Greggie got stung by a yellow jacket today

Her poor little thumb is all red and swollen. I know it was burning/stinging because she willingly soaked it in a bowl of ice water for 20 minutes.

She had eaten some melon and left a few squares behind. I was peeling apples for dinner and noticed the YJ land in the syrupy juice. He was stuck and dying. I didn't want to touch him myself given my allergy. She came back in and before I realized decided to snack on those last couple bites. I knew instantly when she yelled and Gregg was able to pull the stinger out. We gave her benedryl immediately and watched her carefully (for those that don't know, Alex and I are both fatally allergic). The reaction was completely local but we don't yet know if this was our freebie or if she is in the clear. The next sting, if she has one, will likely tell.

For Erin, my fig!

Our little tree is now two years old. Last year it made one fig. This year, two. I hope it makes more than 4 next year!

The garden today

The tomatoes and green beans have turned into a veritable jungle! Look how tall the tomatoes are! The ones closest to Alex are GRAPE tomatoes! And Alex is 40" tall for reference.

Today at the Theodore Payne Native Plant Nursery

The nursery had a sale for foundation members (15% off all plants) so we went out to get some of the plants we saw on our recent trip to the Sierras. In addition to what Gregg had planned (coffee berries, manzanitas, currants, etc) he picked up a Giant Sequoia that we will have Danny and Sara help plant as a tribute to their trip. Here is a pic of the girls leaving and a slide show of the excursion.

Yearbook pictures, for my Village Green girls...

You gotta love how my high school yearbook crew spelled my name wrong! Nice work.

Happy Birthday Baby!

Gregorie Ann turned two last Monday. We were camping in Sequoia National Park and her birthday went largely unnoticed. We did give her the gifts before we left and she did love them! We'll have a special dinner and cake when her cousins get back from San Diego on Saturday. Here she is with her gifts.

Does anybody recognize this carpet????

Compare:

http://topangabubbles.blogspot.com/2008/06/my-house-has-issues.html

Where are the words

I lost my camera. I have no new pictures to post and without those, not many thoughts. I haven't been good with words lately (I'm still struggling to finish a poem for the Village Green girls).

I am loving hearing Greggie's words -- more and more every day. If she hears it, she knows it. She is just amazing to me. And Alex is sucking her thumb less and speaking more clearly already. Oh, and she has such grown up thoughts these days. I am blanking on examples -- because my mind has stopped thinking in words. As I try to remember stories to tell, I only remember smiles and moppy hair and naked butts and giggles.

They are sleeping now. Alex asked me to "snuggle in my spot" so I did until she fell asleep. Greggie had gone down early. I kissed Alex and said, "Smoochies! I love you!" and she said, "Hush down. No talking. It's time to go to sleep." Maybe she's in charge of the words. She surely thinks she's in charge of the world. Or at least in charge of Greggie. She SO desperately wants to open Greggie's birthday presents. Tonight she wanted to see the pirate ship (and knew where it was hidden). I told her, "Not until after Greggie goes to bed." She immediately chased her sister down and said, "Hey Greggie, you're tired. It's time for bed. You need to go to sleep." Self serving...

Greggie was sleeping fitfully - dreaming. I heard, "Uh, uh, uh! Swimming!" Then "Don't like to go under water! I scared."

We (aka Gregg) shampooed the carpet today -- oh, it looks so good. I'd show you all, if I had a camera. I'd also show you the cute videos of the girls playing in the tents yesterday.

Alas, I have no pictures and no more words...

Overheard today

I was hanging clothes on the line and Alex was sitting in a chair at the little table on the deck. Greggie came up with a pen and paper and said, "What do you want for lunch?" Alex responded, "Turkey, cheese, tomato, bread." Greggie pretended to write it down and then went off saying, "Aw right. I'll be right back with your lunch."

I hope Alex tipped.

Some quotes of the day

Just overheard, "You're kidding me? Do you really wanna be in the room when Daddy is pooping???"

In the bathtub tonight Alex said, "I'm a mermaid. Greggie is a pirate, and Mama is a shark!" And Greggie said, "Pirate is scared of the shark!"

My green and red runner beans are over the top, literally!

They have outgrown their teepee and are taking over the oak tree!

Village Green Picture of the Day - July 14

The Fruits of My Labor

Heirlooms on the vine:



The San Marz plum toms:



Baby green beans:



Baby melon:



A baby cuke:



The gonna-be-golden grape toms:

Read this, Mom

Climbing trees

They're bookin' it again!

Village Green Picture of the Day - July 13

The theme is easy to guess...

Village Green Picture of the Day - July 12

Today is a celebration of sunshine, and lemons and school buses, of crooked neck squash, of dandelions and daisies and daffodils and buttercups. Of the harvest moon and autumn leaves and rubber duckies. Of bananas and finches. Of everything yellow.