The New Treehouse

The strong winds knocked over the old tree house, so we decided to build a new tree house. We also found another location (one I could supervise better with less effort).

It's a big Lombardy poplar stump. The tree was cut down a couple years ago to about three feet high. Most of the interior was rotten. Nevertheless, it has already started sending up new growth, some of which is over 10 feet high.

Desert Boy and I gathered materials, some from the old tree house and some from various junk piles. Then we got some hammers and nails. Oh yes, I musn't forget: Desert Boy got a ladder. He really wanted a ladder for this tree house.

Attempting to pound in nails. It didn't go so great, but he didn't smash his fingers, so I'd say we did well.

After about an hour or two of work, it was snack time. I have a feeling, based on the joyous expressions my kids made, that snack time and the tree house are going to be integrally related. Snack time was special--fruit bars. You can't get better than that.

Desert Girl managed to get up into (onto?) the tree house all by herself. She may turn out to be a climber like her big brother. (She has also already fallen out of the tree house, so it's probably a very good thing that it's only 3 feet high.)

She quickly mastered how to eat a fruit bar.

We did a couple other modifications (do you like the Private sign?) and then called it a night. We still have lots of work to do. And Desert Boy can't wait to paint it.

Wouldn't you like a masterpiece like this in your yard?

Running around with our Heads Covered

We had a somewhat quiet weekend, but now we're back to lots of busy-ness. Desert Girl likes to stay busy, busy creating little tornadoes wherever she goes. One of her favorite activities is moving clothes around the house. Carrying them on her head keeps her hands free.

I think she may end up excelling as a multitasker.

Or perhaps she's going to be moving to the Middle East some day.

Carnival

It's almost time for big Mardi Gras carnivals, so it's quite fitting to post about the school's winter carnival, held last week. There was already a big crowd at the Bingo table when we arrived. This is always a really well-attended event, as people are eager to get out of their houses and it's a fun fundraiser for the school.

Desert Boy wanted tickets immediately so he could go play games. Even he remembered how much fun Carnival is!

After a quick round of bean bag toss, he went to the tattoo booth, where he found Teacher Gwendy.

The theme for the Carnival was President's Day, so I thought it was really cute that he chose a patriotic peace theme. He called it the striped ball tattoo.

It is a very nice striped ball.

One of the booths was a dress up and get your photo taken booth. We had a family portrait taken as warrior vikings, each of us with our own sword. Afterward my husband took off in the crowd. Can you spot him? He's wearing the Viking helmet and Emma is looking right at me.

Another popular booth was the spin the wheel game. Every player wins a prize.

Emma can't wait till she's old enough.

After all that playing, it was time for a snack.

And more Bingo! By now there were so many people playing that the teenagers were standing up. They had great Bingo prizes, but I don't think it would matter what the prize was, people just like to play Bingo, and this is the one time of year they get to do it.

It was a fun night!

So Tempting

While I was in the hardware store this past weekend, I heard cheeping and turned around to find lots of little chicks eating happily.

Chicks?

In the hardware store?

This was something new for me. And I couldn't believe my gut reaction that I wanted to get a couple and take them home. They were only $2 each. They wouldn't cost that much. And they would be such a good learning tool for Desert Girl and Desert Boy. They both love animals. And did I mention how cute they were?

Plus they would help me recover from my appallingly petless childhood (unless you count the goldfish that survived two days--Mom and Dad, I'm still traumatized by that).

Before I reached in and grabbed a couple, I thought a little more.

Q: What would I feed them?

A: Um, grain? I think. Cracked corn? Where the heck do you get cracked corn? Would I have to go scavenge in the fields? Could they just eat the silage the ranch cows eat? Or maybe one of those big bags of chicken feed that they have conveniently nearby would suffice.

Q: Where would I put them?

A: In a box in the house so we could watch them grow and ooh and awe over how cute they are.

Q: But what about when they get bigger?

A: I guess we would need a fence or something. And a place for them to go inside so the big owls don't eat them. And we'd need straw. And then would they lay eggs? Eww, the thought of putting my hand under hens' butts to feel for eggs is kind of gross. And if I wanted eggs, how many chicks would I want? And if we didn't want eggs and instead slaughtered the chickens, who would pluck them? That sounds not very fun to me.

Q: But aren't they so absolutely cute and wouldn't the kids just adore them?

A: Yes!

I asked the clerk how chick sales were going, and he said really well. They had already sold out two of the five crates they had.

Who were all these people buying chicks?

He also said that it was amazing how fast they had grown in just the last week. Well, the whole time I watched them all they did was eat and cheep. All that eating had me a little nervous, as what goes in, must come out.

So my inner voice of reason discouraged me from buying any chicks this year.

But I've already talked to my husband about where we would have chickens if we decided we wanted them.

And other animals.

And he has a plan.

And it won't be long till the kids are in 4-H, and I don't want to the totally incompetent 4-H mom who knows nothing about raising poultry--or goats--or sheep--or pigs.

So maybe next year...

Snow Geese

Forgot to mention that the Snow Goose Festival was also very well attended by the snow geese.

