i am not a gardener
**warning. this is possibly the longest post in the history of posts about flower beds.**
On Saturday my husband announced he was going to dig a ditch.
He wasn’t kidding.
(He has a purpose here – he’s installing a French Drain that will hopefully make the water go away from our house and stop coming into our family room.) While he did that, I decided to dig up the other flower bed, since it has never grown anything in the entire 5 years we’ve lived here. Wait – that’s not true. It grows weeds quite well. So we thought that while we were digging all day, maybe mixing topsoil in to the other bed would help. You find all sorts of interesting things when you dig up your beds.
lots of rocks, bricks and even an old bottle
We also found a half-decomposed dead mouse. But I won’t show you that picture. Then my husband found this:
Full disclosure: I did not take this picture. I refused to even get close enough to use the zoom lens, despite my husband’s trying to reassure me by saying things like “It can’t jump! I think!!” Grace or Ellie took this while I was hiding at a safe distance. When he came over HOLDING IT IN HIS HAND, I ran away saying “THIS is why I don’t like gardening!!!!”
So anyway…. a typical flower bed at our house looked like this:
Since we got rid of all of the dead and soon-to-bed plants, I had to go get more. So I went to our secret place. Out in Amish country, there is a tiny nursery that friends told us about. Basically you drive down a road, turn right just after a locksmith and drive down a winding road lined with Amish Farms, past the Amish School with little kids playing hopscotch at recess – we had an actual chicken cross the road in front of us (talk about free range!) – and into a random driveway. Spring Grove Nursery is actually in the backyard of a little house. And its amazing. The entire trunk of my van was filled with flowers and shrubs and it was like $60.
Well after hours and hours and several Advils, we have this:
Now, I JUST planted this. That's why they are all still alive.
And check out our little container garden:
For their summer project, the kids are growing tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, yellow tomatoes and red peppers. We’re so green 🙂
So if you’re actually still reading, share – what are your tips for keeping your plants alive?
the flea and the professor at the arden theater
This weekend, we attended opening night of the newest childrens’ play at The Arden Theater, The Flea and the Professor based on the story by Hans Christian Anderson. We had no idea what the play was about, but we were still excited. It turns out it centers around a circus!
A young professor loses everything in the world but the flea who lives in his vest. And that turns out to be plenty. He and the flea become the best of friends, start a circus act, and set off to tour the world. Together our heroes must overcome shipwrecks, cannibals, and tickling. Adapted from the last story by the author of The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, and The Emperor’s New Clothes, this new musical odyssey celebrates the excitement of the unknown.
The opening night party was amazing, with yummy kid-friendly food from Catering by Design, tasty ice cream from Franklin Fountain and fun activities! The girls went on a scavenger hunt and found themselves making hot air balloons, getting their faces painted and even ending up inside a bubble!
Ellie popping the bubble that surrounded her!
The show was fantastic. Positively magical. It never ceases to amaze me how something like a hot air balloon or a flea circus or a pirate ship can be portrayed on the stage. The girls were entranced, laughing and cheering and having a wonderful time. They both loved it! Grace’s favorite character was the princess with the pink hair (I’m sure you find this shocking), while Ellie loved the Flea! The music was so catchy: the next day all of us were singing the songs – even my husband! It has a great mix of humor for kids and adults and just the right amount of silliness! I would probably recommend this for ages 5 and up, although a mature 4 year-old would probably be fine. After, Grace was thrilled to meet The Professor. She told him, “I’m glad you found a family.” It was so sweet!
gracie and the professor
On the drive to the theater, my kids were asking a zillion questions, as usual. And Grace said, “You know what? I don’t even care what the play is about! I just love going to see plays!” And that is why we take our kids to the theater – especially children’s theater. We’re teaching them to love this art form, to appreciate theater and become a life-long patron of the arts. That’s why I am so thankful for programs like the Arden – and for programs like Arden for All that brings theater to children who might not otherwise get the opportunity. If you can, try to take your kids to the theater. For under $100, a family of four can see a show at the Arden. And the memories will last so much longer than you can even imagine.
p.s.
This winter, the Arden is presenting Charlotte’s Web!!!!! Who wants to go with us!?!?
disclosure: we received tickets to this show from the arden theatre. i was not compensated for this post. as always, all opinions are my own.
new digs for girlymama!
fashion friday: for my non-girly girl
Now you know how my Gracie is super-dooper girly, loved ruffles and dresses and wears flowers in her hair almost every day, right?
I have no idea where she got this from.
Now my oldest, Ellie, is a different story. Wearing a dress is cruel and unusual punishment. Tights are torture. And the last time I bought her something with ruffles, the look she gave me made me shudder at the thought of her being a teenager. You could almost hear her eyes rolling. I swear. Now she will wear pink, but that’s about a girly as it gets.
(disclaimer: She read this before I posted it and said, “MOM! I DO have a shirt with ruffles.” And she does. Have one single shirt with a teensy-tiny ruffle on it. I stand corrected.)
So I have a really hard time finding clothes for her. Grace is easy. If I love it, she’ll love it. If its a dress, she’ll love it. If it has ruffles, she’ll really love it. But Ellie…. I’ve returned more clothes that I’ve bought for that girl… Even stuff that I think isn’t that girly, she’ll reject.
Luckily, I’ve found a few stores that I can almost always find things for her. There are several kids clothing stores that I refuse to shop at. I firmly believe that 8-year-old girls should look like 8-year-old girls, not tiny pop stars or reality show contestants. No inappropriate slogans on tshirts, no super revealing outfits and nothing written across their bottoms, thankyouverymuch.
