Plant a seed, watch it grow

As it turns out, I thoroughly enjoy this business of seed-starting. The entire process of placing a seed in soil, watering, lighting, waiting, and then, on that day the little seedling breaks forth, makes the whole event quite miraculous. Walter calls them my "babies", and I'm fairly certain I've examine them and stared at them, more than I have my own children over the past four weeks. 

Emerging, head bent

Hands, clasped in prayer

I have twenty-nine sunflower seedlings that have been re-potted (about twenty more still under lights inside), and now require being taken out of the shed in the morning, and back in at night. Isabella is a wonderful little helper, and I love how much she is learning about the growing process. It has been so much fun looking at and commenting on an individual seed's appearance (a Marigold seed, for example, is the most interesting of all the seeds we've planted) before it is placed carefully in soil, reading the length of germination, and what certain plants prefer in order to begin the process of germination--science class, at its best. The only seed we've failed thus far, is Verbena.   

When spring finally shows up, it doesn't disappoint. Our winters here are long and dreary, but it's worth the wait. Though I'm sure some would disagree.

Walter decided to put a fence around the garden. The bunnies watched (I'm not kidding). I assume they are training for Bunny Olympics, and the high jump will be their number one focus.

I finished digging over the garden, and have planted peas, green beans, edamame, and carrots. The tomatoes and peppers are being lovingly cared for inside, along with kale (which will go out soon), onions and a whole host of herbs and flowers.

Last night, Walter began putting shingles on the roof of the tree house  Isabella is so excited that her roof now looks like "a real roof--like, a roof that is on a house!" Isabella does some flips you wouldn't believe on that swing set. I asked if she was going to join the circus since there is no stopping her bravery.

Isaac really wanted to ride his friend's bike, and also felt it was necessary to carry a shot the entire time we were at playgroup.

This little man, has been walking around barefoot outside. He never ceases to surprise us.