Asher's Storybook Ranch Birthday Party

We spent the afternoon celebrating Asher's 3rd birthday at Storybook Ranch in Frisco. It was really fun! Pony rides was Evie's favorite part. She cried when it was time to go home. She kept saying she wanted to go on a pony ride! She also had a fun time playing with Stella in the petting farm, jumping in the bounce house, and playing on the swing sets. This was a huge party full of kids, friends, and parents having a really good time!

the birthday boy

cake time!

two friends

they look like they could be sisters

in the middle of a crowd of kids, they choose to play with each other

Garden Update: Week 3

Four of the eight potato plants are growing strong! I was really not expecting that to happen. Hopefully, there will be little potatoes underground by May.  The radishes continue to grow mature leaves. The herbs look good. The carrots, lettuce, and onions are slowly getting bigger, but I did plant them late in the season. It might get too hot pretty soon. Several of my friends said they haven't had luck with growing peppers, but I put in a green/ orange sweet pepper. We'll see! I don't know how the eggplant will do either.

radishes and herbs

green sweet pepper, eggplant, lettuce, and potato

another view of herbs and radishes

radishes

new - potato sprouts

first potato to break ground

We keep a net over it to keep out the armadillo, bunnies, and raccoons. I ordered a summer weight row cover to replace the netting. I hope the cover will help prolong the growing season, before it gets unbearably hot. It should also help block out insects. Right now, we have a spider mite problem. I am thinking about spraying horticultural oil, which is effective and safe. The last thing I want is the plants to get destroyed by pesky insects, yet I want to keep this garden organic.

Bluebonnets in the Spring

First Hair Cut

Yes, we waited 2 years and 7 months for Evie's first hair cut! I was sad to say good bye to her baby curls. It was time, though. She kept getting tangles and the back was uneven. She was very serious the entire time. She said, "You taking my hair off?"

all finished!

silly face

a little treat for a good little girl

Puppet Show

 Evie had another play date, so we went to Coppell's Center of the Arts for a Jack and the Beanstalk Puppet Show. It was really cute. Evie and her friend really enjoyed it! At the end they met the giant's wife. Evie kept saying, "I met the muppet show!" She did see the Muppet Movie in January...

Evie sat on the floor most of the time. At the end they met the puppet! They were so excited!!!! Evie couldn't take her eyes off of it.
 
 
When we got home they had time to play doll house and dress up. We ate lunch and then made a fun dessert- ice cream in a bag! I have done this with my fourth graders for years. You put milk, sugar, and vanilla in a quart size bag. Then put ice and rock salt or kosher salt in a gallon bag. Place the quart bag in the gallon bag and shake! In ten minutes, you have ice cream.

 

shake! shake! shake!

yum!

it's cold

wagon ride after some yummy ice cream

Grapevine Sea Life Aquarium

Grapevine Mills Mall has a small chidlren's aquarium. Everything is at kid's eye level. It is just large enough to hold young one's attention, but not too big for them to be bored. We met up with my friend Robin and her daughter Stella. Evie and Stella always have a good time together. Since Stella is older, she is very patient at leading Evie around. Evie is very intrigued by everything Stella does. It's a very sweet friendship.

scared face

stella

evie wouldn't go in the bubble alone

shark tunnel!!!

touch tank