the sleppys

We got a new van. Well, it’s not a new van, but it’s new to us! The two-door coupe that I’ve been driving since high school wasn’t going to cut it as our family car anymore after having the twins. We have had it for a month and have already spent half a tank of gasoline. First family trip we took in it was about 30 miles, round trip, just cruising around the city. I took it out to test drive it. We all went to the grocery store one morning. Dad has taken it with the boys in tow to The Home Depot to pick up gardening supplies. I have been taking it to doctor’s appointments with the three children. It sure beats being crammed into the black car like a pack of sardines.

We got farm-style dining room furniture:

For now, the two grown-ups sit perpendicular to the bench, where the three children sit. The first evening, we ordered pizza and ate dinner at the table.  My maternal grandparents came to visit a few nights later. We sat around our new table and ate dessert. We used to have a plastic patio table with folding chairs around it as our dining furniture. This get-up is much more, er, responsible.

And this morning, Dad is installing our new butterfly garden. After watching Audubon Butterfly on DVD, we acquired great, new information for keeping butterflies around. Dad bought several plants from The Home Depot (and brought them home in the new van!) that attract the butterflies that live in our area. Ty is being his Big Helper. Together, they are splitting huge rocks on the side yard, transplanting weeds  butterfly plants, and drinking from their new canteens. When they are finished, we’ll have a wonderful, natural home for butterflies. And the neighbors won’t complain that we don’t mow the weeds on that side.