I Love Summer!

We have thoroughly enjoyed our 1st week of SUMMER.  Last week I gave the boys a haircut with the clippers out on the patio ... then we got out the splash rocket; bubbles; sidewalk chalk; and ice cream. I am sooo happy SUMMER is here ... and that I remembered not to overbook us this year.  Last August when summer break was over, I was wishing we had had more days like this.  You know, the kind of days that you're so messy & dirty that you take a shower or bath before dinner.  :)

Fun for all ages!

Well, actually the title is sort of a joke. I was going to include 1 or 2 of these in my "funny fotos" from yesterday, but I wasn't sure if these guys were ready to laugh about it yet. Thanks to Daddy, Uncle Kelly, Mister Dan & Mister Blaine we have a new swing set! Well, "new to us" anyway! :)

Here are some photos from the whole ordeal. I was in the backyard watering some plants when I heard the trucks pull up.


I had to run & get the camera to capture the monstrosity piled into the beds of these trucks. I winced slightly at what was going on in the red truck, but as they say "all's well that ends well".


These guys were troopers - all doing this on a 95 degree day, spending time away from their own kids, etc. Thanks to all who helped make this possible... we owe you! The 1 celebratory beer we offered you isn't enough! We'll be in touch... :)

The Backyard

I love our backyard. There's times when it's not the most pleasant place to be... too wet, too muddy, too many leaves, too much dog poop, too many mosquitoes. But for the most part, it's a fun place to hang out.

Here's what we love to do: Brett loves playing any & every sport. Libby loves swinging & playing on the platform at the top of the slide. Davis loves playing in the mud & finding bugs. Daisy loves chasing squirrels, chipmunks and bunnies, as well as eating the birdseed I've left out for the birds. Kyle loves playing catch with the boys & having a beer on the patio. I love checking out the status of all my plants, flowers & herbs and tending to their needs.


My thoughts on gardening: As it is with most of my skills, I'm a "trial & error" gardener, so I have to constantly check on things for their progress or lack thereof. In the instance of the transplanted Japanese Maple, I get a unanimous thumbs down; the transplanted Evergreen, looks like it might turn out okay, despite all the yellowing & bald spots (yeah that's it behind Brett); Basil, I have used it twice in cooking, but I'm waiting for the supply to come back; Rosemary, looking good so far; Flowers are all doing great. The red geraniums are my favorite. Every year I am drawn to them because they are just so strikingly beautiful & low maintenance once you get them going.

I think I get some of my gardening skills from my mom. My mom's take on plants is "I'll set you outside & water you when I think of it, but that's about all you're getting." In other words, she believes plants need to pull their own weight & I agree. If it's too high maintenance, it doesn't belong in my garden. I'm not a believer in fertilizer or putting any plant up on a pedestal. I'll prune you when I want to prune you, not when some tag you came with says to do so. Oh & you require a $10 bag of fertilizer, just for yourself? Oh do you now. Thanks for the info, but I have four words for you: Sunshine, Rain, Love & Happiness. Take it or "leave" it. :) I have 3 kids & 1 dog that I have to bathe, feed, water, nurture & give medications & vitamins to. Maybe when I'm an emptynester I'll get you that fertilizer you asked for... that is if you're still around in 17+ years. 'Til then, I'll see you next week when I come around with the hose. :)