A nice evening

We decided to leave tomorrow for Colorado Springs. By the time we got down there tonight it would have been around 6pm, and by the time we checked in and found a place to have dinner, Jonah would probably have been one grumpy baby. He usually goes to bed between 5:30 and 6. Then we would have sat in the hotel room trying to be quiet while he slept. Granted it is a suite, but still... At least tomorrow the kids will be worn out from the day, and likely us too!

So we went to dinner at the family's favorite place - Mt. Fuji. As usual, we had a great time. Both boys were perfect and both ate well. At one point Trey leaned over to me and whispered "now mommy, don't be scared of the fire. I'll protect you."






After dinner Trey and I went to see Earth. He did pretty well...we lasted almost an hour. What we saw of the movie was great! And he loved the popcorn.

Twitcation

In honor of Grampy who plans to be on twitter soon, I will tweet during our mini-vacation this weekend. Check the blog for frequent updates. I'll set up a badge on the right side to pull in my posts.

Travelin' fool

Lots of trips coming up! This weekend is out Colorado Springs mini-vacation. Trey is very excited about the zoo and water slide in the hotel. Next week I am in Boston for training all week. Memorial Day weekend we are getting a cabin at Estes Park on a river, then I run the Bolder Boulder 10k on Monday with Mari. The first week in June I am in boston all week for an offsite meeting. We are going to the beach in TX in June to see Mimi and Gigi. Then I have another short (hopefully 1 night away) trip to Boston. Whew!

Ahhhhhh

A little family of ducks was walking across the parking lot at work this morning.  I got hissed at when I came too close to take a photo.  Ahhh...so cute!  A nice way to start a Monday. 

Not like there was any question about who doesn't have a green thumb.

In 2 months I've killed 4 out of my 7 office plants. 

Our upcoming "staycation"

I am so excited to get out of town next weekend! I feel like all I have been doing lately is working.  We are headed to Colorado Springs...close to home, short car ride, and tons to do.  We are headed to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Garden of the Gods.  And if there is time, the Airforce Academy.  And best of all...check out the pool at our hotel!

Boy after my own heart

When I got home from work yesterday, joe had just finished feeding jonah. He said that jonah literally attacked a pile of american cheese pieces and stuffed them info his mouth. I'm glad he told me, because a few minutes later when I was swinging jonah around, I saw that the whole roof of his mouth was an unnatural orange color - a glob of american cheese wedged exactly in the roof of his mouth.

Flowers

Ahhhh... Someone picked flowers just for mommy!

clients

Joe is up to 5 new potential clients for The Organic Backyard!  Plus his 2 existing clients.  How exciting!

Lazy Sunday

Trey drinking "tea" just like Mommy.



Jonah reading the paper.


And a rainbow.

Cool iPhone App

Thanks for Jen for telling me the name of the Quad Photo iPhone App. I haven't decided if I am going to switch from a blackberry to iPhone, but I sure love playing with Joe's!

Check out these cool pics taken with the Quad Photo app.

bath time

I thought I would try Jonah in the big bath with Trey since he can sit up well, and it was a disaster!  He hated it.  Cried the whole time.  I'll go back to his spa tub for now...

article

The article about Joe and The Organic Backyard came out in print on Thursday, and Joe has 2 potential new customers!

Jonah's First Apple

I was feeding Jonah while eating an apple and he was whining so much I gave
it to him. He LOVED it! He wanted to just eat off the top and bottom so I
had to keep turning it sideways so he would eat the good part in the middle.

Joe is in the newspaper!

http://coloradocommunitynewspapers.com/articles/2009/04/30/parker_chronicle/news/31_mt_organic_pk.txt

The print version comes out tomorrow.

Organic gardens grow in popularity

Published: 04.29.09

Melissa Teasdale

Never had a green thumb? Well, don't worry. One man's mission is to help ordinary people develop the organic garden they've always wanted.

Parker resident Joe Frankovitch, better known as Farmer Joe, is becoming the man to call for backyard gardening help. With a degree in plant biology, a landscape design certificate and a passion built from childhood, Farmer Joe answers prayers — and gardening questions — during the spring and summer.

He created The Organic Backyard, a new company that helps regular homeowners plan, build, grow and enjoy a garden in their backyard. Whether it's looking for a start or a weekly maintainer, Farmer Joe is trained to do it all. The business began operations this spring when Joe moved to Colorado with his wife, Lara, who handles all the "businessy stuff" of the company, he said.

"I've always wanted to garden, eat local, organic, healthy food," he said. "What could be more local than your own backyard?"

