..gridiron fun..

My son has developed a love for football. It began months ago, during the last football season. He took an interest in the games that were being played (my husband belongs to a few fantasy football leagues), and began a search for a football to throw around. My proud husband found and dusted off his childhood football, which proved to be a little too big for my 7 year old's hands. The aunties were more than happy to gift many a football to the pigskin-cravin' boy. Oh yes, that green one is glow-in-the-dark, dontcha know.

And once the footballs were procured, the practicing began. This boy has had a football within a foot of him for the last 6 months. He throws it, he catches it, he sleeps with it. He has recorded on our DVR about 30 minutes of the Super Bowl, which in the few times he has watched it, he now has memorized the plays that are recorded within. (?!)

My husband makes it a priority to have lunch with my son every Tuesday at school. During recess, weather permitting, they play football. When the weather is uncooperative, they sit in the classroom and create plays. And some of these plays are the most bizarre, creative masterpieces you could ever lay eyes on. It should go without saying that my husband is the most popular kid in the 2nd grade.

(Not even the snow of winter slowed down the football-playing!)

With summer inching closer, we have made the decision to sign him up for Flag Football. He is over the moon about getting to play a proper game on a proper team. He has even taken to doing sit-ups and push-ups to condition himself for the start of the 'season.'

With all the football fun had around here on a daily basis, there have been some interesting 'situations.'

This has proven to be the most interesting of dilemmas. I chose to let the young ones figure it out, until Miss E decided to pull out the barstool that twists to reach the football. To prevent any broken bones and sprained joints, of which they could be genetically pre-dispositioned to, I quickly handed my son the broom. This effectively removed the football from it's perch.

And back to the passing, punting, and playing we go!

..the harvest begins..

Garden in early April and early May

 
So I had every intention of giving garden updates as I watched my little seeds grow and flourish. But I am still trying to be mindful of taking pictures, and everytime the urge strikes, it is rainy or overcast. But as of this week, we are now harvesting. The French Breakfast radishes are ready.

Radish-y goodness.

Now I am only a novice gardener. I am slowly learning terms and practices, as I hurriedly refer to gardening books borrowed from the library. I allow myself some room for error, and sometimes making the mistakes and learning from them first-hand is the best way for me to go about learning. Thankfully, seeds are cheap.

So reflecting on this garden, I would perhaps thin these radishes instead of just dumping the seeds into the earth and letting them go. It might make for more uniformly sized radishes. And let's be clear...my remembering to water them was a huge accomplishment. I always try to find something positive.

 My peas.

The peas are making their way up my makeshift poles. The River Birch out front is kind enough to provide more than enough branches..much to my husband's dismay. But I am happy to utilize all that I can laying around the house and yard.

I wish I could say the strawberries are doing better. Somehow it looks as if a few of the plants have withered away and died. I'm not quite sure why. It may be that they are too low in the boxes, or that they have just gotten too much/too little sun or water. The strawberry pot seems to be fine, and with the plants that are thriving, I have pinched off a few flowers. So I remain hopeful.

Strawberries in April

And I am so optimistic about this gardening thing, that I ventured out and added some new characters to my cast of green goodness. But in the interest of not rambling on for too much longer, I shall share those another day.

If you have any gardening tips or suggestions, feel free to share!