Does she look a little to comfortable in a wagon full of recyclables? We went on a scavenger hunt this morning for clear plastic bottles to greenhouse our tomato plants. Up and down the alleys we went with wagons. Everett was surprisingly excited for this task.

This is what our 5 yards of dirt has turned into so far. Upfront are all our hot house plants (tomatoes, peppers), strawberries and snap peas in the middle to the right. Carrots, lettus, and broccoli at the far end . . . and in front of our soon to be chicken coop.

We are having so much fun being Homestead wannabees. It has become our outdoor school. Measuring how far apart our plants need to be, where the sun plants need to be versus cooler plants, hand tools, water conservation, care of chickens, measuring and designing a coop. Real life application. Cool.

Baseball!!

Everett started his much desired team sport recently. I propped this guy up with a mitt when he was only a few months old. He is playing on a 7-8 year old team, but only 6. His team is made up to other fine gentlemen just like him; young yet skilled . . . and more than ready. Everett, you have made us proud by putting yourself out there, asking questions when you need to, and being a good team player. Good luck buddy. I love to see the joy in your eyes.

Number Scavenger Hut

An hour of math of fun.

This is where it all started. We cared for our neighbors chickens for just a few days. That is all it took! We were hooked. I checked out books, asked strangers and friends, researched online, did all I could to understand what we might take on. So here they are . . . Bomber, Cecilia, Ruby and Dixie.

Does this boy look smitten or what?
Here is what they will look like all grown up. We are using the chickens for school too. I found this picture for Everett to draw his own version and label it. Isobel then decided to label this one, thus some unnatural green ink

Pretty good I think!

We are having so much fun with them. Thanks honey for saying yes!

He's In!

Ian was accepted into another wood shop. We took a family road trip to La Connor with the main purpose to go to this shop. Ian had an appointment to display his pieces and see if they would be interested in selling them in their store. And they were!!! They took all 5 pieces he proposed. Sooooo Cool! That makes two high end art stores that like his work. We are so proud of him

His birthday, my gift

My said the sweetest thing to me last night: "You can have chickens". Our family has been caring for our neighbors flock for just a few short days and we love it. The kids are so in love. Ian's offer as nothing to do with the birds. It's his support that makes me teary. He went on for quite a few moments explaining that he has enjoyed a number of hobbies and I "say nothing, but let him enjoy". I just wanted to kiss him. There was this huge grin on my face as he continued to say that it was more than fine with him and he will build whatever I need him too. He supports something of mine!!!!!!!!! It means the world. It is better than anything he could have bought me. I feel like I am floating and could hardly sleep.

It may have been his birthday, but I received a GREAT gift: His Support! Thank you honey!!

It was our second day of nice weather or so and we had another extra two kids so . . . so we ordered 5 yards of dirt. Well actually we jumped in with two feet into a large garden in our back yard. Since the kids are always hungry and we would rather not mow the lawn we thought we would make the land we pay for work for us. This is a picture of the truck getting stuck and needing to dump it on the sidewalk and part of the street.

The kids were excited. And even a little helpful. I usually grow children. I am not very good with flowers or indoor plants, but things with a purpose I just might make work. Surprisingly enough it only took us 2.5 hours to move it all, wheel barrow by wheel barrow to the back yard. We chose the back yard because the kids prefer to play in the front yard (with all our neighbors) and the back get sun all day long.

These two are cute. Definitely keepers. This is Adrian. Isobel LOVES her. Adrian will play with, read to, and honestly enjoys hanging out with Bel and our family. She is such a joy.
Here, Isobel is doing her best to imitate Adrian's example of the fact that I mainly grow just kids.

Once the dirt was in the back and the front was clean, we needed to make and eat dinner, wash and bed the kids, so our result picture was taken in the dark. We have tons of seeds started (spinach, tomatoes, cantaloupe, carrots, corn, pumpkins)

Why not

Because they are boys and the Lego's were there

Because they are two year old girls and the water was there.

I count it an honor to watch my friends little blessings. I think the kids like it too.

Was it worth it?

I went for some good sales. Frozen pizzas $2.77 (hubby loves them), grapes $.99, and bread $2.77. Besides the grapes there was a limit of 4. After navigating a store I rarely shop for who knows how long, dealing with cranky people, a wrong total requiring me to go back and have it fixed I came home with my groceries and a savings of $17. I left so frazzled and fried and wondering where all the time had gone. For a savings of $17 . . . ? Thank you Stef for making it fun all the same!

Confession

I wake up slowly . . . very slowly. And my coffee intake takes one hour to take effect. As a result I do most of my teaching in my jammies. I do most of my house work in my jammies. I write my blog from . . . my jammies. Don't get the wrong idea, I get ready for the day. It is just well after our day has begun. Our door is always open and we are ready for friends and family (I just might not look like it)