Bumble's Critter Corner: What is it?

 Bumble sees many critters outside and doesn't always know what they are.  I told her I would post a picture of a critter that she spies and we will see if any kids out there can help her identify it.   Here is the first one.. 

 

 

Bumble thought it was a leaf until she spied the legs...

 

 

So, can any kids out there help Bumble identity it?

Dear John "Deere",

Dear John "Deere",

I was not too thrilled when I looked out the window and saw you pulling Stinger and Bumble around in a cart.

 

 

 This is probably not the safest idea. I imagined Stinger trying to climb out at any moment...

No Stinger you will not be getting "more!"

But I will admit you guys look kind of cute!

With love,

Mother Bee

Stinger's Laser Blocks

Stinger received Laser Pegs ABC Blocks as one of his birthday presents from my sister and her family.  My sister always finds the most creative and fun toys! Stinger really enjoys these and since I had never seen anything like this before, I thought Stinger would demonstrate why he loves these so much.

 

First get out all the cool looking blocks...

 

 

Then, put a block on the base and press the button so it lights up...

 

 

Each block has a peg that fits into the next block.  Keep building it higher, Stinger...

 

and higher...

 

Now lets look through it...

There are three different light settings and many games that can be played with these as well.  Bumble likes it when I give her words to spell.  The Bee family loves this educational and creative toy.  I know I always end my posts with a pun, but for some reason tonight I cannot come up with one.  Please forgive my writer's "block!"

Queen Bee Makes Potato Casserole

Need something new to make for dinner tonight?

How about a wonderful potato casserole recipe.  Here are the ingredients:

 

2 lb. bag of hash browns, thawed

8 oz. sour cream

8 oz. french onion dip

1 can of cream of chicken soup

8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup melted butter

salt and pepper to taste

Mix all the above ingredients together in a large bowl...

Then pour it into a 13x9 casserole dish. 

Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.   Now wasn't that easy?!  I am sorry that I do not have a picture of the casserole after I took it out of the oven.  You see, I was too excited to eat this that I forgot to take a picture!  This is one "spud"tacular recipe!

The Bees Catch Butterflies

There have been swarms of butterflies flying around our hive this week.  They like to rest on the side of our hive and sun themselves. 

 

 

 Bumble thought it would be nice to catch one.  I remembered visiting the butterfly tent at the farm show and they told us that butterflies would drink Gatorade off of a q-tip.  I didn't have Gatorade available so I used water and put a little bit of sugar in it.  I gave a wet q-tip to Bumble and off she went. 

 

Bumble loves butterflies...

and butterflies love Bumble!

When Honey got home from work Bumble wanted to show him what she had been doing all day.  Honey tried it and caught one with the q-tip...

and with his head too!

Good job, Bumble and Honey! 

The Bee's Go To A Football Game

Football season is upon us!  Honey is helping to coach the middle school football team this year.  Last Friday the high school team needed someone to go spy on... uhhhh... I mean scout the team that they play against this Friday.   They left it up to a family of Bees! 

 

Our 1 1/2 hour drive turned into 2 hours because of traffic issues on the local interstate. It also may have took longer because us Bees were starving and had to stop and get some food on the way.  Honey ordered two chicken sandwiches for me off of the dollar menu at McDonalds.  When I opened the bag of food I only saw one sandwhich.   Luckily, Honey told the employee at the window and he "intercepted" another McChicken for us.  If he didn't give me another one I was definitely going to ask for my four "quarter's back!" 

 

We did eventually "touch down" at our destination in a town called Schuylkill Haven. 

 

Honey was responsible for videoing the plays, so we sat up as high as we could go.  Here Honey is taking a little break with Bumble...

 

Stinger was embarrassed and did not want to be seen sitting with his parents so he sat by himself!...

 

 

But don't worry...I only had two seconds to capture this shot because he then ran down behind the bleachers.  I tried to "tackle" him but I really needed "double coverage".  Once I "caught" him I gave him a "two minute warning" which consisted of the statement that if he does it again he was going to get a "timeout!"   This is the reason I will have to "pass" on attending many games this year.  Stinger and sitting are two words that do not go together!

 

He did sit nicely though to pose with Bumble...

 

After Honey videoed what he needed for his team we "return"ed to our hive.  Our "safety" was Honey's utmost concern since it was a "long drive".  When our hometown team wins this Friday,  just remember that it is all because of some spying.... uhhhh...I mean scouting Bees!

The Bee's Front Yard

The Bee's front yard will have grass soon!

 

 

Thank you John "Deere" for all your hard work!

 

 

I can't wait to look out our window and see green instead of brown!

Now for a  joke...  What did the girl tractor say to the boy tractor?  Pull me a little closer John "Deere"!

Queen Bees Cousin on Today Show

For those of you that may have missed it...

http://www.today.com/travel/family-sells-everything-visit-all-50-states-6C10974914

A Bee Goes To School

Honey went back to school on Tuesday.  We are all a little sad about this, especially Bumble who is attached to her daddy.  I did enjoy seeing all his classroom stuff going out the door!

