Morning Home from School!

This morning, rather than going to school first thing, the boys and I made mono prints. It took me a long 20 minutes or more (more) to clear the table and get the plastic on it and the paints and brushes set up etc. But it was worth the morning spent creating and loving each other. Coleman woke up with a powerful head ache and his tummy was upset. After a couple eggs his stomach was right and a tylenol did the trick for his head ache.

The wee pup is wee no more. Well, she's small, but growing ever so fast. She's taken to running away to go to the cul de sac one house down. There are three large dogs on this short block she loves to play with. The are almost always out and off leash hanging in their own yards. Ginger Kitty loves to visit her neighbors. There are even more dogs on that street locked in their yards, it's a dog rich neighborhood and we're happy to have joined the ranks. Below is a shot of Mack and Ginger Kitty in our yard. Mack appears to be ignoring her, but really he's ready for a defensive move at any moment.


This is a shot of the back yard before it was mostly cleared of debris and unwanted brambles. I'm in the throws of planning the garden and we've just recruited a neighbor with a bobcat to help build the BMX track back there. There will always be a place to ride! It would be nice if Coleman got along better with the boy next door then he'd have a riding partner. Max seems to get along fine with him, but he and Coleman just butt heads. Maybe time will bring civility, but for now it usually erupts into something I'd rather not deal with. Which brings me to the next exciting bit of news about the yard/house. We're getting a fence down the middle of our shared driveway. Our side will have a gate to keep the pup in, and perhaps the next door neighbor children will not so freely invade the yard. I know this sounds particularly anti social. As much as I have this vision of unity and community, I really do love my space. And Coleman has taken to staying inside in order to avoid the people in his back yard. For those of you who haven't been to our home, it is hard to explain why this happens so naturally. Our driveway is also our neighbor's driveway and their garage door is almost level with our own, so their front yard is our shared driveway which basically spills into our rather spacious back yard. There is a trampoline back there, a climbing tree, a swing and lots of toys and usually an art project or two happening. It's easy to see why this is a tempting place to be. Plus, the dogs enjoy playing with one another and when Mac is in our yard, Ginger Kitty doesn't wander around the neighborhood. Well. That was a long story to tell you the simple fact that I'm happy we're getting a fence and gate for the yard. I'm mostly happy that I will know where the dog is - as long as I can get the kids to keep the gate closed.



While working in the yard Chris found some friends. Don't know what kind of a lizard that is, but the snake is a California Garter Snake.