Planting with mom

Each year about this time of year, the girls and I get the itch to start planting. Many years ago, our neighbor would take them into his back yard, and while his daughter video taped, they would "film" episodes of "Planting with Steve". The kids thing it's hilarious and they actually do 'takes' while filming. It's quite hilarious! 

Yesterday, with it's glorious weather, was the perfect day to dig in the dirt, and so Regan said it was Planting with Mom! We didn't video, though we maybe should have :) They started with their fairy garden and I just loved how they worked together getting it perfect for the fairies. 

Their "working together" went sour for a while so we had to take a break to allow them to cool off. 

After some much needed time apart, we moved on to the window box and front light post. Regan likes to get dirty and was quick to ditch her gloves. Princess Sidney prefers a little less mess but wants to be just as involved. 

We're all so very excited to be spending more time outside and enjoy spring time. I'm so glad they like to do these things together! I love our quality girl time. 

Watching our garden grow

We love our garden, the fact that it's a wee bit overgrown this summer, just shows I'm a tad too busy with Lincoln and the girls to care about weeds. I'm giving myself some slack this year. Afterall, my  mom has always told me "the dust will be there tomorrow" (reminding me to snuggle my babies and worry about the dust another time) and I'm expanding that quote to include the weeds as well :) Thanks mom! 

But we really do enjoy the beauty in our back yard. Can't take credit for it, the prior owners put it in and made it what it is today. We just get to reap the benefits. Although I haven't a clue what most of the flowers are and I'm still trying to figure out how to cut them back each spring/fall. I'm open for advice! 

Like this beauty....I swore it was a weed because I don't recall seeing it in prior years. But holy cow is it pretty! And they are growing in various parts of the garden, in no specific order. 

And then there are our raspberries. Which are back finally after some careful nurturing for the past 3 years. Unfortunately, I discovered spotted wing drosophilia larva in them... but only AFTER we had eaten loads of them. Yea, talk about disgusting. So for this year, they are a wash sadly.

Yesterday, Lincoln and I were walking around the garden, and I was pointing out various plants for him (he's been terribly sick and unhappy, but this game is fun for him). And we came across this cute little guy! 

He was so adorable! 

And then as we walked, I found this carcass too! EEEEK! It's the bones (and tail) of a squirrel. I raced to the other side and screamed for Ryan who thought it was a pretty awesome discovery and called for the girls to come check it out. 

Boys will be boys. 

Como, Como, how we've missed you!

As we wait (every so impatiently) for spring to arrive, we headed over to Como today with some friends . The girls were giddy excited as we waited for them to arrive. This particular hallway was filled with warm sunshine and their laughter as they swung each other around in circles. 

 At a minimum, we were able to soak in the smell of spring today. The sunken flower garden is my absolute favorite. It really never gets old. Ever. All of us adults were overcome with the smell of flowers, and we each commented on it as we walked in. 

 I love how my girls know to get into "posing" mode and never bat an eye when I ask them to 'quick turn around' for a picture. They simply smile and, if you're Sidney, tilt your head to the side to show just how cute  you are :) 

I got them all to line up nicely too, not bad. 

The girls have been gracing this room since they were wee babies, I really should do a side-by-side of all the pictures I have over the years. 

 This was the best we got for a family photo....sorry Regan! 

And as per tradition, after a run through the conservatory, we had to make our way through the zoo. Many of the animals were sleeping (or pacing), guess it was just one of those days. This chimp was born in 2007, and it amazes me that he grows at roughly the same pace as a human. For years he has seemed so small, and now, he's definitely in "kid mode" as he relaxed in a corner curled up in a blanket instead of jumping up and down on his mom like he usually is doing. 

Thanks for a great afternoon guys! 

Can't wait to head back again when it's WARM!

School Break Day 2: Como Zoo and Conservatory

We jam packed everything into this morning. First it was a stop at the eye doctor for Regan's glasses which were stepped on and ultimately are nearing the end of their days :( Then it was a quick Caribou for me and breakfast at the bakery for the girls. Sidney climbed over to Regan's side of the bakery items and ordered her own Big Foot donut. YUM!!! 

 By 10am we were at Como Zoo taking in all the wonderful/interactive animals. This ape was busy eating lunch and showing us his behind, which of course, gave these two giggly girls a good laugh. 

 I've been waiting for months for Como to fill this tank with fish; the sign in front has always said "exhibit temporarily closed". Please please please put some pretty fish in there!

 The bears gave us a good show as they entertained us with their playtime. Although they looked pretty upset with one another, it was clear they were just rough housing like a bunch of brothers. 

 Tigers and lions scare the dickons out of me. I literally feel myself get anxious the closer we come to the cat exhibit. Thankfully, the girls have been watching Lion King lately and so we sang the famous "I Just Can't Wait to be King" song which eased my nerves....a little. 

 And you wonder why I get nervous!? Just look at the leopard gnaw at that bone. So up close to us!!

 Every time we visit the giraffe building, one of them is always doing this. I can't explain to Regan why on earth he would be sucking on the wire. Need to find myself a zookeeper. 

 Oh the beloved polar bears playing with a stick in the water. His paws mesmerize me as he climbs through the water and plays with various toys/sticks. 

 And then it was onto the Conservatory. The girls promised to take some good pictures, and boy were they hamming it up for the camera. Both of them would stop, pose and say "mom, take my picture now". It was so sweet!

Thanks for another fabulous day girls!!

Como winter display (in pictures)

Lilies!!

When we moved, I told Ryan many times over that there was 1 thing I wasn't going to leave behind....my tub of lilies. Complaining about carrying a tub full of then dirt and tiny sprouts of lilies, he loaded them up on the trailer. I think today he'll remember why I couldn't leave them behind.

These two cuties are sure to share secrets for years to come; today the whispering in her ear made Sidney laugh so hard that Regan couldn't help but join in on the laughter. Both girls had a wonderful time playing with the flowers, smelling them and hiding behind them. I got to catch it all on camera.