Little bit of nature

I am a sucker for bird nests! Each spring we have one in the artificial topiary by the front door with cute little blue eggs and chirpy babies. Today we saw three nests in the pine tree out front and one had this momma sitting in it. Sort of a pine tree condo!

Below is a picture of Connor during one of their last lacrosse games. He did really well this season.

Since it's been a while since I wrote, thought I'd take a few minutes to bring things up to date. Connor is on a field trip today with his art class to Disneyland. They were to get a three-hour lesson at the animation center then have the rest of the day between California Adventure and Disneyland. I'm sure we won't shut him up for hours about the day's adventures! Kelleigh took a bead class two weekends ago and made a nautical-themed bracelet which came out very good. My girlfriend (who works there) showed her how to also make bead rings and earrings so she's been busy creating. The great thing is she can do it alone and wear her finished products! Ryan has good days and bad and is continuing in IOP until such time as we feel he can be weaned off of it. Each day brings a new situation or revelation. The football coach discovered him on Thursday and talked to him today about joining in their practice sessions after school. He decided he will give it a try a few days a week and see if he likes the coach and the guys. Not sure he will be grade eligible but we'll know in two weeks. Hopefully he'll do at least one class in Summer School but we have to see what is offered. He has been faithfully working out with the IOP intern as well. Hard to believe only 11 more days of school...

Mark has been busy interviewing for jobs and talking to others about opportunities. His last day at LCC is also June 8th and I think he'll be sad to leave as he likes several of the staff and will miss the daily interaction with the kids. He had a Skype interview today with a high school in the neighborhood Maureen lives in in Texas so we'll see if anything comes of that. Connor and Kelleigh are ready to move but Ryan has a meltdown whenever you mention the word "move"! As for me, I'm just trying to stay sane...

I came home today to this beautiful flower arrangement that Blanche made. She is always creating such pretty things from ordinary items in the yard. I love it!

Naughty dogs

I worked full-time this week and apparently the dogs don't approve of that. Connor called me to let me know that the dogs had chosen to eat the cover off of an antique Bible and clearly they'd had quite a time in the living room while I was gone as pillows were off the couch, pictures were rearranged, etc. A few days ago we couldn't figure out how my Waterford lamp got askew (the window blind saved it from crashing to the floor) but now I think we know. So...this weekend I will reinstall the baby gate and close off the front of the house to the little brats. I'm so, so upset about the Bible...

A kite and a cake

Connor has been trying to fly a dilapidated kite he found somewhere so Mark got him a fancy kite at Costco yesterday. This "easy to assemble" kite took a substantial amount of time to interpret the directions for but finally we got it figured out. After several attempts to fly out back, the guys gave up and we headed to the large park area. Sadly, there wasn't enough wind to catch it and keep it up so we'll try another day. When we came home Kelleigh was busy baking a cake under Grandma's supervision. She has taught her to read the box, measure the ingredients, and do the whole process. Given my love of cooking, it's good someone is teaching her! Now I know she can survive on burgers, pizza, and cake when she's on her own!

Another busy Saturday with Connor's lacrosse game and Ryan's IOP session. While Connor's team didn't win, they had a great game. Kelleigh is immersed in a series of books that Maureen sent and nary a peep since she opened the box days ago!

Tonight we are taking the kids to see the musical "Cabaret" performed by the students where Mark teaches. It is always amazing to see the talent these kids have.