Star Wars in Concert

Star Wars in Concert came to San Diego in May. And, OF COURSE we had to go! Matt, Joey, Kristin, Wendy, Sean and I all had a great night out! First we went to dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory (a favorite, to be sure) and then we headed to the Sports Arena to geek out! Star Wars in concert is a show that hosted by Anthony Daniels, the voice of C3PO: He'd give a bit of the Star Wars story as an introduction to a certain musical piece. Then a full orchestra would perform a song from the movie while images from the films were projected on a screen. Did I mention there were also lasers? It was really an outstanding show. If this show ever comes to your town, I really can't recommend it enough! So much fun!

Gardening Bliss

This is our first gardening year and so far it's been a success! We have all kinds of things growing. Tomatoes, melon, corn, beans, squash, berries, cucumbers, herbs and flowers. It's been amazing watching everything grow. Look at us, keeping plants alive!

We don't really have a very large yard, and I didn't think we had a ton of space for gardening. In my mind, I always pictured a garden as being a giant rectangle with long rows of veggies. I only had this little 2 foot raised bed along the back and side fence. I was amazed with how much I could fit in that space! We are going to have a TON of vegetables at the end of the season. I am so excited.

Here is a recent photo of my "Three Sisters" garden. I planted a circle of corn, followed by a circle of beans (pole beans, which will grow up the corn stalks), and then a circle of various squashes. I can't wait for the squashes to get a bit larger. I think this is going to be so pretty when it fills in.The kids are having a great time helping in the garden with watering and weeding. It's been hard trying to keep Simon from walking all over the plants, though. He was used to climbing around in the area that is now our vegetable bed. But he's learning. I can't wait until later in the season when the kids can help me harvest the "fruits of our labor" and taste how delicious homegrown veggies can be.

My dad used to tell me how fresh vegetables taste better than any other, and in particular he would mention how sweet corn was when you'd pick it and cook it right away rather than letting it sit. I can't wait to see what he meant. And, of course, can't wait to have homegrown tomatoes. The funny thing is that I really don't care for tomatoes UNLESS they're homegrown. They taste vastly different when they're fresh from the garden. Mmmmm. Can't wait. Grow, little plants! Thrive!

He's a Pepper

What's this in my dining room?Why, it's black pepper! It's all over the floor, all over the chair, and all over the table. Looks like someone was playing in it. Sort of finger painting in it. You can see the finger marks in this little pepper pile.
Wow. Whoever did this probably has black pepper all over their hands now. Hope they don't do something silly. Like put their hands in their mouth. I'm sure that would be fairly unpleasant. Don't you agree, Simon?
"Water, give me water!"
"And a bath would probably be nice too...though my tongue is still on fire."

Kindergarten Performance Night

Last week at the school was Kindergarten Performance Night. We got to see a song or dance from each of the kindergarten classes. Kristin's class did an extended version of the song they performed for the International Fair. All the kids had to wear their animal costumes. Kristin, as you might remember, was a zebra. I'd sewn her a simple tunic, but it was really too long. So we cut it a bit shorter, and then we used the remaining fabric as a headband. Simon was very interested in all the music and dancing. Since the auditorium was really packed, Matt held Simon up on his shoulders so he could see. I thought it was funny how Simon basically used Matt's cheeks as hand grips.

After a while, Simon got tired of being held all the time (and I'm sure Matt was tired of holding him, too - that kid is heavy!) and wanted to sit in his own chair. Joey agreed to stay with him to make sure he didn't get into trouble. Joey is such a great big brother.

Lego Mario

Joey is just like his dad and LOVES Legos. Also like his dad, he has a fascination with Super Mario Brothers. Sometimes two things you love combine!Joey made that all by himself. I was so impressed.

The Three

Occasionally when the kids are getting along and looking extra cute I think it's a perfect "Kodak moment" and I get out the camera to try and get a photo of the three of them together. This is what I get. When Joey and Kristin smile nicely, Simon is usually crying. When Simon is in a picture-taking mood, Joey and Kristin make faces. I've got to hand it to them - they always keep me on my toes.

Sweet Pea Day

One of my favorite places in San Diego is Summers Past Farms. It's such a beautiful place. So many gorgeous flowers and plants! Last year was the first time we went to their annual Sweet Pea Day as a family, and we had such a good time we decided to go again this year. Sweet Pea Day is basically just an excuse to get out and enjoy the lovely Spring weather - with extra emphasis on the sweet peas growing in the garden! The owners of the farm have a little maze made all out of blooming sweet peas: And, as part of Sweet Pea Day, you can wander through the maze and cut your own bouquet. I just adore sweet peas. They're so delicate and fluttery, and they smell divine.
Of course, there are a ton of people who come to the farm on Sweet Pea Day. So many, in fact, that we decided to skip waiting in line for the sweet pea maze and instead just spent the morning walking around the gardens.Here are Joey and Kristin on the footbridge that spans the small stream in the middle of the farm.
We also took some time to shop in their nursery. They sell scented geraniums there. They have geraniums that smell like roses, like chocolate mint, like lemon, or (my favorite) like green apples. I also got a few herbs to plant in my garden. I was also tempted to buy some of these cosmos:I've plented several cosmos in our yard, but so far we only have greenery - no blossoms yet. So I really loved the idea of putting these blooming cosmos into the garden. But I resisted. I can wait for my own flowers to bloom!

After a couple hours of wandering, we were all pretty tired (Simon was out like a light!)and ready to head home. But we'll definitely be going back again soon. If you live in the San Diego area, I can't recommend Summers Past Farms enough! Go check it out!