Beginning the Transformation of the Yard

Last Tuesday, Duane tilled a large portion of the front yard and turned it into flowerbeds. The plan is to turn it into a cottage garden. We have planted iris, daffodils, and have hyacinths yet to plant, and will add many more plants in the spring. The iris are re-located from a huge bed in the backyard. . .we dug up 562 iris bulbs last Friday, and have planted about 120 so far. Amazingly enough, there are still at least that many spread across the hill approaching the house.

Eventually, we plan to build a white picket fence along the driveway, with an arbor at the beginning of the sidewalk leading up to the front door on the east side. We also plan to cut down the two large elms on the east side, and extend the porch to wrap around that side of the house. Big plans. . .

Duane's Kids

Irrefutable proof that these are indeed Duane's kids. . .

Willa Corrinne should be on here too, the other day she was standing at the side of the couch, banging her head against it just to hear Anna laugh. However, that's hard to tell in a picture, and I don't know how to put video on here, or if it's even possible.

Kids in Pajamas

Anna stayed home sick from school today, and everyone stayed in their pajamas until after lunch. We just bummed around, watching movies, eating and laughing. Of course, she later vomited all over herself, but by then Duane was awake to clean her up.

This picture portrays Anna's increasingly negative attitude and behaviors since beginning preschool. Although she loves school and her teachers say that she is very well-behaved there, her behaviors at home have taken a dramatic turn for the worse. She talks back, is rude to everyone in the family, and is mean to Matthew and Cora. I have spoken with several other mothers whose children attend the same school, and they have complained about similar problems with their children, who are not in the same grade as Anna. I'm wondering if this is typical of all schools, or just ours. Anna has always been so sweet and loving, it breaks my heart to see her act this way.

Cora's First Birthday

 


This pic pretty much sums up Cora's attitude at both birthday parties. No messy birthday cake faces or eager present opening. Just a general tiredness with it all.

Oh well, I'm sure next year will be different.

P.S. Sorry it took me until today to put up pics from the 15th. 

Getting Ready for the Next Growing Season

I finally began getting ready for the next growing season. I hooked the tractor up to the plow and plowed the soil up where Sara and I plan to garden next year. Unfortunately, I ran out of gas and will have to finish plowing on Tuesday.

While I was plowing, Matthew was out in the garden throwing rocks. Sara caught a couple of pics while he was out there. I really like this one. I thought, "He looks like he is really contemplating something profound there. That's a great picture."

When Matthew saw it, he said simply, "That's when I was peeing my pants."

A Day at the Park

Yesterday, Sara said wanted to start taking pictures of the kids instead of taking them to professionals on their birthdays. I thought this was a great idea, so yesterday, we took Cora, because the other two were in Iowa at a parade. Here are some of my favorites from yesterday.









Just 'cause I can, here are my favorite pics of the other two:







Maybe I'm biased, but these are good lookin' kids.