Happy Friday, lovely people! I don’t know about you guys, but around here we’ve had spring fever. Fortunately, we didn’t have to wait long, because here in the tropics of Alabama, the temps have already reached the high 80’s-low 90’s, and mosquitos are out for the kill. Score one for proverbial mother nature and our scorcher of a summer looming ahead. I see sprinklers in my future. Lots and lots of sprinklers…water balloons, and redneck plastic pool setups in the back yard. Just sayin’.
I’ve {slowly but surely} been stepping up our game in the nutrition department. Slowly is the key word for these super picky eaters. Ya win some, ya lose a lot some. {Organic milk = no lady parts on 8 year olds, please. We’ll start there.} But is there anything more heavenly than peanut butter on an apple? I think not. While we were enjoying our little snack of heaven one afternoon, Emerson {4} who is currently obsessed with all things princesses, marriage and babies {I know, right? What did I DO to her? Brainwash much?!} She pulled a sleeper guerilla attack with the classic q:
Mommy, where do babies come from? Seeing as how she’s 4, I wasn’t quite ready for that one. So I ducked and dodged, mumbled something about a stork God, and then turned the convo into something about apples and seeds and hey look, let’s watch them grow!
So we sliced the apples open, and pulled the classic elementary school science move, placing put them on a moist towel. And as time went by, we watched them sprout. Yesterday, we decided it was time, and removed our little sproutlings {we’d almost waited too long} and transferred them to some simple pots for the kids. It’s now our little ongoing project, and we have what the kids refer to as ‘apple babies.’ Because didn’t you know? Apparently apples have babies, too. Roll with it. I’m a mad mothering skillz kinda genius like that. {Right. You should have seen me in carpool line yesterday. Apparently, it’s a high tech science, and I’m a complete failure with about ten new enemies…Why does everything have to be so HARD?! -digression.}
Check out Malone’s mickey shirt. He’s a big fan.
To say they were proud, and Malone was a little confused, would be an understatement. I’m just happy he didn’t drop it.
Tada! These cute little pots were about 5 buckeroos at Home Depot. The kids were completely drawn to their color. And now, thanks to me and my stellar skillz, they totally know where babies come from.
Next on my list: a lime plant. Because speaking of babies: I’m obsessed and ate them whole when I was preggers {seriously finished off about two a day, raw with salt-yes I had some serious craving issues and resulting mouth sores} But I do adore the way they look in kitchens.
In other completely random news likened to that of lime trees, I thought I’d share a little of what our mornings usually look like. Today’s my cleaning day. Keepin’ it real. In case you’re wondering, he’s saying “You two gonna get a spankin’!” and that is a piece of driftwood in his hand. Despite popular belief, I do not chase my children through the house with a weapon, saying that.
I use the fireplace poker and whisper my scary threats. {KIDDING> Don’t send me hate mail.} Though the evidence is compelling…sheesh.
::Making daily plans, now::
Happy Friday, wonderful people! Have an inspired day!
Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} says
Watching that video reminded me all over again how much I love your (current) home. I must say, I’m purty excited that you’ve decided to stay there a little longer.
Have a lovely weekend!
ashley @ the handmade home says
awe, Sarah! We’re pretty excited, too. ;} I’m exited that you’re excited. ;}
janet says
hilarious. I love this. can’t wait to plant something with our kids!
Seriously Sassy Mama says
That looks like something fun to do with my girls.
Anna@agoodhome says
I’m dying. That video is just way too funny. Also, funnily enough, I craved limes while I was pregnant, too! I would drink water w/ lime juice squeezed into it all the time, and if I was cooking with lime I would always (don’t judge) lick the cutting board to make sure I hadn’t let any of the deliciousness escape. Pregnant women are seriously weird.
ashley @ the handmade home says
No judging here! You just saw my messy home, I joked about my plastic pool in the back, AND you witnessed one child threatening to beat the other two with a stick. We may seem a little uh, ‘red’ to outsiders. HA!
