Alex-isms (and one Gregor-ism too!)

Today Alex and I were outside picking tomatoes. I was behind the long row, squeezing between the fruit trees and grape vines and trying not to step on the herbs. She was in front with the colanders. I would hand the tomatoes to her and she'd put them in the colanders. I handed her two plums of four I was holding and she said she could take them all. I said, "Wow. You are a good helper." and she replied, "See, I told you I was a handful!" 

Then we headed up to the house with our crop and she said, "Mom, we're tomato-ists! You and me!"

Later I was busy inside and went outside to check on both girls.   They were down under the living room deck where Gregg is digging a ditch to lay irrigation lines.  I asked what was up and Alex said, "There's something fish going on down here.  We found all these nails in the dirt and all these quarters on the floor.  Something fish is going on."  And then Greggie held out a handful of mixed coins and said, "See, Mom.  Here are the quarters.  This one is a penny quarter and this one is a...."  That's fish alright! 

Ironically, we had fish for dinner, whole trout.  I was trying to lift the meat out onto their plates before they saw the whole animals when they came up.  One said, "Can I eat an eyeball?"  And the other said, "Do we eat the heads too?"  I think I spawned bears.  They each ate a whole trout and Gregg and I had to share the other. 

Images from a late summer day

Packing Part II

Mosquitos, and avoiding being bitten by them, are prime concerns as we plan what to pack.  A WAHM in NC made these "jungle outfits" for the girls.  Lightweight cotton gauze with elastic neck, wrists, and ankles to keep the critters out will cut down on the exposed skin!  The girls also got new sunglasses -- and there is always time for a Hollywood moment!

All in a summer day!

The girls painted today!  Greggie's new suity:

Alex's suity and shirt:
Geggie models!


Greggie gets luvins!
My garden doesn't just grow tomatoes!
But it sure grows tomatoes!

The cutest kitty!

Loves his Poodle!

Packing up Part I

When you are planning for traveling for 6 months to places that you know won't carry your brands of health care products, the idea of packing toiletries becomes fairly daunting! I have decided to take mostly raw materials and mix up bath gels, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, deodorant, and mosquito repellent. I have been assembling raw materials!




I still need to add aloe, 15% H2O2, and almond oil. We'll take prepared toothpaste and sunscreen (and probably run out and end up using icky stuff for a while).

As we will be in jungle locations with biting things and itchy plants and humid air I am particularly concerned that the girls don't scratch themselves a lot and end up with an infection. So, I stocked up on my traditional herbal anti itch stuff and added a little of the heavy hitter too.

A new shirt for my pal Zane

Almost dry!

This is the back:
And the front:

The purple is much brighter than it looks in these pictures.  Greggie moved the pennies and slightly skewed the peace sign.  

Variety is the spice of life!

Black, purple, pink, red, orange, yellow, and green!  We have some of each!

You CAN'T take my picture!

TO-MA-TOES!

Edited to add, more tomatoes from the roof!!!

Garden Goods

A visit with friends

My friend and ex-coworker Dave came by today with his lovely wife and two beautiful daughters.  The older girl, 27 months, had a great time playing with Alex and Gregorie.  Each girl painted herself a new shirt!  Lots of pink going on...

Alex also painted a shirt for me:


And I painted a dress for each of my girls: