--Need Help--Project Small Garden

Sooo I need help and Advise:

I would like to do a little garden this spring / summer. However, I don't have much space, roughly 8 feet long and maybe 3 feet wide-max (see very little). Furthermore, I'm not sure what would really grow very well here in the valley, and my little space gets almost 100% direct sun. 

So I am in dire need of suggestions, ideas, advise, websites, blogs, tips, and so on. Here is what I have so far. I must warn you, it's not much.

 

 

 

Our "Yard"-Told you it wasn't much. ^o^

Plants:

I was thinking of growing onions, carrots, some lettuces, and maybe peas or beans (since I have a little fence I think I could make a trellis). However, I am not sure what types of these veggies would be best (since there are so many varieties of onions, carrots, ect). If you know of better plants-feel free to share. <(^.^)>

*Side Note-I am trying to stay away from herbs-I ALWAYS kill them and things that get big or tall or super viney (no watermelons)

Types of Gardening:

I have heard there is Window box gardening, SQFT gardening. So here is the space I have, again-I have very little space, in an HOA-so I can't just dig up where I want and start planting, and no natural soil either. Heidi Anne plays in the grassy sections-so I was thinking of taking over some of the concrete part.

What type of method do you think would work? Or are there other options?  

The Concrete Part

Oh, I almost forgot-I want Heidi Anne to have her own little flowers to tend to as well. What are some good flowers for a toddler that will keep blooming throughout the summer for her? So I can help get her interested in Gardening. I was thinking Morning Glories-I think they bloom all season and require very little care, right?