Firestarter!

At Wednesday Night Dinner - we enjoyed delicious food, lots of play, and a beautiful fire.
It was PERFECT weather to be outside - not too warm and not too cool.

Wouldn't you just imagine that this would be the photo of a bonfire in the dictionary?
It is perfectly built!

What is the Color for April?

On this day - my sweet 'Cee' had to sacrifice warmth for being dressed in the appropriate color. It had been warm everyday until this one. We woke up with temps in the low 40s. Alas, we had no warm purple clothes. A sweater had to do.

Good thing she is rarely still enough to notice!

Kool-Aid Mustache

She took one sip and said, "What is this Mama?" Do you remember the last time you could enjoy something so simple?

This Kool-Aid mustache didn't even get viciously wiped off by my freshly licked thumb. Man, I hated that when I was a kid. Good thing we weren't going anywhere - I might have had to resort to that time-honored method!

ONE Recipe for a Happy Husband

Take:
1 Part Frustrated/Grumpy Husband...

Add:

2 Parts Friends (Tina and Randall)
2 Parts Tents

3 Parts Sleeping Bags and Backpacks

Add: 1 Part Mountain Laurel

Add: 1 Part Rustling Waterfall and various wildlife encounters...

You should get this:

SMILING HUSBAND!

After a much overdue hiking trip - albeit too short - he is SO much happier!

I Had Fun 'My Daddy' and 'My Mommy'!

This is what we heard as we left the hatchery today. But, how could it not be fun?

She got to see her Daddy after a few days of him being gone for a 'much needed' hiking trip...

She got to see the smile on Mommy's face because Daddy is back from the woods and we are outside in the sunshine...

There were tons of friends around...

Mr. Greg pulled all kinds of fun creatures off the banks of the stream...

We got to feed very appreciative catfish...

And, after that, we had a picnic and arts & crafts!


Did I also mention that there were snapping turtles and ALLIGATORS!?!?!?! We had a great time! Thank you so much to Greg and Melina for getting the group together to enjoy company and to celebrate Earth Day. We'll be back!

Purple Finch Fledgling?

Well, I believe it to be a Purple Finch (it's parents look more red to me?). We have this couple of birds that show up each year and put a nest in our English ivy. I love that we get to see them raise a new group each year.

ANYWAY, while planting some things on the patio tonight - this little guy shows up behind me. I didn't know what to do - he couldn't fly. SO, I went to the trusty Internet.

Of course, I couldn't touch him or his Mom would disown him (old wives's tale - untrue - actually most birds that aren't vultures can't smell well). Amazing the things you find at the click of the mouse. Anyway, it said to leave him alone and the Mom would feed him on the ground for a few days until he could fly. As of 3 a.m. Saturday morning (don't ask) - he was still there, so I left a towel near him for shelter. Also, I locked up the dogs.

When we got up Saturday morning, the bird was gone - and believed to be well.

UPDATE: Sunday afternoon - we noticed the bird on the chaise lounge outside. His parents were swooping in occasionally with food and encouragement. He was there all day - and then 'disappeared sometime around dinner.

Good luck little finch!

Just a Kiss Before I Go!

Cousins! This brings her grand total to FIVE cousins! She was in awe of this sweet little baby as she saw her diaper get changed, saw her nurse from her Mommy, and heard that sweet little cry. I say she was in awe - we all were. What a beautiful way to spend a day.

We look forward to play dates in the near future. Priss kept wanting to bring books and toys for her to play with. We had to explain that those days will come - just not today. I think she got that after we saw her.

Sweet, Sweet Baby....

Trent and Jill welcomed their Sweet, Sweet Baby Girl (B.A.) into the world today.

Happy family...

Sweet Feet...

Mother and Child...

Father and Child...

What a blessing she is to them and our entire family.
We love you, and are sending happy prayers your way.

Earth Day!

We celebrated Earth Day by playing outside, and planting our colorful annuals and perennials. The newest herbs and vegetables are still waiting their turn.

Also, today at Montessori, Priss celebrated with all the kids in school. Everyone made a crown with birds, trees, butterflies and fish to think about the earth.

