Cabbage Patch Family

We're excited to get our garden going for the summer. We're expanding it a bit, but still keeping it simple because my thumb is any color but green! We had a discussion during family night about all of us pitching in for the sake of helping out, rather than earning treats or money. The girls were actually enthusiastic about doing their part to help grow the fruits and veggies by weeding and taking turns watering it. I'll never have to ask them to harvest because that's the most exciting part of gardening for them (and me!). They even suggested different things they could do around the house to help out. We still have plenty of one-time chores they can bid on to earn money once in a while. Bekah has her eye on some knitting needles and yarn that she wants to buy soon, so she's been asking what chores she could do to earn money for them.
I have been so impressed with these girls, lately!  I taught them the proper way to empty and fill the dishwasher and they all work together and do it quickly and cheerfully. I think working together like that really helps promote a good attitude, but I know the importance of developing independent work habits. Lack of motivation is a big stumbling block in that area! I've noticed a change in their overall attitudes, though, when it comes to taking initiative and helping without being asked to do things. I carry a water bottle around wherever I go and am constantly emptying and filling it. Ember (7) watches me like a hawk sometimes and waits for me to take that last sip. She'll rush over, grab it, and fill it up for me. She'll even put ice in it! She sometimes likes to try and do it secretly and surprise me with a full bottle. It's so sweet! It's often a race between Bekah (9) and Ember to see who can get to the water bottle first. I do wish they'd do more things like that for each other, though.
They're pretty good to each other, too, despite the fact that they practice their cat fighting skills every day. If I or Nathan has one child with us we occasionally get a little treat. Whichever girl we have usually either saves it to divide it with her sisters, or makes sure we get enough of whatever it is for the other two.
I think the slightly bigger garden this year will be both hard on us work wise, and really good for us in so many ways. Bring on the weeds!