his mask

Meticulously picking out his sequins

Charlie's contribution

Finished!

Checking himself out in the mirror :)

the Mardi Gras monster!

Charlie has yet to let me put his on him, but I will get a pic when he does!

Laissez les bons temps roule, y'all!

Bulldawg Birthday Bash

Mississippi State University celebrated their 133rd birthday this week with a little food and fun in the Junction.

The weather couldn't have been more perfect for my mama friends and our kiddos to enjoy the day!

 Sharing ice cream

such a monkey

 cuddling with Ollie

 Joan and Landon following my escapee

 boogie on down, T!

 still dancing

 notice the hands over the ears

Camping

We have a camping trip or 2 in the works and have been talking about it a lot lately.

So, Tripp begged to set up his tent and the whole ensemble.

In exchange for picking up his bedroom, he got to set up camp in there.

After setting up camp, lunch was in order.

 Grillin' a little something for later.

This is what happens to boys who "actually don't take naps" when they decide to start the day at 4:45a.m.

Day(s) at the Capitol

The past several weeks, the boys and I have made several trips down to our State Capitol in an effort to get our Midwifery Safety Bill passed. 

The update is coming, but long-story short, the bill is dead for this session, but we'll return next year with a new bill.

Anyways, if you've never been to the Capitol or have never been a part of the Legislative Process, I urge you to just go. 

Go and watch what takes place in our government. 

It's really quite fascinating and I dare say, I was addicted to the environment.

It was invigorating.

No one was there other than paid lobbyists and to be the only ones actively involved in OUR democratic process was quite rewarding despite the outcome.

I had quite the "zen" moment one day. 

I was on the 3rd floor and it was lunch time. 

During lunch, you can hear crickets in the Capitol. 

It's very quiet for the most part.

Charlie wanted to nurse, so he and I sat down on a bench in the center of this beautiful building.

So, I'm looking around at this intricately carved marble and all these beautiful details surrounded by walls that have housed our state government for over 100 years. 

Think of what has gone on here in this past century?!

And here I am, nursing my baby, working with other women to make a mostly male legislative body listen to us (instead of the medical lobbyists) and do the right thing.

I had an overwhelming sense of power.

Kind of that sense of femininity that overtook me after giving birth to my children,naturally,  in my home. 

And the same one as I breastfed them and watched them grow and thrive on my milk.

 I knew my outlook on things would be forever changed by this experience.

Now, I had been involved in the process. 

I can't go back to the way it was before...that's not the way our country was meant to be run.

 We shouldn't sit idly by while others decide our fate.

Remember that we have a government of the people, by the people, for the people.

 If we don't participate in our government, then we have NO say!
We will slowly give up on right after another and sadly, we already have let this happen.

So, get out there!

Pay attention!
If you can't go, then spend some time watching the live webcast.

Just be informed.
Be involved.
Otherwise, I don't want to hear you whining and complaining about what is going on in our state or in our country!

Oh, wait! I know you wanted to see cute pics of my kiddos at the Capitol...
Don't worry.
I won't disappoint!

 Tripp was evidently worn out from all his advocacy work and decided to rest with another one of our supporter's kiddos on the lawn in front of the Capitol.

 My cutie patootie

 Mississippi Friends of Midwives representing

Tripp and Henry enjoyed feeding each other pretzel chips during the entire press conference.

 Good looking bunch :)

We hit up LeFleur's Bluff State Park for a lunch break.
Charlie didn't hesitate to climb up a new set of slides.

 I wonder what Hen is telling him?

Stinker.
Flat out, Stinker!

“Leave no authority existing not responsible to the people."- Thomas Jefferson

Sunshine Days!

The weather this week has been phenomenal! 

Perfect temps and gorgeous sun.

We've spent every single morning at the park.

No complaints here about this extra warm February!!