Going on a Nature Walk...

...right outside my door. This my friends showed up on my kids' kitchen set outside in the playhouse. Darren and I watched Saturday afternoon from the porch as two birds selected the spot. I thought that the kids playing around up there would scare them off.

Can you see the little bird hanging out on the rail of the play yard? I really did think that they might not be back because after showing Parker the twigs yesterday morning I found a little "nest" on the BBQ grill. I asked him where he got the twigs and he told me that since Elijah was playing with them he decided to take them and make a nest for the birds himself. I asked him how he would feel if a big giant came and took his house away from him. Two giant tears and a "Bery, bery sad" led me to believe he would leave it alone in the future. He returned the twigs to the kitchen and I figured we had seen the last of the birds.
So this morning I went out to check again. I guess they aren't easily deterred. I think come spring break my kids will be getting a little up close and personal nature lesson.

This is square foot gardening for those who are wondering. I have been bitten by the gardening bug again. This is garden box #1. It contains 4 tomato plants, four potato plants (2 varieties), rosemary, Italian parsley, radishes, carrots, and onions. http://www.squarefootgardening.com/

This is garden box #2. It contains 4 pickling cucumber plants, peas, cantaloupe, squash, zucchini, and some more carrots that Lije planted for me (read - tore open seed packet over two square foot areas).

I'll keep you posted as to how these turn out.

This is a pea vine in the making. I planted them on the 21st of Feb so they are not yet two weeks old. I love peas from the garden! I planted quite a few of them so I might be persuaded to share if you happen to be in the neighborhood one day. I said "might" - there's no guarantee I won't have eaten them all myself.

How exciting! The carrots popped through! This is the first I have seen of them.

These are what Parker is watching. These are the square foot of radishes that he planted with me. Radishes take 26 days to be full grown. No lesson in patience there. Coming soon to a table near you...

...but only if I can keep this little guy out of everything.

He loves to be outside. And let's face it - with a nest being built and a new garden growing - there is soooo much to play with!