Happy Mothers Day

I luv my big backyard. I spend time there, gardening, hanging laundry and watching the kids. The kids luv the back yard. Swinging, digging for worms and talking with the neighbor kids through the fence. We bought this house because of the yard. It's a huge city yard, and we luv it.

But its so so different packing up the kids and heading over to Mom and Dads for the day. Their garden is 4xs as big as mine. They still have space. They have a pool, and workshop, garage, chicken coop, swing set, trampoline, walk/pathway garden with a waterfall and pond, and still have room. We camp for July 1ts their, with trailers and tents and still have room. Wide open spaces to run, play badminton or volleyball, have a campfire, and still have space.

The kids hop out of the car, run across the yard with hugs and kisses for Nana and Paka. Look for the fish and frog in the pond.

Nana and the girls

Bryan looking too

They have to see the bird's nest's they've heard so much about

eggs nest 1

baby birds nest 2

Baby bird, nest 2

There was a 3rd, and you could see it through the deck, but I couldn't take a picture because underneath was to high.

Afternoons spent chatting around the pond. Pouring out my heart to the ones I luv the most, and being a resounding block for them. Listening to their sadness, sharing in the joy. Building lasting relationships. Watching bonds grow with 2 men I never thought would be so close...

2 men I luv the most!

Baby's sleeping so relaxed, with the faith you will keep them safe....

As much as he looks up to his dad he looks up to this fellow too

And the day wouldn't be complete without a photo shoot!!

Nana and Paka with 3.....the 4th was fast asleep

my mom and me :)

It was a great mothers day for me. One of those days memories are made of!

Garden 2 - Rhubarb

Me and my littles went out to a garden corner today. They "helped" by digging and looking for worms, while I picked out sod and leveled off a section. Then I planted!! Rhubarb!!

our 1st garden plant!

"helping" See Angelina running off in the background? She was running to get some water to feed our rhubarb, so she really did help!

So very serous with his tool, Bryan :) Grace being *cute*

my amazing plant

grow grow little plant! I care for you, and luv you, just grow!

I threw in some garlic, not sure what will happen but we'll find out! I'm hoping to spend some time getting rid of sod this week and planting. Now that the sunshine is here!
I wear gloves :) and I luv the smell of fresh earth!

Worms - aka Snakes

Digging up the garden we found lots of these. With all the rain, these guys are scattered across the driveways and sidewalks. Bryan luvs them. Collects by the handful and I constantly remind him not to bring them in the house. And it doesn't matter how many times I say "It's a worm Hunny", next time we go out he's holding out numerous fingers telling me how many snakes he's seen. :)

digging up the garden

a walk after a rain shower

"what ya got there buddy?"

 

"a snake"

looking for more

It May. As much as I luv watching him explore outside, and the worms, I'm ready for the sunshine and warm days.

Easter Pics

 A bit late but great non the less :)

"Artist in the making"

Monkey see monkey do

Concentrating so hard

Dipping

Ta Da!

Beautiful - the eggs not bad either :)

Bryan dipping

Still coloring

in it goes

waiting

some fancy eggs!

One cute kid...

Easter egg hunt at the park.

Grace crafting 1st. 

Mommy and baby <3

sisters (makes my heart happy)

hunting

hunting

hunting

Just being cute

All 6 of us!

We had a great Easter weekend. A family dinner with my side, coloring eggs, and an egg hunt at the park. Perfect and complete, with all 6 of us :)

The Beginning - Garden 1

I love Tuesdays. They are great days. My dad comes. Everyone is excited. Me, the kids, and extra kids if they are here. Some times he stays for lunch, or sometimes just a coffee.  Last Tuesday was even better then the normal. Dad was coming to till up a piece for the garden!

  

The garden before....

Ready to go!

  

The rototiller. Its from the late 1940's I think....

It gave him a bit of a hard time, but with a little babying, it started up!

 

Bryan luved it! And he followed behind his Paka, just like I followed him when I was a little girl!

 There we go. My very own garden! 

I am waiting again, for the soil to dry out bit. We've had rain almost every day for a week. But the sun shone today, we went out, enjoyed, and played, and the kids squatted at the edge of the garden talking and looking at worms. I am hoping the weekend bring nice weather, and the sun dries things up, and I can plant some bean and onion, and peas. I can almost taste those snow peas now...

Thanx Dad for all your help! I couldn't have done it without you!!

Afterthought I had to add - my sister Julie made a comment at Easter dinner about me being a country girl. I disagreed, saying "Do you see any country around here? Nope, all city girl here!" 

"A city girl that just made a country size garden in her backyard." 

At which point we all laughed. I felt a little swell of pride. Yes, I'm going back to my roots. They are part of me. I guess, once a country girl......