Farmer Joe is tapping into a niche that is quickly growing in popularity. Dozens of organic gardening Web sites have been established since people began realizing the health benefits, and cost savings, of growing their own vegetables.

"Your vegetables are going to be way fresher than that of a store," Farmer Joe said. "Since they are organic, they taste better, have more nutrients and save you money."

To start the journey with an organic garden, The Organic Backyard schedules a consultation to assess space and provide suggestions for the best sunlit place to plant produce. After that, Farmer Joe puts the organic garden into action based on each family's needs, favorite vegetables and what will grow best in the backyard.

"Tomatoes, peppers, beans and lettuce seem to be some of the favorites to grow," he said.

After the groundwork is laid for a "new organic lifestyle," construction gets underway. Farmer Joe starts by laying down weather-resistant, raised cedar beds, which last up to 20 years.

The garden bed provides optimum drainage, a natural barrier to pests, and gives gardens a first-rate foundation from which to flourish. A 4-by-8 foot bed typically costs around $200-$250 and increases with the size of the garden.

In using compost-rich soils and organic fertilizers, the garden will begin to develop nutrient-rich soil equal to that which has had years of work and preparation.

Once the nutrient soil is laid down, the next step is to start growing. Not the "get in the dirt" type? Farmer Joe does that, too. If desired, he visits weekly to weed, prune, plant and maintain the "backyard farm," he said.

"Most families want to maintain their garden together but for others I will come weekly to maintain their garden," said Farmer Joe, who also is a stay-at-home dad.

This summer, Farmer Joe will work with The Parker Montessori School to provide them with the expertise needed to grow gardens around the school.

"I will be showing the students how to connect the food with the soil," he said.

Growing a home vegetable garden greatly reduces human impacts on the environment, making The Organic Backyard his "organic food movement." With friendly and informative guidance, growers can "develop a zest for life and nature that will benefit your family and your community," he said.

For more information about organic gardening, visit The Organic Backyard Web site at www.theorganicbackyard.com.

so so busy

Sorry for the lack of updates lately.  A lot has been going on, but at the same time nothing has been happening. 

One of the people who reports to me at work has taken another position within the company, so over the past month I have spent hours and hours reviewing resumes and interview candidates.  Yes...we do have an HR department that does these things, but I wanted to be sure that I picked the right person so I did it myself.  Last week alone I had 3 candidates come into the office for 2 hours of interviews each.  I finally hired someone and he accepted the offer today.  He starts on Friday, so that will be a ton of my time in the upcoming weeks getting him trained.  I have so many other projects going on at work that my "normal" day is meetings from 8-2 or 3pm without a break for lunch. 

I was sick all weekend and just now feeling better.  Ugh.  I hope it wasn't the swine flu.  Joe and the boys didn't get sick (knock on wood).  Tomorrow I can go back to boot camp which I missed on Monday and Tuesday.

Tiny Tales for Target is ramping up.  I am totally changing the box from acrylic to rigid cardboard for them so it is cheaper and holds up better.  Basically that is a new product, new design, new samples from China, etc.  The Uncommon Goods catalog went well and they continue to order about every week.  They also sent me a consideration letter for the Fall and Holiday catalogs.  Luckily I am not putting the kits together anymore - my big shipment from China of already assembled boxes arrived a few weeks ago and is currently sitting in the garage.  2 pallets worth.

Joe has 2 gigs for The Organic Backyard - both from the neighborhood.  One woman has already built an area for a veggie garden, but she needs someone to fill it with soil and advise on plants.  The other woman wants the raised beds built, filled with soil, planted - the whole works.  Joe has also been working hard on a large, wood and chicken wire compost bin for our backyard.  He is also building the veggie garden that will take up the unused space between the side walkway and fence in the backyard - about 5 feet wide by 50 feet long.  A reporter from the Parker paper came by today to interview him and an article is supposed to come out this week.  I sent them an email explaining the company and she said they were looking for a spring story.  It would be very cool if it landed on the front page!

We've been so busy with "stuff" that I really want to get away for a little mini-vacation.  I think we are going to spend a night or 2 in Colorado Springs in a few weeks.  It is only a little over an hour away, but the Embassy Suites has good rates, free breakfast and happy hour, and is close to all the attractions.  I am excited!

actually pretty funny

Trey:  poopy underwear!  poopy underwear!  {dissolves into giggles}

Me:  Do you have poopy underwear?

Trey:  No mommy!  I was just being funny.

Me:  What if I didn't think that was funny?

Trey:  Mommy...if you don't think it is funny, then don't listen.

Jonah 9 1/2 months - No interest in crawling

But the kid sure gets around!

