The White House

The White House

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Part One

Last Saturday I took this (very long-haired) boy to his school's very first baseball game. Ever. This is the inaugural season for the Rams. Next year Elijah, Scooter and David (front row) will be on the team.

Later the little ones and I met Dad for lunch and a stop at another greenhouse. It was Kids Day so they each got to take home a plant. Like I don't have any.

Dad put up a few more lights on the top shelf. It's going to be work watering up there! Olivia loves to help. She's a gardener in the making.

Emily got to come over at 10pm Saturday night and stay until noon Sunday so she could see the new chickens. She picked this one and named it Oregano. The goofy thing is posing to show you the black spot on its beak. That's how we tell it apart.

After grumpily chopping wood the other morning in my pajamas I pouted enough to get a new wood splitter. It's small and slow, but 1/4 of the price of the big ones. In a few minutes I made this little pile without effort. It sure is going to save my back.

Imagine the two most uncooperative people you know and you won't even touch this scene. Elijah is supposed to be hold the nut on the top. He's texting. Nick is underneath turning the bolt thinking Elijah is holding the other side spewing choice words the entire time. Dad and I were laughing so hard at them. Comedy at its best.

This spruce tree had to go. It is sticky and I about poke my eye out several times a summer on it. We took care of it before the fence goes back up.

A perfect time for Dad to teach Nick to run the chain saw. We have about a dozen trees down around the property that need cut for firewood. Now Nick can do that while I clean up the branches and pile the logs. I know, I should have said Elijah would do the clean-up, but he is in the I'm-14-And-Worthless-To-Work Stage. We've had three boys before him go through it so I've found it is better to patiently ignore him and it will pass. Eventually. On-the-other-hand, Olivia is always willing and ready to help.

This was the best part of the day. For a brief moment they got along while jumping on a newly fallen tree. Then it was over as quickly as it started. My (not so) little Elijah is kind of the black sheep of the family. His personality is the exact opposite of his four siblings. They do not get along with him. Ever. So when these rare moments happen it makes my heart swell.

I don't normally post photos of myself, but my hubby was getting such a kick out of me playing with my new toy. I'm sure the novelty will wear off soon. I don't like sunglasses either, but I don't like flying sticks even less.

5 comments:

Little Black Scrap Cat said...

Good heavens! I'm just surfing around getting caught up on the blogs and read your last few posts. You have certainly been busy! My current state of "busy" pales in comparison! Guess I better not sit here and feel sorry for myself anymore! I need to get more done!!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Way to go Gayle ~ I really enjoy reading about your family life there.

You inspire me with all that you do, with the loving care of your family.

Blessings on you ~ FlowerLady

Lori Skoog said...

Your yard looks beautiful! Your gardens will be amazing...more plants than a big greenhouse! and that dinner you cooked was splendiferous!
(not to mention the wood splitting duty). You are one dynamo!!!! and I am very impressed.

Unknown said...

OK...I am just in utter AWE of you! I spent one day at home with Pooh and it kicked my butt. Today we bought a few annuals to arrange in baskets then shopped around for some more deals, for awhile. Anyway, I am truly exhausted and never even planted the flowers or made the box cookies promised to the kids. You do so much and can't imagine how you do it, but my "hat" and respect go out to you. I am happy I know you and can only hope to be half the woman you are. YAY GAYLE!!!!

BTW-I will tell Elijah how great he's got it next time I see him ;)

RottenMom said...

Can I come visit you? I'm inviting myself. You are so amazing in the blogisphere, that I can only imagine how amazing you are in person. Every time I read a new post of yours I am so impressed by everything you manage to do in addition to raising some pretty wonderful kids. I am so inspired by you! Yeah for the log splitter!