fun at the boardwalk

We had three beautiful days in a row. The sun was shinning and it was around 90 out. Ed wanted us to work around the house. Yeah right! I figured we take advantage of the good weather before the rain comes in, so we headed for the boardwalk and some ice cream. Moe doesn't like the heat but I can usually persuade him to do anything with the promise of ice cream. The drive is only about 35-40 minutes on the off season to point pleasant. There are other beaches closer but I like that one. Apparently the first order of business was to take a nap. I could not wake these knuckleheads. We sat in the car for a half hour before I gave up decided to drive around figuring it would be cooler than just sitting in the car. An hour later they finally start to stir and I headed back to the boardwalk.I decided to hit the aquarium first. Jenkinsons is small. It's just perfect for us. We have been there before a few time but I think they were to small to enjoy it. "WOW that fish is huge mommy!" -"WOW that fish is huge mommy!" -"WOW that fish is huge mommy!" That's all I heard.

We made it in time to see them feed the seals.

Then we headed back out for ice cream some board walk games and some playing in the sand. Then it was back home so mommy could take a nap.

Lady bug land

First thing in the morning the kids wake up and come running in to check on their little pets. They get so excited when there is a noticeable change in the insects.

This is what is going on in our lady bug land today. Some of the larvae are huge. I was very surprised at how big they got. We now have a few that have begun the pupa stage.

pumpkins puddles

Just hanging around today

It's raining here again today so we are just going hang around the house today and get caught up on all those chores we have been neglecting like laundry and dishes. Maybe I'll even put the second coat of paint on the walls in the dining area.

The kids decided to get a bird feeder with their Easter money. OK Cole wanted the bird feeder Moe just went along with it. The kids pulled up a stool to the kitchen window and they love to watch the birds and pesky squirrels. They aren't just squirrels, they always call them pesky squirrels. I started taking photos of our backyard guests. Cole is always asking what kind of birds they are so I figured I'd make a guide booklet of our backyard visitors. We had picked up some pine cones from Aunt Rachel's a few weeks ago that we finally had time to cover them with bird seed. I'll wait til the rain stops so I can hang them outside.

Yesterday we added some fish to our selections of pets without fur. I had to bribe the kids to clean their room. Well worth the $2. I also found a way of getting rid of some legos that I keep stepping on.

Their names are Michael, Michael, Michael and 20.

the kids container garden

self watering recycled planters

IMG_1025, originally uploaded by patteykoch.

We made these self watering recycled planters out of old water bottles. The kids had a ball planting some flower seeds that they picked out themselves.

You can follow the link over to flickr to see some more pictures

Spring is in the air

It's starting to feel like spring. Yay! Goodbye winter blues. As part of the kids birthday gifts we got a fish tank from Ed's friend Bob and we ordered a couple of bull frog tad poles. I was going to just go borrow some from our local pond but I wanted to make sure I got frogs and not toads. I plan to keep them for a little while. The kids had so much fun with the butterflies last year I wanted to try something else. So I went crazy. We ordered a ladybug habitat, snails, frogs, and I couldn't resist we also ordered butterflies again. It's a good thing it's too late to get the praying mantis as well. When the frogs grow out of this tank and they will grow really big we are planning to get a larger one to put down stairs in the playroom for them and then maybe we will add some fish to our list. I know my mom is probably saying- couldn't you just get a dog...