Getting dirty!

Last year we embarked on a gardening adventure that turned out to be fun and nutritious! Our church building is sitting on the outskirts of the town and is surrounded by fields. Some of them belong to the church , hence our stake president- a gardening enthusiast- suggested we get gardens going and going we did!

Last summer we had just one plot, that showered us with tomatoes and carrots. We also planted green beans, peppers and cucumbers. Peppers looked pitiful, cucumbers were nasty and green beans...well, we missed the right moment to pick them. I was put on a bed rest and then Danny was born, so by the time we made it to the garden, they were too tough. I might also add, that the first time I came to the garden after Danny's arrival I could not see the garden. The weeds were taller than Erin and I was not sure where to start. Did I even want to start?... should I just pretend that this embarrassing looking dirt patch was not mine. Also, who knew what sorts of creators were lurking in that green vegetation. Despite that, I ended up pulling and yanking all the weeds out and eventually found all of my plants in that Utah jungle. Weeds:0, Sveta:1.

Then my mom came and pruned my tomato plants so they did not look like some overgrown bushes on steroids. She also told me to leave the green beans alone and wait for the pods to dry up and just collect the beans for soups and whatnot. Brilliant! Cucumbers...they were nasty tiny veggies with gigantic seeds of disgusting texture and questionable flavor if you could convince yourself to swallow them. We had so many tomatoes we did not know what to do with them, so we made and canned lots of tomato sauce. Erin was cranking tomatoes in the strainer and baba Olya and I assisted her.

This year the gardening experiment was repeated and with much success. I increased our dirt patch to two plots and planted tomatoes, red and green peppers, cucumbers, green peas, red beats, green beans, lettuce, carrots, corn, strawberries and herbs.

My dad was visiting right at the start of the gardening season and he helped me so much with planting everything. Papa made my life so much easier, by doing all the hard work! I was lucky! I have to say that I gardened as long as I can remember myself. We had dacha! To say the least I had a resentment towards the place, because who wanted to spend their summer watering, weeding and harvesting (gooseberries and black currants were most hated by me and my brother). How much though I appreciate all the hard work my parents and grandparents put into it now. We actually had no need to buy any fruit or veggies almost entire year round. We had everything either in the root cellar or in the pantry (haven't tasted store bought jam until I married Andrew). I was an organic child, ha ha. I so wish I could give the same to my children. I took for granted all those apples, that had an apple smell, raspberries and strawberries so sweet and aromatic, carrots without any pesticides and tomatoes of proper (not wooden ) texture. This is why I garden now. So we can have REAL food, and I guess it is fun (when administered in moderate doses, ha ha).

Erin is a most enthusiastic gardener. She loves to dig and pull weeds and look for pea pods. She even eats them. The corn plants are Erin's. Every time we go the garden it is taller. It appears that we have the tallest corn stalks in the entire community, ha ha. Erin finally gave up on measuring herself against it every time we visit.
Here is the view of our plantation. The cucumbers are slowly taking over the entire plot. We bring a sack of them home every time we go to the garden. I am making pickles and serving cucumber salads every dinner ( sorry Andrew, one more month). Erin tasted a cucumber this year ( this is progress) and decided she is not a fan and Danny is not toothy enough for them.
The corn in the photo is neighbor's and where the weeds are taking over is not ours either. Here is the rest of what is ours.


Danny is being very patient with our gardening outings. He spends them in the stroller and usually finds something to entertain himself with.
Hopefully next year we can have 4 plots. I have big plans, ha ha! However, my biggest plans are for the backyard that I will own someday. I plan on having fruit trees, a strawberry plantation and raspberries growing along the fence. Someday! For now this American dacha has to do, ha ha!

Ta ta for now!

Zoo Friday!

Erin got a zoo trip from Christine and Emily for her birthday this year, so today she got to go see all the creators great and small. Danny and I decided to tag along. We drove up with Christine and met up with uncle Gibb, Emily and Evelyn at the zoo. The weather was hot, but tolerable and I ought not complain, as unlike lions, tigers and bears I am not dressed in furs.
First we went to see the elephants and rhino.
Hm, I have to say that elephants from up close look like they have a lot of extra skin. Both Erin and Danny liked them. Last time we took Pook to the zoo, she was almost two. Elephants did not interest her, only the big red ball under their feet caught her attention. This time around she watched them with much interest. Danny, also noticed them, though it is hard to tell what he thought of them. Possibly that they were dogs on steroids. Anyways, he waved at them and vocalized his approval. Of all animals, however, he liked monkeys the most, well technically they were orange marmosets, but for my convenience I'll call them monkeys. He watched them with fascination. Erin also liked them and I have to say, that I am impartial towards monkeys. They are adorable, cute and probably rather destructive and mischievous if you have them as pets. I can just picture that adorable marmoset gnawing on our couch leg.

