Conversations With Leah

Leah is at the age where she says some stuff that really cracks us up. Paul and I keep commenting that we really need to write this stuff down. So here are some good ones.

Leah says "Dad, what is that your drinking"
Paul says "Scotch, Leah"
Leah says "Like hopscotch daddy!?"



Paul says "Leah, who's my princess??"
Leah says "I am daddy, and Jonah is mommy's princess"

In the Island

So you would have thought Leah would have figured out how much fun this was LONG ago. Nope, took the sneaky little brother to show her how fun hiding out in the cupboards is. Goober is constantly unloading the bottom cupboards and climbing in. About 4 boxes of cereal and 2 boxes of crackers were displaced for these two monkeys to fit!

Finger Painting

Yes, I let my baby finger paint. At 7:00AM. Can't deny the art bug for too long you know! He thought he was totally cool!

Honestly, he made less of a mess with finger paints than he did with the bowl of refried beans he had for supper on Monday. This kid LOVES a good mess. Note, there is no cover on the highchair due it constantly being filthy. It's easier to wipe down plastic.

Berry Picking

After last year's adventure to the berry farm during which Leah shit her pants, I wasn't sure she would be too excited about returning again this year. She remember the big storm and asked many times if there was going to be thunder. (Her biggest fear at the moment!) We went right AFTER a storm this time.

We got there nice and early and before the crowd and the heat. Strawberry picking was slow since Leah wasn't much help. Too many mushy berries for her. It was tough work for me with a 20lb baby strapped to my back as well. We quit and headed to the raspberries which was much easier. There was room for Jonah to explore and to munch on dropped berries and Leah & I could pick standing up.



Seriously, Leah is pro raspberry picker. She knew just which ones were ripe and exclaimed "Mom these red ones are just flying off the trees!" If she was a bit taller I'd rent her out to the farm to pick berries!


We ended up with WAY too many berries considering Paul won't touch raspberries. It was a challenge to use them up. We did strawberries with french toast, ice cream, & in a dish with sugar, made strawberry pie, and made some fab freezer jam. MMM good summer eats!

FFF - On the Farm

Last weekend I decided it was time for a little FFF. Forced Family Fun!! I gave Paul the option of picking the activity and handed him a list of "50 fun things to do in Saint Louis with your kids!" He was hoping to score tickets to the Cardinals game but there were no good deals to be had so he opted for a trip to Purina Farms instead. Dogs & cats instead of hot dogs & beers.

As far as family activities go, this one was much more exciting for the kids than it was for us. Small place, lots of farm animals, dogs & cats, a dog show. We managed to pick a stormy afternoon to go so the place was pretty empty which was nice. Gave us lots of quality time to feed the pigs & chickens while trapped in the barn as the thunderstorm passed over. The highlight of the day for Leah was watching the cows get milked. I didn't really appreciate the obvious comparison between the milking machine and my breast pump however.

All in all a good day and we came home with two sleeping kids!

This chicken had a crush on Paul!

CSA

We took the plunge and decided to join a CSA this year. What is a CSA???

"Thinking about signing up for a CSA but want to learn more about the idea before you commit? Read on.

Over the last 20 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a "membership" or a "subscription") and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season. "

This morning a big box of veggies arrived at our doorstep. (Somehow I also volunteered to organize the local pick up spot!) So swiss chard, spring greens, yellow squash, zucchini, cabbage, lettuce and some other goodies will be on the menu this week! Fortunately I we are splitting this huge box with another small family so hopefully nothing will go to waste!


I'll have to post again on how the "trying new veggies" project goes for both Leah and for Paul!!

2 Man Band

This was Jonah's idea. Those are dog dishes. This is 10 seconds of a 15 minute performance.

What We've Been Up To

Not sleeping enough! Lack of sleep equals overtired momma who doesn't feel like blogging. I feel like napping! Not that I've been doing that but whatever. I have taken a few photos over the past few weeks. The weather has improved around here and we are staying busy as usual.

The GIANT eyeball at Lumier Sculpture Garden. Even more interesting in person!

Fun times in the inflatable at our friend Carter's birthday party. Jonah LOVED it!!

The fountains in the Childrens Garden at MO Botanical Gardens are always a hit!

Jonah meets a peony at MO Bot. Gardens

Band Festival Parade with Grandpa Gene in Mason City! Fun weekend at Grandma & Grandpa's. Should have taken more photos of rugby, karaoke, bocce, good times!

Jonah crawls where he wants to now. Including into the cupboards and the fridge!