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Zoo, Blocks & Umbrella: The Random Files

ZOO:

We went to the zoo a few weeks ago with Barry’s cousin Cheyenne and her family. It was delightfully fun and by the time we were in the car on the way home, Maggie was asleep before we left the parking lot. Being at the zoo sometimes makes me feel sad for the animals, but this time I really noticed how much Maggie enjoyed everything. We got to see the zookeepers give the elephants a bath and the highlight for Maggie was seeing a penguin “help” the zookeeper power wash the penguin exhibit. 

We’ve been meaning to spend some time with Cheyenne, Rod and Allie for a very long time, it was nice that it finally happened. I’m sure that we’ll be getting together for more adventures sooner than later. 

BLOCKS:

Before Maggie was born, my aunt hosted a baby shower in honor of Maggie. The women in my family were asked to bring a gift that had special meaning to who they were. The gifts that I/Maggie received were some of the most sentimental and important ones to this day. One of the gifts that Grandmother Miller, Barry’s paternal grandmother, gave was a set of blocks that were for children 2 years and up. We stored them  in the closet and have brought them out from time to time, but now the time has come for Maggie to really get into them. They’ve taken up permanent residence in her toy area and she hauls them out on a regular basis. I love two things about these blocks: 1. That they came from her great grandmother  2. That they have a suitcase that makes them nice and tidy to put away. 

 

THE UMBRELLA

One of the gifts that we got Maggie for her birthday was an umbrella. I weren’t really sure how much she would like it, but the child loves her umbrella and any time that it is raining she suggests that we take it outside and prance around with it. She doesn’t really like for anyone else to hold it – because obviously the pink and orange polka dot umbrella is made for her. 

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A Magnificent Weekend

We had the kind of weekend that I love: productive, at home, and together. We scrapped our plans at the last minute to drive up to B-Ham and ended up staying home to work in the yard all day. Since neither Barry or I could remember the last time that we both were able to log some hours together getting our hands dirty, I say it was high-time we did just that. The weather was nice enough for us to contemplate sunscreen, only to decide we didn’t need it, and then Barry went and burned the lower part of his back. Go figure.

With the exception of me baking a few things and leaving to go get more yard waste bags, we worked in the yard from start to finish. I’m pretty sure the only person that will be able to notice will be my mom because  as we settled into our Adirondack chairs, sipping wine and eating dinner, we noticed that our yard resembled a project that she would typically have her hand in. (I say this because one time we ‘lost’ an entire Holly tree thanks to her. Don’t worry, that tree had it comin’ and I’m glad it wasn’t me snippin’ away!) We filled our yard waste bin and 10 (THAT’S RIGHT, FOLKS, TEN!) yard waste bins. It helps that I hacked into the horrible, horrible bamboo.

As I cleaned up the enormous pile of bamboo that I chopped down, I serenaded Barry with Bryan Adams’ “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” since about 98% of me wanted to ignore the heap of bamboo and move onto the other part of our yard that was calling my name. He seemed to appreciate the gesture. More than anything, I think he liked that I didn’t leave a ton of bamboo in the middle of our yard. If that isn’t love, I guess I don’t know what is. Serenading and yard waste removal speaks volumes at HBHQ.

But the best part of my weekend was when I got to bust out the hedge trimmer and use it to open up some space around a poor Maple that hasn’t been getting any love for the past few seasons. I don’t know what it is, but I love power tools. I’d never trust myself with a “real” tool like a power saw or anything else that could cut a limb or finger off in a matter of seconds. I think the hedge trimmer is power enough for me and by the looks of the southeast part of our yard that much might be obvious to our next guests. So it goes.

If Saturday was the day to be outside working all day, then Sunday was the day to be outside working most of the day. We took our time reading the Sunday paper, eating breakfast and took Syd for a stroll. By the time we slinked into our work clothes it was almost time for Maggie’s nap. The weather wasn’t as nice, but Barry ended up spreading a ton of mulch and compost around so now everything looks practically new. So fresh.

Maggie and I left Barry at home for the afternoon and had a make-your-own pizza date at the Merk house, by the time we got home it was almost time for bed time. We had hung some lights around The Pit (we need a better name) earlier in the day and they set of a warmish glow from that part of the yard. Barry took Maggie out there to check it out and later, after Maggie had fallen asleep, we went out again to get a feel for what’s to come.