So, what do you do to try and help the planet? Remember, no one is perfect - just start with something small and go from there. For instance - you can stop using plastic water bottles unless absolutely necessary. Something like 76% of them aren't recycled - and they do take lots of resources to make them, and ship them to you. Instead - try a water filtering pitcher and a metal or glass refillable bottle. We found these a while back at our local Walgreen's 3/$10. In addition to using fewer bottles, we aren't thinking about the BPA Plastic in most bottles - and what it could do to our systems. If you haven't heard about that -
click here to find out more!

Anyway - let me know some of your ideas - we can always improve! We have a big personal/business vehicle - we have to compensate!

Happy Earth Day to everyone!

By the by - here is a little video from the Environmental Defense Fund. Pretty short - enjoy - it does stress not being negative, but to try our best to do our part.

Tap, Tap, Tapping

My sister, Leslie, came over today to help organize. It was an early birthday present - and MOST appreciated. While I have good intentions - I'm not clutter free.

While organizing closets in the guest and playrooms - we came across several pair of tap shoes. I believe they were all tried on. She even wore them around for the rest of the night, just testing them out.

It was nice to get a little bit more organized.
Thank you Leslie!

It's The Little Things

While weeding the yard to prep for plantings of herbs, vegetables and annuals - I pulled up this little fellow. How cool is this? I imagine that if a weed can be this beautiful - most things are.....you just have to look at it with the right pair of eyes/attitude.

At least, I hope that is what our neighbors think as they enjoy another year of our 'yard in progress'!

Hope your gardening projects are in full swing!

REALLY - They Had A Great Time!

OK, from the squinty, sun-grins - you may not be able to tell. However, these little cuties had a blast today at playdate! Check out those bows all in a row on Lou, Priss, CC, and B. Hope to see you next Friday!

The Crazies Will Destroy You! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

Below is a request from our friend, Tina (aka Aunt Tina). She lives in San Francisco - and is the drummer in the band,
The Crazies Will Destroy You.
Please see her note below - and vote (once per email address!) asap. They have some pretty tough competition - but, they still have a 1/4 chance to win!

Good Luck Guys!

================================================================

VOTE!!! VOTE!!! VOTE!!! VOTE!!!
Practice your voting skills for the major election later this year!

My band, The Crazies Will Destroy You, and I need your help in destroying the competition at the Battle of the Bands showcase event at The Independent in San Francisco! It's going to be tough (we're kinda the underdog). So, we want all of you to help us send a message to the San Francisco Bay Area that WE ARE HERE and WE WILL DESTROY YOU!!!*

The winning band will play in the opening spot at the Bay to Breakers Footstock Festival (http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/main.html) in mid-May. The winner is determined by points. Votes by attendees at the Battle of the Bands event will be worth 5 points each. Votes during the online voting (April 17th-23rd) will be worth 1 point each. So, as you can see, attendance is crucial. But, I do realize that some of you are not going to be in the Bay Area during this event. In that case, PLEASE participate (and encourage others to do so too!) in the online voting in the days right after the event.

For more details, refer to our webpage on the subject: http://www.destroyyou.com/shows/080416.html.

This is the biggest thing that's happened for us, thus far. Please help us make a good showing and kick some a##!!!

Thank you for you attention,

Tina Davis
www.destroyyou.com
www.myspace.com/craziessf


* Equal opportunity destruction. No destructee is excluded based on age, race, color, creed, religion, disability, gender, ethnic or national origin, or veteran status.

The winner gets to open for The Last Goodnight at the Bay to Breakers Footstock show!!!

destroyyou.com
myspace.com/craziessf
baytobreakers.com **(vote here from April 17th-23rd)**

===============================================

I Love DEXTER!

I have to say - if you are into CSI - or other crime shows - Dexter might be right up your alley. Dexter works as a blood spatter specialist in a Miami crime lab. As a side note - he is a serial killer that preys on the 'ones that get away'.

We don't even have Showtime - but, we have been watching the toned down version on CBS on Sunday nights. That is, until a friend loaned us the Season 1 DVDs. Now, my only problem is that I will have to go rent Season 2!

Disclaimer - this is not for the faint of heart. It is relentless. However, it is certainly an escape. Don't think less of the Vices for this Vice!

M-I-C...K-E-Y...M O U S E!

