So last year I wanted to plant a garden, but Ells was born so it was put on the back burner. Well this year I begged and it happened. I wish I had some pics of my dad and d with the tiller. Lets just say we are lucky that we didn't have to buy a new section of chain link fence for our neighbor. So we got all the ground tilled and ready to go. We planted seeds and then I asked Shadd if he was excited to eat from the garden. This is the response I got. "Mom, I don't want to eat dirt." See growing produce is educational as well as delicious.
D didn't think I could handle the task of taking care of a garden but I guess under estimated me. A little weeding and watering and wah lah.
First batch of fresh home-grown produce!
Garden - getting fuller
Personally the food is great. I had the first tomato this afternoon for a snack, after Ells tried to bite into it. But I am loving the fresh flower arrangements I have been getting from a pack of zinnias and wild flowers. It is awesome! And when the sunflowers bloom, it will be beautiful!
All in all - we are reaping in the benefits of a little hard work and it is worth it! Maybe it will be twice that size next year.
For some reason both of my little ones love to be chased. They run around our kitchen yelling and laughing. Thankfully they can now chase each other and I can catch a break but sometimes Ells and I get to play a little while brother is still napping. She loves it! This pic is her laughing as I get close.
So the birthday boy got to open his presents from mom & dad on his birthday before dad left for work. He was pretty excited although my wrapping was pretty hodge podge. He got real and I mean real golf clubs. Yes. The real deal. Taylor Mades. Crazy uh? Well, dad was in charge of this one and I am so proud of my wheel and deal hubby. I think I have rubbed off in our 15 years together. He found these on clearance at Golf Galaxy and then had the nerve to ask if they would discount them further as they had a couple scratches on them. They did. So all in all we got some expensive nice clubs for about the cost of the cheapo ones at Wal-Mart. Plus a the bag, towel and hat.
He totally looks the part minus the jammies
Later that evening the boys went to Kevin Beard's driving range. Thats what we call the one at Otter Creek. Shadd wasn't super interested in hitting balls and on the way home he said to d - "Dad, I really good at hitting baseballs, but you need to work with me on hitting golf balls." D found it funny and they both decided they will have to hit balls in the yard more often. Hit more balls, what do they do every night after Ells goes to bed anyways? All in all - it is just a start in a hobby that is expensive but something he and his daddy will enjoy together forever and I love that. Maybe even Ells and I will get to go one of these days. I need to play more than one round a summer.
Just chilin on the deck with my niece, Blakely. She is following in Ells footsteps at 90th percentile for weight. Ells was 99, aka the nickname she was dubbed by D. She is such a sweet thing! Can't wait to see how she continues to change. Right now I think she looks a lot like her Grandpa Billy, but we will see.
So both kiddos had a run in with the van yesterday and well I think the van won. Ells took a spill as I unloaded groceries. They usually pretend to drive the car and well she dove over the side of the seat and hit the cup holder. And wha la her shiner.
Now Shadd went to the driving range with Dad for his birthday and Dad opened the sliding door as he was standing next to him and wondered why it kinda bounced back. Well that is how we got shiner #2 for the day. Yep - both of them had them last night and this morning. Same cheek too!
So at 6:03am this morning, my little guy turned 3. A couple of days ago if you would have asked him how old he will tell you that he is still 2 but he will be 3 on July 18. It is just amazing what a change a year can bring. He is our little man. Growing up so fast - using big phrases, saying funny things, giving his opinion, picking at his food, just true 3 year old stuff.
He is a blessing and I can't even imagine what our life was like prior to him entering it. He has been a true joy and he can melt my heart with his eyes and his words. Even though he has started to wipe my kisses off, he still snuggles into say goodnight and cuddle as we read stories. They always tell you that they'll grow up fast so don't wish any moment away. it is true. It seems like yesterday, he was laying on my chest for an afternoon nap on the sofa or saying my name for the first time and I don't mean Karie, which he has spouted out lately to get my attention. Don't worry we are working on correcting that!
