Enjoying the fruits (and vegetables) of their labors

So it has been amazingly hot around here lately.  I snapped this temp in my van in the late morning last week!!!  Ugh!  It got hotter than this, but I didn't take a picture.  It has been so dry also.  

Thankfully we got a little rain last weekend, but we still need more.

Despite all the heat and no rain, our garden, or I should say my kids' gardens have flourished.  We have had a garden every year for the last 12 years since we got out of grad school and apartments and had a home with a yard.  Ben and I (well, mostly I) have been in charge of the garden.  The kids have come along and helped half-heartedly as they have grown up with lots of complaining and whining.  Anyone else relate to this?  So this year I decided to do something different.  Our garden is fairly big--50 feet by 50 feet, so I divided it evenly into 4 squares in the spring.  I told each kid they got a square.  It was their own garden.  I put out all the seeds and said, "Plant whatever you want where ever," and I left it at that.  I haven't reminded them to water.  I haven't said anything about weeding, and I haven't set a foot in the garden until this past Tuesday.  I have just watched from the kitchen window each morning as they have weeded and watered, and I am honestly amazed.  When I went into the garden Tuesday night weeds were not to be found, and fruits and veggies were bursting out all over.  The kids have done an amazing job.  They are so proud,

 "This is my cantaloupe."  

"Do you like my corn Dad?" 

 "My zucchini was used in this bread, isn't it good?"  

"My green peppers are in the chili"

We have had lots of zucchini.  We harvested corn Tuesday night.  We are getting lots of peppers, our first cantaloupes and there are lots more to come as well as watermelon and carrots and tomatoes.  I say 'we' but it is really the kids.  They have watered it, weeded it, and taken such good care of their gardens.  Of course, don't look at our water bill.  As we were shucking corn Ben commented each ear was probably worth about $5 each with all the water, but hey, the kids did it, and I am sure proud of them.  Miss O was definitely proud of her harvest when I snapped this picture.  I am wishing I had thought of this plan years before.  I am now certain how I will garden from now on (or at least for the next 11 years until Mr J goes to college)--from the kitchen window.  Bring it on.

Winter Entertainment

Winter entertainment is definitely different than summer.  Especially if the weather is just plain cold, no fun snow, just cold.  That limits most activities to indoors.  With about 2 weeks off for the holidays, entertaining inside can be a challenge at times.  Here is what we have been doing. . .

Nerf gun practice.  Miss O got the giant gun but all the other kids got a smaller one, so the adults stole the kids' guns for target practice :) 

We went to Rome(just me and Ben)--or as close as we could get without using our passports or buying plane tickets.  We celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary after Christmas and stayed here.  Very good winter entertainment.  I would highly recommend it :)

Perler beads.  Are your kids into these?   We have had these for years and the kids still love them.  They use them all the time. 

And after a cold winter day my kitchen counter is full of patterns of Perler beads that need to be ironed. 

Train tracks extravaganza.  Filling a room with train tracks is Mr J's favorite thing, and it is even better when his big sisters help (and even better when they all help clean it up :)

This was a blessing that came in the mail right before Christmas.  It has kept Miss O and Miss A very entertained with what plants they want to get for the summer garden. "Mom, will kiwi grow here?  Mom, what is our hardiness zone?  Mom, can we grow dwarf pomegranates?  How about kohlrabi?"  A what?  They have big lists of what they want to order.  Nothing like planning your summer garden in December to beat the winter blues!  Hope all are being entertained well at your house!  We are still hoping for some snow so we can have a little fun outside entertainment here.