Cacti Garden: Project Done!

Before the work began.  Dead plant.

The boys finished the cacti garden the next day.  It's just taken me a few weeks to get the photos.  They worked well together, although they did ask if they could stop and finish "later" or "tomorrow".  I kept them on task.  When they were done, they were very proud of their work.

Each boy had his own cactus or succulent that was special to him, but they worked together to space out the plants.  Ryan figured out quickly how not to get pricked by the spines.  He used the plastic container that the cactus came in.  He simply flipped the container over and guided the top of the plant where he wanted it.  Then he quickly filled in the dirt around the plant.  Cameron tried not to use anything, but in the end, he admitted he needed gloves.  Nick just kept quietly digging and filling dirt without a word.

Ryan in front.  Cameron in the red shirt.  Nick in the back.

It's been two weeks, and they are very concerned about watering the cacti garden.  I have to remind them that cacti don't need water.  Hence, one of the reasons we picked to add them to our landscape.  Less water, less $$ out.

They periodically go out to check on the growth of the garden.  Ryan is especially proud of his saguaro.  It'll be the biggest cactus in the garden in a few years.

I can't wait to see how the plants progress and how each boy looks after garden in the coming months and years.

Finally done!

Started Working Full Time Today

Well, today I started working full time, outside the home. I left Corporate America after our third son was born, so it has been years! I have to admit it was fun to be out of the house, using my brain in a new, challenging way. New people, new environment, new responsibilities... no problem! Right?

I have to admit that I had questions as to whether or not I would be successful. However, I just listened, took notes, and asked questions. I felt very confident by the end of the day--that I had done my best. I was no longer worried about success.

So how did everything go at home? First, I was happy that the house had not burned down. Second, I saw the boys getting dinner. The table was set. The boys argued about what time to eat. They argued about who was going to cook muffins, rice, or ?? They each wanted something different. Third, I had to teach piano lessons, so I only had time to encourage them to work together.

By the time I was done teaching, dinner was over. I saw the muffin tin in the sink, so I knew that muffins won. I have no idea who mixed and baked them. No one bragged to me. I only saw the boys were all reading or doing home work. Really!

Then Nick started a load of laundry. When the washing machine stopped, Stuart moved the clothes from the washer into the dryer. They were working together!!!

Maybe I should have started this working thing a while ago... there were no problems. Day One Down.