Thursday, June 18, 2009

It's rough

that is, our backyard is one rough yard. The grass is growing in, kind of, it's having to fight the rocks and clover but it is mostly green back there. We are trying to put in a few plants but oh my, it's not really looking so great! Do you think these grasses are dead? We have 5 more around the house that look equally brown. They were free so it won't be a monetary loss if they're beyond help but we really do hope they make it!

The back of our house is flat and covered in gray siding. It's the back so no big deal. Except I like pretty things and it is not pretty. We figured we'd landscape and that would help and I know eventually it will but wow this is really not making things look better!
After taking inventory of the sorry state of affairs I sat down on the back stoop and made a plan. The girls and I talked through what we wanted. I drew it out and labeled the different areas, a pergola over the porch which extends out about 8 feet more into the grass. A swing hanging from the pergola, large enough for all 3 of us, of course. Flowers and plants all along both the north and south side of the fence, all the way to the back wall. Two trees! Three raised garden beds at the back of the lot. "A bigger and much more grown up swing set with our own flower garden, plus a big spot for the pool". An herb garden where our current veggie garden is now. A bed full of day lillies and climitus (Kyra and I just saw this combo in Columbia last weekend and it was so pretty) up against the house. Oh, we Baum girls know how to dream!


The pool! The yard may be less than beautiful but it doesn't stop the fun. We've always had a blow up pool but this is the king!
We are having some luck in the front yard! The pots are doing well and the sod is still green!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

We need an umbrella!


At dinner tonight I mentioned that it would be really nice to have an umbrella for the table. After a few minutes passed Ellie went inside. When she reappeared she had an umbrella for each of us. This kid really knows how to solve a problem!

Monday, June 15, 2009

What to do, what to do?

After a fun and active weekend in Columbia we happily welcomed this rainy Monday!


We came home with LOTS of tomatoes. With a little help I got them all chopped up. They roasted throughout the day--YUM!

We made our favorite rainy day treat--Thunder Cake.
We all caught up on a little reading!
I modified the Thunder Cake recipe and developed a 5 grams of fiber per slice cake which was dubbed "Funny Cake" by Ellie.

They laugh now but some day they'll thank me for all of the fiber I sneak into their diets!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Circus Flora

Circus Flora was wonderful today! If you've never been....GO! Those people are amazing. The 1 hour kids show was the perfect length for us.

Circus Flora 2008. Did they really grow that much? Wow!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Backyard fun!

The backyard has been transformed into a playground! Over the weekend we put down 2 pick up loads of mulch and put up the swing set. Today we bought a playhouse from Craigslist, which has been well used but is perfect for our backyard needs!


Friday, June 5, 2009

Who could refuse?


The first (of many, I'm sure) lemonade stand.  This was their second pitcher and they sold all of it.  Another sale is planned for tomorrow!  All proceeds are being donated to the zoo.  

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Garden plots!

Grandpa Bill came to St. Louis today and helped us build a small garden plot.  Each girl is going to choose a few things to plant.  Emma wants to plant tomatoes, cucumbers, and a pink rose.  Ellie says her garden is going to be a surprise!  I'm sure it will!
Ellie wore her robe for our gardening today.
We discovered that the soil at the back of the yard is actually really good.  So, Grandpa Bill dug up LOTS of dirt and carried it to the garden.

Right before dinner the girls were digging on the side of the house.  Emma has her bike helmet, a leotard and crocs on as she digs.  Ellie is sporting a shirt that she insists is a dress and Tinkerbell underpants.  Quite a construction crew!