What are you growing this year?

Besides a new baby, I have let the kids plant seeds in their gardens, our garden boxes, and of course they each have a few plants.

I am a big believer in letting kids do whatever they can for themselves.  It is both lazy parenting, and an inspiring show of confidence in my children.  Since Roland has helped me several times with the process of mixing composts, I knew he could lead in this project while I took photos from my chair with my foot up.

As you can see, he had lots of (mostly unwanted) help from little people.  Welcome to my world!

Molly at work in her garden beds.  She's not the natural gardener Roland is, but when in Rome, have your own garden.

Lillian has a strawberry plant in her planter, and some nasturtium seeds now.  (Along with other assorted seeds that I won't hold out too much hope for.)

After the work was done, we celebrated by eating copious amounts of strawberries.

You want me to take a picture of what?

Roland really enjoys age appropriate legos, but for pure rainy day with siblings time--Duplos are the way we roll here.

He asked me to take a picture of this structure, for whatever reason.

What else have they done to promote the show?

I know you're dying to find out!

The cast did several promotions, here they are at First Wednesday in Downtown Salem.

The show has been so good last weekend, can't wait for my parents to see it tomorrow!

Is today Joy School

We are happy to announce a new graduate in the house:

Lillian is our newest Joy School graduate!

Lillian and her friends Tevin, Moroni, Tessa and Annelore all crossed the living room to receive their certificates of a year well spent!

She seemed very proud.  She was the youngest in her group by nearly a year, and she grew so much participating in the curriculum and playing with her friends.

I'd like to add a special tribute to the moms who were the teachers this year:  When I broke my foot, suddenly I couldn't keep up my commitment to teach every five weeks.  With no recriminations, they rewrote the schedule, and Lillian was able to keep benefiting from their kindness.  So did I.  I love to be impressed by how kind mothers can be.

What are you doing this year for football?

Due to Roland's great enthusiasm, we decided to put him in summer football with the YMCA.  He requested that we use the money we'd set aside for Cub Scout Camp, and do this instead.  Since he has already earned his Bear (with 6 months left to go), and Cub Scout camp is right before my baby comes (or even at the same time if a miracle occurs and I have an early baby), we happily agreed.  We did ask him to pray about it though, because we want him to get some practice deciding between two good choices, not just right and wrong.

Since I am not a sports photographer with an awesome lens, there are no actual good pictures of his first game, but Roland did well, his team did a good job, and his coach seems great.  Roland even scored 3 touch downs, and grabbed tons of flags.  If he can just keep the daydreaming to a minimum while the coach is talking, he'll probably become unstoppable.

We had a good time on a very hot day, turning out to support our favorite little athlete.

Why can't I make this work?

Why am I always having camera or camera to computer issues?  It makes keeping a blog so much more challenging!

On Friday, the kids did a preview session for their play (opening next Friday!) at Gilbert Village.  That was fun, and some of the little girls were SO excited to meet Sleeping Beauty.  Afterwards the cast had a water balloon fight in Riverfront Park that was very very fun for my big kids.

Here are some photos (sadly, not of the waterballon extravaganza), taken by the director, David Berrier.

Once Upon a Tralalala..

There was a queen...

Roland seems a little bored...this is really between the prince and the princess!

Not really his business at all!

But now the evil fairy, Wisteria is here to liven up the show wreak havoc.

She's so good.  This show should be terrific!  I actually had goosebumps watching Wednesday, and I've seen so much of it so many times!

Lillian came with us (but didn't watch, little punk).  She screamed and ran to me when ever she saw the actor   playing the Falcon (on right).  He's a great guy--maybe it's the beard.

Here is the three good fairies.  (They're just so cute).

Have you heard about this giveaway?

This giveaway is only open to people who blog about it.
It is to celebrate the launch of patchwork-oase.com
A new sewing supply store!

http://shape-moth.blogspot.com/2012/06/giveaway-from-patchwork-oase.html?spref=bl

Go ahead and visit:  maybe like me you're a sucker for quilting supplies!