Intro

This is a new blog I'm starting, to document the goings-on in the Banta Household. Mostly for my own records, but also for those of you who might want to keep tabs on what we're up to around here.

To start things out, I'll do a brief re-cap of the past week. Last Monday, we went to Omaha to pick my mom up and borrow her for a few days. My birthday gift from her was to upgrade (or, rather, completely re-install) our flower bed in front of the house. Believe me, it needed a lot of work. My mom is an accomplished gardener, and I find myself with very little time for things like this, so it was a fabulous gift to receive! We found time to go to our favorite thrift store while she was here, so that was a major plus as well!

She stayed through Wednesday, when Max was scheduled to have tubes put in his ears. He's had some speech issues (not 'delays', but trouble articulating) so after having his speech and hearing tested with the public school system, and seeing our regular doctor, and thusly being referred on to the ENT doctor, we all agreed that due to a large amount of fluid behind his eardrums, he wasn't hearing as well as he should have, consequently not articulating like he should be. So anywho, we had to be at the surgical center at 6am on Wednesday, so my mom stayed home with Emma, Simon, and Gus while Oliver and I took Max (and Sam) to the surgery. We were back home by 8:00am, if you can believe that. Max was back to his normal self by 9:00 if not sooner, and we went on with our day! Took Mom back to Omaha late that morning and that evening, finished up the flower bed (added mulch and planted a few more plants on the other side of the walkway). I am very, very thrilled with it! Thanks again, Mom!! :)

Before (or rather, During) - click on photos for larger size if desired:






After:




Nice, huh?

Monday I turned 31. That seems pretty old to me, kids. It was a fabulous day, though. Max started a weeklong camp from 9-11:30, which he is loving. Friday our plans are to go to the home of some friends of ours and eat some food. Last year when they had their annual 4th of July BBQ, we were trying the vegetarian thing. I will happily indulge in the actual meat this year. :)

I hope this blog is enjoyable to you all. I get emails from some of you, sometimes, saying "so what are you all up to?" I like reading blogs that my friends write, so I thought that most of you might enjoy this. If you want to be added to the email list (I think it just emails you a notification that I updated, if not the actual blog in the email), just let me know. I hope you all have a fabulous 4th of July weekend!