Kyla F says
I want to grow an apple tree now! What type of camera do you use Ashley? I really like how sharp the images are and I have been looking for a new one.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Kyla! I use a Cannon Rebel XTI with a Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS. I also have my kit lens, and a fixed lens, that was my second investment, but right now, the Sigma serves me well for everything. ;} I’m about ready to upgrade my camera, as I’ve had it now for about 4.5 years, and I shoot on manual, so I think I’m ready. It’s a great piece of equipment!
Crystal says
We have a mutual friend that sent me to your blog when I was going through the transition of my boys sharing a bedroom, and I’m so glad she did! I have almost obsessively looked through the pictures of your house. It’s funny how some people would love to have the “things” in this world (that don’t matter!) that someone else has. I’ve looked at your house a lot like that. We live in a 1400 square foot, 1 bath house with a family of 4, and at times it drives me insane! But I also have friends in apartments with their families that would love to have my 1400 square foot home! God’s working on me a lot with that. With that being said, your home is truly amazing, and I wish you could come and decorate mine for me!! God bless you and your precious family!!
Jennifer says
Whats the biggie??? Just looks like my house with my three every morning noon and night! š Gotta love being a mommy!!!
Oh and I am also so glad you decided to stay in your beautiful home. Who wants all that space to clean anyway??? š
Thanks for sharing, I love you blog
Christine says
Adorable post, as always!
By the way, I learned something recently, with 2 girls, ages 6 and 3… Talk to them now, openly and frequently, about *babies* and how they’re made…this way, in 10 years, the subject will feel natural. So far, we haven’t had any awkward moments because it’s just the facts to them.
I’ve learned so much from you as a mother and woman, I thought I should share. Thanks for your sweet words every day!
Dorothy says
Malone is EVER SO MENACING with the paci in his mouth! So, so funny. Argh-now I miss my two grandsons all the more- (they’re in MD, I’m in MN). Have a great weekend and good luck with spring break. š
Sandra says
No matter what size your home is … it’s about the love and laughter in it : )
Joy says
Oh Ashley! Just had to tell you I’ve subscribed to your blog for a while and have loved your posts, but after a horrific day of just about everything going wrong, I just read your post and laughed so hard I cried! From avoiding lady parts on an 8 yr. old, to carpool line failures, to that sweet, silly video….it all tickled me today and it felt so good to laugh! Thank God for laughter! And thanks for keepin’ it real. š
dalton says
I just put my first round of vegetables in the ground today as well. My 2.5 yr old tried her best to be helpful, but I’m sure she’ll be a bigger help when it comes to eating all of the food we grow š
Have you tried growing an avocado plant with your kids? Just take the pit and stick a few toothpicks in the sides and submerge the bottom half in water, Especially if you put it in a nice big clear glass jar, it’s a great one for the kids to keep an eye on (and then you can plant it outside when it’s bigger!)
Helen Williams says
Hey Ashley, you have been tagged a Wonderful Blogger! Come see what to do next …
http://abritofhappiness.blogspot.com/2012/03/wonderful-blogger-tag.html , Helen
Lacey Stephens says
I don’t judge. My 7 year old son had to write sentences for his spelling words for homework one day. One word was “whip”. He comes up with “When I dry (drive) my mom krazee, she will whip me with a belt”!! I was horrified. 1. I Never use the word “whip”; I usually say, “I’m going to beat you” and 2. He can’t turn that in!! Seriously, though…I can’t even remember the last time he had a spanking! We’ve realized that taking away video games is much for productive. Thanks for the glimpse into your life!! š
ashley @ the handmade home says
I’m getting my hair did in the middle of a beauty parlor right now. I just laughed out loud. That’s hilarious.
Kiki says
Love this! Totally going to try. I wanted to give you fair warning before you plant limes. I did that and they were growing like mad! Then a friend told me that they wouldn’t grow fruit for like six YEARS. But this is now “a friend of a blog commenter said,” so you may want to google it. And then perhaps buy a lime plant. š
Megan (Honey We're Home) says
OMG- I just died at that video!!! “You two are gonna get a spanking!” I could watch it over and over! š Actually makes me want to give our little 2-year old a sibling!!
ashley @ the handmade home says
haha get to it, Megan! ;}