2011 Wild Goose Chase

We were expecting some bad roads on the way to town for the Wild Goose Chase run, and it was a good thing we left early, because they were bad. Lots of blowing snow, drifts coming on to the highway, only one other vehicle in 90 miles of travel. Ninety miles on pavement, on a U.S. highway, and only one other vehicle. It was coming from the other direction, so at least I knew the roads were passable. Although it was 4WD. And after 20 miles I couldn't see it's tracks on the road anymore.

This is what I saw. The road conditions had deteriorated. No plows had been out yet, so we got to break trail with our 4 inches of clearance. Fun times. It got worse than this, but I didn't try taking a photo. And then Desert Boy had to pee. Trips are always an adventure with little kids!

Fortunately we made it in plenty of time to register and were astounded to see so many other crazy fools braving the snow storm for the opportunity to go run and get sore muscles.

They had a 5k and a 10k, and our group of seven from the valley participated in both. Here's Desert Boy at the finish. He said he wanted to run in the race, so I had him run while I warmed up in the parking lot.

Then we were off. I didn't get any starting photos or photos of the route, but fortunately Ben and Breanna got photos of the finishers.

Here's Jeremy, who came in second in the 5k. Actually, his dog came in second, so he came in third.

Christian was the first finisher for the 12 and under group. He ran in jeans, because that's what he always runs in. I'd really like to beat him, but I'm afraid he's going to get faster than I can get faster.

Here I come next to a poor guy who had pulled a muscle.

Chandra managed a big smile on her turn into the finish.

Here's Breanna skirting the puddles. There was still a cold north wind and snow falling most of the time, but it was warm enough to melt some of the ice on the ground. The biggest obstacle was the mud--part of the run was so muddy that I had to repeatedly kick the mud wads off my shoes.

The snow geese made a grand entrance flying overhead.

The kids had fun pushing Desert Girl's stroller around.

Then came the 10k finishers, with Greg checking his time at the finish.

Hector kept taking off layers as he ran. He won his age group for the 10k.

While the race organizers were busy compiling results, on the other side of the road people were gathering for Dunk, Dunk...Goose, a.k.a the Snow Goose Plunge.

For only $10, a person could heave his/her body into the frigid reservoir and get a t-shirt.

The t-shirt said "I got goose bumps at dunk, dunk...Goose."

Desert Boy tested the waters. He really wanted to swim, but I convinced him to wait until later, when we could go to the heated indoor pool.

But there were plenty ready to take the plunge right then. They all charged in.

Most then hurried out of the water.

But a few stayed and played for awhile. It made me so cold just watching them!

We went back to the Pavilion for the raffle prizes and also to hear the results. Our group gathered for a photo. It was really fun knowing other runners in the race.

I'm not sure of the official count, but there were probably more than last year's 150 runners/walkers.

Christian showing off his certificate.

Emma was a good sport, not minding the cold.

Photo shoot for the newspaper. I love the dog sitting behind them.

And photo shoot of our group again. We were delighted that everyone placed in their age group.
Next year we'll have to do it again, and maybe we can even recruit a few more people.

One of the perks was a nice shirt.

So thanks to everyone who helped sponsor the race! It was worth the long drive, crazy weather, and mud. And we did eventually find the Navajo tacos after the race, but we had to huddle in the van to eat because it had started snowing again and was too cold to stay outside. Maybe next year we'll get some warmer weather!

Wild Goose Runs in Blizzards?

Photo by Michael Menefee, all rights reserved. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fortphoto/360161897/

Just in case I need to clarify: "runs" as in ambulating quickly; trots; lopes, strides; etc. (I have learned that my brothers sometimes think in a different way.)

Anyway, we're getting ready to head to town tomorrow for the Snow Goose Festival. They have a variety of events, including a 5k/10k run, which attracted my attention. We're having a cadre of runners from around here go, and I've been training for a couple months and can't wait to see if I can make my goal. The only problem is that we're under a winter storm warning, and the brunt of the storm is supposed to hit tonight and tomorrow.

I called the race director to see if the event was still on, and he said it would be held no matter what. They had snow plows to clear the course and heaters in the pavilion. Plus, he told me in a very excited voice, at 11 a.m. there's the Snow Goose Plunge into the reservoir. Eighteen people are signed up to do it--they get a t-shirt in return. Hmmm...wonder if any of our group might be taking the plunge, too?

So we'll get ready to drive in snow, run in snow, and watch people plunging their bodies through the snow into some really cold water. Who says winter is boring?

I promise, I'll post the outcome of all this in a somewhat timely manner (within a few days, anyway). That's if I don't end up frozen solid first.

Dessert Party

There comes a time in a woman's life when she just needs lots and lots of desserts. Hence the Delectable Decadent Dessert Party. Yum. Everyone brings a dessert. Everyone eats desserts. Everyone takes home a sampling of desserts. Life doesn't get much better. Thank you.

And in case you're wondering--chocolate pudding pie, raspberry cream crepes, pecan pie, yummy custard, caramel corn, Oreo truffles, sweetie pie cookies, crockpot chocolate cake, oatmeal raisin cookies, rice krispie treats, and cherry pie.