Hollow Creek Falls and a Visit to The Farm

This morning was one of those times where I didn't have any other plans so I hopped online and looked at all my options. We started off driving about an hour and a half near to Summertown. There, the girls and I hiked down to gorgous Hollow Creek Falls. While the trail was a bit steep and bumpy for Natalie's taste at times, we all made it and really enjoyed the view. We also discovered a millipede on the trail to the girls' delight.







While researching back at home this morning, I had noticed that this hike is near "The Farm." The Farm is a community that actually was started by the hippies back in 1971. It was created with the goal of establishing a strongly cohesive, outwardly-directed community. The whole community is vegetarian and does not consume any animal products. They are also very spiritual, anti-war, and believe that everyone is "one." Farm inhabitants grow most of their own produce, sell products in their general store, publish books on site (mostly vegetarian cookbooks), run a mid-wifery program, teach at an eco-village training center, and maintain a school for all the children that live there. Unlike some hippie-embraced concepts, the community is anti-substance abuse and very family oriented these days. While The Farm is no longer communal, many families live there in their own houses or buildings.

The girls had a good time playing on The Farm's playground and shopping at the general store (we bought some carob covered peanut clusters). I was fascinated about the community and chatted with two different ladies who had lived there since the '70s. Very interesting place! I just wish I could have found an old psychodelically painted hippie bus or two, rusting away on someone's lawn!

Warner Park Playtime

We went to Warner Park today to play with our friends and dig in our beloved mud again!


Momma obviously dressed us inappropriately!


I love getting dirty!


Wide open spaces to run..can't ask for more!


Natalie's new caterpillar friend

Back to Cheekwood

Today our whole family went to Franklin's lovely Farmer's Market. I go there primarily every week for their mint infused lemonade which is my favorite beverage on Earth! The girls love the live music and the gigantic rocking chair inside the Factory at Franklin. An extra perk: the greyhounds were visitng today!

After lunch, we took Dada to see the Scarecrows at Cheekwood. While last time, only a few scarecrows were on display, all 65 were out today. The girls joyfully ran from one scarecrow to the next while yelling out their observations. The scarecrows really make the gardens much more exciting. If only they could stay up all year long!

Back to School Photo

We are taking a year off of preschool due to different cut off dates between California and Tennessee school districts. This won't stop us from taking the first day of school photo in front of the house. You go girls!

Hello September

Today the girls and I celebrated the beginning of September by taking a trip back to Cheekwood Gardens. Lucky for us, they have free Tuesday art classes that have just started up for the season. The girls drew on a paper with markers, then added strips of tape, and then painted over the tape. Later at home, we took the tape off to reveal their masterpieces. The girls really enjoyed working with the paint. I should have worn a smock myself because I ended up with some painted pants due to an experimenting Noelle. After art, the girls discovered scarecrows that were being put up all over the gardens. I tried to get the girls to pose with some, but it appeared that the scarecrows don't just scare the crows! Natalie bravely stood next to a gigantic monster (not really a scarecrow but it was there). The girls snacked on strawberries and watched the butterflies. It was a gorgous morning in the gardens.


Monster Scarecrow

A moment of Sisterly Love

The Final Products

Family Reunion

We had a Family reunion this last weekend. The girls were excited to see everyone. They had a blast at the Nashville Zoo playground with their cousins Claire, Lindsey, and Will. We were happy to have Aunt Caroline stay with us at the house. On Friday night went to Grandma Sharon's for dinner and had yummy pork barbecue. On Saturday we took some pictures and just let the kids play. A good time was had by all. Unfortunately, the Hawkins Clan couldn't join us this time due to a stomach virus but we look forward to seeing them soon. We were glad that Grandma Diane and Grandmpa Ted could join us as well. There is nothing like watching the kids enjoy their cousins, Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents. I hope that this is one of many fun memories to come with all the relatives together.

Old School Playground

We visited an old church playground the other day. The girls had a blast on the vintage structures and Natalie collected acorns. Just as we got in the car, a massive thunder storm hit. It was a perfect summer morning in Nashville.

Fun Times at the Fair

This weekend I took my girls to Williamson County Fair. With me, fairs bring to mind countless memories of showing rabbits in 4H and many other happy memories built from carnivals, festivals, and agricultural fairs here and there. I would like my girls to have the same wonder and love of summer fairs. Their favorite part of course was the animals. The girls loved feeding carrot slices to goats, sheep, ponies, and one large camel. We also got to see a litter of pigs, baby chicks, and dogs doing tricks. I was happy to see that a good chunk of the fair was indoors where they had shows going on nonstop including a "Battle of the Bands," and performers of all types. Natalie enjoyed the men flying off the ramps on their bicycles. We also got to pet the greyhounds at the beloved greyhound rescue tent (we are big fans of them). Noelle spent almost the entire fair in the jogging stroller since she is recovering from a virus. It worked well because it forced her to rest all day. We enjoyed fair hot dogs (not fried ones!) and shared a gigantic lemonaid. The girls watched the rides with wide eyes. Perhaps another year we may attempt a ride but for now, we simply enjoyed watching the excitement that comes with the fair.

Recent Natalie-isms

"My straw is throwing drink into my mouth."

(On a play phone) "Hello? Oh hi Cherry! Yes I have taken a bubble bath today! Oh great!"

"Hey Noelle, I think my brain is pink and blue. What color do you think your brain is?"

(Regarding 4H) "There is also a 3H and a 2H in Nashville Tennessee."

"Momma, I realized it wasn't a good idea to argue with you.. I'm sorry."

"Momma, when I open my belly button, I see my bones inside myself!"

"Sometimes in my dreams I see hot air balloons flying up in the sky.. and then they fall down on the ground and break."

"Momma, what would you do if you didn't have any feet and I put my cape on and flew up in the sky and gave you feet? Would you then put on your cape and fly around the sky with me?"

Water Play Day at Warner Park

Today Chris and I threw some swim suits onto the girls and drove over to Warner Park's Water Play Day. The Parks and Rec people had thrown together quite an array of activities for the kids. The girls got to blow bubbles, slide on a slip n' slide, and most importantly, inner tube in Little Harpeth River. Both of the girls really embraced the tubing which consisted of a recreation intern helping each girl into the tube and then letting them float down stream and be caught by another intern. The river current was just fast enough to be fun and not scary. I was surprised that Noelle loved it since she seemed to be the youngest child tubing. To Natalie's joy, her "buddy" was at Water Play Day as well. Her buddy is a recreation intern named Will that Natalie befriended during the campfire night last month. Once she met him at the campfire night, she sat with him all evening. It was quite cute! The minute I mentioned that he was there today, Natalie was all giggles and bashfulness. My it starts young! I decided we needed to get a picture taken with Will so that Natalie can remember him. I am happy to report that Will appears to be a very wholesome and polite man. I am hoping that he is a clue as to whom Natalie will pick for future boyfriends (in many, many years from now)!