Bugs

This little guy is way into bugs these days.   He loves bugs.   It kind of started with the show Monster Bug Wars.   To bad there was only 6 episodes and we've seen all of them about a hundred times.   

He loves  finding bugs, watching shows about bugs, books about bugs and playing with his bug toys.   

He identifies all the bugs he finds too.... this is a bulldog rescue cricket, a cellar spider, a black-widow spider....we've found all kinds of species : )

We found a bug cage at a sale - perfect for him right now!   He couldn't wait to go on a bug hunt and fill it up.  

It was also perfect for fireflies.  Something he couldn't wait for was the fireflies to come back.  We finally had our 1st firefly night a few nights ago.

Boys and bugs, what can you do.

Before and After

I've been in the mood to change a few things up and do some painting.    This project wasn't on my list but I couldn't resist doing it first.   I found this chair by a dumpster and couldn't pass it up for a new flower chair.   It is really sturdy and made of maybe Oak?

Obviously just needed some paint.   I had a round wire basket in mind to place in it with flowers.   I had a seatless chair that I had used for years and it finally just fell apart to the point of just tossing out so this one was the perfect and free replacement!

I decided on a nice bright white paint.

And the round basket I was going to use (and didn't bother to see if it fit first) didn't fit.   I looked thru my things and found this square wire basket and liked how it looked.

I used the round coconut liner in the square basket and filled it with pansies.   My first and only flowers of this spring.  

I was happy with how it turned out and it looks bright and cheery on my front porch.   I have several more painting projects I'd like to do as soon as the weather warms up a bit more so I can work on them outside!

Spring Walk

The kids are loving being able to get outside.   They are having fun by the creek.   They've been piling up rocks making a "waterfall."

They also have been spending lots of time "fishing."    It involves a stick long enough to touch the water.   Hunter will say things like "I could do this all day" or "what a great day to fish."   And really they could do it all day.   It's pretty funny.

Max cat - the cat who thinks he's a dog - follows us on walks.   He was really annoyed that he couldn't figure out how we all got on one side and he was on the other.

He's still trying to figure it out.

And he finally figured it out by crossing the tree as far as he could and jumping.

Hunter thought this was so funny.

The cat seriously is part dog.  In the summer he follows us and lays down and pants when he gets too hot.  

Something Stinky

This little critter decided to visit our yard a few weeks ago.  The kids were getting a kick out of watching it wander around the yard.   It was out there for a long time, keeping us inside and then decided to get really close to the house and disappear under the deck.   We didn't see it again that night but we did smell it!    

And oh did we smell it!!   About the time it got dark out the smell filled the whole house.   It smelled like it had decided to spray right under our deck where we last spotted it.   It was really so strong and smelled all night and into the next day.    For some reason too it lingered in our entry way/ laundry room for about a week.   I think it had sprayed right in that corner of the house because you could smell it outside there for awhile.   Ugh, I'm not sure what we did to offend it that night but it sure got us! 

The next afternoon after it had stunk up our whole house the little critter had the nerve to make it's way back into our yard and root around again!    But after the incident the night before and the fact I was a little nervous to let the kids out when a skunk could be lurking under our deck I decided this little visitor was not welcome in our yard!

Thankfully Adam was home and the skunk lacked the common sense to run from the sound of bullets.   Let's just say this little stinker will not be stinking up any other houses!  The end.

Spring Things

Although it does not feel like spring around here this week there are some signs of spring outside.   

Here's about everything that is trying to say spring in my backyard.

Pussy-willow, I brought some of these inside to enjoy.

A newer flower bed I did last year.  Day-lilies planted along the back starting to come up.

My 5 new herb/flower boxes.  I'm really glad we got these built and filled last fall.  I planted a few things in them last fall but mostly they are empty and I plan on planting all my herbs in them this spring.   Hunter was trying to jump in all my pics.

I got ambitious last week and made some cold frames.   I was going to try and cover them in plastic and start lettuce and a few other things in them extra early.    I would have planted last week but with the weather this week SO cold, I think I'll wait at least another week and then try it. 

Bachelor's Buttons.   These must have gotten started from seed a few years ago on the edge of my garden and are taking over!   I think I'll let them go for the most part this year.   I might try to move a few so they don't take up so much garden space.   Last year they did bloom really pretty in June.

Chives are bravely coming in despite the cold.  I love that these come in so early and do well in the cold temps.

I was surprised this bunch of daffodils popped up so quickly.   They weren't there a few days ago and have come up despite us having nights in the 20's.

Crocuses always the first color of the year.

This looks springy.  That bunch in the back is always a little deceiving every year coming up so thick and full.   You want to think it will really be something but all that green leaves die out and you have to wait until about mid-summer for the real show, Surprise Lilies.  For now I'll enjoy the green.

Hyacinth's... my fave.

And Lilacs, another favorite.  Just starting to bud.

That's my spring showcase.   Hopefully these cold nights won't hurt anything and we'll start to get some real spring weather soon!   What do you have blooming?

Sneak Peak

So here is a sneak peak of our next little one.   It's a 4-D shot (and then I took a pic of a pic) so it's not great quality.. but you can see a close up of the face and the arm/hand next to the face.   About 23 weeks along right now with another 16 or so to go!

Happy Birthday

Baby boy celebrated his 2nd birthday this week.   

He wanted to make sure to make the most of his day by waking in the pre-sun hours to open presents and party with balloons. 

Happy Birthday, we love you!!