Furlough Gate

Dad and Mom got extra days off this week because of the California state employee furlough program. Time is more valuable to us than money, so we think we are going to like it. We even had a breakfast date this morning, without the kids (sorry, kids, no school furlough).

Mom built a new gate to the zip line, Dad cleaned the gutters and got the driveway ready for a shipment of 10 yards of rock.

And just look at all of the gardening that needs to be done!

Grandma in the News (sort of)

Grandma has been living with us for about two weeks now, and she's already famous in the local media! She was captured walking her dogs on a cold day in town recently. (Her dogs like being country dogs.)

Science Fair Projects

Kit did her experiment to find out if the type of dirt affected the growth rate of different sunflower seeds. She used dirt from the yard, polished gravel, and fortified dirt from the store. The Expensive store dirt had both faster germination, and greater rate of growth in the 20 day period. The polished gravel seed germinated, then just shriveled up.

The Boy measured how long it took various dryer loads of wet towels (by weight) to dry. He determined that a very full load is more efficient than a smaller load, but then a limit is reached where it becomes less efficient with a large load.

Now we get our weekends back. :)

Poetry

No one knows I'm here

No one knows I'm here
looking through the strong branches at the billowing clouds
listening to the branches of the willow sway in the fierce wind.

I'm smelling the smoke from the departing train
thinking about my brother's lost Blooms County comic book
reading the same comic book because I found it under the tree.

I wonder why no one's found me yet?

Love that Kitten
Inspired by Mr. Walter Dean Myers

Love that kitten
like a train loves to roll.

I said I love that kitten
like a train loves to roll.

Love to call to her in the evening
love to call to her:

"I'm home now Chess!"

Love that friend

Love that friend
like a girl loves to play.

I said I love that friend
like a girl loves to play.

Love to say to her while we're leaving,
love to say to her:

"See you soon KC!"

The Snow

I see the white puffs
I smell the crisp air
I touch the chilled snowflakes
I hear it so clear

I breathe in the wind
Grab a ball in my hand
Taste the coldness on my tongue
I love it
I love it

The snow.

Bouncing Birthday Boy!

Hard to believe he's 12 (on Tuesday).

Had a small party with a complicated treasure hunt, pizza, and of course, the chocolate cake with the oozing whipped cream (and, the magic candles). Girls were banished to the movie theatre, and came home in time for the cake.

Name Change

Sam is hereby called "Kit"

Crazy Hair Day at School