New Tire Swing!

(Photos by Daniel and Michael)

The bigger kids are making the old swingset "bump" when they try to swing, and Danny's legs are way too long to even try to swing anymore. This is our upgrade that is big enough for everyone. The lady holding Sam is his Early On teacher, who comes to our house twice a week.

Memorial Day

Rainy Day Play-Doh

Random Science Stuff

How many seven-year-olds go to the library and ask the librarian to help him find these?

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We have a toad ranch. Current population: 2

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The kids have planted "their" gardens. They used survey flags to stake out their territory, and they chose what they wanted. Basically, each of the boys has beans, carrots, potatoes, and gourds. Michael also chose cantalope and marigolds, and Danny chose mini-pumpkins. Rachel's is 100% flowers so she can pick all she wants. Danny learned about companion planting - tomatoes love carrots and onions, but they hate kale and potatoes, etc.

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Sam has decided he likes play-doh. Until yesterday, he hated and didn't even want it near him. Now it's his favorite thing. Go figure.

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My kids were stunned and amazed by my demonstration of centrifugal force using a full bucket of water. Then Michael tried. His somewhat soggy sister was less than impressed.

Supper 'Round the Firepit

(No, we didn't have just s'mores for supper!)

Starting the Garden

We are tripling the size of our garden this year. Last year's garden is fenced, and we need to re-work the fence to enclose the new area. If we don't, the wild rabbits will have a feast - and we won't! The kids each want their own garden too, so we will divide up the new plot before we plant. Since it is fresh soil, we should have a really productive year.


Danny helped plant. So far, we have planted carrots and beets, as they are cooler weather crops. We also re-planted pea-pods as they didn't come up well, and I think some of them got accidently tilled.

I planted lettuce and spinach a few weeks ago. They are up, but not enough to harvest yet. I'm guessing we'll get our first harvest in about two weeks.



Michael loves the garden weasel! I just have to keep an eye on where he is so he doesn't weasel the newly planted rows.




Danny's job is to cover the tiny carrot and beet seeds after Momma sows them. He'll be in charge of planting the bigger pea and bean seeds.

Life Anew

Our apple blossoms
Our tree yielded eight apples last year, but seems to be gearing up for more this year.

A winsom lass and her bouquet

The view from my bedroom window

Experimenting with a Collage

More Signs of Spring

Flowers Bloomin'

Ticks Crawlin'

(Hee-hee-hee!)
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Kids say....

Michael: "Momma, is Sammy the runt? Is Sammy the boy runt and Rachie the girl runt?"

Church Away From Church

Skippin' church here again in an effort to avoid germs. On those days I tune into one of Mark Driscoll's sermons at Mars Hill Church. (That's the one in Seattle, not Grand Rapids.) They're a bit long, but well worth the listen, and with the audio-only option, even slow computers can play them. I've finished all of Vintage Jesus and am currently working through A Rebel's Guide to Joy. Nothing like a little theology, conviction, redemption, and worship to start the day!

http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/sermons

Signs of Spring

Kite Flyin'

Toddler Swingin'

Flower Pickin'

Lawn Mowin'

The Traveling Circus