Gardening Again

We are FINALLY starting up the garden again. I reluctantly pulled everything up at the end of October because we were going to be in Ukraine. Looking back it was a good decision. I didn't need one more thing on my plate.

A few weeks ago my Uncle brought me a truckload of good mulch from the Mushroom farm. Now, I'm ready to get going!!! However, I need to do a bit of weeding and watering first. Since we already have our seedlings, we have to take care of them before they are planted. I decided this would be a great job for Buddy.

He was thrilled! What a good worker.


I think he was in the garage most of the day.


Looks like he has an idea...


No, he wouldn't...would he?


Yep!...He's 3 and a BOY!

Feeding MANY

We were overwhelmed with the response we received from Bailey's request for canned goods. Our car was literally exploding with food. Thank you to all who contributed!

MY BOYS

Sensitive Souls

My kids have very sensitive souls, but Bailey is probably the most sensitive. She has a hard time watching movies or listening to things that might be scary. Last week we drove out to Camarillo everyday for swimming lessons. The drive out there isn't bad except that we have to pass several billboards. Have you noticed how gross some billboard advertisements can be? A recent movie was advertised on a billboard along our drive. To be honest I am not sure what it looks like because Bailey warned me about it ahead of time (wonder where they get it from?). Brooklyn evidently hasn't seen it either. When Bailey was telling me about it the first time Brooklyn said, "I know what picture you are talking about. The picture of the lady's legs! It scares me every time!" Brooklyn was referring to a weight loss billboard a few miles away :) Yea, not the same thing, Brooklyn. Anyway, Bailey makes a REALLY big deal about it. She talks about it minutes before and after the sign. The kids all put their heads down and she starts quoting scripture. It's really pretty sweet.

A few days after the first glimpse of the sign, Papa and Nonnie were taking the 3 big kids out to dinner. Bailey brought up the billboard just in case they were going to pass it. She likes to be prepared. That's when Buddy, who knows there is something scary out there asks, "Hey, Papa, when are you and me going to go see it?" I guess we have one brave soul in the bunch after all.

Happy EARTH DAY!

Today the kids spent the morning making recycled flower holders for Earth Day. Attached to each holder is the following message-



We will be collecting canned goods this weekend to donate to Family to Family. Let us know if you would like to donate and we will stop by your place on Saturday to pick them up.

Learning to Spell

Bailey takes her job as big sister very seriously. One tasks that she enjoys doing is helping Brooklyn with her schoolwork. Here are some letters that they strung last week. Looks like Buddy was on the "A" list that day.

It is HOT

I scream, you scream...we all scream for ICE CREAM!

Written with Permission

Just to clarify...this post is written with permission from Bailey. Check back in a few years, she may not be so willing.

Bailey is my adventure child. She LOVES to hike around in the weeds and the trees hunting for creatures and gathering treasures. She would choose to spend her entire day outside if that was an option. Bailey adventurous spirit causes her to get really dirty. By the end of the day she is in serious need of a shower. But come on, what seven year old isn't, right.

That's the background, here's the story. Last week we were driving through Wendy's picking up burgers for a quick lunch before swimming lessons. Bailey did not get the MUCH NEEDED shower the night before. On top of her 'adventurous spirit', Bailey also runs track. So, the night before she had played hard and had track practice with NO shower to follow (NOT GOOD). From the back seat Bailey yells to the front, "YUCK, my pits STINK". Brooklyn was quick to respond with a request to get in on the action. She wanted to sniff. And not to be outdone by his older sister, Buddy wanted in too.


Yep, just a typical car ride.

Doing School- Tate Style

Our normal school days have only had to change a very little bit with Tate in the mix. He generally enjoys doing school right along with the other kids and has a long attention span.

Doesn't he look excited? ;)




I'm a BIG fan of baby-wearing, and Tate is no exception. When we are at home I strap him on to my back in my BABY HAWK. When we are out running errands he rides in my Kangaroo Pouch.


