The Farm Report

  • Baby steps

    Baby steps

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    We moved into our house three years ago. Between the new kids and the new company, unpacking and decorating had to take a back seat.

    So it's probably a good thing that every now and then we have a function at our house that catapults us into a full-on frenzy to bring our house one step closer to the place we know it can be. Besides getting things clean, we try to address one or two new issues.

    In preparation for a progressive fund-raising dinner that is making the appetizer stop at our place, I managed to finally address my desk in the bedroom. Sometimes I forget how much a plant and pictures of the ones you love can make it feel that much more like home.

  • In the gym

    In the gym

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    People often look at me with a slight look of disbelief when they find out that we drive 45 minutes for a tumbling class. When we moved from the Big City, we kept up many of our regular activities, but one by one, they've fallen away. Except this one. This one is worth driving for.

    I snapped some quick photos today while I was making sure Ellery didn't wander off with some stranger. If I'd thought more about it, I probably would have remembered to take a picture of the whole gym. The top photo is about 1/4 of the whole thing.

    And somehow I missed taking pictures of the kids diving into the foam block pit, but, omigosh if I could have one of those in my basement, I would do it in heartbeat.

  • Hello, mocha light frappa frozen fun

    Hello, mocha light frappa frozen fun

    052708_02

    I now have the ingredients in my hands to make this tasty treat in my very own kitchen. 150 calories, virtually no nutritional value, and oh-so-delicious.

    Now if I could get my hands on that J. Alexander's veggie burger recipe, I would never have to leave my house again.

  • Aquarium interrupted

    Aquarium interrupted

    052708_03

    We thought it would be a fabulous idea to get together with Marlo and the kids today. The aquarium had a new exhibit that sounded promising, and we thought we'd beat the summer vacation rush.

    Instead, we encountered the "end of year trip" rush where (and this is not an exaggeration, we got the stats from the Aquarium staff) 400 school children entered the aquarium just moments before we arrived on the scene.

    So, um, anyone up for the bookstore?

  • A weekend that was actually a weekend

    A weekend that was actually a weekend

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    I think that maybe we should have a three day weekend every weekend.

    For some reason, this weekend we were able to relax. We were able to find time for upkeep and leisure. Activity and productivity. Family time and one-on-one.

    I'm tucking it into the thinker, and trying to figure out how to make more weekends feel like this one.

  • If I hide under the high chair…

    If I hide under the high chair…

    052508_05

    …perhaps you won't notice that I'm about to unload an entire box of tissues.

  • The pool is open

    The pool is open

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    Hands down, the best $30 we will spend all summer.

  • And we’re off!

    And we’re off!

    052508_03

    I've never been good at sports. Anything with a ball or requiring general coordination, not so good. But bicycling? It was the one thing I was ever okay at (except for that whole hot dog cart incident). I remember our gym class once took a 15 mile bike ride, and I was the first girl and the sixth person to finish. I will never forget the complete look of disbelief on my gym teacher's face when I pulled in.

    Once we had children, bicycling went by the wayside. Neko was an antsy kid, and refused to be buckled into a stroller, much less a bike trailer.

    Once we got her to agree to the trailer, then Shep had arrived, and they fought the whole time. (Note to Burley: a removable center divider would be a great option.)

    But now? We're attempting to reclaim this as a family activity. We just acquired a used Piccolo, which I hooked up to my bike. Then Tom loaded Shep and Ellery into the trailer…and they actually got along.

    We made it through an eight mile ride, with a number of stops to fill snack traps and retrieve pacifiers. But all in all, a great success. I decided this after Neko squealed through the entire ride, demanding we go faster, and faster, and FASTER!

  • The painting continues

    The painting continues

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    In pajamas and a trucker hat, of course.

  • Long weekend begins

    Long weekend begins

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    When we woke up this morning, the weather was perfect. As we began puttering around the house, Shep declared, "I want to paint!"

    Tom had the good idea to throw the two together, and put the easel out on the porch. It looked like so much fun, Neko joined in, painting portraits of Tom. With one eyeball, because, you know, realism is clearly optional.