Mary, Mary, quite contrary....

How does our garden grow? With spinach and squash and little green beans, and corn in uneven rows.

Well, we finally got a little garden going this summer. It has been a bit of work (mostly for Jason) and a lot of fun to watch grow. We planted zucchini, squash, cantelope, spinach, lettuce, beans, carrots, strawberries, cucumber, basil, eggplant, tomatoes and corn. We lost the cucumber in the first week and some of our strawberry plants too. And we have yet to see too much with our carrots. But, everything else seems to be doing quite well. The kids have really enjoyed going out everyday and checking to see what's growing. I'm excited to see if we will be able to produce food worth eating. Here's hoping to become a bit more self reliant! Wish us luck!

Belle's Braces

Well, Belle finally got her braces this month. She was both excited and nervous. Excited for her "new look" as she called it, and nervous because she had heard from many friends, that braces make your teeth sore. She picked navy blue elastics for her first set....to match the "midnight sky".....(only Belle). She only complained and had to use wax for about 2 days. She has adjusted very well and I think she looks darling. She gets the bottom ones on in a couple of months and then we still have some oral surgery to look forward too around the end of the year. Can anyone say $$$$$$$ cha-ching? Maybe Jason should have gone into orthodontics?!?

Cute Baby

It has been awhile since I posted any updates on Seth. He is growing sooooo big! At his 6 month checkup he weighed in at over 18 pounds! He is so chubby that there are places on his body that have never seen the light of day--like the creases in the elbows, wrists and behind the knees. I love it! And not to mention the chins that just stack on the shoulders---oh sometimes I just can't stand it--he gets kissed and squeezed way more than he would like. But how can I resist? There is nothing more fun than a chubby baby!

Seth is rolling over quite well now. He has all but mastered sitting up, and has 4 teeth (3 on bottom and 1 on top). He is learning that baby cereal is not all bad--if it is mixed with pear juice. And, vegetables are definitely more popular than fruits. He still loves his swing and is happiest when he is outside with all his brothers and sisters. He could watch them play for hours. He just squeals and kicks his feet--just aching to get down and participate. Unfortunately, for me, that will probably happen sooner than later. I really hate that they grow up so fast.

I don't know if I have ever posted about Seth's curled toes, but they are my favorite. Actually, only one toe still curls under now. Right foot, 4th toe--both feet used to have the same sideways toe--too cute! I wonder if he'll keep the one that's left, or if it will straighten out too. I love baby's hands and feet. They are so tiny and perfect!

Graduation?!?

I'm not sure who made up kindergarten graduation, or if there should even be such a thing...I mean really? What exactly are we graduating with? I masters in preschool? Do I need to be worried that my kid may not make it all the way through elementary school? J/K . I actually think it is a cute tradition that makes the kids feel so special. And, it sure was fun to see Johnny in a cap and gown.

The kindergarten teachers really went all out for this. Every child had on a cap and gown. They marched single file up the aisle to the graduation march song (can't remember what it's called), to the stage, where they sang a few songs and listened to a short speech by their teacher. Johnny's teacher then called each student up one by one and presented them with a diploma and shook their hands (actually, I think she hugged them all). Afterwards, there was a short slide show. It was really neat. The teachers had asked the parents for baby pictures and more recent pictures of each of the kids. They had these, along with pictures from fun activities done in the classroom; parties, assemblies, etc.

I was so not prepared for it, but it made me cry! They put on the song "Let Them Be Little" by Lonestar. Actually, there were a lot of moms crying. If you have never heard that song before, you really need to hear it. But, be prepared. It will make you bawl like a baby. It's so true, they are only little for a little while. http://www.last.fm/music/Lonestar/_/Let+Them+Be+Little

Johnny also had an end of year "Bug Program". All the the kids dressed up as bugs and sang a bunch of cute bug songs. My favorite was the "Ugly Bug Ball". It was hilarious--coordinated with actions and everything. Too cute! If you can't tell, Johnny was a grasshopper.

Ode to Parenthood.....

So, my sister gave me this for my birthday. It made me laugh....too funny! Perhaps some of you will find some truth in it. I know I sure did. :)

I didn't get around to hanging this up until the end of March. Late in the evening on March 31st in fact. So the kids were already in bed. It didn't dawn on me that the next day was April Fool's Day--but was I ever glad it was! When my kids woke up the next morning and found this hanging on the kitchen wall, they were offended. They thought it was mean. Until.....Johnny suggested that it was just my April Fool's joke on them. Right! Of course! You got it Johnny. That is totally why I hung it up (wink, wink).

The next morning, April 2nd, Johnny wanted to know why I hadn't taken down my joke. I explained to him that part of the joke was that I was going to leave it up all year long. He didn't think that was too funny. :)

Ahhhh, the joys of parenthood. I think it's only fair we (the parents) get a joke in every once in a while. Too often it feels like the joke's on us! LOL! :)