Memorial Day Tribute to the Soldiers in my Life

Not all my soldiers are fallen soldiers, and none of them fell on the field of battle. Nevertheless, I thank and honor them, and their brothers in arms.

The brave die never, though they sleep in dust:
Their courage nerves a thousand living men.
~Minot J. Savage

They are dead; but they live in each Patriot's breast,
And their names are engraven on honor's bright crest.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

My Grandfather, in the 40s

Grandpa in his dress whites, 1944

My Dad in his dress uniform, a draftee in the Viet Nam War

Basic Training

I'm not allowed to share any of Patrice's army pictures so this will have to suffice. He fulfilled his duty and served his country. He's my soldier, knight, and dragonslayer.

(When Mom finds her dad's army pictures, I can add those.)

My heartfelt thanks to all the soldiers, past and present.

Soapbox

Finishing pre-school and kindergarten IS NOT GRADUATION!!!

I feel like this is a symptom of a larger problem in our society, where *yay* everybody wins! Rewarding accomplishments that aren't really accomplishments rewards laziness and punishes ambition and destroys competition. It may help the self esteem of some people, but it will destroy others. Not just their self esteem, but their drive to succeed. If they are going to win no matter what, why bother trying? And by the way, does it honestly boost your self esteem to be rewarded for a false accomplishment?

I say NO to preschool graduation! I was lucky this year because I didn't have to explain to Nicco why we aren't going to his graduation. There aren't any formal start or end dates at his school, so I just decided that the end of May is a good time for us to stop. His graduation isn't until July, so they haven't even talked about it. He won't know he's missing something. So besides being anti-preschool graduation, this particular celebration costs participants $22. For a diploma. And a cap and gown. For a 5 year old. Unbelievable.

I'm out to change the world one passive aggressive non-participation at a time!

Quote of the Day

We are meeting Danielle at the library today to get Nicco's "reading map" for the summer reading challenge. After the library, we are going to have our friends come back to our house to swim and eat lunch. Every morning, Nicco brings all his stuff to the couch (spongebob, pillow pet. soft bear, and at least 3 blankets...) to watch a show and have his sippy.

This morning he came out and said, "I don't want any help with my stuff today. I want this house to be clean when Danielle gets here."

After reading about the crisis of unmotivated boys, I'm glad my boy wants to impress his girl.

Ladies' Man, Part II

Today Nicco had a playdate with his little red haired girl, Danielle. We met at the library for story time:

Then we went to the park for a picnic and to play.

When it was time to get Danielle's little sister home for her nap, neither one of the kids want their fun to end. I suggested that it is a good time to leave while everyone was still having a good time, and that we would play again soon. But Danielle asked if she could show Nicco her house, so we were invited over for cookies and a few more minutes of play. A few more minutes turned into four hours. The kids had a blast, laughing and playing and making believe. Danielle's mom and I just chatted and chatted away. I don't normally chat like that unless I'm with one of my sisters! (Patrice will be so proud of me...I was social. We might have new friends!) Somehow, at the end of nearly 6 hours together, we still managed to leave when everyone was still having fun.

The library's story teller introduced the summer reading challenge and listed all the prizes for reaching certain milestones. Nicco is very excited to get his "reading map" and to go to the library again next Friday. "And I think Danielle will be there, and then we can go to the park, and have a picnic, and go to her house, and do all the same things," he said. I am sure that Danielle's mom does not want us to come to her house for four hours every Friday, so I suggested to Nicco that we may want to invite Danielle to our house after the library next time.

When we got home from swim practice, Nicco spread his arms as wide as he could and told his daddy "I had THIS MUCH FUN!"

Ladies' Man

Last Thursday when I picked Nicco up from school he said sadly, "Today was Danielle's last day. That means I'll never see her again." Nicco and Danielle have been pals ever since she moved in. She is the "little-red-haired-girl" of Nicco's world. I left a note for Danielle's mom to call me if she wanted to get our kids together to play sometime. We set a date for Friday. Yesterday when I dropped Nicco off at school, his teacher told me he will surely miss her. He always asks if he can sit at her table at lunch. He sighs and smiles when he talks about her. She always seemed like a sweet little thing when I saw her at school pick up times. It will be fun for them to play together outside of school, I think.

