What do you do when it hits 90 degrees in May?

This:

a new thing

Since the middle of March I've been preoccupied with a new thing. Something I've never really done before, with the exception of my tomato and watermelon plants that got a little out of control last summer. No sprawling vines and squishy tomatoes this year though, thanks to the "square foot" gardening method. The creation of the garden boxes is more Aaron's doing than mine (although the nagging to get them done was of course my thing.) I've planted spinach and lettuce, carrots and broccoli, sugar snap peas, beans, cucumbers, basil, tomatoes, peppers, and marigolds (supposedly keep the tomatoes and peppers healthy). I've had to uproot my broccoli because it got too hot too quick and my spinach and lettuce don't like the heat either, but we've already had a few salads with the greens and everything else seems to be doing well. It's sooooo fun to walk outside and go down the steps of my deck every day and see the constant change happening!

Easter '09

Unsupervised

The other day I came downstairs after a few minutes of leaving these two "unsupervised" and I found this. They had pulled the entire bottom part of the dishwater out onto the floor and were having a great time. As you can see, Avery was very concerned about getting it put back together again and Presley was very proud of herself. She even attempted to explain things when I asked her what they were doing.

A realization

As I was getting everyone out of the car to go into the grocery store, a woman walked past me and made a comment about how I must have my hands full with "three kids". I just smiled, like I try to do every time someone notices us and says something. Yes, most of the time I do have my hands full, and I often wonder how my mother did anything with five kids, or better yet, how anyone does anything with more than three. But I've had a few opportunities lately where I've "seen the light" as to how it's done.

On our way out of the library the other day I decided not to fight with putting my girls back in the stroller. (I usually let them out toward the end of our visit to ease the screaming.) I told Caleb to take Presley's hand and I took Avery's and we all walked up to the front together. I remember looking over my shoulder at the sight of the two of them following me - wow, imagine that! I have also noticed lately that at least two of them and sometimes all three will find something creative and fun to do together at home. Sometimes it turns destructive or someone gets hurt, but for the most part it's actual "playing together" time that I don't even have to supervise. So I can get a quick chore done, check my email, finish the dishes, etc. And just last night, dad was absent for bedtime, so I suggested Caleb sit on the chair and "read" to the girls while I finish some last minute things. They all sat there for a good 5 minutes, very content and quiet!

My realization consists of the fact that older siblings can assist and even substitute for the parent. I think I've always known this in the back of my head, but until it's you having the experience, it doesn't really matter what you think you know. And the really good news is that Caleb's not even 4 1/2 years old - look how much time he has to get better at it! I recognize I am fortunate to have a 4 year old son who is cooperative and sweet most of the time and two girls who like to be manageable half of the time, so that helps.

My mom always says we were good kids growing up. I guess that's why she had five!

Recent favorites of my growing girls

The calm (and smile) before the high-pitch scream. Sharing things is becoming a real challenge for them. They both love to voice their discontent with one another by screaming at the top of their lungs when something is not going their way. We now have two stools side by side in this bathroom.

Avery is becoming quite the dare-devil, adventurous girl. She loves being outside and trying anything new. The other day at the park she following Caleb down a hill and scraped herself up pretty good.

Hooray for the binki clip that Avery has finally decided is "pretty" and will wear to bed! She's sporting Caleb's safety goggles.

The joy of self-feeding with a bowl and spoon! Presley loves it, mom doesn't.

The highs and lows of March

At the beginning of the month we said goodbye to my sister Megan, who came to stay for a week (and one extra day due to the crazy snowstorm!) all the way from Italy. In Megan's words: "My decision to come visit Renae and the kids was one of those last minute, are-you-sure kind of decisions but it was so good for me. We enjoyed ourselves not really doing much other than being a mom and an aunt, but that in itself explains it all. Book reading, shoe strapping, snack feeding, nose wiping, song singing, french toast making, diaper changing, laundry folding."

We adore aunt Megan!

We've definitely experienced some ups and downs this month with the weather. March began as a white wonderland and was quickly replaced by 70 degree weather!

Aaron and Caleb enjoyed the snow for a long time that first day. Yes, Aaron had the day off because no one goes anywhere when it looks like this.

Caleb got left behind a few times when Aaron was running him around the yard on the sled.

Only a few days later Caleb and I took some pictures of ourselves out in the sunshine. (Caleb is getting pretty good with the camera!) The purple bear is Caleb's preschool mascot that spent a few days with us. We were trying to be creative with "Happy" bear so we could provide some fun pictures and an account of his experience with us. Oh, and we were also flying the kite that Caleb had made at school (a grocery bag and streamers).