Only 1 hour more of school and it is summer vacation! The boys had 1/2 a day today and then they’ll have an hour tomorrow and be done! I am pretty sure summer will fly by… It is almost June and they start up again Aug. 19th, I just found out today – so pretty early! I haven’t seen the entire year calendar yet, (I think that comes tomorrow) but I am presuming they either have a longer break somewhere in there or they get out extra early next year.

Our summer has a few things on the calendar, but not near as busy as last year… (at least not yet!) My plan is to make lots of local day trips, but essentially stay home to garden, enjoy the boys, and get ready for the little one who is planning to make an appearance in the fall.

We have our nice weather back – It is around 80 out at the moment – just perfect. I worked out in the garden a bit this morning and visited the kittens. Oh, Snickers had her litter Wednesday, so the two litters are just 4 days apart. She had 5 – all black/grey stripey – mostly black. That gives us 13 babies!

Since summer is coming, I figured I better get some practice hauling all 3 boys out and about with me. I don’t think I have taken all three of them alone all school year – maybe once or twice. Generally I either do errands while they are in school or leave them home with Matt, or take Matt with me. Matt was busy yesterday afternoon, so we headed out… on our own.

We went to the farm to pick up our first share of the CSA veggies I referred to last week. Of course it was the first time we had been there and the GPS was wrong… but we did eventually find it and figure out what we were supposed to do. It was desolate when we arrive and I had no idea what to do, but finally saw a couple green coolers, so I opened one up and low and behold there were several bags of produce in there so I grabbed one. Just as I was leaving the farmer pulled up and we met and chatted – he was very nice. Apparently most people who are a part of the program live in the bigger city and they have a pick-up there as well. There are only about 10-12 families it sounded like that pick up at the farm. Anyway, this week we got a big bag of lettuce greens (various types – about the amount of 3-4 bags of prepackaged lettuce that you would buy at the grocery store – I couldn’t even fit it all into my salad spinner at once). A similar size bag of Asian Greens – I tried once piece and it was very strong tasting – I haven’t quite figured out what to do with those yet… A big bunch of radishes, and a big bunch of green onions. I made a salad with the greens, some of the radishes, some green onion and added carrots. I ate it for lunch and we’ll have it for dinner as well (like I said it was a lot of salad). Then I made a dip from a recipe that came along with the produce – cream cheese, diced radish, chopped green onion, parsley, garlic salt, lemon juice and paprika. YUM! I think I could go less on the garlic salt – it was a bit salty – but YUMMY! There are still a few radishes and green onion left along with those Asian Greens. I am excited to get more fresh veggies in our diets, along with the prospect of trying new things. Lots of times the veggies we buy at the store end up in the compost pile a week later, but I don’t think that will happen much with these – I feel responsible to eat them since I have seen how much work goes into growing and harvesting them for us. Not to mention they are so good freshly picked – there is definitely a difference in taste!

Next we headed off to CVS (our local drug store type place – like Walgreens or Rite-Aid) and did some mega deal shopping. Get this… Here’s what I got:
7 Jars Ragu Pasta Sauce
2 Excederin – 24 Ct.
Listerine – Medium Bottle
2 Jumbo Packages of Playschool Diapers
2 Mascara
3 Push Pops (to keep the boys happy)
After coupons and sales…. Any guesses?
$3.02 for $82.12 (before tax) worth of product! Not bad huh? Plus… I got coupons for $8 off my next purchase so really it was basically free.

Next we went to Monicals (our favorite pizza and pasta restaurant) to pick up gift certificates for both of the boy’s teachers.

Next Pizza Hut to redeem the boys reading certificates for free individual pizzas. (Plus of course a pizza for mom & dad)

Next The Grocery Store for just a few things

Finally, back to Pizza Hut to pick up the pizza’s.

The boys did pretty good all things considered. I could probably survive another trip at some point.

I think that is about all the news for now.
C-