Mastering the 'Art of Fencing'

Today, Grant and I (Cole) are doing a demonstration on the high security fence which surrounds our home. It's very reliable. (We've been able to escape every time we've tried.)

Can you see me now?

Ahhhh, yes. The bird bath water really does taste better on the other side of the fence.

If the Monkeys Ran the Zoo

We took the boys to the zoo last Saturday. They got to pet the goats. The turtles were amazing! Grant decided he wants to be a duck when he grows up. They were impressed by the elephants. The tall giraffe made them laugh (but it's not the thing for me). Finally, the pièce de résistance, a monkey. Haven't you always wanted a monkey?
I did, until I got a couple of boys.

Grant Speaks

Here's a short clip with Grant sharing some of his expanding vocabulary.

BEATA Update: on stream location

BEATA (Boys for the Ethical and Affectionate Treatment of Animals.)
Well, it sure "beata" trip to the fabric store (ha ha ha.) Anyway, we're on location, today, at a stream near our house, and were not disappointed one bit in our discoveries, and objects on which to force our affection. For example:

Rocks! (Now, I know they're not animals, but we love them so much we have to add them to the list.) Well, we got a little carried away with the affection, there (they don't taste as clean as they look.)It turns out that what rocks really love is to be thrown. Yes, that is the measure of their creation, and therefore, we obliged.
Next we found... "Nakes!" They really loved us, too. Here he is hugging us before going back to his home with all other "nakes."
Next up....
Beata froggy! He got a little pat on the head, and we had to back off on the squeezes. And we know he didn't want to leave us, because he swam away real slow. Hmmm.
As a bonus, we found a "nake" just our size on the way back to the car. Wow! After all that love, we were just "beata" and had to be put right to bed. Ahhhhh, dreams of froggies.

Earth Movers

And now Grant will demonstrate what to do if your parents have just put two cubic yards of bark dust in front of your house.
You rearrange it, one handful at a time. If a kitty is walking by, put a handful on him.
Maybe get your brother to help. (But don't make him drop his lime.)
Don't forget to wash the evidence off your hands...
...and shoes.

Lord of the Dance

"Where's the Fire?"

"We got a new truck, here. Finally, one our size."

"It's a FIRE TRUCK, so you gotta learn to get off fast. We did some drills: ready, set....

JUMP!

JUMP! (and kick your brother in the head)
SACRIFICE! Save Lives! (but don't worry about your own.)
And NEVER, no matter what Ma and Pop try to pull, let yourself go to sleep on the job (or in the truck.)

Another Brick in the Wall

So Dalynn let the cat out of the blog, so to speak, when she mentioned that Ma takes it easy by "completely renovating your front yard landscaping", which isn't, strictly speaking, true. For one, we didn't completely renovate the front yard, we just tweaked it a little. And when all is said and done, 1100 pounds of rocks isn't really that much, although it does take a little effort, to load, unload and arrange them in a stable, aesthetically agreeable manner. Fortunately, we had help... ...by which I mean, the boys got in the way and stubbornly refused to lift a single rock. They made a show of trying but ultimately didn't actually move any. Grant did stand on a rock while playing with the dirt in the wheelbarrow but he didn't move it there. Fortunately, we weren't planning on the little wall being very long or tall and we were able to use all of the rocks and end it about where we wanted. Now we just need a cubic yard or two of bark dust to fill in behind the wall.

The area where we built this wall is at the front of our house on the east side of the driveway where several trees have made a wall of branches as seen in this vintage photo from July. Now, our more inquisitive readers may be wondering, "What's the point?" The point lives several houses down the street and turns 16 in a few weeks. The point also has several pointy friends who are also new to the realm of driving. We're hoping that all those pointy headed teenagers who choose to drive just a little too fast down our road at least have better visibility when our own little points make a mad dash into the street. Get the point? Good.

Knee Jerk Reactions

Ma had surgery done on her knee recently to investigate some pain she has been having. We got the photos scanned in and we're proud to share them with you. This first is a little cyst the surgeon found and removed. Most people think it looks more like Grant but we think it resembles Cole. The surgeon also found a floater from a tear in her meniscus (see diagram) This is likely the biggest contributor to her recent knee problems. Everything went very well, mother and knee are home and resting peacefully. Special thanks for Ma's mom for coming and helping out for a few days.

Chipaholic

With Pop out of town for a couple of days, the crunchers got to go to Mutual and stay up way past their bed time, and eat chips.

And be in a water fight,
and a dance, and eat chips,

and hang out with the Laurels, and eat chips.

Vandal Caught in Cabinet Case

This morning, after another high speed chase, a vandal was caught and rested (for about 2 1/2 hours) for committing acts of graffiti. Ironically, the assailant gave himself away by the pure silence surrounding the crime, a mistake common to criminals of this age.














He was identified by the marks sloppily left on the right leg, and the tool still in hand, although he took advantage of his right to remain silent.
The reclamation crew estimates the biggest loss will be time spent restoring the damaged surfaces, and chemicals/supplies. Although tastefully done (note the Seagull, state bird of Utah and Mormon icon) it is still considered a household offense, downgraded to a class 2 since carpet wasn't involved. Since local authorities are unsure the assailant is reformed after repeated explanations of his wrongdoing, careful and constant surveillance will be in effect for a minimum 5 years. Considered impossible to retain, he is constantly on the move and possibly armed and dangerous, so caution is advised.

WANTED (back): Grandma

"Grandma, we've decided we want you to move in permanently."
"We'll play as much Scrabble as you want."
"Don't forget the home grown produce."
"The cuddles are top notch...
...and we always share."
Grandpa can come, too. OK?