A Garden to Grow

After talking to a friend who has had a vegetable garden for a couple of years and after attending a gardening class, we took the big jump and set up our own garden! Judd built a raised garden frame one weekend.  The next weekend we bought soil and sowed seeds! We are taking the organic approach to this from the beginning!

ready to work

we lined the bed with newspapers and paper bags to block weeds

then...

we layered with organic compost, leaves, manure, and humus

evie took a chapstick break after some hard work

Evie really had a great time helping set up the garden.

She loves wearing gardening gloves and her boots and scooping up dirt with her shovel.

In about 60 to 90 days we'll have radishes, carrots, and onions ready to harvest!

We also planted some potatoes, but I think I planted them too deep.

The Many Hands

Our friends, Abbey and Dane, joined a band headed by Dane's brother David. You see, Dane's entire family are musicians including his three siblings and his dad. They could form a family band if they wanted and if they all lived in the same state. Anyway, Dane's brother David has been an independent musician for a while. When he moved back to Dallas, he started up this band called The Many Hands. The band's sound is very eclectic with electronic looping, guitar, and lots of percussion that most closely resembles indie rock. Some of the songs remind me of Fleet Fox's style. Judd and I along with our friends, Robin and Greg had a chance to hear the band at their first show at a venue in Deep Ellum, Dallas. A small group of us gathered at the club to support the new band. It was really fun!

Robin and kinda dressed alike by accident!

Be My Valentine

The night before Valentines Day I explained to Evie that her class was going to have a party. She immediately responded, "A party for ME," and continued talking about how she loves cupcakes and birthdays. Since there was going to be a party, she assumed it must be her birthday! All night long and the next day on the way to school she kept chattering about how excited she was to have a birthday party for Evie. (She often refers to herself in third person).

Teacher gifts- Hershey Kisses and Italian butter cookies

Valentines for Evie's friends

Annie's Organic Bunnies

Party time!

Washing hands after eating!

Ms. Kierstie (one of Evie's three teachers)

Mommy and Daddy's Gift

a shovel with a bag of kisses and a note that says, "I dig you"

ready to go!

My Little Gardener

A local nursery held a free kid's event where they could paint a flower pot and plant pansies. Evie had a wonderful time painting. While we waited for the pots to dry, we walked around the nursery looking at the flowers. One of the workers let Evie water flowers with a watering can. I was really surprised to see how much Evie enjoyed being around plants and taking care of them. I might just try to plant a little herb garden for us to take care of.

Friends

Just about everyday these two meet up for playtime to ride bikes, play basketball, pick up sticks, draw with chalk, chase the dog, go on a walk, admire the 14 year old neighbor (Michael), and just be a kid. These are the moments I adore. They've been buds since they were one. Simple things in life like a neighborhood friend will shape so many memories.

Saturday Morning Pretend

This past Thursday and Friday Evie was feeling pretty under the weather with a nasty virus, diagnosed by the doctor to be RSV, although no tests were actually ran to confirm it. After two days of really good sleep (13 hours Thursday night) and (a four hour nap on Friday), Evie woke up Saturday morning feeling very happy and refreshed. After we ate our real breakfast, Evie was excited to cook a pretend meal in her kitchen. She quickly microwaved some hot dogs and eggs. Also, she went into her play house to use the sink to make coffee for us! It's moments like this that show what turning off the TV can do! I love seeing her creativity and imagination shine.

preparing our meal

also- notice the Ikea organizer!

beep, beep, beep set the microwave timer

it's done!

grabbing the hot dog (for mommy) and egg (for evie)

"what doing, mommy?"

cheesey smile!

saying her prayers...thank you for Asher, Ms. Ashley, Chase, Mommy, Daddy,

Grammy, Papa, Grandma Deb, & Grandpa Chip and a bunch of gibberish after that.... AMEN!

time to EAT!