Kids Ain't Cheap

But They Sure Are Worth It

Seeing Spring Through Children’s Eyes

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Spring Flowers

Picture from: B. Monginoux / Landscape-Photo.net (cc by-nc-nd)

As much as I want the warm weather my kids want it more. I love to see how excited they get when the bikes are being pulled out and they want to be off and riding. My kids have always been the outside type and the older they get the more they love the outdoors.

I was brought up the same way. Living in the country on a farm I had to be outside whether I wanted to be or not when the animals needed to be taken care of. In the summer there was no such thing as hanging out on the couch and watching television unless it was really raining.

The joys of spring

Nature has a way of having us see things differently. Being outside and watching how fast the trees are budding and the grass actually turns green and grows is amazing. Doing yard work can be exhausting but at the end of the day just seeing what has been accomplished gives us a good feeling.

Spending time outside in the warm weather with our kids doesn’t even cost anything. Just sitting and talking or if the kids are younger blowing bubbles or drawing with chalk costs next to nothing. Being able to see the little bugs like the bees out and about boosts our spirits and makes us smile and tired all at the same time. I find it breathtaking at times how my kids see things that we adults seem to overlook. That one little blade of grass growing in the pavement..seriously? How many of us adults would have noticed? The sun warms us just about as much as our kid’s smiles and enthusiasm.

At the end of the day when it begins to cool we all go inside and clean up. We have dinner and everyone is full and happy. The thing is we all had a great stress free day and we are all content and happy. Total cost? The yard had to give up some dirt for my kids.

Are you and your children ready for spring?

Garden Starts in an Egg Carton

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egg cartons make great garden starters

Photo by CAPL

In the post Spring Fever is Hitting; Time to Plant some Bulbs — I talked about the idea of using an egg carton to start bulbs. Well, I thought that was a fantastic idea and something the boys would really enjoy doing!

Every April, my husband and I start thinking about what we will be planting in our garden. We usually go to the store and buy seeds and starter kits. However, I’ve been trying to save egg cartons – since they always make for an easy and fun craft idea for the kids – so we had a few to spare, and decided to see if we could use them to start seeds sprouting.

Now — I’m not 100% sure this is going to work, since the starter kits we use are made of plastic but if can work for bulbs, it should work for seeds right? I guess you are going to have to check back to see if things are sprouting or not. I really hope they do, because the boys are so excited!!! We planted bush peas, bush beans, cucumbers, green onions, broccoli, and basil.

Getting started with planting seeds in egg cartons

We did buy seeding starter soil – which was a little more expensive than regular gardening soil – but I figured it might be work the extra $$. We let the boys spoon the soil into the egg cartons and they planted the peas and beans, since those seeds are big and easy for them to handle.

The boys added a little more soil after they put the seeds in, then they used a spray bottle to saturate the soil with warm water. After that, I loosely wrapped each carton in plastic wrap and put them in a warm spot. Now we just need to keep an eye on them, keep them wet and as soon as I see some little sprouts we’ll take them out for a little sunshine.

Check back in a couple of weeks to see what’s {hopefully} sprouting 🙂

Have you ever used egg cartons to start seeds indoors?

Waiting and Waiting For Warm Weather

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It is time for spring cleaning

Image on DeviantArt

Oh, I am so ready for spring! I know I keep saying it but it’s true. Being in the house is good..but not all winter. That is not counting the fact I am really not a cold weather person.

I have no idea how true the term Spring Fever is. The definition states that it is a “term applied to several sets of physical and psychological symptoms” such as an increased level of energy and vitality. The rest of the definition I am not going to put here because it looks as though a few other things increase and this is a family site (moms and dads know how to use the link provided).

Time for Spring Cleaning

Knowing that the warm weather is still a few weeks off here in the North I have begun what I call the “I need a change and can’t stand the clutter mode”. I start looking around my house with a look of vengeance. I want to get rid of all of the clutter and I am on a mission. In this house it means lookout Mom is at it again.

Am I the only one that gets like this? Probably not and some good does come from it. The house gets a thorough cleaning. Everything (almost) gets put in its place. Trash bags get filled and Salvation Army makes out very well. I even go through this phase that I am going to make some extra money and sell odds and ends that we don’t use on Ebay and Craigslist.

