Cherie, Cherie, Quite Contrary, How Does Your Garden Grow?

...I hope really well!!  I've been wanting a garden for the last few years, and now that we have a bigger back yard that faces south, I couldn't pass up the opportunity.  Mike and I built two 4' x 8' raised garden boxes on Memorial Day and then borrowed a friend's truck to haul the 2 cu. yards of soil we needed.  Since we had the truck, we also hauled some pea gravel for our under deck shed area, and another cu. yard of topsoil to fill in some sad looking areas of the yard.  Of course, while we were working so hard Memorial Day morning, it was pouring rain, off and on.  Fortunately it wasn't cold.  Mike's brother, Jeff, helped us out and we really appreciated it!! (Of course, later that day, the sun came out!  At least we were able to do more yard work and enjoy the remainder of the day in the sun!) I'm trying to grow my garden similar to the "square-foot garden" technique, if you're familiar with that. I really hope that it's successful.  I can't wait to have fresh veggies and herbs straight from my back yard.  I'll keep you posted on how it goes!!

 

Abby's Park

...at least that's what she calls it.  We just had the kids' playset installed today.  It took a lot of work to get where we are today, since our back yard is not flat.  We hired a couple guys to grade the back corner for us two weekends ago.  It took them 4 hours with a little back hoe; I'm glad we didn't try to do it ourselves with shovels... Last week, Mike and I spent each night laying the landscape timbers around the cut and fill edges. We didn't think it would take so long, but in order to get the first row of timbers nice and level all the way around, we had to do a lot of digging to get them just right.  We then spent the entire day Saturday laying the landscape fabric, putting in the cedar chips, and finishing the landscape timbers.  It was a family affair on Saturday, as you'll see.  Today, it took 6 hours for two men to install the playset and it was then played on for the remainder of the evening.  I'm glad the kids (and their friends) like it!

Before the grading:

After the grading (and a few landscape timbers):

Landscape fabric (so we don't get weeds or muddy cedar chips):

Help from Josh, to lay 6 cubic yards of cedar chips:

Help from Ben (and Jessie and her friend also helped, but we didn't get their photo):

We had some fun, too...

Finally finished laying the landscape timbers at about 9 p.m. Saturday:

Yeah, 'Abby's Park' is complete!

Teenager...
I say this every time my children turn a year older, but seriously, where has the time gone?  Is it really possible that I'm old enough to be a mother to a teenager? Being a parent to a teenager could be a bit scarey, but I'm lucky because I have the best teenager in the world!!!  I'm not just saying that because I'm her mother (and I guess it's not very nice to brag, but I hope you'll forgive me!).  She's sweet, thoughtful, caring, funny, energetic, a really great student, and is a really great friend to her friends.  She's learning how to be responsible with her chores at home, babysitting her siblings, and walking the neighbor's dogs every day after school.  She tries to be a good example by being true to her faith and standing up for what she believes in. Of course, she's not perfect and she does have a few things she needs to work on, but we don't need to talk about that.  I love her and I'm so proud of the person that she has become!  Happy Birthday, Jessie!

On Jessie's birthday, I made one of Jessie's favorite dinners - BBQ beef sandwiches.  Then after presents, we went to Baskin Robbins for ice cream (can't beat the timing...they were having their 31 cent scoop night that night!).  Then a few days later, Nana, Gramps, and Uncle Jeff came over for dinner and cake and ice cream.

 Giving Josh and then Ben hugs for the cute gifts they made her...

Jessie requested lemon pound cake for her birthday this year.

 

 

 I guess the evening wiped Mike and Uncle Jeff out.   They quickly sprawled out on the floor once presents were finished.  The kids took advantage, though, and they certainly didn't get much rest.  I tried taking a photo when all four kids were piled on top of Mike, but they tipped over before I got the shot.  It reminded me of when my brother, sister, and I would do the same with my dad when we were younger. 

Blue and Gold Banquet
The annual Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet was last Tuesday night.  For dessert, they had the dads and cub scouts bake and decorate cakes to be judged (no one actually won - they all got certificates for their efforts).  I was amazed at the creativeness and abilities of all the dads and sons.  I know I'd love for Mike and Ben to bake and decorate the kids' birthday cakes anytime they want...however, Mike isn't so agreeable to that plan!  Here's Ben's cake:

Indoor Soccer is Over
Josh had fun playing indoor soccer this year.  The age group was much better suited for him than last year (thank goodness!).  He improved a lot over the season and had  a lot of fun.

Temple

Saturday, we drove to the Vancouver B.C. Temple open house in Langley.  It was fun for the kids to see the inside of an entire temple.  It is a smaller temple, and it was beautiful.  The kids especially thought the mirrors in the sealing room were really cool and loved the chandeliers in the celestrial room.  It was a nice day trip for our family and I hope it will be something the kids will always remember.

Is it really April?

I only ask this, because by the weather we've been having, you'd never know it.  The kids are on Spring Break this week and the weather feels more like Winter Break.  We've all been doing well.  Josh is playing indoor soccer at the YMCA and I'm not sure if I mentioned it before, but Jessie is busy after school each day walking the neighbors two dogs.  She loves it!

Jessie's Young Women's group put on a Modest Fashion show last week at the church for parents and the activity day girls (ages 8-11), to show how cute you can look, wearing modest clothing.  The girls modeled Back-to-School, Semi-Formal, and Formal Styles.  They all looked beautiful.  They are all such great examples.  Here is Jessie walking down the red carpet with one of the Back-to-School outfits...