Jonah 9 1/2 months - Lord of the Dance

Doesn't he look like he is doing the Irish jig?

love it!

search for PS 22 Chorus on you tube and watch some of their videos.  Love it!

Must be something in the Colorado air

When I was in Boston last week waiting for my luggage in the airport, a girl in the asked me if she could have a ride if I was going back to Boston College.

This morning at bootcamp, a woman asked if I used to be a personal trainer at 24 hour fitness.

I'm flattered, but I know I look more like a tired mom of 2 in her 30s than a college aged personal trainer.

Joe on his way out the door to his first paid The Organic Backyard gig!

Huaw!

I've signed up for 5:30am outdoor boot camp, so you won't see my triathlon tracking numbers going up for the next 3 weeks. But believe me, I will be working out! 25 women, doing pushups in the park in the dark. I went this morning and it was tough.

Jonah loves pancakes

Jonah has turned into quite the little face stuffer. He loves puffs and any kind of bread. Here he is chowing down on pancakes.

{click on the 2nd photo down and in the close up version you can see his bottom 2 teeth!}

Happy Birthday Erin!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

We had a massive snowstorm here Friday and Saturday. We had 20 inches at the house! Trey and I braved the storm for a Pump it Up birthday party of Saturday.

Headed to Boston again

I'm on the plane going to Boston for another week of training. Last time I ate too much and didn't work out, and gained a few lbs. I'm not going to do that this week. The hotel has a gym - I'm going to use it. I will resist the cookies and soda they bring in at 2pm to keep us awake all afternoon.

I'm already missing my boys. :(

Happy Easter!

We had a great Easter weekend. We had to move the hunt inside because it was raining, but the kids loved it all the same. Mari cooked a good (and healthy) casserole and monkey bread.

{more pics under the photo album section on the right}

Happy Birthday Jonah!

Yesterday Jonah turned 9 months old! And his 2nd tooth came in. He is growing up so fast.

On Wednesday, we celebrate our 1 year anniversary of being in Colorado. Time has flown by!

such an imagination

tonight at the park...

Mom of a little girl playing on the playground:  Hi little man!  And what is your name?

Trey:  Spiderman.

Little Girl:  Watch how I can climb up the slide.

Trey:  Spiderman (meaning himself) can climb up tall buildings!

{later as we were leaving}

Me to Random Mom:  Nice to meet you.

Trey to Little Girl:  Did you like meeting Spiderman?

--------

Trey talks about himself in the 3rd person all day long.  He's either spiderman, batman, a bad guy, horse, tiger, rocketship.  Basically he's the subject of whatever book he's just flipped through.

Being thankful

Things I am thankful for: a husband who cooks and goes to the grocery store.

more bath pics

Seriously...is that anything more adorable than brothers in the bath?  Love it!

More pics in the photo albums area to the right.

What Jonah loves...

• Walks in the stroller as long as it isn't too windy.  I've been trying to take the boys for a walk around the park right when I get home from work. It gives Joe a break and chance to cook dinner.  Also Trey tends to be crazy man right when I walk in the door, so getting him outside is a good thing.  Jonah smiles his huge smile and kicks his little legs on the walk.

• Books.  After his nighttime bottle I read him a book.  As soon as I hold it up he grins and grabs for the book.  He puts one chubby little hand on each side like he is holding the book himself or taps the pages with his fist.

• Gerber puffs.  He's stuff them in his mouth like he's starving.

• Baths!
  

Jonah has a tooth!

For real this time.  I've been saying "tomorrow he'll have a tooth" for 2 weeks now, and today it finally popped through!  It is hard to see but I can feel it on the bottom.  He's been crying at night so hopefully now he will go back to sleeping all night.

mistaken identity

At Trey's Montessori school the parents drive into the circle driveway in front of the school and the teachers put the kids in the car.  So the kids are all waiting in the lobby watching for the parents to drive up.  When Joe picked Trey up from school today, Trey was crying. Joe asked him why, and Trey said "I saw Mommy in her car and she left without me!"  He was very upset.  Of course I was nowhere near his school, but he must have seen a car like mine and was confused. 

The Boys' first bath together

I signed up!

I signed up for the triathlon today.  No going back now...

Tonight I caught Trey pulling Black's tail and I said "Stop pulling Black's tail or he will pull yours."  Trey said "BUT!  Black doesn't have any hands!"  Nothing about the fact that Trey doesn't have a tail....  ahhh - the logic of kids.

Happy April!

I made it 3 months without fried food! I'm considering trying to go the rest of the year (after I have a chance to get my favorites in like fish and chips).