In the end it all turns out well and the boys find toys that they forgot they had as well as those cool jeans that I found in the corner of their room. Well, there are other things that I find but I am not sure what IT is supposed to be. Another lesson learned is that when I clean their room it is easier if they are not underfoot. It amazes me that things they have not touched in a year all of a sudden become something they NEED.

I actually move furniture and rearrange the rooms..it is a good feeling of accomplishment. As much as I love my family not one person warned me about the horror of clutter and socks before I married.

So, any idea on how to wait for the warm weather after this house is done? Could someone speak with Mother Nature for me?

Three Cheers for SPRING!!!!

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Spring Flowers

Picture from: B. Monginoux / Landscape-Photo.net (cc by-nc-nd)

Yes — I’m a little excited. I am just so happy that spring has arrived here, in the Pacific NW. Sure, it’s a bit soggy but our temperatures have warmed up and we are seeing some sunshine. If you don’t remember what that glorious glowing orb in the sky is — you are not alone. Every spring I feel like a mole peeking up through a hole in the ground.

Farmer’s Market

Spring is the beginning of so many fun things! For instance, we love going to our local Farmer’s Market! In the beginning the pickings are slim — but slowly the market fills up with fresh fruits, vegetables, the most beautiful bouquets of flowers, plants, and homemade items. The food vendors are our market are wonderful as well! I’m getting hungry just writing about it. It’s a great place to run into people you know and a fantastic way to support the local community and economy. Our boys absolutely love going to the farmer’s market in our area; it’s right next to a beautiful park downtown. Did I mention that they also happen to sell the most delicious cookies ever! We usually head down there on a Saturday morning, do our shopping, grab some cookies, eat them in the park and then head home.

Gardens

Spring also means we will start thinking about planning our garden for the year, getting the yard cleaned up, and planting flowers. I’m not much for yard work but I like having a garden and I love pretty flowers! Spring is also great because it’s still wet enough that I don’t have to remember to water the plants. Unfortunately, I’m not good at remembering that. I’ll try to be better this year…

When spring arrives we begin to make frequent trips to the park – in between showers that is – and the boys can play out back on their swing set more (which means less wrestling in the house). There are also fun activities like Easter egg hunts and the Tulip Festival!

Yes, indeed — spring sprung and I for one couldn’t be happier about it. Yay Spring — You ROCK!!!

What are you doing to celebrate the spring?

Spring Fever is Hitting; Time to Plant Some Bulbs

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Tulip bulbs ready for planting in the spring

Photo from FreeFoto.com

Living in the northeast and having to deal with the cold and snow, spring is more than welcomed. The kids are getting antsy and this isn’t helping mom any! The boys want to ride their bikes and of course that is not going to happen on the ice and snow, so I needed a project. We are going to plant seeds and bulbs.

This project is not expensive at all and you will need the following:

  • Egg trays
  • Potting soil
  • Newspaper
  • Seeds or bulbs
  • Spoons

How to start seeds or bulbs in an egg carton

To start this project it is easier to get the potting soil moistened BEFORE the kids put it in the egg trays. I learned the hard way that the soil doesn’t always absorb the water and well it can be extremely messy.

Next you will want to lay down newspaper or something to protect where you and the kids are working. Then let them fill the egg “cups” with the soil. Usually about halfway up the eggcup is enough.

After this is done then you help them plant the seeds or bulbs and put them in a sunny location and watch for sprouts! The kids so enjoy doing this and I am a plant lover myself.

Make sure to keep the soil moistened but not flooded. When watering it is best to watch closely if the little ones are doing it so you do not end up with swimming seeds.

The potting soil does not need to be expensive nor do the seeds. A trip to the local “dollar store” will yield great rewards. I have bough the potting soil and seeds at the local dollar store and had great results.

After the seedlings are a good size and it is warm outside you can transplant into the ground. Not only do the kids enjoy this project it makes spring seem a little bit closer. Although KidsAin’tCheap they sure can be fun!

Have you ever started a garden with your kids?