Monday, May 30, 2011

outside. . .

Love the feeling that summer has finally arrived. Today we spent the day outside. Getting the boys our very first sandbox that fits all three at one time. [Which will be a welcome replacement to our "redneck sandbox" that was the sandpit at the curb next to the drive way.]






The cars lined up the roadway by the nursery. We weren't the only ones happy that summer seemed to finally bring her warm weather this weekend. It looked as if all the plants might be gone... But there were plenty. Sam was able to find lots of yummy things for our garden: cucumbers, tomatoes, [I picked up a watermelon... determined that we will have one of our very own this year], peppers, two kinds of lettuce [bringing back memories of PapPap and his daily salads], and some herbs.... He does such a beautiful job with the garden every year. It makes me so happy just looking at it....





The centerpiece of the garden.... Father's Day gift 2009....




We aren't the only ones to think the garden looks yummy. Some Italian rabbits on a gourmet stroll?




Right off the back porch I spied these little guys. They make my heart so happy. These plants were from the little grey house where I first lived as a little girl. They're lilies of the valley. There was a giant patch of them to the right of the front porch. And every spring they would bloom and fill the yard with their heavenly sent. I love them even more because they were planted by my Great Grandma Smith... It's like a visit from her every spring. I planted them two or three years ago. Two little plants. And I didn't think they would survive. Last year there were three. I didn't even see them at the beginning of spring and thought I had lost them. Today's count: 15.




Off the side of our front porch.... The purple rose bush that Glenn gave us when we first moved in. It bloomed purple for the first year or two. After that, it never seemed to do very well. And a few years later we thought it died. It came back bright pink. And would bloom a couple roses and then succomb to bugs each year. This year is it's year. Beautiful..... And I love that it has multiple shades of bright happy pink.



Not to be outdone by Glenn's wifes roses..... This is Miss Jean's rose bush that stood outside her sunroom door. Taken out when Dave moved in. We rescued it and hoped it would survive (seems to be a running theme with our plants...). This year we found five beautiful blooms. One for each of us.....




And here's a happy dog who loves nothing better than to lay cool, cool grass againts his belly on a hot day.




I love his spotty tongue.... Look at him. He's so happy....




My plants from the nursery. Some geraniums (Luke picked the ones with the white tipped leaves). Jack chose a redish orange flower that looked "magical" because the flowers have a sparkle to them. I chose some white petunias. Love how they "vine" and spread down the sides of my planters.




My asparagus ferns from the kitchen "summer" outdoors. And signs taht little boys (who love cars) live here. Love their little reminders here and there.



And here too.... Magic (sticks) wands for Harry Potters in training. And my ivy creeping up the side of the house by the basement. All the way to the porch this year. Love it. Love an old house with ivy creeping up the side. So very English.... any mysterious. I imagine an old home in the countryside. With a huge attic full of treasures. And secret passageways. And crystal chandeliers that sprinkle the room with rainbows when the sun shines through the old dusty windows.... Can you tell I read lots of gothic novels growing up?












Around the yard.... Love that summer is finally here...

Thursday, May 12, 2011

mama's day

Nothing better an being spoiled by my boys all weekend long. I didn't have to cook. Or clean. But, got showered with wonderful homemade flowers. . .



Dinner out. And beautiful "sparkelies".

We played games.

Went to a program a Luke's Kindergarten. They sang songs and we ate muffins together afterwards (and I cried all morning). Luke said, "I had a wonderful morning with you, Mama."

I had some time to scrapbook. And we had time to just "hang out" together.

We took a road trip to see my sister. So we could spend the day together just letting our (six!) boys play together. And we could just talk. And later, have pizza at a giant table like one huge happy boy family.

I got a chance to visit my Grandma. She doesn't remember me anymore. But she was so happy (she was singing "Miss America" in the bathroom) and pleasant. And mobile. And she could hear what we were saying. And she couldn't stop saying what gorgeous boys we have.

What a beautiful weekend. What a beautiful life.

I am so very lucky.

Ten years ago Mother's Day was the worst day of the year. I never thought I would have any children. And here I am, with three boys! And the sweetest, most wonderful husband in the whole wide world.


I am blessed.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

why I can't get to the grocery store. . .

Just this morning. . . while I'm trying to finish my list and clip my coupons. . .

He. .. .. ..



got into my ink pads (and I found him with black ink all over his face and chubby fists)
escaped upstairs
got into the diaper bag and pulled out most of the wipes (to eat)
found my cell phone and called Sam

All in an hour and a half.

And the day has just begun.

Monday, May 9, 2011

monday morning. . .



Oh Monday. . .

The boys groan when I have to get them out of bed and back to school. Something about a Monday and getting moving after a weekend of "on your own time".

This morning, I awoke and the birds were singing outside. I could see blue sky. . .bright blue sky. . . peeking between the green leafy branches outside the bedroom window.

And now, it's 10:30.

The boys are off to school [after a happy morning together trading Pokemon cards and playing tag outside while waiting for the bus].

The dishwasher has been run. The first load of laundry is humming (and probably ready for the dryer). Emeril's stew is in the crockpot (mmmm....). And a breeze is blowing through the dining room window, the white curtains ticking Ethan's nose.

No dog water has been played in yet.

For a Monday, we are off to a good start.