Snakes and Snails

Vincente with my friend Jessica’s red-tailed boa, Houdini

The Year of 2010 was quite the adventure. There was all the moving around... and then there was all the wildlife! Throughout the year we encountered 4 snakes (only one of which was a captive bred snake – and two of which I’m pretty sure were rattlers), 3 lizards (the small one pictured, and then our two bearded dragons – the first one (Lizzy) had a parasite and died, the second (Elvis) is alive and well!) , 1 nest of baby birds, and a turtle. Most of these creatures were found at or around my parents house in Arkansas.

Vincente with a turtle my brother and sis-in-law
found in their garden – eating their cucumbers
A little lizard we found stuck in a spider’s web in my parent’s garage.
We kept him in this jar for a little while so the kids could view him, then we set him free. I was amazed that a lizard could get stuck in a spider’s web!
A little garden snake we saw in the front yard of our new house after we destroyed it’s habitat – the overgrown flowerbeds!
A rat snake my mom found stuck in the netting over her berry bushes. We weren’t sure if he was dangerous, so we called Animal Control and they took him away. Mom wanted to keep him so he would scare away (or eat) the critters that go after her berries.
The nest of baby birdies in my parents garage/carport.
One of the birdies perched on a bike, learning to fly!

Rolling Along

We bought Vincente a “big kid bike” with training wheels for his 3rd birthday. We haven’t really lived in one place long enough for him to ride it a lot (until now) but while we were at my parents’ house in Arkansas he did get out a few times.

These pictures are from the first time he REALLY rode. He pedaled himself all the way down the street and back. He had a hard time stopping if he was going downhill, but he was really good at pedaling. He told me, “When you got really strong feet, the rollers will go.” Apparently, he has really strong feet.

We’ve been out a few times since we moved into our new house, but not frequently enough for Vince to really get the hang of the bike thing. We’ll be working on it this year, I assure you.

 

If you’re wondering why he’s only in shorts – it was probably 90-100 degrees that day (even if it was overcast) and around 40-50% humidity.

Favorites Part II – The Best Moments

From my previous post:

“In looking through 500+ photos I’ve taken this summer, I realize that I have two different kinds of ‘favorite photos’ – the first is my best photography. You know those pictures – the ones with good composition, good lighting, creativity – ones you might show off in a competition of some sort.

“Now, I’m not saying my photography is great– I’m working on it, it’s mostly a mild hobby. However, I do think I’ve taken some pretty good shots.

“My other kind of ‘favorite photos’ are the ones capturing a fantastic moment – no matter the composition, lighting, etc. They are the ones that make me smile because I remember what my kids were saying and doing at the very moment. I remember the way it made me feel, and I am grateful that I have immortalized that moment in picture.”

These, my friends, are the photos (and videos) of the second kind.

Inside the Tree on Kingfisher trail at Pinnacle Mt. State Park

The V&J Band (the Vince and Joss Band) Piano lessons with Grandma PamJoseline reading on a big floor pillow












At the playground – on the “castle”

  With Grandma’s plumeriasDancing with cousin Karyn – their favorite thing to do (in the background, “Enchanted” is playing... I think that’s where they get the dancing from)

The kids wanted some “dancing music” so I put on some CD of “romantic songs” – Vincent and Karyn dancing, and Joseline ... singing?

 

 

 

  Joseline dumped out the dog’s water dish, and this is what the kids decided to do with the waterYay slides!  This is me finally figuring out how to use the continuous shot mode on my camera – which probably contributed a lot to those 500+ pictures...Vincente cooking his lizard. Yum.

The kids filthy after playing at a park that had used tire stuff... it was probably actual used tires chopped up – dirt and everything. At least they had fun!  

Vincente’s favorite item in the dress up chest was the butterfly wings. This is the song that goes with the wings. more Vince cooking (this time it’s actual food, not a lizard)

Joseline after eating chocolate in the car on the drive out to Arizona The kids waving and still trying to hold on Joseline – not too happy to be riding on this sawhorse The kids playing with their beanie babies together in the back. Joseline wants to be doing whatever Vincente is doing. When he doesn’t mind, it’s absolutely darling.  There’s no school like the old school – even the puppies wanted a ride! I wish I’d snapped a picture of that! Then all they wanted to do was hid in the cool shade underneath (and get filthy). Dumb dogs. Cool dude – except that they are pink sunglasses and a Disney Princess scooter... but hey, he does look pretty suave in spite of the pink, don’t you think?

Vince pulling Joseline in the laundry basket. What I love the most is their hats. and the fact that Vince is actually doing something cool for Joseline (and that she is wearing brown Mary Janes with her pajamas – more on that later)

Playing hide-and-seek at the “Arizona house”

Monday Musings -- What Was I Thinking!?

Day 1 of new puppies is almost over.

It is bordering on nightmare for me.

I imagine it would be easier if I only had one, or if both puppies were quick with the pottying business.

The problem is, Doc doesn’t want to potty on the grass. Pee on the driveway? Sure. Poop in the kitchen? Absolutely. Pee or poop on the grass? Not on your life.

He finally went poop outside today. Neither of them have pooped in their crate, but I think Doc has peed in there a few times.

I have to take them out to potty one at a time right now, because otherwise they just want to play. It might be easier if my arms were longer (and I could keep them apart) but they just want to roughhouse. Lucy will do her business, in fact, the first time I took them out, she was just too excited to go pee, so she didn’t really go (plus, she hated the leash and spent most of our first few trips out to potty pulling at the leash). Doc seemed to be more relaxed about the leash, but he would not even walk on the grass, let alone go pee on it once he was there. Now that Lucy has discovered when she pees or poops on the grass I shower her with praise and loving, we walk outside, I tell her “Faz” (the command for - “do it” in Portuguese... yes, we speak Portuguese to the dogs, too) and she basically pees on command.

Editors note: This post was actually written on Saturday, August 14 – the day I found out my brother passed away. This was written a few hours before his passing, and I’m pretty sure the reason I didn’t finish (or post) it was because I got the call from my dad telling me to change my flight and get out there as soon as possible.

Looking back, those first few days (weeks) of having the puppies were like a nightmare for me. But the puppies are so well behaved now, and such a source of entertainment for the kids, that I can’t help but think it was worth it. All the work, the stress – and it’s not over, because we’ll have to adjust them to a new house – but it was worth it, and will be worth it. These puppies are great, and I’m glad we have them as part of our family now.

Who Needs a Pool?

...when you have a bucket of water.

For those of you who aren’t aware of what the summer is like in Arkansas, picture this...

It’s more humid than a sauna (no, really).  And the sun is shining directly on you. And you’re not naked or in a bathing suit or a towel... you are fully clothed.

Yuck. Double yuck. Triple yuck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    “In June of this year, the coolest lows were in the upper 60s and the coolest highs were still in the upper 80s.” (see here)

     even the kids think it’s crazy hot outside

August is always the worst, with highs in the 100’s nearly every day, and 40-50% humidity

For comparison –
the average relative humidity in Little Rock?
Am: 85% – PM: 53%
the average relative humidity in SLC?
AM: 54% – PM: 23%
There you go. I really wasn’t kidding when I said it was worse than a wet sauna,
which has relative humidity between 20-30%

bobbing for ... toys? 

nah, just getting nice and wet  one of the hazards of outdoors play – foliage stuck to your skin

Need I say more?

A pass to a nearby pool is an absolute necessity in AR in my opinion. Or a bucket of water on your front porch. Or a bucket of water for the days the pool is closed, or before it opens. Or after it closes.

Don’t forget the sunscreen.