The last couple of months when Nicco was still taking 1/2 hour swim lessons, there was this cute little girl named Madison in his class. She turned up at the big pool to join the swim team a few weeks ago, and Nicco was happy to see his friend again. On Monday, he waited for her to catch up to him when they put their towels away. She brags to their coach that she and Nicco were in swim class together. She's a little more feisty than Danielle, I think. Maddie is a take charge kind of girl. Where Danielle waves timidly to Nicco across the rug at circle time, Maddie takes his hand and they march together back to their swim coach.

I think it's cute. Patrice is very proud.

Updates on Many Fronts

Patio Update:
The stucco is painted a lovely chocolatey color. When Patrice asked us if we liked the color, Nicco said it's nice, it looks like chocolate. I asked him if he thought it looked good enough to eat, to which he responded matter of factly, "You don't eat paint."

We added a sun-shade over the grill. It makes a huge difference in both the temperature and the ambient lighting. It creates a cozy, yellow glow in the corner.

Speaking of ambient light, Patrice also hung up our stars that we didn't know what to do with and added another light to brighten up the corner and to make it practical and usable at night. He also added a row of tiki torches.

We did eat in our new outdoor kitchen the other night, and it was a little slice of heaven!

Pool Update:
The temperature in our pool has been hovering between about 74 and 76 degrees. Nicco swims almost every day, but Patrice and I have only jumped in a couple of times. It is still a little on the cool side for us to really enjoy. People keep telling us we need to put a solar cover on it. We hesitated and debated and decided against the cover because of the kid. If he fell into an open pool, he would be able to swim and climb out. However, if he fell into a covered pool, he may just get wrapped up and drown.

We caved when our friends said their pool is up to 88, and they don't heat it...that temperature is only due to the cover.

We made a #1 Tippy Top Most Important Rule that Nicco NEVER goes to the pool side without one of us. EVER. We explained why. It was 76 when we put the cover on yesterday. We made bets on how high it would get by the end of the day today. Patrice said 85, I said 86, Nicco said 90. It is already 80.

Quail Update:

I heard a rustling noise outside my window this morning so I grabbed the camera and quietly sneaked out back. In spite of my efforts to be stealthy and silent, I startled the Mama and Papa out from the pile of dead palm leaves Patrice cut down yesterday. They proceeded to pace back and forth at a safe distance from me, but clearly agitated. I am susipcious that they hid their babies in that pile of leaves. I kind of hope not, because they don't know it, but that is NOT a safe place! The leaves will be hauled away on Friday! I don't think I can talk my husband into keeping trash in the yard for the sake of my quail babies. I will probably try, though.

Also, I saw one little solitary baby quail crossing the street by the wash on my way home from dropping Nicco off at school. While he was as cute as he could be, it was sad to see him alone. I hope his family was nearby, and that he just needed to catch up, not that he was abandoned.

Quail Observation, Day 2

After I checked on the empty nest yesterday, I didn't see any other signs of my quail family. This morning, however, Mama and Papa are out and about. They were circling some of the plants on the patio and walking along the wall. I was glad to see them, but they had no babies in tow.

I brought the trash cans in and saw another little baby quail corpse. This one didn't have as many feathers and was being devoured by ants. Uck. I wonder where the other babies are.

Preview

Papa Quail was pacing noisily around the yard all day yesterday. I hoped his sudden vocal expression was either a warning to other critters because his babies were hatching, or a proud announcement because his babies were hatching. I have been really good about staying away from the nest. I never told Nicco about it, and I told Patrice so that he would not disturb them doing yard work and clean up.

This morning when I took out the trash, I heard scurrying and rustling among the dead leaves and when I peeked in the corner, sure enough! The babies arrived! A couple of them scooted out then scooted back into their safe hiding place, but I did not have my camera with me. Boo hoo. When I brought the trash can to the sidewalk, I saw Mama and Papa on patrol. I think it is curious that they both went out, leaving the babies unattended.