Well, you know what Saturdays (sometimes) mean...... Birthday Party!
Today, we went to a Mickey Mouse Party celebrating Emma Frances' 3rd Birthday!

Mickey silhouettes greeted us.

See, she has her face painted with Mickey and everything!

Priss even became an honorary Mouseketeer!

Emma Frances, Caroline and Priss playing around (looks like Priss was singing in this shot).

She can never get too much of the parachute. Funny, when she was little - we had a larger one of these at music class. She was terrified at the thought of running under the chute. I guess things have changed, as she looks pretty happy.

Me and My Sweet Girl

A couple of Christmases ago, my friends Lindsey and Casey were over - and we were doing a photo 'shoot' of the three girls in their Christmas finest. Lindsey started snapping photos of her and the girls with her own camera. She asked, "Don't you guys do these photos? I do them all the time." You will see an example if you click on her link above.

As my husband and mother will tell you (and you will notice if you are a 'regular' to the blog) - I don't end up in the photos very often. So, I was inspired to give it a try outside this morning, as the beautiful weather will be leaving us for several days.

Do I need to use one of the other lenses - probably...
grow longer arms? - silly...
could it be better - definitely...
but, it is a start!

Share and Share Alike!

It is that time of year again. When man and beast must share Earth's resources again! Apparently, everyone worked up a sweat!

OK, Humor Me Again...

I had no desire to whip out the camera today - so, here are a few of my favorites that didn't get included in the 'catch up' posts for last week.
Which is your favorite?
Enjoy!

1) Blur!

2) Taking Flight!

3) Purple Hat

4) My Sweet

Until We Meet Again!

After Church, we enjoyed having lunch with Grammie, Grandpa, Tye and Anna Vassar.

These sweet girls had a great time visiting with each other. Miss C hadn't seen another child in about a week.

It was a wonderful week - and a nice visit away from taxes, catering and yard/house work. However, we are ready to get back home to Daddy!

A Side Trip to Visit Mama Brown...

My sweet grandmother has recently had the opportunity to move to a nice assisted living facility. I must say that she looks better than I have seen her in years!

Although she wouldn't have chosen to do so - she is enjoying the move. She says that she is happy that the other 9 residents are also ladies (yes - only 10 people live here!). She feels that this will prevent ladies from competing with one another and trying to 'out do' each other for the attentions of men! Also, this provides the luxury of choosing to dine - on rare occasions - in a robe. Ah, the pleasures of having no men around!

Miss C enjoyed visiting and doing puzzles with her Mama Brown. I enjoyed the visit as well.

What a Way to Start the Day!

BEEEEP! BEEEEP! THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WARNING FOR YOUR VICINITY UNTIL 9:00A.M. IN THE EVENT OF A TORNADO, SEEK SHELTER IN A BASEMENT, INTERIOR CLOSET/ROOM, OR A LOW DITCH (IF NOT INSIDE).

As luck would have it - we had an available basement. In order to make it a fun little game - we included friends and a sleeping bag.

Happy Bath?

During her bath tonight - Grammie and I decided to take some photos (I know - surprise). As I was looking over all these photos - I thought about something. What would I think if someone started snapping photos while I was taking a bath? I know that there are many from my childhood, starting with the 'first bath' photos. However, I can't IMAGINE what I would think if it happened now.

Good thing we don't remember everything from our childhood. That is, until we whip out those baby books to show those suitors! Is that payback for whatever we parents will endure over the course of their adolescent years?

We shall see!

A Trip 'Up North'

For 'Spring Break' from Montessori - we decided to take an extended trip to visit Grammie and Grandpa. Needless to say - she enjoyed getting up there to 'play'.

All those hugs and kisses didn't hurt!

Men in Back

For the last 5 years - we have raked and raked and raked in our 'natural' area out back. It is AMAZING to us the number of things we continue to find - after all of these years.

We worked really hard before our Little One's first birthday party - knowing that little hands and feet would be rummaging through the sticks and plants. Again, for the second birthday party - we scoured the area for anything dangerous. OK, you may think we are crazy - but, we have found hammers, metal sprinklers, metal spikes, BALLS galore, and dog toys. It is just crazy that there was that much stuff left here, and that it wasn't visible to the naked eye.

Anyway, here is our latest find - pretty good condition - comparatively!