Tate could spend hours sorting beads, beans and buttons. Every object that he picks up he touches to his lips- EVERY TIME.


I had to take a picture of Baby M. I think it is so cute when he crouches on his chair while working at the table. My knees hurt just looking at him.

Toothless Grin

It's 9:30pm and the kids should be asleep. SHOULD is the key word, they are NOT. Brooklyn just yelled downstairs that her tooth is about to fall out. This is the same tooth that our friend, Amy, tried to pull out tonight. She said that it was barely wiggling. Well, I guess sister has been loosening it for her. Bailey said she became OBSESSED with getting Brooklyn's tooth out. When Brooklyn came down stairs I took one look at her bloody mouth and knew it wouldn't take long. All I had to do was push it back and it came out. Now she has a big toothless grin- too cute!

He is Risen!

Easter Study

We studied UKRAINE as part of our Easter study.

Pysanky is an ancient and beautiful form of folk art from the Ukraine. It consists of the decoration of eggs using beeswax and dyes. This art is most popular in a Ukrainian household near Easter time when eggs are created as gifts for family and friends. The symbols and designs on Pysanky eggs have special symbols and color meanings.

Pysanky are eggs (either whole raw eggs, or hollow) which have been decorated with a wax-resist method where one draws (or "writes," as Ukrainians would say) those portions of the design which you want to remain the color underneath the wax.

Tate was kind of like a celebrity!

GOOD FRIDAY

Do you GROOVE?

Last week I went to dinner with my Mom, Aunts and Cousin. It's always a fun time when we get together. My cousins and I have been working really hard to mix things up when it comes to our moms. For at least the past 20 years they have gone to ONE restaurant- MARIE CALENDARS. Now, I'm not knocking Marie's, but sometimes it's nice for a change every once in awhile. So, when my Aunt suggested Mexican food we were in. The conversation at dinner quickly turned into a guessing game when my mom announced that she stood behind someone famous at the grocery store that afternoon. I'm fairly certain my mom hasn't ever read a PEOPLE magazine and she doesn't watch TV. The story goes that the grocery checker had to tell her what all the fuss was about. It was comical trying to figure out just exactly who the celebrity was. My aunt FINALLY guessed Brittany Spears and the game ended.

Stacy and I learned some new lingo on the way to dessert. I wanted coffee and my Aunt Diane wanted ice cream. My Aunt Karen suggested we GROOVE. Do you know what the act of GROOVING is? Stacy and I were cracking up thinking that the Aunts wanted to go clubbing! WRONG, grooving actually means to go from place to place picking up your meal. My aunts said that they used to go to one place for burgers, another place for fries and yet another place for drinks. There you go...did you learn something new?

GROOVING

CRACKING UP

There are only a few things in my life that can compare to watching my children play together. Baby M and Tate have recently joined forces. They could spend HOURS playing this game and cracking up.

Brooklyn asked today, "Mama, could you get any sweeter?"

Postcards

Don't be surprised if you live outside of California and you receive a letter from Bailey.

Bailey and her BFF, Gracie,
are studying the United States this month. As part of their schoolwork they sent letters to friends and family across America. They are hoping to receive a postcard from each state. So far we have all of the states covered except for Delaware, New Hampshire, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming...got any contacts we could use???


Come on, you wouldn't want to let her down!

Recipes

Sadly, I didn't get around to doing much cooking this week. With Mike out of town we stuck to the basics- LOTS of PB&J! However, I did keep my resolution and made one new dish, and boy was it TASTY!

~Apricot glazed Monkey Bread

Pool Time

Tate is experiencing so many firsts right now. Last week he went swimming for the first time. He loved it just as much as bath time- he didn't want to get out of the water! Next week the kids have swimming lessons. I am hoping that Tate will at least begin to grasp water safety.

Tate's Best Friend

Daddy is Tate's favorite person...he is really missing his pal! Hurry home Daddy.


And for your "TATE" viewing pleasure :)