Just went to pick up Avery to have a little play date with Ben...they are total BFF's , two peas in a pod, like peanut butter and jelly! Once we were in the car Ben turned to Avery and said, "Avery, you don't still suck your thumb, right?"

Avery: Uh, yuh, I do!!

Ben: Well, Avery, your three yeared ole, you can't suck your thumb!"

Avery: Well I can, cuz I'm three, but I'm little, I'm almost two!"

They went back and forth a couple more times, and then it was apparently decided that she would indeed continue to suck her thumb, but only for a little while, because she is "three, almost four". She's aging quickly!!

It was making me laugh....Erin, you were saying the other day that she is either "little" or "growed up" depending on which is convenient.

Could NOT get to sleep last night....I think thanks to a little diet assist from my sister! Last time I looked at the clock it was close to 5 am, and I had to get up at 7 to get my Emma ready for school...I mention this because you might think I would be dragging and maybe even a little crabby. BUT I actually think I'm still feeling (and reaping the benefits from) my sister's "diet assist". Being intentionally and obviously vague on that issue. :) Let's just say I'm getting a lot done in a very little amount of time! Thanks, Erin!!

Anyway, last night when I couldn't go to sleep I tried reading a little, but that didn't help. I was reading 12 Extraordinary Women and I was trying too hard to really take it all in, so because of my desire for some late night Bible study I was way too focused to fall asleep while reading. So I flipped on the ol' t.v. and found that 80's (?) movie called Baby Boom with Diane Keaton. You know the one where she "inherits" a friends baby and they move to the country in Vermont and start making gourmet baby food? Please tell me somebody remembers that movie. I loved it when it came out...don't know exactly why, it wasn't a blockbuster or anything, but I like it. I have also decided that I really like Diane Keaton as an actress.

When that ended at 2 am I was still awake and raring to go, so I allowed myself to get hooked on the next movie which was Gracie. Okay, as my sisters say, "don't judge me", but I liked it, sappy as it was. It was a soccer movie based loosely on the Shue family...remember them? Elizabeth Shue was in that babysitter movie, and her very handsome bro Andrew...think he was on Melrose Place. In case you don't ever get a middle of the night chance to see it , Andrew is aging very nicely!

Really this is all very random, but I really want to get in the habit of getting on here even if it is a rambling mess! Well maybe I shouldn't make that part a habit!

The kids and I decided to try our hands at gardening a couple of months ago. We were determined to really make a go of it and work hard. We started with some basic herbs, cucumbers and tomatoes. The basil seems to be doing fine and we have five little cherry tomatoes growing...I really don't know who is more excited about our success, me or the kids! Since I really like to do as much organic as I can possibly afford, this was my way of trying to take a little off the grocery bill, and while we don't have that much yet, it is way cool to know that we are sort of on the way.

We started with organic seeds, potted with organic (composted) dirt and topped it off with organic fertilizer...so I am pleased with the prospect of having some organic basics right in my back yard! It looks like right now all we will be able to get out of it is some really good bruschetta!! since the only things really growing are the tomatoes and basil...but I'm still holding out for the cucumbers!

These are pictures of our first tomatoes. If you read the post about camping, there were three pictures way, way below that posting....don't know if you all got that far or not. I'm still trying to get the posting thing down.

I'm sure I will be blogging more about the garden endeavor, because it is sooo exciting!!

Ta Ta!!!

Okay, somewhere in my old age I have really gotten interested in being one with nature. Not sure how it happened, but it did and I'm enjoying it. My little family has gone camping now just a handful of times and we have loved it. Recently our friend Andy suggested a bunch of us go camping and I mentioned how I have wanted to go to Garner State Park for some time. Somehow he made it happen and we all headed out there this past Friday.

It was wonderful, we all had a ball and I think lots of memories were made. I couldn't keep my kids out of the water...the Frio River to be exact, and I couldn't blame them because it was just beautiful! The water was so clear that you could look down and see the catfish, and they had an absolute ball fishing. We don't know anything about fishing, and this was our first real attempt at it, and I was really proud of both of my little ones. Emma was a casting fool and Ben really picked it up fast as well. Really the water was the biggest draw...great for swimming, splashing, fishing, paddle boating and picture taking!

Along with Andy's family, all three of my sisters were able to go, and it was a nice mix. All the cousins and little people played and the rest of us got to enjoy a nice visit and play some Catch Phrase. The only disappointing thing was that there was a burn ban so we were not able to do S'mores...bummer!

If I can remember how to post pictures I will & I will also post some more stories from our camping trip.