HAPPY MAY-DAY!!!!!
To all those with a love for sunshine and growing things - RISE UP! This is our time of year to enjoy being outside and the wonders of the natural world in all Her glory!!
The weather this weekend is supposed to be really beautiful and we have lots of time outdoors planned. It's been stressful at our house because Eric has been not working about 50% of workdays, but we are struggling to keep our heads above water. I think the important thing has been to keep active with the things we enjoy that are good for us (healthy eating, being outside, and for me, running) and don't cost a lot of money. The Twin Cities coolest Cinco de Mayo celebration is this weekend and I am very excited to go to the big parade and so glad it's just 4 blocks from our house - I really love our 'hood! Also, Sunday we are going to the big MayDay parade in mpls. that we have missed a couple years in a row. Its big sponsor is In the Heart of the Beast Puppet Theater and the floats and dancers and musicians are SOOOO much fun; I'm excited to have Leo see it for the 1st time.

We have been going down to the farm a couple times a week to start planting the big garden and we will likely go down Saturday afternoon. I'll be starting a separate blog for my produce adventure so people(customers mostly) know what we're up to on the farm and what veggies are coming in. It won't be quite as personal as this one and will be a good way to let people get to know us as local producers of transitionary organic produce.

I have also been busy with bookwork for being a pilot. I took my written test earlier this week and treated to Dihvanni's and me to a big glass of wine when I passed Tuesday afternoon. So I feel like I'm still on schedule to take the practical and earn my licence by the end of June.

Leo is doing well and grows daily. He loves being on the farm and wants to ride the loader and tractor all the time. His thing lately is to roar at other kids or grown-ups, and he has even apparently earned a reputation as 'scary' from two twin girls he goes to preschool with. I try to tell him that not everyone appreciates his lion imitation, but it's a social skill that he hasn't quite grown into yet. :)

Eric is doing well and trying not to be discouraged about the lack of work and the slowness of the FAA. We submitted his medical documents 3 weeks ago and they tell him when he calls that 'It's under review.' With that he could work at the dz doing tandems again and we wouldn't need to be so worried about finding siding or handyman jobs, so we'll keep being the squeaky wheel and hope it goes through very soon.

That's about it for updates. We are looking forward to our vacation this summer to the Black Hills and Yellowstone Park. I haven't been out there since I was a kid and I'm very excited to explore it and show all that cool stuff to Leo. I want him to have some of the great camping memories that I have from enjoying the outdoors with family. We are trying to stay grateful each day and asking the Holy Spirit to make our lives a blessing to others.
Hugs & Smiles,
Ellen, Eric & Leo