Playing in Leaves

One nice, warm, calm day recently, we went out in the yard to play in leaves. I raked up a pile, with no illusions that the pile was for anything except to play in. We always have several truckloads of leaves to haul from our yard every autumn, but it was too nice a day to actually start that. So that meant it was time just to have fun!

Desert Boy quickly got into the spirit of things. He liked being buried up to his neck in leaves. Then he invented a game of picking up a bunch of leaves and throwing them.

I'm not sure why that amused him, but it did. And I was comfortable so I just watched.

Of course two-year old attention spans are rather short, so before long it was time for another game. This one consisted of running back and forth through the leaves. It went on for quite awhile. I kept hoping he might be using up some of his abundant energy. I find that his abundant energy comes from a very deep source and can last much longer than I would ever expect!

With the leaves scattered, it was time to rake them back into a big pile and get buried again.

And then it was time to get back up and start the cycle all over again!

Goin' Fishin' Part Two

Last weekend we decided to go fishing--but not using Desert Boy's earlier method (with a bucket). We went out to a spring-fed pond. We weren't sure what fish were in there besides carp, but we thought we'd give it a try. Plus it was a good excuse to get out of the house.

Henry wasn't particularly helpful. He thought it was fun to chase the hook, get in the mud, and then shake himself off near us. We kept expecting we'd have to untangle him.

Desert Boy was eager to learn how to use a rod and reel.

We didn't catch anything, but Desert Boy can't wait to go again. It's cold this weekend, feeling like winter, so unless we want to do some ice fishing this weekend, we might have to wait a few months.

Harvest Festival

Last week we attended the annual Harvest Festival, a fundraiser for the local schools. Following a yummy potluck dinner with abundant food was the auction. Over 80 items had been donated. We saw a few things we wanted, so we had fun bidding on them. We got some of them and helped contribute to the night. We were amazed how much was made--$1800. Quite a good fundraiser!

I'm afraid I wasn't so good at taking photos that night. Sometimes it's just hard to get motivated!

I did manage a short video clip of what was happening at the back of the hall. Desert Boy and one of his uncles were busy cleaning the floor:

Happy Halloween

This year Desert Boy will be a skeleton for Halloween. We're going on a hay ride for trick or treating in a few hours. In the meantime is our quest for a nap.

He really likes his costume.

If I can get it to work, I will post some video of him--once I figure out how to rotate it 90 degrees!

Here's my blog post from last Halloween, when Desert Boy was a cow.

Dog Bed

We recently got Henry a new dog bed. I put it out in the sun for him to enjoy, and Desert Boy promptly went over and plopped down in it. It must have felt good on his bare feet.

Henry starts thinking that maybe he should have a chance to get in his dog bed. Desert Boy buries his head in his arms. He can be pretty stubborn. Wonder where he gets that from?

They negotiate, and Desert Boy gets to stay a little longer. They sometimes have conservations about the dog house, too, and have worked out a time-share arrangement.

Goin' Fishin'

I needed to do some work next to a stream one day, so I took Desert Boy and Henry with me, knowing how much they like water. We had to walk across the stream, so I had Desert Boy dressed in irrigating boots. He decided he wanted to keep playing by the stream and use a little white bucket to catch some fish.

So, me being a mother who wants to encourage her son to be creative and not really caring how dirty he gets, hatched a plan. I took off his pants and socks, thinking that he would surely flood his boots, and this way he would stay dry. And I had neglected to bring a change of clothes for him with me (although we did have a coat in the truck). 

I watched Desert Boy's first attempt at catching fish. He scooped the bucket through the water, being fairly careful where he was walking.

And then he poured the bucket out. I'm not quite sure what he would have done if he had actually caught a fish in the bucket, but I figured the chances of that were extremely slim. 

Seeing his first attempt wasn't too successful, he headed back to shore to regroup. This is where the fun really began. And I didn't manage to get photos of any of it.

