What a struggle our garden has been. I want one so bad!! I really feel like we need to do one. They are healthy, thrifty, good work for the kids, and it's a skill I really want to improve. We started our plants indoors 2 months ago. Then we had to work on a garden spot. My original clever idea (3 years ago) was to make it go along the back 3 feet of the yard, so it didn't seem like such a big chunk out of the middle play area. Well, our fence shades it, and our garden didn't do so well in 2009. In 2010, we just didn't get to it in time, so this year, I have been determined to MAKE it WORK!! Well, it's been HARD. Ty's so busy with his work, calling, and new dental building, so finally I took matters into my own hands. When he went out of town to a dental conference, I got the round-up out, and killed a nice large chunk of grass up next to our house. Ty was QUITE surprised (and maybe not so happy about it...). I borrowed our neighbor's roto-tiller and the plan was to just till in the dead sod for compost/mulch stuff. Yeah--that didn't work so well. Soooo, we had to take out all the sod. UG. Double ug. It is heavy, dirty work. It took Ty and I 4 hours to get 1/3 of it done. We seriously had dirt in every crevice of our bodies!! Then it took another whole Saturday with Ty, me, Marissa, and Chandler working to finish the other 2/3. So, finally our dirt was ready. We made some rows and put in red potatoes, carrots, onions, peas, and beans. (BTW--I also have spinach, peas, lettuce, and garlic mixed in my flower bed land-scaping in the front yard. We'll see how that idea goes...). The stuff we did from seed is doing fine. All my 2 month old starts are struggling though. All 4 of my cucumbers died. My pumpkins and squashes are half-dead from being wind-whipped, and are now each under milk jugs. My tomatoes and peppers are still in our kitchen--can't wait to get them outta there, if the weather would just cooperate!!
Is this garden going to be worth it???!!!??? Oh, I HOPE SO!
Lastly, here's a big THANKS to my honey for supporting his crazy, stubborn wife. I seriously couldn't have done it without him. Oh, the projects I get him wound up into. But I really, seriously appreciate his help. Thanks hon!!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Our Garden (sigh...)
Chandler's Kindergarten Field Trip
I got to chaperone Chandler's field trip to the library and storybook park. It was fun to see him interact with the other kids in his class (especially since 19 out of 24 are GIRLS!!). The kids absolutely loved it. There was one mom that got some games going--you know, just those good ol' kid games like tag and duck, duck, goose and red rover. That was their favorite part. I wish I were a funner mom--but it looks like it takes so much energy (tee, hee!). Well, I joined them for the last half, after I took pictures for the first half. There is a boy in Chandler's class, Kelton, that always tells Chandler that the "boys need to stick together", so they sat together on the bus and stuff. It's cute. We all chipped in on a book for Mrs. Plotts--it was an alphabet photo book. One of the moms put it together. It's the kids laying on the ground in the shape of each alphabet letter. Cute idea. She loved it. We're gonna miss her for a teacher. She was wonderful.
Shoshone Falls
We took a little day-trip to Shoshone Falls. Clarke fell asleep in the car on the way. He was excited when he woke up to see where we were, and he wanted to run EVERYWHERE!! He didn't care if it was hilly or muddy, he just wanted to GO. He did run right into a muddy area and fell down in it. He really didn't mind the muddy part of it, but didn't like it too much when I poured my water bottle over him to wash him up. The falls were absolutely gorgeous--the water is SO HIGH this year. The kids favorite part of the trip was the hike we took. Lotsa fun rocks and trails and stuff. Chandler had a little fall and got a little scraped up, but was okay after a couple bandaids. All in all, a fun family adventure.
Twin Falls Temple
We went to run errands in Twin Falls one day and the kids really wanted to stop at the temple. We got out and walked around the temple grounds. The spirit is so strong there. The kids wanted to touch the temple walls.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Ballet Recital 2011: Peter Pan
Marissa was a lost boy in the Peter Pan production this year for ballet. Kirsten, my little sister, was a pirate. It was the funniest thing though--Clarke usually loves Kirsten, but I think it was the facial hair that scared him away. He wouldn't go near her. The girls both did great, even though both were a little dissappointed about playing male roles this year.
Gettin' Ready for Field Day
Here's Chandler's cute Kindergarten class getting ready for field day. I wish I could still stretch like that--Ouch! This is also a picture of most of the 19 girls and all 5 boys in his class. This was also the day we celebrated Chandler's birthday at school. We made little hamburger cookies for his class.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
One hot mama for mother's day...hee, hee!
Ty spent the week before mother's Day at a Dental Conference in Las Vegas. He brought home a glitzy little t-shirt and a hot chili pepper necklace for me. He wanted to see me in my most Las Vegas-ish outfit, so this is what I came up with--all black and skin tight!! HAHA--we were laughing so hard. I don't know if I dare put this picture out there--I have a feeling it will come back to haunt me...
Chandler's Kindergarten Program
Chandler had his adorable kindergarten program in May. Kindergarteners are so stinkin' cute. Ty's aunt Bev is the music teacher there, and she does a wonderful job with the kids. They loved it, and the parents did too. They had a hawaiian theme. Have I ever mentioned that there were only 5 boys and 19 girls in Chandler's class? It's a good thing he's had a little experience with an older sister who likes to (s)mother him!
Permament Marker+Piano+18 month old= Disaster
Oh my gosh!!! I seriously about died when I walked into the office and saw this. It was way too quiet for way too long, so I went looking for my little monkey to see what he could be up to. I never could've guessed he had found a permanent marker, an open piano, and an open office door all at once. I gave a little scream that startled him, and then snatched that darn marker! AAAHHH!! I ran for a magic eraser, but found that I had used mine up, so Ty ran to Kings, the closest store to us, and after an hour of scrubbing, it was as good as new (which is a darn good thing, since we're only borrowing it from my mom!!). Did I also mention that he ruined his clothes and that the marker took 2 weeks to wear off his skin?! Little stink-bug!
Easter
Not too much from Easter--Ty and I were on a little getaway to Boise for 3 days, and the kids were at my parents house. They colored eggs and had a little hunt there. We woke up to the baskets filled by the Easter Bunny, and spent Easter dinner at our Stake President's house (after stake conference)--and I forgot my camera!! Darn!
The Cheesecake Factory
Seriously, just typing that title makes my mouth water. Have you ever eaten at the Cheesecake Factory? It's pure indulgent, rich decadence. Ty and I got to eat there when we took a little trip to Boise. It's a good thing we don't live near one. I could rack up a bill there!! It was so good, we had to take a picture of it. Cheesecake is my all-time fave anyway, I just can't think how many calories are in it...EESH!!!
Mango Madness
A few weeks ago, we got a bunch of mangoes in our Bountiful Basket. The kids LOVED eating them "Brazilian Style". You mash up the mango while the skin is all intact, then make a small hole and suck out the juicy goodness. As you can see, it is a bit of an art that takes some practice. But I guess it doesn't taste as good if you don't get some on ya, eh?? haha.