No one was home when I snapped this picture, so I wonder if the parents were scouting to make sure the coast was clear before going back to get the babies. I don't know how many babies there are, but based on this evidence, there is at least a handful. It also looks like one or two didn't make it. And there is also one who apparently ventured out too soon. I don't know what got him, poor baby. But look how itty bitty and cute and fuzzy they are! (please ignore the poop...)

I wonder if they will come back to their nest when they are done with their walkabout, or if they will keep wandering. I think they stick close to home, generally. Last year I watched a little family grow up...they would cross the street in the mornings when I went to pick Nicco up from school, so I expect my little bird family will return to their nest. I will have to keep my eyes peeled and my camera handy!

...and a democrat

There is a special on French t.v. commemorating Francois Miterrand. Apparently, there is going to be  celebration of the 30th anniversary of his election. Bizarre. Patrice said "That would be like in 30 years celebrating Obama's election. Why? It was the worst thing to happen to the country." Nicco said emphatically "Obama's stupid." I said "Yes, and a liar and a hypocrite." Nicco added the final insult: "and a democrat."

My Mama

I love my mommy.

So cute.

So pretty.

(Remember this book? Happy Mother's Day, Mom!)

Let This Be A Lesson To You; a.k.a. Quote of the Day

Mama, let me teach you a lesson.
If you feed me grease, don't feed me too much.
Because that could be a little.........unhealthy.

Thank you, my wise son. The next time I feed you grease (What the what???) I'll be sure it's not too much.

Oh Happy Day

Osama Bin Laden is DEAD.
I say feed his body to the pigs.
God Bless America
God Bless our military.

Ahhhh.....choo!!! or Ahhhh....llegra!!!

Jasmine.

So pretty and dainty and fragrant. 

And right outside my front door. And loaded with pollen. We had what everyone I know in Tucson (all 3 of them...) called an "extraordinary" spring last year. I was told not to expect a repeat, because last winter was "so wet." Well, so far this spring is pretty much just like last spring (sorry you missed it, Mom and Dad!) The cacti are blooming, the palo verde are amarillo, and while the colors are delightful, my sinuses are suffering. I have never experienced seasonal allergies before. In Bailey, our window sills and table tops were dusted with pine pollen that never bothered me. In Littleton, the lilac, honeysuckle, and forsythia bloomed outside my windows and never affected my sinuses. Every now and then, freshly mown grass would elicit a sneeze, but that was it.

A few weeks ago I was in my office with the fresh outside air wafting in through the open window and microscopic invaders attacked. My eyes ran, my nose ran, and I've been sneezing ever since. Poor little Nicco has the same problem. We are living on Allegra and Benadryl here. At least I have something to blame for the black circles under my eyes. My friend Holly told me they are called "allergy shiners."

Nicco has already been in the pool for several weeks, but I'm waiting for the water temperature to go up a little more. I'm really looking forward to our 100 degree days. Summer will bring more than heat this year, it will also bring an end to the allergy season.

Easter Wrap Up

On Saturday afternoon, Nicco colored his easter eggs.

He loved them.

On Sunday morning, roughly 5 minutes after the Easter Bunny hid the eggs and WAY too early for a 5 year old to be up, Nicco came in our room, begging to hunt for the eggs. I made him snuggle me for an hour, because 5:45 was just too early to be moving.

He found 5 of the 6 eggs he colored. The 6th was on top of Frankie's house, and she knocked it off.

He lined up his Easter treats in a straight row.

He let me dress him up in his Easter outfit, even though it "makes me look stupid." We went to church and enjoyed the Easter services. Nicco brought one of the treats left by the easter bunny, whose existence he does not question. When the first speaker mentioned Jesus, he asked me "Does Jesus even exist?" I guess we should spend a little more time focusing on the real significance of our holidays...

After church, we relaxed a little. I watched part of The Passion of the Christ, but Nicco came in just when the flogging began, so I had to change the channel. We had guests for dinner, so Patrice and I set a pretty table:

But our friends and sushi chef ended up just eating sushi bar style at the island instead. Which is fine. It was more intimate and fewer dishes for me.

Yummmmmmm.....

