Four Paws, Seedlings and More Progression!

This is definitely a power packed post - I have been MIA for a few days.... Well first and foremost, our family has grown by four PAWS. Yep, the little poochie that had no home has found her place with us. Introducing Lexi Gebski......the object of constant adoration from Corben and Maddie:
I've been working with her in the evenings after the kiddos are in bed to teach her some manners, and hopefully soon she will be able to walk on a leash. Cesar Millan [the true Dog Whisperer] has provided some very insightful and helpful training/behavioral tips in the videos I found at the library. I AM a pack leader in this family! ;]

Switching gears, here are my seedlings for the garden [three days ago]. I have everything in there from tomatoes, squash/zucchini, watermelon, cantaloupe, pumpkins to flowers for the front yard. Shortly after I took these pictures Sophie decided to sharpen her teeth on a few little plants and I lost a pumpkin and a cucumber leaf.
















I need to harden off the seedlings before I can plant them in my newly roto-tilled, soon to be fenced [Lexi deterrent] garden plot:
My little flowers have started to grow in the front yard as well [you might have to see the picture larger to see them]

and tomorrow I'll be putting in another rose bush, a cosmos and some more day lilies. I'm definitely working hard on my farmer's tan, I'm sure at this point I'd win the prize for "ghost shoulders." Perhaps I'll get a picture this weekend....no promises! ;]

As far as progression.....I'm getting closer to the final product. My friend Elizabeth was vital to the current state of organization -- She is an amazing organizer!!! We're going to continue getting things put away and more functional, and at that point I'll be able to scrap/sew/craft any time I want. So local friends who want to scrap or make cards.....the end is in sight!

Wild kingdom, or should I say animal shelter?

...yes, I've done it again. Let me paint the picture for you; one fall day in 2007 after walking Corben to school, we happened upon a stray dog. The location of the school is on a busy thoroughfare and drivers go pretty fast. The fate of that beagle was certain death if I had let it go, as there are animals hit very frequently here in our city. I took in the stray dog, which neither had been house trained or any good manners to speak of. I thought I'd do a good turn and find the dogs home, since it obviously had one as it was wearing a nice collar. I drove the dog to a vet to check for a microchip (none -- highly recommended for all you pet lovers out there!!!) which was an adventure as the dog detested riding in a car. NEVER again I said! After 30+ signs and a few long days, the owners called and came and picked up the dog. Happy ending.

So fast forward to yesterday -- again after walking Corben to school, a little stray dog wandered up to my friend and I. I must say, this dog is a total opposite of the previous canine. Friendly, sweet and not aggressive. As sweet as she was, I couldn't think of her getting hit and she is mostly just skin and bones. She's still a puppy but my guess is at least 3-4 months old. No collar this time, and with lots of fleas and ticks (I was thrilled) so I'm almost certain she's been abandoned from the get-go. Corben thought it was a great present (HA!) and Madison wants to spend every waking moment with the pup--they want her to be here for good.... The shelters here in our area are bursting, and I would have a hard time taking her to the pound for a certain fate. I'm probably going to post some flyers just in case, but I doubt she has a family. Anyone looking for a canine to add to their family? ;] I'll keep you posted as to the outcome!

We all scream for......

***AN UPDATE***
Time of arrival: 5:15pm, total wait time: 45 minutes, # of mini-tantrums Maddie threw: give or take 4, # of times Corben asked if we could just go home: 3, total # of scoops: 6, # of flavors: 6, total money spent: $2.36, # of smiles while enjoying frozen treat: too many to count.

Before ice cream....

....after ice cream.

I think we started a family tradition. Next year we'll take portable chairs! ;]

ICE CREAM!!!

If you've got a hankering for some delicious frozen cream then make plans to head to your local Baskin Robbins tomorrow evening (5-10pm) and enjoy a yummy [CHEAP--31 cent] treat and also help our nation's Firefighters.

For more information check out their website HERE.

I know where we'll be tomorrow night! :)

Wow....where did this week go?

I mean, last time I checked it was Monday and now here it's Sunday again and another new week is knocking on the door. I guess that calls for a week-in-review....

Last Saturday (19th) was baseball opening ceremonies and Corben's first official game. His team played a great game and they are learning some serious skills. The coaches (Coach Pitch included ;) do a fantastic job and we're so thankful for them.

The league organizers gave all the children baseball cards....Corben was thrilled to get someone from the Red Sox!

Maddie even had fun

Dugout shot

Well there are more things going on in this family than just baseball.....well, maybe ;] Madison and I went to a music and movement class for 2-4 year olds and after the initial shyness, she had a ball dancing and singing. Maddie is our little singer [as evidenced from past videos...TTLS] and she is always dancing around.

I've been spending more time in the yard/garden. I still have yet to rent a rototiller and get my garden plot ready to plant, but I did plant some shade loving Hostas and two rosebushes in the front yard. All of our little seedlings for the garden are sprouting and are I have some strawberries and tomatoes on order. I need to get that garden R-E-A-D-Y!! I'll have to take some before/during/after pics of that project.

My upstairs will hopefully find completion soon as well, which reminds me that I haven't posted a current progress report. Tomorrow, I think!

Yesterday found us at our first primary quarterly activity. [Church/children's program] We planned it to be a Book of Mormon Adventure, with visiting prophets. We spent time with Enos, "General" Helaman and "Captain" Moroni. The children had a great time hearing about prayer and making prayer rocks, participating in a Stripling Warrior boot camp/obstacle course, then building fortifications with Moroni. I think the kids will remember playing with all the boxes more than anything, it was really fun to watch! [I'm so glad those boxes are not in my garage anymore]

Stripling warrior trainingThe fifty box fortification wall -- before demolishment,during,

and after. They had a blast!

One final thought, Corben's dirt bike hasn't been running for a few weeks and Lester had the time to tinker with it finally. He took apart the carburetor and cleaned it all out and put it back together....and SUCCESS! It's now running and just waiting for Corben to take it for a spin. Congrats Daddy on your first dirt bike mechanical triumph! :)

Hey Batter Batter

Baseball season has started and Corben is on a really good team this year. His fantastic coaches are ALL about teaching skills and helping the kids learn the rules of the game. It's coach pitch which Corben loves, and he's a really good batter. Here are a couple mini-vids of him at bat during a scrimmage. The first two he was okay, but the third he really knocked it into left field.

....please excuse my scary voice - I blame it on the allergies....

A funny sidenote; after we got the call from the Coach about the first practice, Corben couldn't wait to go. I always try to make sure Corben shows his appreciation to his coaches and say thank you to each one (1 coach/3 assistants) after each practice. Well I had told him that this year he'd be playing coach pitch and wouldn't have to bat from a tee - so after the first practice he was making the rounds thanking the coaches and kept asking where "Coach Pitch" was. I finally caught on to what he was saying and helped him understand there wasn't a coach named pitch, that's what kind of ball he was playing! I don't think the coaches even caught on.