Load of Crap

Make that 3 loads.

I've lived here for three summers and little by little I've watched my garden go down hill. We have a pretty big compost operation, but not as big as our garden and my depleted soil isn't up for another year without some sort of replenishment. Ever since we moved here I've been looking for a supplier, someone with a little extra, um...crap to spare and who is willing to load. Thanks to craigslist and a kind friend willing to loan me her truck, we spent the afternoon shoveling the good stuff. Two loads for us and one for my friend with the truck. My new supplier, I call him Compost Joe, loaded us up with his tractor and then Phil and I shoveled it out. My weak winter muscles are completely exhausted, but this is one load that takes a load off my mind for spring time. And yes, I thought it looked beautiful out there in the corner of my garden as the sun was going down and I couldn't resist a picture or two.

Bike Ride

Yesterday Austin and I finally went on the bike ride we had been planning all winter. For the middle of February you couldn't ask for better weather. I didn't bring my camera which I am kinda bummed about, but really I don't know when I would have used it...it was a lot of work to keep up with that kid. The plan was to ride up around the reservoir on the back roads, but of course we didn't stick to that plan. We spent a lot of time messing around on some hills and ditches and I'm pretty sure I haven't ridden like that since I was Austin's age...but I'm not Austin's age and my body is feeling the pain today. I need one of those cushy old lady seats.

After playing off road for a while it was a little boring to get back on the road so we took another detour which proved to be fun and a little wet and completely worth it. The reservoir was still frozen at the far end so of course Austin had to check it out and see how much abuse it could take. It was fun to spend the day with Austin and I have to say the kid is growing up nicely. There was a time when he was all guts and rookie skill and a ride like this would have ended up with Austin bloody and upset, but now things are balancing out, the boy has skills and just enough fear to keep him from doing anything too crazy....most of the time.

Random things we've been up to when I forget to blog for weeks at a time

This is my favorite toy we got for Christmas. The fun to cost ratio is right up there with the big cardboard box, plus it gets the kids outside (even in the snow) for a little fresh air and exercise.

Friday night we had a culture night for the girls in Eve's Destination Imagination group. Their challenge this year is to study 6 different cultures and come up with a mythological creature from each and then use the information in an improv skit where they are judged for culture knowledge, creativity, and how well they work together. For our culture night they all brought some food from their culture to share with everyone else. We ended up with quite a spread of good food and a whole lot of giggles.  I'm so glad I was lucky enough to be their team manager. As a parent I have learned there are many ways to get involved and help out with my kids education and some of them can be not so fun, but I am really enjoying this one.

We've had a lot of snow this week and cold weather and I think it's about time. Now I can officially be ready for spring.

A little left over tid bits...
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For Bingham's birthday Soni made something for him and wrapped in stickers and paper she had designed herself. It was the first present Bingham wanted to open....it was a simple note that said, "You're 4! I hope you lose a tooth!" He loved it, and I wish I would have got a picture of it before it got lost.

The other night Soni and Bingham had been playing before bedtime. When I tucked Bingham in he sighed and said, "I love that girl named Sonya."  Really, that's all I need...I am a happy girl.