Peeling onions

I was planning to prepare a corn-flour-based pissaladiere for dinner, which involved peeling and slicing 1kg of onions. Since the weather was nice -- albeit a little windy, I gathered a chopping board, knife and colander and joined the children in the garden. They immediately took interest in what I was doing.

This turned into a practical life exercise: they peeled onions with delight, checking that there was nothing rough or brown on their onions before placing them in the colander. Since I had not planned this as a Montessori-type exercise, it was a little disorganised, with insufficient space for 3 persons to place their peelings, especially in windy conditions. But having two helpers did help speed up the preparation.

Neither had much of the warm pissaladiere that night, but DS2 ate it with delight when it was chilled at our picnic the following day.

Blooming

The seeds ("Fun to Grow Multi-Pot: Grow a Rainbow" set and RSPB Wildlife Attracting Seeds from Suttons Seeds) we had planted what seems like ages ago are now turning into delicate, colourful flowers.



Our new lavender plants are not thriving (yet), but then they were washed down with rain for almost 4 days after their arrival. Not what they are "used to" in the Provence...

The little eucalyptus tree we planted last week adds a lovely fragrance to its corner of the garden.

DS2 seems to have given up his habit of tearing out leaves randomly, presumably inspired by my weeding activities. He concentrates on the chives and parsley, which he nibbles happily while playing in the garden. He loves to spend some time in the garden before going to bed to check whether the ants have gone to sleep yet.

DS1 is very protective of the plants that are growing in the garden, and admiring every new petal...

Car wash

The boys decided to practice their car wash skills when the weather was warm. They washed their tricycle and ride-on car with soapy water, scrubed with sponges and brushes, then rinsed and dried them. Great attention to detail. No drop was left out. And good cooperation, too.