This gentleman works at the restaurant near the Boss' house, and has catered a couple of parties for the Boss. In return for the business opportunity, he offered the same service to Patrice. It was the most fantastic sushi feast we've had, ever. De-lish. A non-traditional Easter dinner, but I guess that is fitting considering we had a Jew, a Greek Orthodox, a Catholic, and a Mormon at our table.

Happy Easter

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.


— John 3:16

They Don't Call It Wildlife Ridge for Nothing

I took Nicco to Wildlife Ridge Park to play with a couple buddies and to go on a neighborhood egg hunt. We gathered up his basket, some plastic eggs and m&ms and met our friends for some pre-Easter fun.

Nicco is digging in his basket to make sure there is nothing there, you know, so he will have room to fill it up.

Hunting high and low...

"Helping" the little kids find eggs after he got his share.

Checking out the loot. After the wild hunt, the kiddos went up the hill to play on the playground and the moms stayed in the shade to visit. I looked up and saw this:

From where I was sitting, I couldn't tell what it was. I assumed it was a big dog, but there was no owner in sight. Then when it moved, its shoulders looked like a little bear, but I didn't think that could be. I've never seen a javelina, and I always thought they were smaller than this, but then it popped its head up and sure enough:

It was a big old pig. I ran over to get a picture then froze in my tracks. I asked my friends if it would attack me. They all laughed. I didn't think it was that funny, because I've seen Lost. I've also seen "DANGER: SANGLIER" signs all over in France. Then I found out they were laughing because last year when these ladies had candy filled eggs in the park, a whole herd of javelinas invaded. My friend Stephanie was having none of it. No stinky old pigs were going to steal the children's eggs! She apparently charged into the open space among the pigs yelling and screaming and frightened them all away.

After our little encounter, a bunch of the kids ran to where they saw the javelina disappear into the trees. Some of the bigger boys came back breathless, saying there was a dead bobcat in the wash. A brave mom went to check it out. It was a trash bag.

Now I've seen almost all of the well known desert critters. Only one remains. It shall remain unnamed, because I don't want to summon it.

Good Friday

Today is a Christian Holy Day, not the pagan farce known as earth day.

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." [John 11:25, 26]

Spring Time Song and Dance

While Mom and I were scanning and labeling old photos in my office, a couple pairs of birds were asserting themselves. We had a pair of mourning doves who looked like they were flirting with each other, until a papa quail came on the scene and quite loudly and forcefully interrupted their dance. Later, the quail pair marched up and down along our wall as if to dare the mourning doves to return. We saw the doves with their babies, but after the quail incident, they have since moved their home to another location. I saw the quail pair walking the perimeter of my house and I decided to follow them, but I lost track of them when I got distracted looking at the little green balls that will eventually be oranges. (Yay! The orange tree survived the freeze!) I have since seen the papa quail sans partner, so I searched the logical hiding places and found the brooding mama on a pile of leaves that we haven't cleaned up yet.

I'm not going to tell Nicco. I want those babies to hatch!

The Patio Project

When we were shopping for our house, our realtor told us we want a view. She told us what kind of floorplan we want. She told us lots of things "we" want, and it turns out, she was right. All the things "we" want add value to the house and enjoyment to our lives. Patrice has had a little itch needing to be scratched regarding our patio. We debated and debated about extending it or not, and when he met a guy who gave him a steal of a bid, he decided to go for it. I was not entirely convinced that it was a good idea at this time, but once again, I think that someone else was right. This project quite literally added another room to our house and when (if...) we ever decide to sell this house, we surely added more value than we invested.

This is what the patio looked like when we moved in:

Our little grill on a flagstone pad and our camping furniture on the tile. Around mother's day last year, Patrice upgraded the furniture and I made curtains:

About a month and a half ago, Nicco and Patrice started the construction process:

And this was the first step in the new addition:

Here is the new grill area all framed with the concrete slab on the floor:

And here is the (nearly) finished bar/grill:

All we need to do now is let the stucco cure then we can paint it. We also need to seal the tile and Patrice is going to put up a shade and it will be done! Is that cool, or what? Don't you want to come visit?