Home Again

After 2 1/2 weeks in Colorado, we are home again. After an absence, it is always interesting to see what home looks like. When we got home, our house was lovely and clean! I think some good fairies must have come while we were gone as we left in a great hurry and hadn't time to clean out the refrigerator or anything before we left. We should go on trips like that more often perhaps!

April is such a changeable month here. When we left, leaf buds were on the lilacs, chives were just poking through the ground and daffodils had some buds on them. I thought we would miss seeing our daffodils this year. True to form, the weather while we were away was a mix of sun, rain and snow. As we drove home today, it was raining except for the summit of the canyon where it was snowing. Weather forecast said we'd get snow down to the 5000 ft. level. (Our house is about 4600 ft.) I was pleased when we turned the corner to see lots of daffodils in full bloom



A few lovely asparagus spears were just waiting for us.



The apricot tree is in full bloom.



And my chives are healthy and ready to be used.

The 3 Amigas and The Colorado Kid

What could possibly calm this wild and rowdy gang?

They are so sweet and tender when the Colorado Kid comes around.

Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

I think life is about to change here in this household awash in pink. Our newest grandchild appeared yesterday on tax day and is a little boy. His big sisters have been so excited to see him at last, so when I told them we could go visit him and his mom at the hospital, they were up, dressed, fed and combed in short order. Of course we all think he is adorable.

Local Wildlife-Prairie dogs

When driving along the road home from Emmaline's school, we enjoy looking at these little critters every day. Some are standing up by their holes while others are cavorting around. Locally I suspect they are regarded as pests, but nonetheless, they are fun to watch.

Day at the Park

Today was a sunny Saturday. We didn't want to go too far afield, so decided to take the kids to a park a couple of miles from home. Emmaline noticed that her picture did not appear with the backyard pictures as she was at school at the time, so with all 3 kids at the park, it was another photo op I guess. It was an interesting play area for kids with lots of different activities. All of the slides were accessible from a hill at the top rather than having to climb ladders.



At first the kids scattered in all directions to try out every possible thing. Fortunately with 4 adults and 3 kids, we were able to mostly keep up with them. Emmaline liked the slides and the tire swing.



There was a main area and a separate toddler area. Here is Idgie the cowgirl riding a cow. The "grass" was fake and was covering some sort of soft, spongy substance which made it safe in case of falls.

Lil enjoyed these spinning bowls which are somehow balanced in such a way that they spin around and around when someone is sitting in them.



In the end, they all gravitated toward a sandbox area where they spent most of their time. Emmaline built sand castles.







Idgie just had to taste the sand.






Lil surveyed the scene from the turtle.



And they all played happily together. To end the time at the park, we all ate a picnic lunch

More Sugar and Spice

With Spring and warmer temperatures coming, the back yard looks so tempting. Every time anyone goes out the back door, Idgie bursts into tears because she wants to go, too. One day she napped early, so while Emmaline was at school, she and Lil had a chance to play outside at last! It was warm and a pleasant breeze was blowing...the perfect day.

They went on the slide.






....and climbed!



and got dirty faces



played in the dead leaves from last Fall



and in the piles of shavings Grandpa made with his lathe.



A happy day!

Sugar and spice and everything nice

The last few days we've been visiting in Colorado. Three cute little girls live there and one of them even gave up her room for us to stay in. One night when we went up to go to bed, we found this lovingly tucked in to our bed!



A daily household task is the 'doing' of hair. Even the littlest one insists on having her turn!















They often have a great time playing with one another. Empty boxes make great trains!




Sometimes it is just nice to have a comforting shoulder to lean on.