A Peek into the Garden

Gardening is by far one of my favorite Spring and Summer pass times. This year, Harrison is old enough to be outside in the garden with us so I was even more excited to get started! We have planted a traditional garden the past two years,(traditional meaning straight into the ground) and decided to do something a little different this year. I searched for ideas on raised garden beds, what were the pros, the cons different designs, etc. We decided on 2 large beds made from recycled wood pallets. Handy Husband is always so excited when I come up with new projects like this for him :) I do have to say, he did an amazing job building these raised beds for our family!

There are many pros to raised garden beds, the soil drains better, the plants are less susceptible to bacteria, its more convenient to work in raised beds because of their height, but really the selling point for us was that it was elevated and our puppy couldn't get into the plants! 

One of the cons of raised beds is there isn't as much room for plants to trail as there is when they are planted in the ground. In an effort to make due with the space we had, we decided to place a few pieced of lattice in the raised beds and try to train some of our plants to grow up the sides instead of growing out. 

So far, I think it's working! Here is the green bean side of the lattice. 

And this is the cucumber side of the lattice. 

Aside from green beans and cucumbers, we've planted a small variety of veggies this year since it was the first year using raised beds. 

Handy Husband loves peppers so the garden is stocked full of peppers. Banana pepper, hot banana peppers, jalapeño peppers, and green peppers. Sadly I don't have very many pictures of them because as soon as they are ready to be picked, he will pick them and eat them straight from the garden :). 

We've also planted spinach, carrots, onions, 

broccoli, 

tomatoes, and watermelon. 

The hardest decision I have to make when gardening is what to do with a big green tomato. 

Let is grow and ripen or pick it and fry it :). 

I decided to let this guy grow since he's one of the first ones. However, as soon as there are more we will be having some fried green tomatoes for dinner thats for sure :) 

Happy gardening, Y'all! 

A side note for other gardeners: We have refrained from using any pesticides in the garden this year, our "green" solution was to plant a marigold in each corner of both beds and this has worked pretty well. It hasn't kept the lady bugs away, but for the most part we haven't had much of a pest problem. 

Messy Play Part II

As promised, here is another fun filled messy play idea for you toddler moms out there!
There are very few requirements for this activity.

1. An outdoor play area. (Notice there is still paint on our table from the other day :-| )

2. A bowl full of random toys.

3. Some cheap shave cream

4. A curious and playful kiddo

Gotta taste a little just to make sure its nasty like momma says :)

I love the big clump in his hair! 

5. A water hose to clean up :) 

If you have more fun messy play ideas, feel free to share!

Messy Play

It's true! I LOVE a good mess! Now to clarify, I don't particularly love a messy kitchen sink, or loads and loads of dirty laundry. However, I do LOVE to do fun messy things in my classroom and with Harrison! Today's example of a fun mess,

Finger painting outside!

 *Note to other toddler Moms, this was the best idea I've had yet! He got to be as messy as he wanted and all it took was 2 min with the water hose to clean up!
                                      

I just love this sweet little messy face.

(Another advantage to painting outside, he can run around the yard while I put everything away)

Messy boy checking on the garden. 

I've got a few more messy play ideas on the list for this summer, I'll be sure to share them as we go!

Dear Summer Vacatioin

Although you are quickly fleeting from my grasps, you have been a pleasure to have around! What did this  family do while summer vacation was here? Well, we didn't go on a summer vacation or spend hours at the pool (partly due to my child's dislike of the combination of water and large crowds) however we did enjoy hours and hours of fun family time together! Along with all of our book reading, block tower building, peek-a-boo playing we have also.....

Stole Daddy's Cheez-Its :)

Had picnics and played outside

Practiced learning to walk

Made lots of messes learning to self-feed

Painted.....using our hands along with our head

Made it pretty difficult for Momma to get a picture for the birthday invitations

And spent many hours cuddling at nap time.

All in all, it's been a pretty good summer around here!

One Spoiled Momma

I am admitting it. I am one spoiled momma! This summer has been the most laid back, relaxing, schedule free summer I have ever had. Here is a glance at our care free daily life.
Harrison will usually wake up between 6 and 7,we have fruit and oatmeal for breakfast and start our day. If we are going to go outside and play, now is the time we do it! If not it gets way too hot! We play, read books, watch a little Disney Jr, I drink my coffee and enjoy the morning. Harrison will go down for his morning nap around 9:30. This is when I will do a little cleaning, dishes, laundry, but noting too strenuous ;). After nap we have lunch and play more, color, finger paint, occasionally splash in the water and then its time for afternoon nap (around 12:30). During afternoon nap time, I'm not going to lie, I do not do much :). I might start dinner if it is something that needs to be thawed or placed in the crock pot, fold a little laundry, sweep or put away dishes but I always manage to find time to watch a little HGTV, glance through Pinterest and occasionally, take a nap. Yes I said nap. The rest of the day is much the same. More playing, reading, park visiting, going for walks and family dinners. I'm not sure what I am going to do when August rolls around and I get a big dose of reality thrown at me. For now, I'm just enjoying spoiling my baby and being one spoiled momma! Oh how I LOVE summer!

Take Me Out To The Ball Game!

Last night was Faith and Family Night at Bowling Green Ball Park and Mahlon and I thought it would be the perfect night to take Harrison to his first baseball game!

Watching the players warm up

Thanks Pastor Jason for snapping a picture of all 3 of us! 

These are few and far between!

Harrison just wanted to pet Axle ;)

Yummm ice cream!

He LOVED watching the players on the field! 

All together it was an awesome trip to the ball park!