Sunflowers

I have never grown sunflowers before so I really didn't know what to expect. I can't believe how tall they can grow. Some have very thick stems and lots of blooms. The kids helped me plant them by digging a hole and pouring the entire seed pack into the one hole. I can't wait to see how those ones end up. So far one has bloomed and I expect the rest to bloom over the next few days.

 I some how ended up with one sunflower that has a purple stem and giant green and purple leaves.

This has bloomed over the last few days

June 20th

June 22nd

June 23rd

       

   

 I also planted wildflowers and they too have begun to bloom.

 

This week in the garden

I picked a bunch of fresh veggies this week. I planted lots of lettuce and radishes not knowing if it all would grow and now I have so much I have been sending it home with anyone who stops by. I had know idea radishes only take three weeks to grow from seed to ready to pick. I have been eating a lot of salad needless to say. Still waiting on my tomatoes. I looked today and the seven plants that I have growing are loaded with tomatoes. I will probably have a ton of tomatoes all at once. I guess I will be doing a lot of canning. I picked a garlic just to see if it was ready and I think it could have gotten a little bigger. I will try again in a couple of weeks with the others. The watermelon is doing great and the boys can't wait to eat them. They ask everyday if it is time to pick them. 

 Radishes, Beet, and Garlic

 Lettuce

 Carrots

Watermelon

Corn

Peppers

Spaghetti Squash

Sunflower

Pumpkin

Tomatoes

The boys in the garden

I am so glad to say that growing our own veggies has got my kids interested in eating them. They are amazed that a little seed they plant can turned into something they can eat. They are even trying things they have refused to eat in the past. They love to spend time in the garden looking at everything that is growing. 

First bunch of carrots

Joey enjoying the Carrots

Alex eating his first raw carrot 

Boys enjoying the wild flowers

Playing with his shadow

The corn is now taller than they are

Tree House and Swing Set

     This year for the Boy's birthday we decided to build a swing set and tree house. Well it was actually going to just be a slide and swing play set but once we decided that we wanted to have something that would last we went with a tree house. This way they will have years and years of fun in it instead of growing out of it in just a couple. I didn't know how much work really goes into building a tree house from just or ideas in our head. We didn't have any plans and just kinda went with it. We had to work around the tree. It was a lot of work. Thank God I didn't do any of it!    

     I was a little afraid at the height it ended up being but so far so good. Alex of course has jumped from the fourth step and landed on his face and belly but he just got right up and continued playing. Although He has fallen off the swing several times and gotten hurt. He will just have to learn to do the "Superman" swinging a little better.  We couldn't of done it with out Uncle Joel and those of you who pitched in to help get materials. Thank You!!! 

swing set Uncle Joel and Daddy built

Getting the tree ready for the house

Making the frame

frame built....check

checking out the view 

what we used for the siding

sides almost done

adding the roof

Uncle Joel cutting out the windows

Cutting out more windows

Joey sanding with Uncle Joel

Joey sanding 

Finished tree house!!