Tackling the Piles

We have lots of trees. And lots of trees generate lots of leaves. And lots of leaves left to accumulate for lots of years make lots of piles and hide lots of nice aesthetic elements.


So the kids and I decided to tackle the bank along the lower drive Friday afternoon. We were suspicious that those rocks poking out from under the piles were meant to be something a little more decorative.

I must say . . . I had great helpers!! :o)

Our efforts did come abruptly to an end though when I noticed about a dozen small bees swarming around the uncovered rocks, rotting leaves still on the ground, and piles of leaves on the tarps. I am not fond of bees. At all. I've learned to control my natural impulse to freeze and panic since having children (since I don't want them petrified of bees), but I was still not inclined to hang around once they showed up. So I declared it was time to return to the house to prepare dinner, and we continued the yard work Saturday morning when Daddy was available to help.

Here's Peter working hard to pull the wagon with our supplies . . . (Yes, he wanted to do it. No, he didn't want help.)

The pile of brush was first on the morning's list--since it was cooler and we were planning to generate lots of heat. :o]

Our lovely water girl . . . :o)

Ah, this is why we help! :o)

Just to get an idea of the size of the pile . . .

Making sure water is available . . .

Light 'er up!

Love the way the charcoal highlighted this log!

Enjoying the water bucket . . .

Compliments of Hannah . . .

(I served as fire marshallette while Chris mowed and added more fuel to the pile.)

Yep, the heat wore us all out.

But before we completely quit, Chris and I hauled four huge tarps of leaves off just this one section in addition to the two smaller tarps I hauled the day before. I'm glad I took the before picture, cause there's still lots of leaves left, but it does look better! :o)

It's good exercise regardless! :o)

Self Portraits

In between playing in the water and digging up bugs and other fun things like that, Hannah enjoyed doing some self-portraits with the camera while we were doing yard work Saturday morning. Just thought I'd share what I found when I uploaded the pics . . . :o)

Gettin' the hang of it! :o)

Our Pet Giraffe

We have a pet giraffe--his name is Heddy.

He doesn't live with us, but we see him on a regular basis as we make our way around town. He's definitely become a valued part of our family, and we thought you'd like to meet him, too. :o)

(Sorry it was such a grey day when I took the picture--I'd been meaning for weeks to bring a camera, and this happened to be the day I remembered! Usually he's got bright blue sky behind him!)

A Big Box!

Was this ever a welcome sight coming in the door Friday evening! :o)

The kids see Daddy with a a big box . . .

Mommy sees Daddy with her new dishwasher! :o)

Yes, they had a blast with the box! Definitely surprised neither one of them got a concussion, because it didn't take long before they were both sitting inside and one of them would launch themselves against the wall to tip it over with both of them laughing anf giggling the whole time! And they did it over and over and over . . .

You're not fooling anyone, Pumpkin!

And Mommy's part of the box! :o)

I'm definitely enjoying having a dishwasher again! :o) Thanks to my hubby for researching, delivering, and installing. All I did was order it! :o)

Random Faces

Ah yes . . . more icecream pictures! Sorry to those of you who think I should be getting out the washrag and book of etiquette instead of the camera! :o) We're working to impart the understanding that we can only "drink" our icecream from the bowl at home . . . and we're enjoying the funny faces we get in the meantime! :o)

Do you like my mustache?

I can make funny faces, too!

Hey, I can stick my tongue out, too! (And I look like a puppy dog!)

Our little princess enjoying a princess outfit passed along by a friend . . .

And this was funny: the kids were waiting for Daddy to come home and Peter accomodated Hannah's desire to stretch out along the entire trunk by patting her back as if he were putting her to sleep. What's even funnier . . . Hannah didn't fuss a bit!

So, that's life in these parts!

Measuring up

In preparation for a consignment sale, I spent much of last week going through the many boxes and bags of hand-me-downs we've been blessed with. After sorting and filling the kids' clothing tubs with needed items for future days, I put the rest in the sale pile. One thing I've noticed however, is that "Size 6" is not always "Size 6"--sometimes it's the same size as the 4T stuff Hannah's wearing right now, and sometimes it's closer to a 7-8. So, I measured Hannah before her nap so I could figure out what size clothing (in inches!) actually fit her right now, and then guestimate as to what size (in inches) would fit in the next couple years, and I sorted that way instead of by the label.

Later that afternoon as I was folding laundry I heard Hannah in the livingroom instructing Peter: "Hold up your arms. . . 73. Very good. Now stand still . . . 49. Okay, turn around . . . 26 . . . 51 . . . " I walked in with great delight (and amusement!) to discover them quite happily playing together, "measuring" each other. :o)

Yeah for happy children who learn fast and play together well! :o)

Black in the Making

I am very particular about bananas--I enjoy them thoroughly when they are very ripe and fresh. However, one day past that and I'll happily pass them on to my hubby. :o) Thankfully, he and the kids aren't quite so particular, but these bananas were a good bit past even their tastebuds' enjoyment. :o)

However, they make excellent chocolate chip banana muffins!

Here's Peter mixing up the batter . . .

Hannah's perspective on Mommy helping him . . .

Hannah mixing the batter . . .

Hannah helping Peter . . . (under close supervision!) :o)

Peter was sure he had figured out what we were making when I pulled out the flour . . .

Sorry, buddy! No bread today . . . but just a side note--I've only made bread a couple times since we've moved--I was amazed he even knew where to find it!

However, he decided that the batter was just compensation for the failure to launch his favorite entertainment. :o)

Forgot to get pictures of the final product . . . they didn't last long! :o)