Monday Afternoon...............

The rain stopped and this morning I got the floor washed and the carpets cleaned. Well the rugs that Gerry didn't do yesterday. SO after lunch Gerry volunteered to take us to the park. Tristen had wanted to go for a bike ride. We packed up his bike and helmet and off we went. Well, the park was packed. Gerry was ready to not go in but I said just park over the other side.We can let him ride from there. So we got him going on his bike. There had been a school field trip of some kind and it seems this is the week for that. Last week of school. There were fire engines there and they were just getting back to the fire house that is just by the park. So............

we asked if he could see the fire engines.



This nice man explained everything for Tristen and showed where they keep the ladders hidden in pockets in the truck. The first truck has a huge water tank and he was so nice explaining things. Then the 2nd truck Tristen got to sit in.



He turned on the lights and sirens and about blew out my ear drums

He was given a little helmet and was thrilled. I am also thrilled that all the fire departments have such a compassion for children and the patience to give the little ones such a thrill.

I try to instill in Tristen that the firemen (we said hello to one in a restraunt a few weeks ago) and policemen are the good guys, and to thank them. I try to do the same when we see police officers especially if they have dogs.
So next we threw his new toy that he has been anxious to play with. Reminding him that it was good that we kept it in the car. He had wanted to take it out.


He had fun with that and running around after his biking he was rather tired. Gerry drove the van over the the playground now everyone had left. Tristen got a drink of water and was revived.


It took him awhile to get his bike to the park because he was tired out. However the puddle was irresistable

Then he wanted to go and play because he saw a couple of kids there. He always finds someone to play with


He even let the little one play with his toys.

We finally got him into the car but he didn't want to go home so we went out to Moomers. Notice his red face under the blue icecream, he was hot and tired



Here we are mooing

After we left there we stopped by the Twin Lakes park, it was on the way home so why not. He was still not ready to go home.
Of course he found a friend.'A nice couple were watching their grandson and were happy to see us.



I went looking for frogs. It took me awhile of staring at the mud, once I saw the first one, I saw dozens.

I called Tristen to come look at the tadpoles but he was not really thrilled he went back to playing.

I had spend a bit of time trying to get a picture of one tadpole I had seen, then I saw this swarm of them.

This time we did head for home. It was getting close to the time when school gets out and then the roads are congested. So off for home we went just in time to avoid the traffic.
I am planning out some adventures for the comming weeks. Reina will be around more, Raylene is going down with her mother for the summer. Thats OK we will find a lot to do for Reina and Tristen and keep us all busy. Its fun finding new things to do and to teach and get them interested in the outdoors. Tristen will be going to "camp" two days a week. That will give me time to get what has to be done, done around here. The rest of the time that Laura is not working we will be out of here
I am sharing with Ivy and Elephants
Also with A Dedicated House, Make it pretty Monday
Sharing with Create With Joy, Inspire Me Monday

To work and more...........

I have been very slow on my blogging of late. We have been busy one way or other. What with the health issues, colds and flu and the emotional turmoil of family members. I don't know, there was not a lot of positive things to write about. Mainly I suppose I have been busy with other things. Well today Laura came over, it was a gloomy day and we had planned on going for a walk. So Tristen suggested going to see Granddad at work. Hmmm, not a bad idea. I could pick up some rocks.
So we thought we would do that. Laura wanted to see the houses and so off we went.

Tristens feet hardly touched the ground, running hither and yon checking things out. Well Gerry got his brother Tim to give Tristen a ride on the back hoe.......I thought his face would crack he could not stop smiling.


Tim was filling in a hole and so Tristen got to see how both sides of the thingie worked. He was enthralled.

Gerry was about done with work so Tristen stayed and went home with him. He loves to ride in the truck so that gave Laura and me a chance to do our thing on our own. We started off going to Moomers. We had not told Tristen we were going or else I think he would have come with us. Anyway we bought some quarts of icecream to take home.


Happy cows. Notice the fog in the farm picture.

We ate our icecream and then stopped at Gallaghers on the way home. They had fresh asparagus and I wanted some brats. Oh boy were they ever good. I got cherry ones and had those for supper with the Asparagus and some squash. So tasty

I love the local farms and markets. Fresh meat from happy cows. At Gallaghers they live in a large pasture and eat real good food natural to cows. No hormones or supplements etc just as it should be. Here are some babies enjoying lunch

One of the older ones came out of the barn and was rather put out that I was taking pictures. They all wandered off to the pastures.

The meat etc is more expensive there but I am thinking maybe I should buy less and buy better. I hate that the cows die but no matter how I feel about that it will happen. So maybe I should buy from the farms that practice humane farm practices. Besides that the meat tastes better and is better for us. I am thinking I will be looking around for better purchases. I know we can buy 1/2 a cow or pig. I used to do that, back then I got stuck with all the pot roasts at the end, but now I am a better cook and know how to do pot roasts haha. Think that maybe the way to go.

Some shopping and a walk...............

Today took us over to McGoughs to get some dog bisquits. I had a bit of running around to do so first we went to RiteAid pharmacy to get a few things and Tristen wanted a car. They are not expensive and it keeps him occupied. So after we were done I asked him if he would like to go for a walk, he said yes so off we went. I parked next to Oryana food store and we headed down the Boardman trail.

I was curious because I had not known there was a bridge over Boardman Lake/River until recently. SO I had wanted to explore.


I wanted to know where the trail came out. The air was thick with the scent of Honeysuckle.

Pink and yellow Honeysuckle. There were Red Wing Blackbirds who didn't pose, so not too good of a shot.



So the trail came out across from the Library. They have a childrens garden so we decided to go across because Tristen likes the train. I took one look and it was swarming with kids. Tristen made a bee line for the garden. He is not shy, he joined right in. I asked one lady if it was a private party or what (didn't want to intrude) she said it was a school field trip.




I watched for a time to be sure everything was OK, no need to worry he got right in the thick of it. So I took a walk around to get some pictures of the flowers








On the way back along the trail, the whole mob of kids came along the same way. I told Tristen we would stop and wait for them to go by. He had a little hissy fit and pouted and refused. I got his arm and assured him that if he would not do as he was told I would have no problem giving him a smack no matter who saw me. He sat.......

He was still sulking and asked how long we must wait. I said "Until your attitude changes", and then," and you wont get you toy back either unless it happens quickly". That did the trick, he was fine and the kids had all gone so we continued on our way

We got home and he was playing outside while I worked in the garden. I went in to start supper and a lady stopped by to tell me Tristen was playing (with his car) on the side of the road, I mean actually in the road. When she left he denied it and said he would wait at the edge for Granddad. I told him no he would not, that he had to come inside because I could not watch him. He said NO!!!! What? we do not tell Nanny no. So I told him to get inside.......that was another big no. Finally he came up to me and I physically had to pull him inside screaming. Off to his room he went. Bawling of course. He got real quiet and didn't come down when Gerry got home. Gerry went upstairs. Tristen was asleep. He didn't wake up either, just gave Gerry a smile............and he is still out. Hope for a good nights sleep tonight. He woke up last night and came crashing in our room, a bad dream he said, he slept on our floor. Today it was a busy and active day at school they are winding down and had games and a party,so poor kid is exhausted.