Loving the Newest Z

Oh my boys are in love. With this little of bundle of joy that became part of their family 12 days ago. They have both been so interested and gentle with her and loving her as good as they know how. A, wanting to hold her and R wanting to kiss her. And oh, my brother is such a proud, proud papa. Reese is a lucky girl. H
And the new family of three, expanding with ease. She really does seem to be already smiling in moments, healthy, strong and loved.

Life as we Know it

A little crazy, who am I kidding? A lot of crazy.

Luckily also a lot of fun.

Around the Yard

New growth.

Fruit Setting.

Fruit Protection

And Garden Harvests:

Green Garlic

Leeks

Chive Blossoms

And all the asparagus I have been having to fight my kids for. Yum!

Into the Woods:: 4/22

Not a ton of pictures this week, I guess I was enjoying it too much. We really had the most lovely time this week. It was earth day, there were lots of folks getting outside, a lot of our friends joined us and we just got to explore and follow the kids. Mayapples are in bloom, bed straw is up, salamanders were found. Dead logs were explored for long periods of time, trees were climbed and imaginations were stretched.

It was the type of day that everyone needs. Perfect everything, temperature, sunshine, and company. Oh, and wild garlic, because what makes a papa more happy than his two boys coming home with garlic breath?

Easy Peasy

We got our peas trellised this past weekend and the method was really easy and I think will be successful. A post stuck in the ground with eye hooks up high and natural fiber strings (so we can compost it) running to the ground, stapled in with a piece of wire.

The peas seem happy that their tendrils have found something to crawl up.

Into the Woods:: 4/15

This weeks hike was pretty remarkable. The kids did great on what really was a hot spring day. Lots of tree climbing- dead trees that are laying down now resembling pirate ships, or large creatures, regardless a place for imaginations to run wild and free. It felt really good to just be able to play in the woods. River has finally hit a stage where he can sit and explore a single area for a good amount of time without eating everything!

And the highlight: a salamander!! I didn't find one last year for A, and turned up empty handed earlier in the spring after really trying to build it up. But this week on a whim I rolled over one random log, call it a feeling, and there she was. Asher was to the moon. We wet our hands and scooped her up.

Shared her with friends, put the log back and then let her crawl back under on her own. Please note when handling larger creatures that live under logs not to put them back and then roll the log back on them...always let them crawl themselves back into space that they fit. Plus it's more fun to watch their tail disappear.

Full leaf out will be here before we know it. I so love all the light that hits the forest floor this time of year. Also, if you need any baby leaves for art projects to dry, there isn't much time left.

There's Two of Them

Fully active boys that is. River on the tire swing? Upon his request this all was and as I try to let there be some self guiding to my children's days I obliged and he surprised us at how strong he is. Though my daredevil eldest was super upset that he was going so slow.

River is changing so quickly these days from huge bottomed babe to active, communicating toddler. He love playing the harmonica and dancing, sometimes both while also shaking a maraca. He signs and lets us know exactly what he needs, which is awesome at this point.

I am not sure if this is the most exhausted I have been, there were definitely times over the pat year when there may have been less sleep, but this is definitely the busiest I have been with little down time. River naps like a champ, but there is no rest for Asher. We seem to be constantly on the go. Our days are full of fresh air, mama carting the boys in the bike, playgrounds, water and lots of fun. I am hoping that the heat of summer may bring back the siesta or I am going to start observing their 6:30 bedtime as the wake up of 5 am is getting to me.

And together, they are just a hoot. So much laughter (not much sleep) these days. And the decible level has also increased.

The Essence of a Season

Red bud in full bloom

And an abundance of spring pink (beauty) to plop yourself down in.

Spring is Magical, especially living it through the eyes of your kids.

Turkey Run

Too many pictures. I had a hard time picking. We had an awesome time at Turkey Run last week. A perfect weather day to enjoy a full family day.

The boys tracking in the sand.

on the trail. bee in the rue anemone (?)

upset river on the trail.

water loving boys.

warm enough for play.

I love this kid!

Brothers finally looking at the camera at the same time.

fallen sycamore. definitely one of my favorite trees, so many huge, gorgeous ones along the river. Skinks (and toads, not pictured) found along the way.

Checking out the Ant Lion's capturing holes.

And lot and lots of horsetail, another one of my favorite plants.