The Big Fire!

Last weekend, on Saturday, the wind was low and it had recently rained, so Dan seized the opportunity to set fire to the big pasture and also the big brush pile that he had been collecting ever since we moved in. There was so much dry grass in the pasture that it really was a fire hazard and a controlled fire is definitely the way to go! Dan's brother had done this before so he came over and the two brothers got to work.

Dan had his paths mowed all around the edges of the pasture, so the fire break was all set. Dan's brother started by walking along setting fire to the edge.

It quickly spread to the north.

A view with the house and shed in the background.

The crazy path of fire!

Storm clouds are gathering. Will they beat the rain?

Not a sight you would typically want to see with your house in the background!

Not something I would want to do.

There is a beauty in fire.

Setting fire to the brush pile, which contained within it two Christmas trees.

Look at that blaze!

Smores, anyone?

The brush pile is gone, the fire is out, just smoldering a bit.

The unlucky rabbit that decided to hide in the brush pile.

The fire in the field is also out. It was a success.

A few days later, the kids followed the crazy path through the charred field.

They told me they were singing "Follow The Yellow Brick Road."

Early Garden Harvest

Here is Dan with some of the first harvest from the garden: French Breakfast Radishes. We've also been eating asparagus, which previous owners had planted.

A close-up of the radishes, which are milder than the usual round ones. I had never seen this kind before.

It is a feeding frenzy!

Joseph needs one.

See, this is what I'm eating. It's yummy!

So a few days later, Dan put the kids to work. That's why you have kids, right? :)

They had great fun pulling up the radishes.

Do you see all those rows of radishes? Do you count nine? Let's just say we are having a bountiful crop of radishes this year.

The proud gardeners with their loot. One row down, eight to go!

Important: I discovered something new to do with radishes! You can only eat them so many different ways raw: by themselves, in lettuce salads, in pasta salads. I looked online and found that you can boil them and you can steam them. So last night, I steamed some round radishes for about 5-6 minutes and then salted them. They lost most of their color and they were no longer spicy hot. They were still a little crunchy and had a flavor that reminded us of broccoli. We liked them, even all the kids!

Easter Sunday

The kids were very excited to find Easter baskets and new books on the table when they got up. And even more excited when they got to eat a few pieces of chocolate for "dessert" after breakfast!

We got to Mass extra early, which was a good thing, because it was packed. Afterwards, there was an Easter Egg Hunt at our church.

Even the Easter Bunny showed up. Joseph and Anne went over to say hi.

And pose for a picture. Two other little somebodies were a little leery of Peter Cottontail.

Mommy and the children. Luckily, Anthony stayed asleep in his carseat, as it was very windy that day.

And speaking of Anthony!

Back at home, we took some pictures out front. Dominic is looking through his "binoculars" at something.

We took this picture at the perfect time, as shortly all the blooms were blown off the magnolia bush behind the kids. A pity too, because those blossoms smell heavenly.

Anthony dressed in his Easter best.

After a big ham dinner and lots of candy, what is a good way to burn off lots of energy? Easter egg hunts (with empty eggs!) for about 2 hours straight!

After the first hunt with a few squabbles and tears, Dan hid eggs for each of the kids in turn. Here Catherine is finding one in a tree.

Looking for more.

Dominic finds one by the grotto.

It's Still Easter!

I helped the kids dye Easter eggs on Holy Saturday. It went so fast I almost forgot to take any pictures. I seem to remember the process taking longer when I was a kid, but I was probably older. Some of these eggs got the 30 second bath in the dye. :)

Only 2 eggs got knocked onto the floor, by our resident 2.5 year old pictured above. Our dye kit came with stickers, so here he is, as well as Catherine, happily decorating his barely dry eggs.

The twins show off their Easter eggs. I got out the eggs for all the kids to eat on Easter Sunday evening and we quickly blew through 12 of them (I ate two). They loved to peel and eat them. I don't remember now who ate three, but two of them did.

Anthony, our little Easter bunny, at 2.5 weeks of age.

Look, he's trying to hop down the bunny trail!

How You Know It Is Monday

When you deal with three tantrums before 8:00(AM!), then you know it must be Monday.

A Funny From Anne

Anne: Mommies are better than Daddies.

Mommy, laughing: Why is that, Anne?

Anne: Because Mommies have cute, little babies come.


(True, Anne, true, but Daddies have a little something to do with it. I don't think I'll be talking to her about that for a few more years, though!)

The First Outing

When Anthony was a little over 2 weeks old, I ventured out with all the kids by myself for the first time since he was born. Luckily I did not have to be anywhere at any certain time, because I was not able to get out of the house until 10:30! This was Holy Thursday and it was supposed to be the last nice day for a few days. The kids were super excited to go to the playground, and I think they ran nonstop for at least an hour.

Look at me, Mommy!

I wish I had a video of this, because I caught Joseph doing his little Joseph dance, which is really funny.

They had a blast going down the big spiral slide and the game was to have everyone end up at the bottom together.

Catherine, the biggest monkey!

Anthony was snuggled in his carseat and stashed in the stroller, covered with a blanket because it was super windy. So he did not make it into the pictures this time.

I do have to say, we went again to the playground this morning and met up with some friends, as in meet at a certain time. Fortunately, I had a time frame of 9:30-10:00 to meet, so I got there with 5 minutes to spare. We actually were able to leave the house by 9:40 this time, so we are improving.

Getting Into The Garden

These pictures are from a month ago. Even though it was a little wet, Dan was able to plant the first few things in the garden. The kids were anxious to help. Here is the first row, ready for radishes.

Oh, my, a little boy's dream. Lots and lots of mud and water to play in!

And yes, there were still a few piles of snow sitting around, left from that March blizzard on the day of Anthony's baptism. So Joseph got to work.

Shovel, shovel, shovel. He was as happy as a clam. And hey, at least the snow "cleaned" off some of the mud!

Too Cute To Pass Up

These pictures are of Anthony when he was not quite a week old.

Tummy time!

Trying to lift his little head up.

Maybe someday I'll get caught up to current time!

Overheard

After scolding the boys for playing in their room when supposed to be napping, I stood outside their door for a minute and this is what I heard:

Dominic: I don't like Mommy as much.

Joseph: Yeah, I don't like Mommy.

Dominic: When Mommy is nice to us, I like Mommy.

Joseph: I like Mommy.

Dominic: When Mommy is mean to us, I don't like Mommy as much.

Joseph: Yeah, I don't like Mommy as much.

First Bath At Home

When Anthony was about 5 days old, he got his first bath at home. Since his umbilical cord had not yet fallen off, he got a sponge bath. He did not like that part all too much...

...but oh, how he liked getting wrapped up in a big towel and then getting his hair washed!

A nice, clean baby all ready to snuggle with Daddy!