 

 

Have a great school year Teacher Honey!  We will miss having breakfast with you in the morning. I will also try to cherish every moment with Bumble this next year.  It is her last year at home with mama before she heads off to school.  Next year at this time I know Stinger and I will be lost without our Bumble telling us what to do!! 

 

That Trip USA: Update

The That Trip USA segment taped for the Today show did not air today; however, I was told it will air tomorrow (Thurs.) 8/22 between 8-9AM.

The Bees' Walnut Tree

Honey and I decided we were not in love with our big black walnut tree anymore.  Part of it seemed to be dead, and we decided it had to go before we planted grass seed.    Honey decided he would try his hand at being a lumberjack...

 

 

  I know this doesn't look like the smartest idea, but who am I to question my master-degree holding Honey! 

 

Luckily, the tree fell the direction he wanted it too fall. 

 

 

Good job, Honey! 

Bumble and Stinger loved playing in the tree once it was down. 

 

I am positive they will both be cast in the next Swiss Family Robinson movie!

 

Honey also tried his hand at furniture making.  Apparently anybody holding a Master's degree can use a chainsaw to make furniture too!

 

Did you know a solid wood black walnut chair can cost around $500.00 and up?!?

 

Honey sure did save us a lot of money! 

 

 

We plan on making a campfire space in the woods.  Stinger has already claimed this chair as his!

Happy Birthday, Stinger!

How did Stinger spend his second birthday?  First, he blew out two candles that were on the healthiest birthday cake ever.   It is free of dyes, chemicals, gluten, and dairy.

 

  Stinger loved his healthy cake and Bumble liked it as well.  I have to say it wasn't that bad for a healthy cake!

 

Then it was time to unwrap his presents...

 

Stinger is obsessed with vehicles and anything that has wheels.  For one of his gifts, Honey and I picked out a toy truck that had a horse trailer attached.

 

It's safe to say that he LOVES it!

 

His second gift was an animal puzzle that makes sounds.  

 

This is to help him with his speech, but he doesn't need to know that.  He just thinks it's fun.  Stinger  knows the animals and the sounds that they make but when he tries to say the sounds he drops the first consonant and just says the vowel sounds.  According to Stinger a cow says "oooo" and a sheep says "aaaa".  Even though he can say the "M" and the "B" sound he has trouble putting sounds together.

Then it was on to a game of Candyland: Dora the Explorer Edition.  This was Bumble's choice.  Just a heads up for anyone that ever plays Candyland with Bumble.  She cheats!!

All in all I believe Stinger had a great birthday!  In fact, all the Bees had a fun day together.  Enjoy being two Stinger!

 

Stinger's Birthday Preparation

 Stinger will turn 2 tomorrow (Monday)!!!

I am just thankful that he can smile again after being sick for several days.  To prepare for his birthday, I decided I better get working on his cake.  I wanted it to be Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free.   Once again it's Betty Crocker to the rescue...

 

I made it according to her package directions, but had to substitute butter for plant based butter in order to get it to be dairy-free.  I tasted the butter and well, it is indeed natural!  I also used the butter for the icing along with almond milk in place of cows milk...

 

Let's hope the cake is edible and that he likes it.  I also bought some ice cream for him to eat with his cake...

 

I have tasted this ice cream before and it is actually delicious! 

 

I hope Stinger has a fun day tomorrow!

 

Dear Stinger

Dear Stinger,

     I promise that next year we will not get passes to Hersheypark.  You seemed annoyed the last time we went.   You see, I have been letting you eat some foods that have gluten and dairy in them just to see how it would affect you.  You had been doing much better lately and I guess I thought you could try to handle some different foods now.   I see the look in your eye when you see others eating delicious foods that you can't have.  I feel bad for you.   As much as I want you to eat like a "normal" child I am putting you back on your diet.   You seemed a little off this week...

 

This picture taken at Hersheypark says it all and it breaks your mama's heart.  I am sorry it was so loud.  Next year I promise we will stay close to our hive and enjoy our nice quiet lawn where you can catch lightning bugs, play ball, and tackle Bumble to the ground!   I think it will "bee" lots of fun!
                                            
                                                                                                                Love,
                                                                                                                Mama

That Trip USA: Update

The Martin's That Trip USA segment will now air on the Today show on Wednesday 8/21 between 8-9AM. 

The Bees Do Dot Art

Bumble received this as a gift last year...

 

It is Dot Art and she loves it!  Dot Art is great because it allows kids to paint without any brushes or water and without any major messes which this mom loves!  To prove that point I even let stinger paint with them...

 

See, no messy hands, face, or hair!  This is an accomplishment for our little Stinger!

 

Here is Bumble painting a picture...

 

It's fun to take the caps off and on too...

Now lets see the results...

Here is Stingers first piece of artwork made totally by him.  I will cherish it.  It is refrigerator worthy!

 

Here is Bumbles.  I love the cheery yellow!

 

And of course Queen Bee couldn't resist and had to join in as well.  Here is mine...

 

 

I entitled it "A Painting by the Farmer's 'Dot'er"! 

 

As you can see Dot Art is fun and comes highly recommended by the Bees!  If you would like to see the products Dot Art offers you may visit their website at www.dotart.com.