School Dayz

Hooray for fantastic parents and happy grandkids. 

 

Friday was Harry Potter Day at Leia's school. Mary spent the previous night putting this wizardly costume together - including the owl on Leia's head. Soooo awesome.

Poor Rachel had this exchange with her 10-year-old daughter Thursday night:

Addy: Hey mom, tomorrow is Dress for Your Dream Job Day. I would like to be a park ranger. Anyway, goodnight!

Me:😳

Never doubt that Rachel is up for a challenge. A Cricut machine,

 

a souvenir Junior Ranger badge,

 

and a trip by Dad to Sportsmans Warehouse at 8:30 pm,

 

equals one very happy Addison.

Fairy Garden

Marie put together a fairy garden for us this week,

 

using succulents

 

and various items 

 

she and her dad 

 

have been collecting for months.

 

So adorable.

 

And a great use for a small space 

 

that's right outside our kitchen window.

 

As a bonus, she also planted succulents in the waterless-because-of-drought fountain we found years ago at a small store in Little Rock CA.

 

But best of all? 

 

She's setting up a drip irrigation system so we won't need to remember to water.

 

That Marie is a pretty smart cookie. (And the plants might actually survive.)

Please Don't Die - Outdoor Edition

Spring + black thumb = annual desire to plant things and watch them die hope they survive.

 

This year we're trying potted plants.

 

Marie recommended geraniums begonias for the shaded porch

 

and colorful pansies for the sunny yard,

 

along with hanging baskets with strawberries 

 

and more geraniums. 

 

The rose tree hubby planted last year - and has sole responsibility for, which is probably why it's still alive - is producing flowers like crazy. 

 

Nice to know something can survive us!

 

Hoping For The Best - Indoor Edition

Look what was waiting for us on the sidewalk in front of Home Goods this weekend.

 

I don't have a good track record when it comes to growing things, but every spring I get the bug to plant, plant, plant!

 

This year, the little girls and I decided to try our hand at succulents and - miracle of miracles - they are doing well. 

 

 So well, in fact, that I was running out of places to put them, especially the ones that need to be out of Lily Cat's reach. She loves to nibble on some and dig up others. Soooo (not) helpful.

 

 

My new found treasure should keep them out of her reach and look good doing it. Now if I can just remember to water . . . .

Speech Tourney

Tonight was Leia's first speech tournament.

 

She and her partner have have been practicing a shortened version of  "No Mirrors In My Nana's House" for weeks. 

 

They made it through the first two rounds,

 

as did their classmates,

 

but weren't selected to participate in the final awards round.

  Leia's personal cheering section

Leia was bummed but I think she enjoyed the experience overall. 

 

 

I'm betting this won't be her last speech tourney.

 

Quilt Project Progress

I saw this quilt awhile back and fell madly in love.

  Fancy Forest by Elizabeth Hartman

 My pal Debbie is teaching it in a block-a-month format and so far we've done the fox

  The fox on the left looks like he has eyebrows. Love!

a cat (Debbie's riff on the fox pattern)

 

and today's bunny.

 

Good thing Mr Bunny is cute 'cause he was a PITA to make. (Too many small pieces for me). Next month - the owl!

I Can Do It

Leanne decided she wanted to do a little weaving before she went home today. I asked if she needed help - nope, except to move her chair closer to the table and fix one crossed thread about halfway through her session. Be sure to watch her feet when she beats. So funny! 

Jac's First Easter

Mary 

 

and Marie 

 

were both scheduled to work today so we had an early, quick Easter celebration

 

with an egg hunt, 

 

board games,

 

and several rounds of pass-the-baby

 

 

and walking-with-Jac

 

before everyone headed off to jobs or other celebrations.

 

So happy we were able to get holiday pics with Naia before she went back to her mom's last night. 

 

She and Leia opened their Easter baskets yesterday at Matt's 

 

before joining one of the local community celebrations. 

 

Bouncy, bouncy Easter and Passover, y'all!