Bikes, Fruit and a Tree Fort

Max has learned how to ride his bike without training wheels! And he absolutely love to ride his bike now. He's doing really well. He even rides around the BMX track by the dog park with Coleman.

Our blackberries are ripening. The are so absolutely scrumptious. We've got more than we can eat out there - though it isn't very easy to pick them! It takes a lot of time if you are trying to get out of there with some flesh left on your arms and hands. Very thorny things they are, but worth the effort.

My first tomato, looks like they'll probably be in full ripened mode by the time we've been in Massachusetts for a couple of weeks! My only wish is that they will still be producing when we get back.

I'm amazed at the size and number of apples on our one of our apple trees. This is the one I trimmed this spring.

Here's a shot of the tree fort almost finished. It is finished at this point, but we've got some flags to put up and a little decorating to do. I'll post some more pictures later of the final product. Though, I'm sure it will be ever changing...


It's about two feet higher than I actually thought it would be. The carpenter/architect started the thing at the level I wanted the platform, but the platform is actually two feet higher.

I've got some packing to do and a dog to walk and kids to entertain, so I can't stay and chat. But there will be more soon. Nana is getting ready to come out here to assist in getting things ready to move and start construction.

Ciao for now!

The Beginnings of a Tree Fort: Finally

The Fairy Ring after Chris cut a few trees to make room for the fort.

Hmm, right about here.

Bob's schematic.

The beams go up.


Above you see Chris and our architect/builder, Bob putting one of the beams up for the first level of the tree fort (second level to come later). I think I may be more excited about it than the boys are. Bob said today it is like working in a cathedral, it's a very special spot. I have to agree. We've got a very special place here. It will have railings and we'll be able to have sleep outs up there. Now that's what I'm talkin' about.

In a couple weeks it will be finished if Bob's schedule will allow. So, we'll get a little use out of it before we ship out to Massachusetts on July 20th.

Summer

Summer has arrived. Coleman started Junior Guards this Monday. It's just the perfect amount of time on the beach, 3 hours spent stretching, running, swimming and learning about water safety and eventually life guarding (I think that comes in about four years). It is a little crazy getting there in the car because everyone and their brother or sister seem to do JG. Monday afternoon I dropped Coleman off so he wouldn't be late and I parked that car. Well, he was nervous and it took me a really long time to find a spot which was really far away from the beach. Anyhow, by the time I got there he was already settled in and having fun. But I found out from him later that day that he was so scared that he was crying and a kind parent helped him find his way to the right tent on the beach. I felt pretty badly that he was upset, but he seemed over it already so I didn't say anymore. So, tomorrow we are going to ride our bikes down there so we don't have to deal with parking. The trick will be riding home all the way up hill after a few hours exercising in the sun. I figure we can always walk the bikes up the really hard part of the hill. We'll see how we do. It'll be a chance for me to get some much needed exercise and to get the kids in super shape for their lives ahead. It's good for them, right? So far he has wanted to go to the beach each day after getting home from the Guards, so I think that's a good sign.

The waves were really big tonight at Capitola Beach. It isn't often we see them like this. The boys did a little body surfing at sunset.

Kitty is growing into a fine young dog. She's somewhere around 5 or 6 months old now. She's almost finished loosing her teeth. She's just lovely. We're looking forward to showing her off in Massachusetts this summer when we visit.

Compassionate Max

Rocking Horse Ranch has a monthly newsletter. I usually just skim over it, but for some reason, perhaps the simple opportunity to read uninterrupted, I sat this morning and read the whole thing. I found a paragraph about our very special almost five year old, written by the preschool owner, Nancy:

"When I was sitting on the grass, holding one new little boy who was crying at the top of his lungs, I was surprised when this almost five year old boy came over and sat right next to me...I mean it was loud! But this "big boy", Max was not the least bit deterred...He just looked over at my screaming friend and said "....I've got a dog". Well immediately, the screaming stopped and my little charge replied, albeit while sniffling; "...I've got a dog....her name is Ginger" To which Max countered with "My dog's name is Ginger-Kitty". Now I think he was just making that up, in an obvious attempt to "join with" my little buddy..."

Well, Max didn't make G. Kitty's name up. But he did make Edward, the "little boy" feel better just talking to him. I felt really proud to read this about Max. He's a really special big boy.

Ode to Black Coffee

There are nights when the anticipation of my morning coffee keeps me awake. The thought of the stillness of the morning sleeping house. The kettle making its special, not quite boiling noise. Scooping four heaping tablespoons into the French press. The Divine aroma. Holding a warm, nay, hot hand made mug that I made myself. It keeps a mind moving, anticipating. Last night was one of those nights. I almost got out of bed at midnight just to make coffee. It didn't seem prudent, though. So I stayed in bed and tried to think of something else. It wasn't easy.

The reality is I usually only get five or six sips before someone is up needing something. But those five or six sips are mine, all mine, all alone and quiet and quite delightful.

Then End of the School Year

Wow. How did that happen? We've only got a week of school left!!! Now there is just the next 11 years to get through for Coleman. Max will continue at Rocking Horse Ranch, where he is really happy. Technically he could go to kindergarten in the fall, but I'm holding off a year because I can and because I think he needs one more year to really play.

Here's a shot of Max on a regular ole day at the Ranch.


This week Max got TWO goose eggs. He's saving them for when Chris is home from Germany.


There's a bird of paradise growing at Max's school, these are such cool plants.


Peace out everyone.