Since returning from vacation, we've finally cleared completely of snow, felt the slight chill return for a few days, and have not had to have a fire (even over 
night) in a week! It's exciting to feel the energy of spring creep into our bones! And better, still, when we get outside and forget about such things as "chores".... until, of course, we return to the house and find the day is gone and we've not accomplished anything on the inside. Never-the-less, there is something to be said for beautiful sunshine, fresh air, and the sounds of nature all around! I can't think of anything else that can lift me so completely so quickly!
Anyway... along with spring comes the joys of gardening. For some, that might be the "chores of gardening", but for most in our house it's simply joyful! Last week was sprinkled with time clearing the old corn
stalks. That finished up Saturday morning and then Bob turned the dirt under in the garden for the first time this year! It's great to see the beginning of a garden like that. Some how that raw dirt look is just a wonderful reminder of all the life that will come! The kids really enjoyed moving the corn stalks out and kept mentioning how many they were carrying at a time or how high up they could hold it. I think I heard Beth say she had 5 at once... that's a lot (given the size) for her little body. It also included sword fights, which quickly got out of hand and then had to be stopped!
Yesterday, Mother's Day, we ate the first veggies from our garden! How, you might ask, if we have not yet done the planting and only a few weeks have gone without snow (we've still had light frosts off and on).... well, the answer... asparagus and chives! Once you've planted them, you don't have to do it again, and they will come up year after year. They thrive in the type of weather we've been having; and I must say that I've not had better asparagus in my life. The young stalks were garden sweet, and ever so tender!
Today was the first of the year's plantings. Potatoes! We always plant way too many, but we've never been lacking for people to share them with. So, since we (and especially our children) love potatoes, we figure having too many means we're guaranteed to have enough.Gabi and Bethie loved to help. They love the story of the Little Red Hen (although they know the story more through a variation called "Manana, Iguana" which was given to us for Beth and Peter's birthdays. So,
for them, it was about helping so they could eat the potatoes when they are done growing! You'll notice that Gabi doesn't mind being dirty one little bit! She loves it. Lays right done in it. Bethie, though, stood up and leaned way over to drop in the pieces so she could get the least amount of dirt on her! :) I love to see them both helping, but with their very different personalities showing!
Although the planting was happening, there was also a lot of playing. Bob is really our gardener... although I think Peter might be big enough that I might actually get in and help with weeds this year. The kids enjoy it too, but they are, after all, just kids. And since I had Bob bring out the toddler playset, Jeremy couldn't be bothered to plant more than a few seconds... I didn't even get a picture of him in the garden tonight! (Although I heard that after d
inner, while Peter was taking his bath, Jeremy was having tons of fun being a "bulldozer" pushing the dirt on top of the potato pieces! That certainly explains why he was so dirty and in need of a bath. I only wish I could have been there to see 
it!Peter learned that walking in garden soil is trickier than walking on the grass! He also learned that gardens around here are often filled with rocks and stones. He'd find them and bring them to the edge and throw them out. It seems he already knows they don't belong in the garden!
The girls practiced jump rope... which was great for Gabi as she'd actually get a couple of jumps
in a row. And for Bethie, she was so excited to be able to get the rope over her head! And I showed them each how to throw a frizbee... I figured we need a new activity this year. The girls are getting older and they are certainly able to do more things.... although they still get bored easily and run off to other activities! :) (Oh the joys of being a kid)So the planting has begun... and will continue for a few more weeks! My mouth is already watering for the wonderful produce we can expect again this year!