It was rather hot for the furry animals in the outside enclosures, so quite a few of them were either hiding or napping (or both). These four tigers lined up for their nap. We asked the girls to count the tigers-Evelyn got 2 and Erin got 8.

I also took a few shots of giraffes. I do not know why but I am fond of taking photo's of giraffes. Perhaps it is because it is so refreshing taking photos of someone who can actually keep still.
Right now Hogle Zoo has animatronic dinosaur exhibit. You stumble upon different species of dinos throughout the zoo. Some looked rather intimidating to a 4-year-old. T-Rex fell out of Erin's grace. He was too tall, bulky, loud and with sharp looking teeth. Pook kept covering her ears and tried to pass it fast and put as much distance between them as possible.
She really enjoyed the terrarium though. She liked the snakes and was very excited about seeing a crocodile. She also finally got to see a skunk (until now she only smelled them) and a bunch of various gerbils, squirrels, little monkeys, tortoises and toads. Unfortunately there were no ugly Louisiana snapping turtles in the exhibit.

At the start of our zoo tour we passed a playground where kids could dig for dinosaur bones. We did not stop there though and Erin kept talking about going there to dig. At some point the animals were just not interesting her anymore, all she wanted was dust of her paleontological skills. She did not even go see baboons (baboona as she calls them). But my child did pose to measure up against a gorilla outline. It is too bad that Danny would not stand on his own, otherwise I would make him stand in the infant outline. Oh well, another time.
Erin and Evelyn had a go on a carousel and as you can see Pooky enjoyed it tremendously. Both girls rode tigers.At the end of our zoo trip we went to the playground where girls climbed, went down slides, Erin did monkey bars and ran around. Danny watched everyone, ate a banana and waited for us to head home. Which we eventually did, but not until Christine ran into a girl who was lost. So we looked for her parents, who were found fast. The little girl was surprisingly calm for a lost child. That can not be said about the second girl, who we came across a few moments later. Now that older girl was anything but calm, she was panicky, but fortunately she spotted her dad at the playground. Note to self -pin a note to Erin in a public place with my phone number. At that point we decided to hurry out of the zoo before a third lost child would stumble upon us.

On the way home Erin kept informing us that she had fun at the zoo. Hence, I declare that this was a great day! Plus we finished the trip by stopping for ice cream, a perfect ending to our Friday zoo adventure!

Ta ta for now!

The rainstorm of the season!

It poured today! The rain came with vengeance and no mercy. Erin and her friend Lakai were running under the downpour and Danny and I watched from the porch. He was impressed! This was probably the first rain of any sort that he had ever noticed.
Erin came home completely soaked but with a look of pure joy on her face! Rain like this in our desert is a special treat. So happy she enjoyed running in the puddles!
Ta ta for now!

The pool

Erin loves and always has loved going to the pool. We have not put her through formal swimming lessons thinking we'll turn her into a mermaid on our own. So two years later it has not happened yet, but yesterday Erin finally ditched her doughnut floaty and hopped into the pool with only arm floaties. Her face was beaming with joy and happiness! My Pooky was swimming like a big girl and I am so proud of my baby.
She had a few pool mishaps in the past. When Erin was two she jumped in and I did not catch her. She went completely under for a split second before clumsy mommy fished her out. Ever since that day she held on to her floaty and would give me a nasty look at any mention of "jumping in and mommy catching her". Last summer she learned how to kick while floating and let me know that I do not need to be next to her. Her favorite thing to do in the pool became twirling.
This year she would have probably parted with her floaty sooner if not for a little accident on the opening day of the swimming season. It was freezing! Despite that she insisted on going to the pool. So my Dad, Danny and I accompanied her on this adventure. The three of us did not even bother wearing swimming suites, in fact we all wore jackets and if I remember it right I even used Erin's towel for a blanket. Here is Danny absolutely unimpressed with the huge bath tub on a cold May afternoon.

