DIY Compost Bin

Man, my posts are getting so exciting, right? I decided last week that I was going to create my own compost bin. We go through a lot of table scraps especially banana peels and coffee grounds and I wanted to do something with them. I searched the internet and pinterest and found a few ideas. I also like having little projects to work on. Here are the steps I took to make one. It was super simple and cost me nothing since I had a random bin sitting in the basement. Maybe you will become inspired yourself or maybe you can just call me a tree hugger. Either way, I'm just trying to save the Earth one compost bin at a time!

 Start by using a drill and making lots of holes in the tub, on the bottom and lid as well. This part was fun! Then do a layer of brown paper, newspaper, grass clippings, leaves, and things like that.

 Next pile dirt on top of that and then add your scraps. I also read you can compost dryer lint and hair. Interesting right?

Next stir it around and add some water. I started this on Saturday and so far, so good. Not exactly sure what I will do with it. Hopefully use it as mulch for our garden next year, we shall see!

Tractor Show

Last Saturday we went to the Tractor Show at the Knoxville Fairgrounds to benefit Relay for Life. It was a great event for such a great cause. Bryce went with papa Saturday morning to help him unload his tractors and then we went back after their naps to watch the tractor pull and have some yummy supper. Jayla and Jake were with mamaw and papa, so of course they all had fun together!

Our Visit to Henry

Last Thursday, I didn't have any extra kids to watch so the boys and I packed up a lunch and headed to Henry to visit the Grade School on their last day with students. The last time I was there I was 9 months pregnant with Blaine. Everyone was excited to see us and the boys were so good. We ate lunch and played at the park across from the school and then walked over to the school. We spent a couple hours there visiting. It really worked out because the students were in the gym watching a movie and the teachers were in their rooms working on end of the year stuff and packing up their rooms. The boys got to play in different rooms while I had a chance to talk to everyone. I also got to see my students from last year when they were heading out to recess. They were so excited to see me and I got several hugs! Although I love staying home with my boys, I also definitely miss teaching and just being in that environment.

I started keeping a list on my phone of things I miss and things I do not miss about teaching. Our visit to Henry inspired me to share:
Things I don't miss:

• Doing report cards
• Tying shoes all day long
• Parent/Teacher Conferences
• Meetings
• Lesson Plans
• Copying
• The drive
• Packing up my room at the end of the year
• Dealing with defiant students

Things I do miss:

• Co-workers
• Tricia's baking
• Berta's cookies
• Laminating
• Decorating my room and doing bulletin boards
• The complements from the kids everyday
• Using the smartboard
• Getting lots of hugs
• Watching them turn into little readers
•  Happy Hour after work on Fridays

I heard this quote on TV one time, and I wrote it down to remember it. I thought it fit my life so well when I made the decision to step away from teaching. "I'm giving up the best job I've ever had to have the only job I've ever wanted." I can always go back to teaching, but I will never have this time again with my boys.

 

Bryce found some cars, trucks, and tractors in Marsha's room. 

Bryce Samuel!

Just a little update on Bryce Samuel. We cannot believe he will be three in a few months. He loves to be outside, he loves anything to do with the farm, and tells us he is going to be a farmer when he is bigger just like papa. He is always checking the crops and telling us they are getting bigger, bigger, bigger. He has even corrected daddy when he called it a bean wagon instead of a bean buggy. He is so excited about eating sweet corn and making applesauce from our apple tree. He rides his balance bike everywhere and calls it his green tractor. He is excited about fishing with papa Bill and swimming in Nannie's pool this summer. He loves reading books and is such a good listener. His favorite snack is mini m&ms and has been sleeping in a big boy bed for a few months. He loves his legos and he would watch The Lion King everyday, all day if I let him. His favorite foods are ham steak and pizza. He loves to drink papas juice (orange juice) and ice tea. Stop growing so fast little man!