Fall Projects

We were told to expect the first frost tonight, so today the kids and I did some harvesting.  We picked two bags of peppers, some broccoli, tomatoes (green and red and in-between), and swiss chard.   The girls were eager to help, and enjoyed sampling as we went--especially the tomatoes!

I am happy to have little helpers.  We have started a bit of a chore system around here.  The girls set the table for lunch and dinner.  Everett unloads the silverware from the dishwasher and helps with lots of other things throughout the day.  We're starting small, but we're starting!  Gwyn really loves to help me with the cooking, and today Maddie was my best garden helper.  Here she is with the main stalk of a broccoli plant.  I broke off most of the branches so she could carry it to the compost pile):

The last (and first) time we had a garden, I cut the first heads of broccoli, and then let it go to flower thinking that the little florets produced afterwards wouldn't be worth it.  This time I cut the broccoli faithfully throughout the season, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that between our four plants, we had enough for at least one meal per week all summer long.  They grew to be like little trees, with a trunk nearly as thick as my fist.  Definitely worth it!

This year I also made my first forays into preserving what we grew.  I learned by trial and error, but that is for another post.  I am proud of my stocked shelves and freezer.

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I posted a photo long ago of our torn-up porch.  The remodeling project has been progressing slowly and is finally starting to look really nice.  Unfortunately, just as I was beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I discovered two boards that had been eaten by insects--probably termites.  Needless to say, I was UPSET, and a bit discouraged.  I really hope that the damage is minimal, and can be taken care of without ripping up the porch that I have put so much time and effort into.  I hate to even think of the hours I have spent out there.

This week I have spent some time on my roof, painting window frames just outside of the room where the children were playing.  They were a little bit concerned at first, but I reassured them that I was being very careful.  Let's see... 8 windows down, 10 to go.  I'm averaging 1-2 per day, but the weather is getting a little cold for painting.

 

So what are your fall projects?

MIA

We've had a visit, we've been sick, and now we're trying to recuperate from a nasty computer virus. I'm also trying to get as much done as I can outdoors before the weather gets bad. (I'm mostly working during naptime, but I have also resorted to painting in the dark. I just don't think these kids are ready for paint yet.)

I'll do a real post soon--I promise!

Young Stalwarts

4 children + 4 shots + 4 blood draws = no tears!

Yesterday we took the kids in to get flu shots and their Hemoglobin levels tested. I had told them in advance that they would be getting a shot, and that it would hurt a little bit, but that it would help them to stay healthy. Everett was a little apprehensive, but when the time came, everyone did great! There wasn't a single fuss. Cary and I were in awe.

Here are their stats:

Everett

birth weight: 9 lbs.

now 4 yrs. 11 months old

50.5 lbs. 94th percentile

44.5" 83rd percentile

Lana

birth weight: 3 lbs. 9 oz.

now 2 yrs. 7 months old

26.5 lbs. 20th percentile

32.5" under 3rd percentile

Gwyn

birth weight: 4 lb.s 4 oz.

now 2 yrs. 7 months old

31.5 lbs. 75th percentile

35.25" 27th percentile

Maddie

birth weight: 4 lbs. 8 oz.

now 2 yrs. 7 months old

32 lbs. 79th percentile

35.5" 33rd percentile

According to their weight/height ratio, even Lana is "at risk for becoming overweight". HAHAhahaha

Our pediatrician's office normally does a finger prick test for the Hemoglobin, but this time they sent us across the street to a lab to get it done. When our turn came, I was a bit shocked when the tech pulled out the equipment necessary for a blood draw. I realize now that I probably could have insisted on the finger prick, but at the time I was somewhat flustered and just trying to make it as stress-free for the children as possible, given the situation. Once again, they were all little troopers. They were a little apprehensive, but didn't make a fuss.

I hated to see them going through it. I held each one on my lap as it was done. Afterwards, Cary and I decided that our brave little children deserved a special treat, so we took them to Wendy's and had a frosty for dessert. It actually turned out to be a really pleasant morning (except watching the kids get poked), because we were all together and happy.