The Growing Gant Family...

Both boys are fully aware of everything scary that starts arriving in stores as the 31st approaches.  There have been many times they've closed their eyes as we've strolled past something they didn't want to see.  We've had conversations about the reason behind it all and it always provides me an opportunity to explain.  Along with these conversations has also come the opportunity to explain how we view this time of year (and how I grew up celebrating it). Growing up on a farm, the turn of Fall meant that things outside were wrapping up and Winter was fastly approaching.  The boys understand the work of the blueberries and our garden and how that when it starts raining and getting cold, we don't spend as much time outside.  I remember the anticipation of Dec. as a kid.  Dad wasn't in the fields as much and it meant that our Christmas vacation and road trip to see family was right around the corner.  It's a time of thankfulness for all that God has bl...

We always try to grow at least two really big pumpkins in the garden each year.  One for William and the other for Calvin.  Here's our entourage of orange harvest... It's fun to watch the boys excitement as they grow bigger and bigger.  And then getting to pick them off the vine and roll them out of the dirt. We chose just one to carve this year.  William picked the face design he wanted, and everyone helped gut it and separate the seeds for roasting.  Only a few words to describe it all...Sticky mess.  Which, especially in a little boys mind, equates to SO much fun.  I will admit, I enjoy the gutting process too (o; Tada!  Our finished product...  Until next year!

We knew we weren't going to force the issue, but we also wanted to provide the opportunity if William wanted to do it.  The start of a new school year also means the start of soccer season.  We were kind of surprised when he decided he wanted to give it a try.  He had impressed us with his transition into kindergarten and so we were optimistic about how soccer might provide the perfect opportunity to play and  connect with his friends. A couple weeks in, we were seriously contemplating what to do.  Most of the time he told us that he wanted to play but once we got to the field, all he wanted to do was sit on the edge and watch his friends.  He would get tearful when we'd try and encourage him and we still, to this day, aren't sure why.  Funny thing is, we decided to try having his friend Evan pick him up and take him to a couple practices and even a game.  Every time he went with Evan, he played (o;  Every time Curtis or I (or both) would b...

Meet Little Mouse In William's kindergarten class, Mrs. Ruwitch has a mouse that gets to go on adventures with each of the kids throughout the year.  She sends it with them for the weekend and you're supposed to bring it back on Monday with a little write up of the adventures that Little Mouse had with your child.  Fortunately for William, he got to take Little Mouse home on one of his long weekends which meant even more fun! Here's all that Little Mouse got to do... Coloring, coloring and more coloring...One of William's favorite things to do. He told Mrs. Ruwitch that he taught Little Mouse how to color while he stayed with him (o; I was pretty impressed with this one! He went along with William to spend the night at his buddy Evan's house! The three hooligans He got to experience the Rescue Boat with Dad! Spray some water... And even drive the boat (o; I'd say that little brother enjoyed him just as much as William di...

Every parent can probably recall their most memorable bodily function story when it comes to their kids, and it usually involves either poop or puke.  It's true.  EVERY parent I've talked with can recall at least one (most often more) funny story (although it's usually mortifying or extremely frustrating in the moment).  Well, I finally trumped all of my previous recollections after today... We were enjoying the Coastal Farm Store One day sale when Calvin stated he was poopy.  We've been in the process of potty/poop training and my philosophy has been that if he sits in his poo for awhile, then maybe his bottom will get a bit sore and he'll be reminded that the poop doesn't belong there.  Maybe it's cruel of me, but honestly I felt like it was the only way it was going to sink into his little head...And it's not like I'm leaving it there the entire day (o; We were continuing to enjoy our peruse through the store when Curtis had to go outside to c...

If you know me, you know how much I love to get my hands in the dirt and see things grow.  I guess it's all thanks to growing up on a farm where I was surrounded by growth.  I don't call myself an expert by any means, but when you find something you love to do, it's a joy to learn and try new things. The winds around our place have proven to be no match for an $80 greenhouse of which we've had two of over the past few years.  Both broke and toppled over our fence, even after being properly tied down...and sandbagged.  This year we decided to pull out the big guns.  Well, I say "we" but really I need to emphasize my husband here.  Don't let him EVER convince you he's not handy.  He's handy in all forms of the word.  And here's another product of this handiness... The coming together of a greenhouse I love seeing My man help his little men learn how to work.   A project isn't a project in the NW without a littl...