Garden Update

The garden was a success...a small success but nonetheless...a success. 

The chives were wonderful. The kids would eat them right out of the garden. We had them on baked potatoes for dinner too.

The carrots grew all bunched up and tangled. Lesson learned. But, the kids loved pulling them out and eating them.

The peas were awesome!! We grew 12 of them. No, not 12 vines but 12 whole peas! We stood and ate them right in the yard. Delicious!

The green beans did not grow so well. We got about 5. Hmpf! 

The corn was off to a good start but now seems stunted. Hmmmm. ??

The pumpkins also were doing really well. They took over the whole garden and climbed out of the box into the yard. But now they are not that big and some of them are rotten. Help??

The peppers we moved out of the garden and into my flower planters on the deck. They are doing well. The kids have picked them off and taste tested them several times. Some of them are spicy and some not. Finally yesterday I had enough of crying-tongue wiping kids and yelled at them to STOP eating the peppers if they do not like spicy things. Good grief!

We will do it again next year. Any suggestions for favorite beginner gardening books (not one called Gardening for Dummies, please). And any tips are welcome!!

Tuba The BIG 17

Way, way back at the end of July we celebrated Tuba's 17th birthday. To say I've been busy and am behind on posting would be a GROSS understatement. Oh well, it's summer! 

Tuba doesn't really like cake so we had yummy fresh berries with whip cream on top. The spray can type....Tuba's favorite.

We sat out in the yard and had a FIRE. Tuba's favorite thing!

Happy Birthday to my sweet lovey boy! Tuba, you are our angel. You were made in the image of God and I wouldn't change anything about you. You bring us so much joy and remind us to see the simple beauty in life. We love you!

Cherishing This Time

We went out for fish and chips one night recently (it's actually been a month now...I'm so behind). We had such a lovely time sitting outside enjoying the summer, the good food and each other's company.

 On the way home we stopped at a local park. It's a long stretch of grass with trees and flowers and a walk way. No playground. It was the perfect spot to run and jump and play. The park over looks the waterfront, Navy base and marina. A beautiful view.

It was fun to look up at these huge trees...the same trees that I ran underneath as a little girl. 

Hand in hand we walked the length of the park enjoying each other and the view.

And breaking off to run and be silly. Love that our sweet Tuba still gets zany and turns somersaults. 

I cherish these times when we are all together enjoying each other and our surroundings. I'm especially savoring the feeling of little hands in mine. 

It's a good life!

The Baby Turns 5!

My baby, oh my sweet baby. How can he be 5?

Summer birthdays are so great! Sunshine and sprinklers and swimming is so fun on your birthday. 

George picked strawberry crepes with whipped cream and bacon on the side for dinner. Yummy!!

Then just in case we hadn't had enough carbs we had chocolate cake for dessert! Yes! It was such a good cake. I'll post the recipe later this week. 

We gave George a new "big kid" scooter. He has been whizzing all over the place on it. 

Happy Birthday my sweet baby George. You are the caboose on our great family. I love all your snuggles and kisses and back rubs. You are a smart boy who loves to know why and how things work. You are eager to read and love practicing your letters and sounds. You are a power house of muscle! I love watching you do your push-ups at TKD. Strong and sweet....the best of both! I'm so grateful that I get to be your mama. Love you birthday boy!

4th of July

Taking a look back to the 4th. I love the 4th of July!! Love love love!! Red, white and blue, sparkly, sunny, festive, fun day! And....a free event! Love those free outings.

Okay, the parade was free so I splurged and bought the kids a treat. Yummy....Strawberry Italian Sodas. Coffee for the dad and I.

We had a great time. Grandma Sue and Grandpa Keith joined us for parade watching. This was the first year that all the kids were engaged for the whole parade. Wow, these kids are getting so grown up.

Sis getting a snuggle from me. She was cold but wouldn't put on her jacket. 

She was the most thrilled with all the "goodies" handed out at the parade. She collected a lot of stuff to take home. She was in hoarder heaven!

After the parade we went to our friends' house for dinner and fun. I sat on my hiney by the fire and relaxed. So great! But...no photos by me.

 The kids played on the new zip line. Wheeeeeee! We went home early because Cam had to work the next morning. The big boys and I laid in my bed and watched fireworks out across the water. It was beautiful...and warm...and cozy...and the only way to watch fireworks. 

Double Digits

Wow! Summer is in full swing around here. That means BUSY time. I would like to think summer means relaxation but in reality it is a lot of go-go-go....but at least all the going is fun. You have to pack a lot of outdoor fun into summer.

It is more leisure time for the kids which is nice. Sleeping in, laying around reading for hours, no homework and no rushing. That's what I'd like to be doing too. But, alas as the mom that isn't going to happen unless I'd like our home to quickly fill with with dirt and junk and for all of us to starve.

I've fallen behind on blogging and we've had lots of birthdays, outings and holidays to post. So, I'll be catching up over the next few days.

First up (according to my photos) is Mr. P's 10th birthday! Woot!! Double digits baby!

He went with two friends to swim at the local pool and then came back home for ice cream cake. Ice cream cake is really just ice cream....Oreo base and then layers of chocolate, then strawberry and then vanilla. On the top is chocolate syrup and cherries all frozen into yummy goodness.

For his family celebration the next day he wanted to go to the sprinkler park and then have a BBQ at home. It was a beautiful sunny day and it was hot so this was perfect. We had spent the morning in church and then went out for breakfast. It was hot and we were sweaty so the water park was a nice cool off.

Happy Birthday my sweet baby boy. You are growing so big and maturing so much. You are a deep thinker who cares about the world and you are deeply affected by injustice done to others. You are always good to Tuba and take a leading role caring for him. I'm so impressed by your athleticism and your love of reading. I cherish your visits to my room for one more hug at night which then turn into long talks. You are a loving, handsome, strong, and smart boy.

Friends

At swimming lessons today the instructor asked Sis and George if they were brother and sister or friends. Sis said "friends!" And George said "brother and sister". 

Both are correct.