Happy Birthday Matthew!

(Matthew patiently waiting to eat his dragon cake)

Matthew's birthday request: bacon, sausage, waffles, and strawberries. He also insisted that "daddy make it." So we had a breakfast brunch since Rick was on-call the night before. Matthew is one lucky boy, his dad only got one hour of sleep. However, Rick managed to stay awake the entire day and spend it with Matthew: they swam, made caramel popcorn, and played "frince."

Matthew had a "dragons and knights" themed party. Matthew got books relating to the theme. I made him a cape and stuffed dragon to fight. Rick made him a sword that went perfectly with his shield.

(Making caramel popcorn)

enjoying the birthday feast.

Matthew got some special drinks for his birthday. He called them: "the mountain drink" (water with picture of mountains), "dragon drink" (the red one), and sadly I've forgotten what he called the sprite. But he carried these drinks around with him all day.

The dragon ended up looking more like a girl dragon so Chrissie took to it and Matthew chased her around.

irrigation day

Irrigation day is always a happy day here in the lochhead home. The yard is flooded with 6+ inches of water, well, dirty water, very dirty water. The water comes from the canals that run through the city.

I get giddy every irrigation day knowing my flower gardens are getting deep waterings and will then thrive in this desert sun. My kids are happy to splash around in the water. And I'm happy to see my kids enjoying nature-being free, getting dirty, and getting wet.

Matthew was the only one to venture out this irrigation day. It was right before church and Chrissie didn't want to get her "beautiful dress" dirty. Matthew was not dressed because we wait until the very last minute to dress him for church since he tends to be a bit messier.

Need I remind myself the first week we lived in this house Rick's mother, KLynn, and I were in the front yard gardening. Chrissie was three years old and our dog Daisy was with us. When all of a sudden we hear our neighbor calling to us. We look up and see Chrisse, buck-naked, running through the neighbor's irrigation with Daisy close at her heels...that was the beginning of good times with the irrigation.

Chickenly love

Chrissie has "gentled" our chickens. The french hen was a bit skittish. So several months ago, Chrissie of her own demise, sat in the chicken coop and "trained" her to be "not-so-skittish." She did this by picking her up, putting her down, picking her up, putting her down.... And she was quite successful: you come near the chickens and they squat down. I can't believe this is the same girl who was terrified of chickens a year ago.

horse show

I've decide horse shows are the way to go. My kids can get dirty and no one hassles me about it. The arena/location is kid proof; I never fretted about my kids destroying something. And the show is entertaining. This event only solidified my desire to own a horse one day.

Chrissie and Matthew's "horse show" attire. Chrissie, of course, brought some little treasures along as she does every time we venture away from home.

Jane wallowing in the dirt.

I'm definitely getting a horse someday.