Chapter 385

It's hard to believe that Microsoft and the computer era only started in 1984, the very same year our own Kyanne was born. Think of all the money we've spent over the years because of this young man's forward thinking...and all the money he has made from us.

Coincidentally Carissa and Reagan came over and it was also the first nice day we've had in a very long time. Reagan enjoyed touring the backyard looking into her favorite niches, climbing the big tree out back to look for raccoon poop, and playing with the old roll of adding machine tape I brought home from work.

Reagan loved playing with it and that one roll made quite a (fun) mess. Bear never wants to play in the reindeer games, but he's never very far away from them, either.

After the first time any of us had been out in the yard for quite a while, we all checked out Grampa's new lawn mower. 

We've got our own little John Deere traffic jam!

Saturday was Eileen's little guy, Ronan's, 3rd birthday. It was a dinosaur-themed party and there was tons of creative dinosaur-y things to do. Ronan's Uncle Pat (who I remember going to birthday parties for) wore a fun air-filled dinosaur costume. As expected, Reagan didn't like the costume, but once she finally understood that it was Uncle Pat inside, she definitely relaxed.

There was a dinosaur pinata, and Reagan was standing back with me until she heard one of the moms say "candy was going to fall out of it". Then was one of the first in line to take a turn hitting the pinata which totally surprised me.  Reagan went crazy wanting to beat it up and get it open and get to that candy.

Reagan's pointy little elbows were a-flyin' getting the prizes.

There was also dinosaur bone excavation,

and rock busting to find dinosaur 'fossils'. I can't believe that Eileen made all of the decorations and managed this while chasing 3 kids, living the domestic engineer life, and being president of her preschool!

Reagan loved this jumpy toy. Eileen won it through a raffle and wasn't sure of it's size in her house. She assured me that although it is huge, it has earned it's stripes this long rainy winter season.

Reagan is happily telling her daddy all about her busy day while he was at work.

Chris had a "mandatory fun" banquet Saturday night. It was like prom night here as the kids got ready for their dinner. I even did Carissa's hair followed by the prom-style photo before they whizzed out of the driveway.

Reagan doesn't miss a beat when Mom and Dad leave anymore. After they left, she demanded "dinner, songs, and the little table."...and after some thought, "please".

It looks like there is some hope of spring happening around here. Now it if would only stop raining so the new growth doesn't drown.

 Reagan had a long, fun day WITHOUT a nap so after she pinched her finger in the potty seat adapter, she crawled up in Grampa's lap and promptly went to sleep. According to Carissa that is, quite literally, a first. After we were sure she was asleep, I scooped her up and carried her up to bed. I'm glad we brushed her teeth before she pinched her finger!

I infringed upon copy write laws to get this formal photo of the kids at their dinner/ball/banquet. I assume copy write laws don't apply to proud moms. Look at 'em! Aren't they just precious???

Meanwhile back at the funny farm, Reagan is being pushed through the house in her "heritage" train. Bob's dad made that train waaay back in the dark ages when Bob was just a little sprout. I'm glad it's being used for another generation, but I think it was meant to be more of a toy box and less of a Disney ride. By the way, check out that squirrel tally on the fridge: A total of 21 have been re-homed.

The train in the tight confines of the dining room "tunnel".

Reagan also liked sitting in the "elevator". According to her, it only goes down though. 

Like the rest of us, Bear was sitting outside, butt on the step like a human, marinating in that strange substance we like to call the sun.

It's that time of year again to start a garden. While we were outside Friday, it was pathetic to see Reagan go around the garden looking for stuff to eat. She finally found a little teensy carrot that had wintered over, washed it up and ate it. 

While we were at the park, she was very excited to see that Grampa had hauled some new compost up and was getting the gardens ready for planting. Not really thinking at all, I bust out a bag of bone meal to sprinkle in the garden. Bear went nuts thinking he was going to get a nice big bone. He ran around licking up everything that he could get, and there was a lot of that since Reagan was helping and there was bone meal everywhere. After we came inside, Reagan had me show her pictures of the garden from last year. Good luck on anyone but Reagan getting produce from this year's crop, Mary Lou.

Grampa and I went down to Coastal Feed and bought the seeds we need to get started in the cold frame so they hit the garden growing. These were the ones requested by Reagan.

Have a good week, Everyone!