Despite the cold weather Pook was in luck! Three brothers equally immune to May chill were at the pool and my Pook had someone to play with. She and the boy her age devised a game where she would push him into the pool. It was going great , they both laughed and giggled (yeap! boys can giggle too!) until it occurred to Erin's friend that she would have more fun if he pulled her in. He did just that. Falling into the pool was not in my child's plans and the hand that would not let go of her's was unaware of that. Erin fell in head first slipping out of her floaty on the way. At that moment my Dad was holding Danny and I was holding a rather expensive camera (jumping in with either of the two was undesirable). I put the camera down, my Dad sat Danny on a lounge chair (face palm here) and we rushed to her rescue. By the time we reached her , her floating vest turned her into upright position and we pulled her out. Talk about being terrified! Surprisingly she recovered pretty fast and after her friend got a scolding from his mother they sat in the hot tub as if nothing had happened. However she learned yet another lesson to never let go of her doughnut.

However, she noticed that this year majority of her friends are floaty free. It took her two month to get enough courage, but she did it and I can not describe how proud I am of her. I also can not describe the joy in her eyes when she is in the water swimming "like a big kid"!

Ta ta for now!

PS: Danny, you are next!

First Birthday!

Danny turned one! It is hard to believe, but an entire year has gone by since I got to hold my tiny sweet baby for the first time! He was, and of course still is, just wonderful! I can not describe the joy this little guy's smiles and giggles bring us! He is a perfect addition to our family!

Here are 10 things you probably do not know about our Little Monkey:

1. He loves dogs and spots them from afar. I know that there is a dog in the area when Danny starts gibbering away and waving his cute pudgy arms in extreme excitement (cats do not get the same reaction).

2. He will eat almost anything. He will never let you eat something and not let him have a piece. Danny will drop doing whatever he is busy with and arrive at your feet at a speed of a bullet train and will not leave until you share.

3. His favorite book is a puppet book "Meet Little Lamb"

4. He loves to clap!

5. He loves to swing and laughs so infectiously while doing it!

6. Splashing in the bath tub is at the top of his "fun things to do" list!

7. So is splashing in the toilet...

8. He almost always sleeps with his bummy-bum in the air

9. He can eat a banana under a minute!

10. He has 6 teeth and is not shy using them on people (knees and shoulders in particular).

About a month ago I would say that Danny was a papa's boy, though right at this moment he is more of a mama's tail. If I am in the room he has to attach himself to my leg and not let go unless I sit on the floor and play with him or pick hm up. Erin sometimes saves me and plays with him instead. Occasionally Danny will play by himself. That normally happens after he has eaten and taken a good nap. One of his favorite games is rolling a ball around the house or climbing in and out of the blue chair .

We did not have a big party for Danny's birthday. Andrew took a day off and we just spent the day together. We took our birthday boy his present shopping at ToysRUs. Erin felt that she died and went to Heaven. I felt like I died and went to China. You know that smell of Chinese merchandise (Payless shoes has the same smell). I imagine that's what the entire country smells like. Anyhow, an hour later Danny became an owner of a new shiny bathtub wale that squirts water into the air. We decided against buying more toys as we already have more than enough in every nook and cranny of our house.

In the evening we had a nice birthday dinner (chicken Florentine was the main course, mmmmm) completed with a birthday cake (chocolate with whipped cream for frosting). Danny actually ate his cake and liked it. As any responsible big sister Erin blew the birthday candle out.

Danny is almost walking, but does not find it to be a very important skill as he is an excellent crawler. He is fast and can get places without falling down (it's hard to fall down when you crawl, ha ha). He is also and adamant climber. He can go up the stairs and tries to scale shelves, cabinets and anything else when he can find footing and he does find it (boxes of cracers work well).

We took our monkey to his 1-year-old well visit for his vaccination and to see how he is doing. He is still tiny standing at 28 inches tall (under 5%) and weighing 17,5 lb (0,4% yeap! 0,4%). He is still following the curve though and that is the important part. Developmentally he is doing great! He picks up his raisins, self feeds crackers and expresses extreme displeasure while getting his diaper changed. Danny is very curious and social, just what a 1-year-old ought to be. He is our wonderful Danny! Happy birthday Little Monkey! I am so happy to be your mama!

Ta ta for now!

Take me to Coney Island!

Today my sweet Pooky turned four! I will always remember the moment when I got to hold her for the first time. Well, it was actually my second time, because right after delivery I was rather dazed from the experience, so I do not recollect holding her, though I know I did (I have photos to prove). She was so tiny and fragile. This was my first time holding an infant, more over a newborn, moreover my own newborn. I did OK though. My Pooky was not dropped and I figured out which way was the top and which way was the bottom. After that day I knew what a complete and utter happiness felt like. By the way we almost named her Sonya. What a mistake that would have been, that name does not fit her, but Erin Sophia absolutely does.

