Scrub

 Would you like to play a game of scrub?

 Evelyn would rather watch.

 Nathan and Daniel warm up while everyone one else gets ready.

We picked up a real bat the other day! We agreed that it works way better than a stick.

Three Years of Aging

 If you've been reading my blog faithfully over the years, you'll remember this picture! We were shopping at MEC before our annual camping trip. 

 This year we frequented the same spot and so I couldn't refrain from shooting the same pose.

Alas, it didn't turn out worthy of being a background photo. But it's worth looking at just to note the changes. In three years, kids change a lot! (Especially when it's half their lifetime or more!)

Games and grass

 Not sure what these three were up to, but they were digging out some things to add to their "playing house" game that they are all dressed up for.

 If I am outside working the gardens and the kids are playing inside, I usually have someone approach with the classic  "Mommy, ____ is being mean!"

 I let Nathan ride the mower for the first time! He was thrilled to get a chance, even if it was only for the flat section of the lawn.

Summer projects of ours

 Because my black pots that I have on the patio are starting to look cracked (they are only plastic after all) I looked at ideas for new ones. I found an idea and then my husband expanded on the idea.

In May I had the central pots ready. They are attached to each other, but not very securely. So far the tall one hasn't looked like it will tip even with a windy day. They are very heavy pots with dirt in them!

 Between pot construction was gardening! This year we added this garden in addition to the one in the background (with the fence around it) that we had last year.

In June I was almost finished with the pots! I only had the coffee table left to make. Some wood was old cedar that we had laying around in the house when we moved on...but because the project idea went out of hand, we had to restock wood a few times. :o The flowers were all started from seed in March except a few annuals that I added from excess in my flower gardens.

 In the meantime the veggie gardens grew well. And so did the weeds.

 Now with the children's help, the veggie gardens are almost in good shape. We only need to put another few hours into it for it to be good to go before we head off to the bush.

We've been able to harvest some things already. But it hasn't been a good year for peppers. They like heat (unlike us) and would like some really hot weather to thrive. But the kale has been pulled up and dried! We've had lettuce and radishes and beets. A few tomatoes and sugar snap peas have been starting to be ready as well. Yum. :) When we get back there will probably be an overload of green beans ready.

I did get the coffee table done finally. I'd never used wood glue before. Nathan was able to provide advice, since he has more expertise there than me!

Now that the project is done the chairs (which partially inspired the idea) are getting pretty rickety. No, I don't want to make chairs.

  (Evelyn didn't want to pose for me.)

Good Morning!

 The kids are usually all still in their rooms, and often in their beds too, when I check on them around 8am.

 One kid is up!

 Evelyn is getting dressed for breakfast!

 Ah...he finished dressing already!

 (note his new glasses!)

The kids that are awake usually have their nose in a book!

Yes, two of the kids with glasses now! The optometrist assured me that they don't HAVE to wear them yet, but should get used to them (as their eyes will only get worse). Most of the time (except when they want to look fashionable) they aren't wearing them. They are faithful taking them to church though, so they can read the board and see the minister clearly. And maybe to look good then too. Probably!

Matthew didn't get any.
(I think he's pleased, actually.)

Done

 Nathan worked on this tank for quite a while. He had to order more track pieces but now it is finished! It gets better traction on the blanket than on the slippery hardwood floor.

 A friend who moved away last month :( came and helped me clean my apartment and basement. Then she came another day and helped me with the main floor! After that I felt up to cleaning up my spare room -- Philip had finished shelves for me, so now you can walk in the room! It is so much more usable now!

Spring projects begun

 Jennifer lost her first tooth! Shortly after that she lost the next one!

Matthew showing off some tricks!

Last year our tree took a holiday and didn't bloom. It looked lovely this spring!

 The chicken coop is keeping the kids and Philip busy. The kids dug the post holes by hand even!

This year I have two veggie gardens! The one in the fence is to have carrots beets lettuce and other rabbit and deer menu items.

And then other items less tasty to them are to go in the garden that is open. They were rototilled  a month earlier than last year so my hopes are up for more produce!

A Dozen Years

 It's been a dozen years that I have been a mother! Here we are with Nathan 12 years old!

Happy Birthday Nathan! He invited two brothers to come and help him celebrate his big day.

 They had a treasure hunt to puzzle over.

 We enjoyed a wiener and marshmallow roast.

 And the boys slept outside in a tent. There were thunderstorms predicted overnight, but they passed over and did not interrupt the boys' sleep. The wild turkey's might have, though.

As usual, homemade cards.

 And gifts.

Where has time gone? !2 years ago this humongous boy could fit in your hands. Now he a capable helpful youngster, still thoughtful and hard working. You are a gift from God!