zoo train

Yep it's that time of the year again!!! Off we go to the big zoo to walk and walk and walk. And. Walk. LOLOL. This year Max has a special animal checklist so we'll be pointing out all of the animals on his list. Hopefully we'll have a picture or two to include on my Mother's Day card for my mom. The sun may actually be out all day. Woo hoo!!

A lovely day.

I just got back from the farmer's market with my family. It was a really nice outing. Lots of great fruits and vegetables and time in the park, which has a really lovely rose garden. Not to mention Max attempting to make friends with lots of dogs, including this one HUGE bulldog. The dog was really friendly, but it definitely could handle business if it wanted to. We also got kettle corn, which was SOOO good. The corn stand offers different flavors and even Splenda corn. Church was also really good today. The message was about relating to others and it was really good. I usually go by myself down to the market but it was such a beautiful day I thought it would be good to share it with my family. I'm glad I did that.

the view from up here

Yesterday we went up to the mountains for some hiking and hanging out near the waterfalls. It was a beautiful day to be out. Everybody seemed to have a good time, but Al asked about walking in a cooler, more comfortable part of the mountain. I guess he's on his way to being a teenager after all.

Gardening update

Cilantro are up and strawberries are coming in about an inch around. The first ones came in a lot smaller. I've been trimming em as they come in. I am going to put some more fresh soil in em, but they are doing well. Still indoors because I'll shoot a bird. Those berries are too much work. Just kidding. Not really.

Take our daughters and sons to work day

Today Al went to work with his father. They are scheduled for a special greeting session, pizza lunch and ice cream social. My husband is afraid that Al is going to start asking after employment opportunities. LOL. I think that it is really good for kids to see the work that goes into providing for them. Over the years, they've seen me work at different things, but I really think it is good for the kids to see what their father does, too. I hope Nat gets to go next year.

earth.

There is just something about working in the dirt that really feels good to me. This fall, after the ground froze, I turned over the earth right before it snowed. Well, the dirt was amazing when I was digging through it to make way for the veggies. All of the stressful things I had been dealing with just seemed to vanish while I was digging and planting and stuff. I got a little tired at one point, but I just stretched and kept on going. Maybe those four days of sunshine had something to do with it too, but I feel so much better than I had been feeling about Spring and about life.

Recharging

I'm getting in gear for Spring. Cleaning like crazy so I'll be ready to paint once it gets warm. This weekend, I'll assess the damage in the flower beds and get things kicking in my herb garden. We have some peppers growing in the kitchen from before my mother in law left. I think I'll plant lettuce, coriander, basil, and a couple of other neat things. Maybe some tomatoes, though I don't know how they will fare with the tendency of the weather to totally snap back into winter on and off until mid june. All of the kids are doing well. Next week we nail down the details for Max's preschool. He's spent considerable time at Little A's preschool, so this might be old hat to him by the time he actually starts. I can only hope.

Not so bad

Today, volunteer day was not so bad. I guess it's because I was all mentally prepared to deal the overzealousity that I ran into last month. It was nothing like that, though. It was a laid back and quiet day. I think I really helped out, which is the whole reason I volunteer. I think it also helps when the kids see the parents around the school and stuff. There is one area that I really can do with out volunteering in, and that's lunch monitoring. I don't know why. I have done it in the past, but now I just find other stuf to do. Maybe it's because as the kids get bigger, they want me to stand back while they do their thing.

It's almost volunteer time at school again.

Oh joy.

Back from the scandanavian furniture store.

This weekend I finally got the opportunity to visit I.kea (I didn't take this bus) and see what the fuss was about. When I walked through the door, I immediately noticed the kiddie play area. While it looked inviting, I sort of thought to myself, I don't know these people from a can of paint. No, you can't have my kid. Not even to play in the balls or the giant shoe. Shoot.

I found one or two things I could use, but was especially proud that I did not walk out with any furniture of any kind. And no Swedish food, either. Not this time at least. I got some good decorating ideas and I'll be back, but in moderation. Huge is not even a word to do the size of the place justice. I never thought I'd find the size of a store to be a bit much, but I think this will be a place I go with a complete game plan and list of item numbers and names. Otherwise, things could really get out of hand.

Just finished at the Dr's office.

The oldest and the youngest needed immunizations. Max is highly distrustful of the doctor's office. I guess he's caught on to the fact that a lot of his visits end in shots. I tried to hug him and reassure him but he just looked at me like, "Et tu, maman?" I've really spaced out his shots to avoid bad reactions so he's had more trips to the pediatrician than the average baby. So far, it has really worked well for us. It's good to know I've made some progress and learned some lessons as a parent.

By the way, Mom got a new cell phone and laughed heartily at the fact that I was concerned about that series of anonymous texts. *Shrug*

Home Improvement

We're at the local home stuff store because we are trying to do some repairs and updates around the house. We can't spend too long out here because one of two things happens. My husband takes on too many projects. Or I fall in love with something over at the kitchen area. Not like I can have it right now, but it is still nice to look. The GE Cafe collection really captured my attention. Little A found a display kitchen that she loved. I told my husband that she really likes the traditional kitchenmaid with the beautiful granite counters and island. He said she can have it when she marries rich. Yeah, Little A and I might have to leave him next time. Messing with our dreams. Hmph.

on the road again.

Today we went out into the mountains, along the river and all of that good stuff. One day I'm going to take a photo with the phone that I'm happy with. Then I'm going to post it. Just wait and see, but don't hold your breath. Hee hee.

The kids and I needed to get out of the house, so after we ate lunch, we went for a ride. On the way back, I got a call from Diva in demand. She blogged about folks walking around in the street, so she had to clarify what folk are up to in the Chi. There was this chick out in the road with her three kids like her mama named her Jetta or something. How rude.

At the Zoo

I have to wonder, who is here to see who? The kids weren't too unruly, considering that there was an unbelievable mob of them, but when you have so many little people in one place, doing everything gets to be time consuming and difficult. Add in rain and cold (as in 50 degrees before windchill) and wind, and it is definitely a trip shortened. At least the kids were well behaved and respectful. Little A enjoyed her first dedicated trip to the zoo (although she's been here a few times with her brothers). Once we thaw out and the weather warms up, we'll be back.