My amazing and beautiful Erin Sophia is my joy (and sometimes pain, ha ha) and life (along with the Little Monkey). She barged into our family( just a 4 hour labor) on that day and what a bliss it is to know that she is ours for ever. I love her as much as it is humanly possible to love!

10 random things you most likely do not know about the birthday girl:

1. She always puts her shoes on proper feet

2. She thinks that 64 comes after 20

3. She had known the alphabet since she was 2 and a few months old

4. She'd better not catch you washing away her chalk doodles on the sidewalk (all hell WILL break loose)

5. She has a row of corn growing in our garden

6. She loves salmon and grapefruit, but hates majority of other foods

7. Her favorite color (currently) is blue

8. She is going to need braces (I saw the x-rays and it is obvious even to me)

9. She wants a blue motorcycle just her size from Santa (not going to happen! ever!)

10.She will bring home a kitten if you offer her one, so please do NOT! I mean it!

Today we were snuggling on the couch watching a documentary about amusement parks in America. One of the first mentioned was Coney Island. That was it! "Let's go to Coney Island!" She's been talking about it for the rest of the evening. Her plan is that papa will take her to Coney Island and I will stay home with Danny. Some day we will! But for now she is a child equivalent of Coney Island, our personal Coney Island: fun, special, beautiful, significant, happy and just wonderful! Happy Birthday my Erin Sophia!

PS: We were taking our friend Tyson home this evening and while in the car she was entertaining her audience with " Skip , skip, skip to the lou. Skip to the lou my darling!" It was was rather enjoyable.

Ta ta for now!

Another PS: We did have a party for her on Friday , but this tale will come at a later time, hopefully this week, along with the many other tales of the past month. I have much to tell!

Day out with Thomas

Erin loves Thomas the Train. So this year we treated ourselves to Day out with Thomas. Andrew took two days before the Memorial weekend off and we headed for a fun adventure (despite a promise of a rain, which never materialized). We drove to Heber through Provo canyon. I love following these wounding mountain roads (that is because I am not the one driving, ha ha). There were so many small and medium size waterfalls throughout the canyon from all the snow run off. Indescribably beautiful! Plus the back seat passengers behaved and no one screamed in displeasure.

Anyhow, I am a tiny bit disappointed by the magnitude (or more like a lack of it) of Thomas the Train event. I imagined a bigger place, a longer ride and more activities to do...oh, and train cars not from my grandparents' era (no, they were not antique, they were junky, at least the one we were in). Something just was not quite right, but despite the minor aesthetic drawbacks it was an enjoyable trip.

I am not entirely sure what Erin's expectations were. I suspect that she hoped that Thomas would be more animated and capable of having a conversation with her. As you might imagine, he did not. However, even if he did Erin would be too shy (though impressed) to meet him. She appeared to be shy as it was...or maybe it was boredom. She also refused producing a suitable quality smiles for photos with Thomas and instead scowled .

She did love the train ride though. I believe it was her first time on a train and my Pooky grinned the entire 20 minute trip. Erin looked truly happy to be riding the train. In the best spirit of the Thomas show everyone along the way was so friendly. I am telling you, there were rough looking road fixing crew dudes, random people who walked onto their back porches, drivers waiting at the road crossing and other folks all waving at the passing train. I guess any person with a heart will wave when a train full of little kids is passing by and you see those happy faces. What other reaction can be natural? (No, throwing a rock is a wrong answer Andrew). It was a very sweet experience! Here we are riding. Danny's expression can be translated as "Meh! train-shmain. Is it lunch time yet?" He was bubbly and happy for the most part of our outing though. Being around people usually puts him in excellent mood. Here is Erin waiting in line to get a photo with Thomas. She just could not give us a good smile. Me thinketh she was nervous. We did not manage to get a good shot with Thomas' face and I noticed that there were quite a few kids not thrilled to stand next to their train hero. I think he is best admired from the couch at home. He must look rather intimidating to the little peeps.

Erin and Danny got balloon animals. Erin's is obviously a butterfly and Danny got a monkey holding a banana that I held for him. Erin got acquainted with Porto potty on this trip. She was actually impressed, ha ha.


There was a huge tent devoted to nothing but train sets. Erin spent at least half an hour playing there. I took a notice that for the most of that time she was the only girl in the entire tent (moms and grandmas do not count). Just an interesting observation.

Erin spent another half hour making bubbles. Bubbles and trains obviously go together. We also watched a part of a magic show, but neither Danny nor Erin were impressed, so we had to leave. All in all it was a fun day, full of smiles, good weather and choo-choos. We might be back some other year.

Ta ta for now!