Freddy the Frog

Gabe's newest pet, "Freddy"

Freddy's New Home

- Until Mom is overcome with pity for him and demands his release into the wild outdoors. Marshal found him, turning up some sod to transplant a "deadened" tree (hoping life will sprout from it in new soil). He knew Gabe would be overcome with boyish glee. Gabe declares that his favorite pets are frogs, lizards, and deer. He has been wanting a deer in the worst way since he watched "The Yearling" when he was much younger than he is now. How many times have I explained that wild creatures only thrive and live happily in their God-given wildness?
Update: Freddy is now free!

Rainy Day Mountain

Every loose blanket, pillow, cushion, even sleeping bags were gathered for this mountain creation. I heard Lydia say, "I like to climb mountains, Gabe!" It soon became mountain jumping! It was all put away after dinner at Marshal's command as they hurried to catch a cloud break and hit some balls outside with Dad.

Birthday!

Together for our birthday.... The sun brightly shone upon us today. We went shopping, just the two us, thanks to Mom and Dad. We are wearing the new duds we bought one another!

Blowing out the candles... two... two of us... two decades apart.... Guess Gabe thought we were two too old to blow, so he helped us out.

Easter Morning

Gabe and Lydia were awake in the gray of dawn. Bathed and dressed for church, they sought and found their hidden baskets, and then waited for Daddy with shivers of joy and anticipation.

Lydia exclaimed as she saw Marshal's truck coming up the driveway. "Daddy is home!"


Gabe and Lydia led Dad to their hidden baskets and then brought them to the central spot, our great room. At last began the unveiling and showing off of their basket treasures.

Why do we celebrate?
"He is risen!"

Winner!

Big Surprise! Lydia was a QFC coloring contest winner!
She won a "bunny cake."

Egg Dyeing

Gabe and Lydia had the dining table masked in newspaper and tape, open and waiting egg cartons labeled with their names, mugs and spoons counted out for the dye before I came down the stairs this morning. With heightened expectancy, they waited while I boiled the eggs and water. We then had to wait for eggs and dye to cool, but it was only mid-morning when we could begin! I used brown eggs, 20 drops of food color (red, yellow, blue), 1 tsp white vinegar, and 1/2 cup hot water for each glass. Gabe and Lydia re-dipped their eggs for their secondary colors.

Spring Bouquet

A dandy bouquet from our own landscape - a splash of sunshine on a Spring day. Too bad even the dandelions are closed up tight on this almost slushy first day of Spring, but the signs of Spring are undeniable. Gabe, Lydia, and I have enjoyed taking turns excitedly spotting and pointing out the daffodils, forsythia, purple heathers, pussy willows, early blossoms and tender leaves. Spring has indeed sprung!