77kids is American Eagle for kids and one of our favorite stores. I’ve found a ton here for her – that casual surfer girl style is perfect for a kids like her. And my favorite – their slogan is “Good for 77 washes” – their stuff not only lasts, but gets softer with age.
I love this flowy bright stripe pocket tank. The flowy-ness makes it a little feminine and modest, but its still ‘cool’ enough for her.
Ellie loves graphic tees and is obsessed with peace signs, so this graphic t is perfect! This is her new favorite shirt. I love how long it is!
Oh, she’ll love these rip stitch denim shorts.
Crazy 8 is another store I usually do well at for her. Crazy 8 is owned by Gymboree, so you know its good stuff. And when you hit the sales, its crazy cheap. (Even when you don’t hit the sales they have good prices!) The outfits we fight the most about are outfits appropriate for church. I don’t think they need to get decked out, but nice clothes are a must (like jeans without holes). But Crazy 8 is saving my sanity with these cute outfits!
This would be perfect for church. Dressed up enough to make Mom happy, but casual enough that Ellie won’t be uncomfortable. Gingham tunic shirt ($8), Bee tshirt ($5), Denim skirt ($10) and flats ($12).
Now this I love!! And since its a skort, Ellie will too! She actually loves headbands, so that will win major points! Butterfly tshirt ($10), plaid skort ($10), headband ($4) and sandals ($10).
Old Navy is another store I have great luck at for Ellie.
Maybe – just maybe – I could get away with these ruffles because she loves long shirts. What do you think?
These capris are adorable. But I’m thinking white might not work…
What are your go-to stores for each of your kids?
Did you do a fashion post today? Link up!!
Spring and Summer Trends for Everyone
I have a new gig guest blogging over on mybestfit’s new blog!! Go check it out!!
Afraid to try the latest trends because you don’t have the body of an 18-year-old supermodel? Never fear! Many of this season’s hottest trends are wearable for all ages and body types. Don’t be shy – trying a new trend can be scary! Try one at a time and mix them in to what you already own. Summer is a great time to try something new. Here’s a couple of spring and summer trends that just about anyone can pull off:
overheard while standing outside the girls’ bedroom
*names have been changed to protect the, um, innocent*
Girl A: “TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED!”
Girl B: “YOU TOO, YOU MEANIE!”
Girl A: “YOU’RE THE MEANIE!”
Girl B: “WELL I’M TREATING YOU THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED BECAUSE YOU’RE BEING SUCH A BIG MEANIE!!!!!!!!”
I believe this conflict was about post-it notes.
While I am bursting with pride with their use of Biblical Principles, I thik we need to have a discussion about applying those Biblical Principles, don’t you?
SIDEBAR: Within two minutes, they had apologized, made up and were happily playing together. The sudden bursts of drama these two sisters have positively confound me.
tangled: our new favorite movie *giveaway*
**giveaway is now closed! congrats to our winner, jen!**
We love Tangled. LOVE it.
We saw it in the theater and the whole family loved it. It was cute, funny, exciting – and of course has a happy ending! My son loves Maximus, the horse. (I loved the strong female lead – Rapunzel was brave and sweet!)Â I was crying along with my 8-year-old at the sweet ending. And one of the highlights of Gracie’s life was meeting Rapunzel at Disney a few months ago!
So of course the day the Tangled Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack came out we bought it
And Gracie’s current favorite toy? This adorable Disney Toddler Rapunzel
WIN IT!
One lucky Girlymama reader will win a Tangled Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack AND a Disney Toddler Rapunzel
Mandatory Entry: Leave a comment telling me if you’ve seen Tangled yet!
Extra Entry #1: Leave a SEPARATE comment telling me you subscribed to Girlymama’s feed by email or in a reader.
Extra Entry #2: Leave another comment telling me you became a Girlymama Facebook fan or that you Girlymama on Twitter!
Extra Entry #3: Leave another comment telling me you’re a fan of Tollytots on Facebook!!
Extra Entry #4: Leave another comment telling me in what way you promoted this contest (i.e., posting about it on your blog or Facebook, or Tweeting about it.
Contest ends Wednesday, May 11th at noon. Entries such as “Enter me” or “I want to win” will NOT be counted. Winners will be selected by Random.org, announced back here on this post, and notified via email with further instructions. If I don’t hear from the winner in 48 hours, I will be choosing a new winner.
disclosure: i received a tangled dvd/blu-ray combo pack and a toddler doll to facilitate this post. i was not compensated for this post and, as always, all opinions are my own.
wordless wednesday: little help!! i’m not quite tall enough!
not quite the picture she had in mind….
try this: caramelized pear parfaits
A friend of mine from Bible Study made these a few weeks ago and they were heavenly. We all begged her for the recipe and I couldn’t wait to serve it up at my Stella & Dot party last Friday morning!
4 firm-ripe pears, cored, and quartered (Bartlett)
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground allspice
4 tablespoons light or dark brown sugar (not packed)
1 cup granola
1 1/3 cups vanilla-flavored yogurt
Combine pears and lemon juice in a bowl, and brush pears well with lemon juice. Set aside.
Heat a large skillet over high heat. When hot, add the butter. Add the pears and cook, stirring
occasionally, until golden brown around the edges, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the cinnamon and
allspice and toss gently to combine. Add the brown sugar and cook, stirring occasionally,
until pears are soft and the juices have blended with the sugar to form a sugary syrup, 2 to 3
minutes. Remove from the heat.
Parfaits may be assembled while pears are still warm or after they have cooled.
(As per my friend’s notes, I went light on the brown sugar and left most of the syrup in the pan.)