3year old stats:
Height: 37.5" according to our growth chart
Weight: 31.5lbs
He loves to golf with Dad, especially frequent trips to driving ranges. He loves to do just about anything outside like frisbee, baseball, swinging, playing in the water or sand. Latest favorite toy is the water blaster - thanks our friends. He loves puzzles and games. Candy Land or Memory are the favorites. He love to dance and sing. He knows almost all the words to pretty much all of our favorite songs especially Go Fish. He loves to read books - Little Critter, Bernstein Bears, Dr. Seuss. He is an awesome Big Brother - sharing and loving on Ells. He loves to go on walks, feed the ducks, play at the park, play with his friends. He love to pray and talk about God. He is a thinker like his daddy, a talker like his mommy and one smart cookie. Some times we have a hard time believing he is just turning 3.
So who doesn't love a handmade card from one of these two.
A few weeks ago - we had to do a little crafting as we were celebrating Papa Tim and Aunt Kelkey's birthday.
Just a side note - always use washable markers. And don't ever leave them unattended. This is what happened the last time I did that. It came out. It just took about a solid hour of scrubbing with soap and water.
I was so angry I just started laughing. It was one of those moments that Shadd couldn't quite figure out my reaction.
So in our previous life we spent every single weekend working on our house - 3109 - and a house we flipped in our home town - 222. We dubbed them after there house #s of course. Well with a little tugging at my hubby's side and some blog inspiration we are finally back at it. We had a free weekend and took advantage of it.
A white mantel finally - bye bye ugly eye sore oak! Thanks to Sherwin-Williams pro choice in pearly white we are on to tackle the kitchen cupboards. Something I have wanted to do since we moved in 3.5 years ago. I guess I have just been patiently waiting for the hubs to get on board. He actually is encouraging the cabinets and pushing for them this week. We will see. So I thought I took a picture of the before but can't seem to find one! I guess I was just so excited to paint it I forgot to take the before!
What do you think?
Also a little diy artwork for upstairs. I ordered a couple of canvases from Canvas On Demand of each of the kids and they needed a little something heartfelt in the middle. Then I stumbled upon this from the Lettered Cottage.
since my husband is way more handy than he lets on he knocked out the frame and well it looks like... it is still a work in progress - lets just say gray on wood just doesn't seem to show up as much as I would like it.
Plus we squeezed in a 1.5 hour bike ride with the kids and a couple of walks regardless of the scorching heat!
Takin' a break at the Butterfly Garden
snacks and sticks and water - what else could one ask for?
This is the sight I see every morning....my two little ones disappointed that Daddy is leaving for work. They run to the door and wave goodbye. Each day Shadd says - "Have a safe trip Dad!" Not really sure where this little guy picks up all his expressions and phrases but they sure are funny coming out of a 2yr old mouth!
So I used to think life with two little ones wasn't so bad...well then ellsyn started walking and all craziness broke loose. She is just one busy little girl. If I leave her for just a minute - she'll walk off the stairs into thin air, eat a handful of mud and take an attempt at climbing and going down the slide. Here is a shot of the usual aftermath.
We had a terrific weekend. Nothing too crazy - well at least for us. Shadd and D went golfing late Saturday as Ells and I went shopping at our favorites (Hobby Lobby & World Market). Got some stuff for some great projects, I hope. Sunday we went to church (D & I got to serve in Shadd's class so that was fun). Then Papa & Frama checked out the new trail from our house to the Neal Smith Trail. There is a huge hill so I was thankful Papa pulled Ells in the trailer. I would have had to walk for sure. We caught some late fireworks in our driveway thanks to our neighbors.
Grandma Darcy went along for the golf trip - she claimed to have a bag of tricks to keep Shadd entertained. I think it worked.
Didn't even leave our house!
Then on the 4th we went to Norwalk to enjoy the parade. An experience our children had never had til then. Shadd loved it. Ells would have passed. She stayed low key on D's lap most of the time but Shadd even got daring and went out a ways into the street to retreive some candy. And we got a lot of it. No one passes by a innocent kid with a longing, dumbfound expression. Filled up our whole candy jar at home! Might even have enough for trick or treat in a few months. Then we headed to Aunt Karrie's for awesome food, some sweet water balloons, and home-made ice cream (a treat D's been making pretty regularly for us) not that either of us need it!
We had a blast. What an honor to call ourselves Americans! We couldn't be prouder. We are so grateful for all those men and women who serve our country selflessly. As we know a family personally impacted by last years deployment - we are so grateful them too! It is not easy!
One thing I love about girls is cute hair. No if only I can keep the clips, headbands, hats, etc on. Well she can't quite reach the pig tails so you guessed that is what she is sporting this summer. Along with some clips.