He did a few more scoops with the bucket, flooded his boots, and then wanted the water out of his boots. Then he headed back into the water--and you've probably guessed it--fell in, soaking his only dry shirt. He decided at this point he didn't want to fish anymore. So it was time to get him to the truck, put on his dry pants and his coat, and let him warm up. 

So his first fishing expedition didn't go too well, but he did have a lot of fun playing in the water until he got soaked and cold. Almost anytime we go near a stream he wants to get in, but he knows he's not supposed to get his shoes wet. So he sits down on the ground and starts tugging on his shoes and socks. If he won't get his shoes wet, surely he can go in?

Checking Hay

We were supposed to have lots of rain last night and today, but so far nary a drop has fallen down in the valley. We have gotten plenty of wind, though. And in preparation for the supposed deluge (well, California and Reno got it), my husband has been working hard to try to get they hay up. Cut hay and rain are not a good combination.

Desert Boy and I went along one afternoon on a hay checking expedition. I've learned never to go on one of these trips unless I have some reading material and/or my camera with me. They're a little tedious and always take longer than my husband says.

I was content to stay by the truck, but Desert Boy wanted to go follow his Daddy, so he hiked out into the alfalfa field and started following him around.

Soon it was time to go check hay in a different row. Desert Boy likes to hold onto someone's hand (unlike his independent, younger cousin!).

He also likes to be carried, and he managed to convince Daddy to pick him up.

Then it was time to flip over some more hay and check its moisture content. They hay has to be just right to make the best bales.

Desert Boy sorta looks like he knows what he's doing!

Then it's time to head back to the truck. Desert Boy starts out walking all confident-like.

Then it's time to hold onto Daddy's hand.

And then the other hand.

And, uh-oh, he's convinced Daddy to pick him up again.

Apparently checking hay is tough work for a two-year old.

A Walk in the Woods

About ten days ago Desert Boy and I went for a little hike (and I didn't get the photos downloaded until today--that's how far behind I am!)

It was a cool morning, and Desert Boy was very excited to go for a hike. He got to carry his very own backpack.

Desert Boy can walk fast now, so it can sometimes be a little challenging to keep up with him.

Nevertheless, when he starts going towards some obstacle, he can have some funny moves.

He rolled back to the trail, got up, and was marching ahead in no time. He doesn't mind a few scrapes and bruises as long as he's on an adventure.

The aspen trees were just starting to turn color, and the air had a crisp autumn feel to it. 

Desert Boy eventually found another obstacle and was happy to climb all over the log.

But he was even happier when I declared it was snack time. That's what makes hiking worth it all.

And when we got back to the trailhead it was time for another snack. He likes his backpack because all he carries is a diaper, a little bottle of water, and snacks! 

Let It Rain

On Monday we had some wonderful rain. It brought the temperatures down considerably. It's been weeks and weeks since we've had rain, so it was great to hear the pitter-patter against the window panes.

But then we got some hail--that wasn't quite such a nice sound.

The little dandelion managed to survive the hail.

We had storms throughout the day, with lots of lightning and thunder. 

Late in the afternoon, Desert Boy got suited up with his irrigating boots and we went out to splash in puddles.

He particularly wanted to jump in the puddles.

It didn't take him long to get wet. Very wet. Especially when he fell down.

He would have played a lot longer, but it was a bit chilly and he eventually decided he wanted to go in and get warm. 

What? A toddler with a modicum of common sense? What is this world coming to?

Here's a video of Desert Boy in action:

School Photos

It was time for school photos the other day, and we were able to take Desert Boy. 

Doesn't he clean up nicely?

He wasn't too sure what to think about all the photography equipment, but he cooperated well, even with all the hair spraying (with water) and combing.

Here are some of the kids in line, with teachers and parents close by to make sure they didn't get messed up at the last minute.

What Desert Boy liked best was playing with the older kids after his photo was taken.

He was introduced to Battleship. I remember playing this at Grandma's house years and years ago.

He got some lessons from his cousin. It was a good afternoon!