Off to Camp

Max starts Cub Scout Day Camp today. We had to get a photo while his shirt is still clean. He tried to hide his enthusiasm, but I could tell he was excited. He's my kid that would love for everyday to be pajama day, but this morning he dressed early. The theme for the camp is Cubs Down Under. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and it won't get too hot.

Random Thoughts

I have so many things bouncing around in this head of mine:

• I learned that lettuce is best picked @ 7:00am as it has a higher sugar content compared to 2:00pm. I tried picking it early, rinsing immediately and refrigerating 'til lunch and it did crisp up nicely.
• Vitamin B50 is not a vitamin of its own. I was confused when my midwife recommended me taking it as a remedy for being tired. I thought, "Wow, I have only heard of up to B12." Come to find out this is just a supplement of the B-vitamins with 50mg of each. (hence the 50 in it's name) Apparently, the brain shrinks during pregnancy.
• A new bra is a wonderful thing. When your waistline seems to be enlarging on a daily basis it is easy to be pleased with the simple things in life. Now, if I could find a decent nursing bra that doesn't either give me uni-breast or the cone effect. Doug says I should build a good one if I'm not happy with what's out there. Necessity is the mother of invention, you know.
• This baby thinks my insides are a jungle-gym, just like the rest of the kids. I was unsettled all night long by the acrobatics of the expected youngin'. The other day when the kids asked Carson what is in my tummy he responded, "A peanut!"
• Is there something wrong with calling a trip to Costco (with half of your kids) a date? Just something to chew on.
• There is a definite two word reason to explain why they make maternity swimsuits not scoop-backed: BACK FAT. You surely won't be seeing this mama in a string bikini swim-suit this summer. Oh wait, I've never worn a string bikini, I surely won't start now. I haven't made a pig out of myself, but gained 10lbs in the 1st trimester. (the books say 2-5lbs is ideal) Scales are possessed by the devil. The only reason I have one is b/c Doug picked one up at a thrift store. I have been pretty tired, but still. Carly tried to console me with, "it'll even all out since it's summer now and you work outside so much." I hope so. If not, oh well. It'll give me a great goal to accomplish!
• It's the first day of summer and I am so looking forward to a fresh garden tomato. All winter long I do without, which makes it all the better when they start to ripen. Now in the fall I may be singing a different tune when I've got them coming out of my ears. For now I'll just wait with my mouth watering.

Well, I think that's it for my ramblings, at least for now. I think my lack of good sleep is preventing my brain from functioning properly, hence the flow of consciousness format of this post.

What a Workout!

Yesterday, I had some DVDs due back at the library so I thought I'd save some gas money and ride my bike to return them. The closest library branch is about 2 miles away, no sweat right? It was a quick trip down, but took me at least twice as long on the way back. You see, I encountered wind and Garfield hill on the way home. Garfield Hill has a rather steep grade. Even on a good day when I've been riding on a regular basis it is hard to get up that hill. So, imagine pregnant Paige who hasn't ridden in weeks trying to fight the wind and the incline. I got off and walked to the top. Even though I walk the dog religiously I sure feel out of shape after that bike ride. I'm going to add biking to my exercise routine, but stay away from the hills.

P.S. To add insult to injury my bum is sore this morning.

1-2-3 GO!

After working hard to get the lawn mowed, we took full advantage of the beautiful weather this afternoon and took a dip in the water. The kids patiently waited in the shade for 30 minutes after they got sunscreen on. We had fun getting some action shots. Not being an expert photographer, it was surprisingly hard to get a shot of them in the air.

Get out the paint

Summer heat has finally arrived-again. I hope it is here to stay this time. I took advantage of the nice weather and did a few projects after cleaning out the garage. I call this Productive Avoidance (when I do a low priority project instead of something I should do, the dishes in this case).

This was a roadside find that was pretty beat up. I decided a crackle finish (school glue under the final paint color) would camouflage all of it's bumps and bruises. This is going in the living room. The kids like to play games and draw at it.

This bench was also a freebie. I took to it with a sander and paint, then recovered it with fabric that will hopefully hide the sticky smudges it is bound to get in this house.

Now that I'm done painting tables and such I'm tackling this wicker chair. I'm going to replace the wicker with some sort of webbing. I'm sad to admit it, but I actually paid money for this one-a whole $5.00.

First Fruits...and Weeds!

It's so exciting for the kids (and me) to see the garden produce fruits and veggies. The lettuce and the spinach is actually edible too!






Yes, those are watermelon plants amongst all those weeds. Look close, right in the middle. Guess what we'll be doing this week. This spot has never been gardened before and there must be a million weed seeds waiting to sprout.

Garden Time!

I love this time of year! We've been out getting the garden planted over the last few weeks and now our efforts are beginning to pay off. We've got 3 boxes like this along with 4 beds of things that climb: pole beans, tomatoes, cantaloupe and cucumbers. Then we have areas for the corn, pumpkins, watermelons, zucchini (we have to have something to pawn off on everyone at church) and various other fruits and herbs. We've turned pretty much every spot of bare dirt in the backyard into a garden area, including the spot that will eventually be home to a cement slab.


The broccoli is growing well. We even have a little flower. This is my first year growing it. No bugs yet. I didn't realize the plants get so big.

And the beloved raspberries. I tried a new pruning technique. I cut all the stocks down in the fall, which means we don't have raspberries in both spring and fall, but we're suppose to get a better overall harvest in the fall.

The kids planted their garden spots as well. They each have a 3ft x 6ft plot to plant and take care of. Luckily, it is raining today so we don't have to worry about watering. It is a good day to be inside because we all have come down with a cold. I'm glad I cleaned house yesterday because I don't feel like doing a thing today.