Enjoying Autumn Time

With the forecast predicting snow for the weekend, and knowing that the next couple of weeks would be a whirlwind due to moving, I decided to take the kids on a very spontaneous nature hike, very spontaneous - notice Ellie and Lexi in flip flops (I didn't think we would hike so far up!)  We had the best time being together and taking our time looking at all the leaves and enjoy the fresh, crisp autumn air.  The kids loved collecting leaves and I was surprised at the variety, 28 different kinds!  It was one of those afternoons that makes you feel very satisfied, and helps you remember what is important, and what is not - I admit I need those reminders often in my life, things can get so chaotic and it is easy to get caught up in the thick of thin things.  I think more often I will take time to smell the roses.... or look at the leaves! 

Ellie and the beanstalk & Lauren the cabbage plant kid.

Ellie loves preschool and she was thrilled the day they talked about seeds and growing things and were given their own pot of dirt with a bean plant seed nestled in it. What a great idea for a preschooler....to give them their own seed to nuture and watch grow. Now, if you are looking for a seed that gives quick results, the bean is your answer! It grew taller and taller right before our eyes. Ellie was so thrilled, especially when we discovered that the cute little buds it had sprouted were turning into tiny beans and then into long beans! We took the picture right before we transplanted it into a bigger pot. This is where the happy bean plant story ends and the sad one takes over. Is what Ellie doesn't know, and I don't know how to tell her, is that after the transplant, I left it out on the deck to enjoy the sunshine, only to find it snapped in half by a big gusty wind that came out of no where. Do you think the nursery sells bean plants that are already a foot tall with seven beans on it?!

Now to Lauren's plant project. She came home from school with a cabbage plant. It was actually labeled "O.S. Cabbage" o.s. for "oversized". I guess this particular "breed" of cabbage grows up to 40 lbs. and requires a space with eight feet in all directions to grow. Holy Cabbage! A letter accompanied this plant explaining that the 3rd grader who grew the biggest cabbage would be awarded a $1000 scholarship. For now, it is in a pot, but where oh where are we going to find an 16' space to grow it? Do you think they'd notice over at the golf course?

Spring has sprung!

I just can't seem to get enough of the blossoming flowers, budding trees, singing birds and the glorious fresh air! Did it seem like a looong winter to anyone else around these parts besides me? Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for all the snow we received, in fact I am one who is guilty for wishing so much of it here, but now I am greeting Spring with arms wide open, and begging it to stay! I am hoping the teasing and taunting of 70 degree days followed by more snow and frigid air, is over!

The condo grounds are beautifully maintained with no effort on our part (nice huh?) but the kids and I did find a little plot of dirt to plant some of our own flowers. It is truly amazing how dirty a 2 yr. old can get from helping plant a couple dozen pansies!