Cheri’s stars

Gryphon spotted the new bird - a goldfinch – at the feeder the other day. Cheri made some tissue paper stars to deter the birds from flying toward our windows.
 
Gryphon led a pirate crew to where he had buried treasure and marked it with a Y (less obvious than the X). Only the toughest pirates venture out without pants.
 
We dressed up some asparagus for dinner, but Gryphon wasn’t fooled. 
 
Gryphon made a detailed painting of the white crowned sparrow we spotted (with the goldfinch).  My art table has seen a lot of action this month too.
 
Here’s where we get eggs across the street.
 
The maple trees supporting Danger Swing are sprouting some leaves.
 
Cheri didn’t work yesterday so it felt like a weekend.  She invented a game on the trampoline called “Don’t Let Gryphon Stand Up”.

 
Alice seems to enjoy Gryphon’s squirrel house (Nutkinhaus) more than he does.  It was warm enough today that Meowmers abandoned his usual spot by the window.
 
And we tried out the sprinkler (not that the grass needs it). 
 
We caught the deer thinking about trying out Danger Swing this evening.

Cronk Town

Gryphon passed party invitations out to his classmates last week.
 
Nanna Jo arrived on Saturday and whipped up some cupcakes.
 
And on Sunday the 14th, Gryphon came downstairs to a heap of presents on the table, several of a pirate nature.
 
Cheri and I had built a tree house, and Nanna brought a family of squirrels to inhabit it. 
 
Only one of his classmates showed up to “Cronk Town” at the YMCA (we learned that most were sick).  It was probably better that way, since people were bumping heads in the bouncy house as it was.
 
 
 
Babysitter Maizie brought her brother Zane, as well as her mom, who just happens to be my Zumba instructor (small town).
 
It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood.
 
This little piggy went to market,
This little piggy stayed home,
This little piggy had tofu,
This little piggy had naan,
And this little piggy went wee wee wee wee, all the way home.

Busy outside

Danger Swing has been getting a workout lately.

We tried out a mushroom gyoza recipe the other day – they reminded me of Oriental Dumpling Restaurant.
  
When Alice wakes up in the afternoon, the kids come out for workshop time.
 
We had some trees cut down last weekend, before they decided to fall on the neighbors’ houses.

  
The purple finches and hummingbirds have been enhancing the Birdshow we watch out the window everyday.
 
Bustler the raccoon has been making appearances too, at least when it’s quiet outside.
 

Sand castles

After the Easter egg hunt we took a picnic to good old Salt Creek recreation area.