Joseph Turns 10!!! - Part 1

Joseph's 10th birthday was really more of a 4-day event. It was off to a great start with a birthday present in the mail from Nicole, Mark, Aubrey & Garrett.

I'd never seen Magnetix before but they are really cool! Lots of little parts, but that they are magnetic actually helps keep them near each other :)

Joseph had a blast and of course wanted to open it immediately and play with them right away! Thank you to the Perez's!!!!!!

Foxy Sightings

At first glance, a beautiful large oak tree in the field across the street from us.

Zoom in closer and today we got a treat! 2 beautiful gray foxes who found a perch!
They watched us as we watched them -and they were incredibly wonderful!

Interesting trivia -- the gray fox is monogomous
Wikipedia says the following: "The gray fox's ability to climb trees is shared only with the Asian raccoon dog among canids. Its strong hooked claws allow it to scramble up trees to escape many predators such as the domestic dog or the coyote, or to reach tree-bound or arboreal food sources. ...The gray fox is nocturnal or crepuscular and dens in hollow trees, stumps or appropriated burrows during the day."

Dog Pumpkins

I decided to experiment with pumpkin carving and found some dog stencils online to use.
Here the pups are checking out the pumpkins - I don't know that we ever carved any since having them...

Joseph's look says everything....slimy!

And here are my masterpieces!!!!!!!

The Mongoose is Alive

Joseph has done an awesome job this first quarter at school. We got confirmation from his teacher that he got all A's and B's and has perfect attendance and good conduct.....and we know what that means!!!!!!!!...............THE MONGOOSE (his new bike)

This is one excited young man! He came home and hopped on it right away and this morning was up at 7:30 am riding it again as Derek walked Shasta!

We are very proud of his school effort and it's a joy to reward his hard work!

Well Look At That!

This is why I love gardening - it's never boring!!!!
The other day I walked out and noticed plants growing out of my compost bin! Just amazing!!!! Who knows if they'll make it, but it will be cool to wait and see -- like an experiment :)

This one looks like a green pepper - totally possible since we use them a lot in our cooking


P.S. - I love how Joseph was watching me upload these pictures and he exclaimed, "You took a picture of a trash can?!" (Oh no, my boy - that's no garbage that's black gold!!!)

Sand & Sun - Joseph's Beach Adventure

Sunday, Joseph and I went with my folks down to the beach - San Clemente was beautiful that day!!! Joseph seemed to really like the beach and got some time to frolic in the waves. He seemed uncertain at first, commenting that he would be "taken" away by the waves -- but after some time, he managed to "conquer his fears" and braved the ocean.

Launa shows Joseph how to build sandcastles using wet sand -- and we even found some sand crabs for him to hold - which he thought the big one felt creepy

Thank you Dad & Launa for showing Joseph such a great time with the family and at the beach!
He had such a wonderful weekend!!!

A Date with Nature - Part 4

Here is Martin Spino - a wonderful musician who shared sounds of Mexico & California - Joseph was beaming with Hispanic pride!

A Date with Nature - Part 3

Fun activities to go along with learning about nature! Joseph LOVED jumping from one hay bale to the next.

Siena practices climbing to rock wall

Obstacle course - Go, Joseph, Go!!!

I was proud that Joseph saw another young person with a football and managed to find his way over there and connect so that they tossed the ball back and forth for awhile - he did this all on his own!!!

A Date with Nature - Part 2

What's nature without animals? Here are some wonderful birds!

A Date with Nature - Part 1

Sat (10/09) was "A Date with Nature"at the Donna O'Neill Land Conservancy - a natural campground just off the Ortega Hwy in Rancho Viejo. There were many booths with animals, organizations and activities, not to mention food and music :) It was a great time with a lot of fun.