Update for May 2009

To view the photo album from May 2009, click here

The weather was slow to warm in May. Bound and determined to expand my gardening space, we built four more raised beds - this time trying the Square Foot Gardening Method complete with manufactured growing medium and the whole bit. The concept is simple. Condense the amount of space you need to grow things by utilizing every square foot according to the plants growing needs. The raised bed gives the plants a little extra warmth, and we fill the boxes with 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 vermiculite, 1/3 compost. It's a concept we've been experimenting with the last few years, and have decided it's the only way to go with our northern climate and limited space.

I really pushed to have everything planted 'on time' or by Memorial Day. When the big day arrived, there was frost in the forecast so I waited a few more days before sticking the last of the tomatoe and pepper plants in. We had another week of cool days which didn't help anything, but nothing died and they are just standing by waiting for warm air in order to take off. I still have things to plant - basil, celery, yellow squash, beens, pumpkins and the rest of the annual seedlings that I started which I have to say were a collosal dissapointment. A lot of work for a very small return. I guess we are all a little spoiled by the gorgeous plants you can buy from the green house. Probably just do that next year. I am very pleased with the vegetable seedlings and will definately do that again next year. We have plenty of tomatoe and peppers coming, and the potatoes will be a hoot as well.

The kids 'help' when they can. Otherwise they are busy playing in the new sand box Stephen made for them. It is such a joy to watch the two of them play, and what is really nice is that Jordan can play in the sand box without eating the sand (a feat Jacob did not accomplish until he was at least 3). She forgets once in a while and slips in a taste, but nothing like her brother would have done at her age. They play really well together and then she lets me know when she's had enough. The other day she actually crawled to the stroller and started to climb in - as if to say "Ok I'm ready for our walk now".

We've been exploring the great outdoors. We are learning about butterflies, bumble bees and humming birds. This is the first season Jacob really seems to grasp their being there and has an interest in their activity. We have a hummingbird feeder near the butterfly porch and he has become keenly aware of their comings and goings - to the point that he is almost able to recognize them as male or female. Pretty cool! We've been walking to the local beaver flow a couple of times a week. This is fun for Jacob because he can throw rocks in the water. It is fun for mommy, because we can see the brook trout making their way up stream in the water that runs along the roadside. I try to point them out to him, and he says he sees them - but I don't think he sees them. He would much rather I let him run in the water which I have refrained from doing since I saw there are fish in there. We've captured a frog, and a really large ugly black bug and viewed a snake up close. I hate snakes, Stephen hates snakes - and guess what Jake likes snakes. This should get interesting! He is also over his shyness around worms, and now talks to them as if they are pets. Cracks me up!

Jordan is still teetering. She wants to walk and she can walk, but I think her little legs and feet lack the strength and confidence to take care of the rest. She has spurts throughout the day where she takes several steps at a time. Then the rest of the day she makes her way across the floor like the baby on the Simpsons. I'm still fine with it, but Stephen and Mrs. Manning get really anxious about her walking status. So much so, they have Jake saying "Look mommy, she is doing her walking part!" No idea what walking part is, but that's Jake. She is getting so great at expressing herself. She waves and says "bye bye", she says 'haye" to greet us, she points to her belly and says "beye, beye, ..." She says momma, dadda, and a bunch of other things. I think she is much more verbal than Jake at this age. I guess its due to all the talking that goes on around here now vs when he was this age.

We had a great day at the park in Liverpool with Mom, Dad, Michael and Matthew. Jacob was talking about going to "the Syracuse park" again for days and nights, until we went to see THOMAS!!! Thomas the Train was in North Creek and I didn't do a whole lot of prep with him, just in case something prevented us from going or so he wouldn't get distracted from the other things we had going on. Consequently I think he was in awe the entire day and for days after. There was a train ride, and he got meet Sir Topham Hat and they had Thomas trains set up for the kids to play with. He was in heaven! The weather was nice and we all had a great time.

I know we are well into June now. Dad's birthday is Monday and Father's Day follows shortly after. I am so thankful the days have warmed this week - it was actually warm enough to put water in the new water table Jordan got from Patty & Marie for her birthday. They both love it. Jordan thought it was a wadding pool at first, but she has gotten better about that and they both love suttling in the water.

Its supposed to be a beautiful weekend. Stephen is off to work bee at Stony Brook tomorrow, and we are going to meet him in there for a trail side lunch and wild life exploration. Hopefully the bugs won't be too thick. Poor Jordan already looks like she has the measles! Hope everybody has a great month and we'll look forward to checking in with you again in July!