Sprinkler and popsicles

How odd that my kids be outside with stocking hats on Monday and playing in the sprinkler and eating popsicles on Tuesday? Like I said, the weather this spring has been nothing short of hormonal.

This was the second or third hot day in a row. Our neighbors invited Auds and Allie over to play in the sprinkler...yes, please!  It was hot! And our little purple plastic wading pool wasn't open for the season yet. Allie, fighting her second ear infection chose not to get wet, but enjoyed watching the other kids play. Audrey (still despising water in her eyes) ran through the sprinkler ever so carefully, as to not let any of the water touch her head.

I found it very "Martha" of my friends to make and serve their own popsicles. That's on my list to conquer this summer.

If summer ever gets here.

poor Allie, clearly not feeling the best

homemade popsicle 

Sarah

Audrey's Flowers

On our trip to the greenhouse to buy plants for our garden, I hear Audrey say, "Look Dad, pink and purple, can I get these for my garden?" Jeremy, "Ask Mommy."

Well, what a great way to teach her a million different things. Sure! We let her get the "pink and purple" flowers which were actually perennials. We started them in a pot and will transplant them when ready. You had to soak the seeds overnight in water, which we did two days before they got planted.

Audrey picked out Russell's Lupine Mix....a.k.a. wildflowers. I'm not sure where we will put these in our landscaping yet, as they can get 3 feet tall. The bridesmaids bouquets for our wedding mimicked wildflowers. I love them!

I grew up in the country. I lived for a time next to my great Uncle John, who along with his wife Reva planted alongside the road various wildflowers. They were gorgeous. They made power walking up and down that road enjoyable, since in the country the scenery is the same, day in and day out. I miss those wildflowers and Uncle John and Aunt Reva will forever hold a special place in my heart. Every time I look at Audrey's flowers, I'll think of them and the farm.

adding them in the cup to soak overnight

Sarah

Mother's Day

Mother's Day 2011

I woke up to the aroma of freshly made coffee, with just the right amount of cream on my bedside table. The warm raspberry white chocolate scone my husband had gotten up early to make me for breakfast was divine. My two adorable girls come waltzing in my bedroom all dressed and hair done for church. My husband had ironed their dresses and braided their hair. Allie brought me a bouquet of spring flowers and Audrey sang me a song. I sat and listened and watched my wonderful children while my homemade breakfast melted in my mouth. When I get ready this morning I find I'd lost some weight and could fit into all my old clothes. I quickly get dressed and ready as the limo is waiting.........

You're right. I made that up. Instead my Mother's Day went more like this: 

My husband allowed me to sleep in both Saturday and Sunday. He did wake up before me to make breakfast. I had requested scones but my husband claimed he didn't know what a scone was. Instead he made a breakfast of: two kinds of bacon, sausage, fried eggs, coffee, hash browns and strawberries. 

We then went to church and spent the majority of the day outside working in our new garden and shopping for plants. I took a lot of pictures. 

For both our Mother's Day and Father's Day we got the armoire that matches our bedroom set. It's been discontinued. There were only five left anywhere, so we thought we should get it while we could. Therefore, no Stella and Dot necklace or diamonds for me this Mother's Day. 

I'm not in a sappy mood today so I'll leave it at this: I love being a Mom. 

Even without scones.   

Sarah

Our Little Garden, the beginnings

As part of our goals for 2011, we decided to plant a little garden in our backyard. My goal: homemade salsa and a few fresh herbs.

Day One 

My husband is nothing short of handy. He amazes me everyday at what he builds or fixes or magically creates in his little shop. So I wasn't surprised at all when in 5 minutes he created this bed for our garden. Knowing that rabbits run rampant around these parts we built our garden bed up 12 inches from the ground. We may still need to add wire in a few weeks. We'll see. 

To a communications major, like myself, it's called dirt. But to an agriculture major it's called mushroom compost, manure and top soil. We added said above, raked it in, added lots of water and let it settle for a few days. 

Day Two 

We needed more "dirt" 

A family trip to buy more mushroom compost, top soil and plants began. Hours later we came home with our vegetables, fill and two pairs of cute little princess gardening gloves for the girls. 

I'm from the school of thought that it's fun to play in the mud if it doesn't get in your fingernails. I'm sorry, but I think it's gross to go dig in the dirt and then go make lasagna. So, in an effort to get in touch  with my pioneer woman roots, I will garden, and garden with gloves. If I play my cards right, I may not have to play in the dirt at all. But I will love those vegetables as I look at them out my kitchen window everyday. I will take pictures of them. And when it comes time, I will pick the ripe tomatoes and harvest fresh herbs for dinner. 

"Oh my my, what a fancy glove"

Audrey showing off her gloves, which she never put on because she didn't want to get them dirty! 

We also found children's gardening tools and got each of them one so they could help

lots of water and then we let it sit for two days

our future salsa

Sarah

Happy Birthday Lily

My good friend and neighbor, JoAnn, invited us over for a play-date to celebrate her daughter Lily's third birthday today.  

Lily, Owen, Audrey and Julia

Lily and big brother Owen

Audrey and Julia. Audrey, Julia and Lily are all within 6 months of each other in age. 

pizza! yum

Allie, trying to figure out the cupcake

Audrey will always choose chocolate. 

Happy Birthday Lily!

Sarah

The sidewalk won

Audrey had an incident this week with the sidewalk in which they met in an unfriendly manner. Seven days before her recital pictures and recital. This was the second face injury in a week. My poor baby. She was running after friends on the sidewalk, trying to catch up with her friends when her flip flops caused her to trip and fall face first on the pavement. Ouch.

My poor baby! We've been putting antibiotic ointment on her face a few times a day and trying to keep her hair from sticking to the scabs. (ouch!)

These pictures below were taken one day before she fell. You can still see the previous scrapes on her nose and forehead. Glad I got a few impromptu shots with the lens before I have to send it back!

Sarah

A stocking hat in May

The weather this spring has been hormonal. Cold. warm. cold. hot. and now cold again. Never before have we turned off the heat, turned on the air and turned on the heat again. So here we are, playing outside in May, with a jacket and stocking hat.

Sarah

Singing Songs with Grandmother

A visit with Grandmother is not complete without going to the piano and singing a song. Hopefully soon we can get published all the songs Grandmother has written over the years, especially, the songs she wrote for each Audrey and Allie.

Sarah