In our new neighborhood, the Home Owners Assoc. sponsored an egg hunt at one of the neighborhood parks on Saturday.  Ben and Jessie thought they were too old to participate, but Josh and Abby had fun.  Abby loved the Easter Bunny and was the only one who wanted to say hello.  That afternoon, we finally had the chance to color our Easter eggs.

Talking about the 'wintery' weather here...on Monday and Tuesday this week, at right about 3 p.m. (I remember, because both times Jessie headed out to go walk the dogs, and quickly had to come back inside), it started downpouring with rain and hail.  This photo is of Monday's hail.  Tuesday's was more rain than hail, but still...and now, tomorrow they are calling for high winds and snow in the higher hills (which probably won't be us, but who knows).

Today, the kids and I spent the day at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle.  We had a great time. Here is Josh trying to look like a mean catipillar and Abby who wanted to show off her balancing skills on the same catipillar.  I didn't add any photos from the butterfly house, but it was really cool, as always.  Abby was terrified of the butterflies, though, which didn't make it very fun for me, since I had to carry her around clinging to me and screeching any time a butterfly would flutter around us...strange thing to be scared of, if you ask me.

The kids really seemed to enjoy the temporary Mars exhibit.  The photo below is of Ben testing out what walking on Mars would be like (weighing only 38% of his weight on earth).  He had a hard time walking, but bouncing was fun and easy.  Although the weather was cold, windy, and rainy, Seattle Center still had their fountain going.  We'll definitely have to come back this summer when it's hot out and then the kids might actually be interesting in playing in the fountain.

Abby...
So, on Tuesday, February 9th, Abby went in for her 3-year check-up.  She continues to be almost off the chart for height, just like the rest of the kids.  Anyways, while there, the pediatrician was concerned about the effect that Abby's binky has had on her teeth, so she told Abby that she needs to give up her binky.  So, Abby's nap that day was the last time she had her binky.  The first few days were a little rough, but not as bad as I expected.  She doesn't nap anymore, but at least she usually goes to bed a little earlier than she use to.  This past Monday, Abby kept getting out of bed and finally Mike and I were tired of putting her back in, so we just let her sneak around upstairs.  When I headed upstairs to go to bed, Abby wasn't in her bed when I checked on her.  I looked every where upstairs and then Mike joined me and we both searched the entire house.  Garage, closets, bathtubs, cabinets...no where to be found!  We were getting worried.  Finally, I came downstairs and I heard a noise in the family room.  I found Abby sleeping in the corner behind the t.v. stand.  How she sneaked downstairs without us seeing her, I don't know.  I'm just glad we found her.  When Mike was posting the photo to facebook the next evening, Mike asked Abby about it and she said, "I sneaking!". That girl!!!

Cub Scout Pinewood Derby
Tuesday, February 23rd, was Ben's Cub Scout Pinewood Derby.  He didn't have the fastest car this year, but it looked cool!  Josh also designed a car and brought it with him.  When the Cub Master found out, she let him race it once all the official racing finished and he even got a certificate like all the other boys.  He thought that was pretty cool!

Ben receiving his certificate and Pinewood Derby segment from his Cub Master.

Josh receiving his certificate.

Josh and his car.

Ben and his car, actually it was more like a pick-up truck.

Ben's Friend Birthday Party

So Ben only wanted to invite his 3 of his best friends over the Friday evening after his birthday for a party.  We served pizza for dinner, then had birthday cake and ice cream.  They played Wii upstairs, shot Ben's air soft guns in the garage, had an airplane flying contest in the hall, watched most of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and then played 2-square, before I took the boys home.  Ben really enjoyed spending an evening with his friends.  As you can see, Ben continued with the Army figure theme for his cake.  Thank goodness for ideas from magazines and the internet!

Happy 9th Birthday, Ben!!!

Yesterday was Ben's birthday.  I took some chocolate covered donut holes to his classroom while he was in P.E. as a surprise.  I cooked grilled cheese and french fries for dinner, at his request.  Then we had Nana, Gramps, and Uncle Jeff over for dessert.  Ben opened his gifts first.  He loved all of them.  Then off to the garage to test them out.  Then we had dessert. 

Ben loved playing his 3rd season of basketball that just finished on Saturday.  He still enjoys being outside doing various activities like riding his scooter, bike, and playing soccer, army, or ball tag with neighborhood boys. He likes school and does well, but doesn't really like having to do his homework (especially reading) during the week.  He is still in Cub Scouts and is now officially a Bear, since he is 9.  He has his Pinewood Derby tonight, which should be a lot of fun!  I love thinking back to the day he was born.  Even though newborns aren't much different as a girl or a boy, I knew that when he got older, he would be so much different than his big sister.  I was right, but that difference is wonderful and I've enjoyed having him as my first son .  I love you, Ben!

A few shots of his favorite gifts...

New scooter from Grandma and Grampy (this will make scooter #3 for him...he's worn all the others out!)

Hopefully Mike and I won't regret this, but we bought him an air-soft 'shotgun' and 'pistol'.

Finger bike and dirt ramps from Nana and Gramps.

Immediately out to the garage to test out the guns.  The target (and ammo) was from Uncle Jeff.  It has a sticky surface, so the air-soft pellets stick and you can reuse them.  I think the ammo is pretty cheap, but now Ben won't have to go out and buy it quite as often.

Dessert.  Ben requested cupcakes with army guys on top.

Ben will be having a party on Friday with 3 of his best friends.  I'm sure I'll be posting about that this weekend, so stay tuned!