The World According To...: May 2009

A very MEMORABLE Mother's Day!

As is typical, Ian and Megan were with their dad for Mother's Day weekend.
It falls like that every year, and I am used to it.
But my BFF Melissa insisted that I not be alone!
She was having a dinner for her mom and grandma and mother-in-law, and very graciously invited me along.
Wouldn't you know that my kids came home early that day!

So a huge THANK YOU to Melissa for having us all over!
The dinner was delicious and it was a beautiful day to be out enjoying company and the day.

Below is how Megan spent the time at the Anderson's...

Playing Airplane with Baby Theo!

Holding Baby Theo!

Loving on Baby Theo!

And just having some fun with the little Big Guy...

How Ian spent Mother's Day...

Laughing while Millie enjoyed the swingset...

Eating until satisfied...

Smiling at the camera....

And THIS picture...is a CLASSIC.
Here is the story:

Ian really does have a fascination with squirrels.
All of his life, it's been cute to watch him chase them around, take pictures of them, and have a little fun with them.
This time though...over the top!

Ian caught a squirrel out of the corner of his eye while at the table and decided to give chase.
The squirrel ran a crazy path around the yard, Ian trailing not far behind, and the squirrel finally made it to the tree.
This smart squirrel circled the tree and tried to throw Ian off.
It ran up the tree and back down, the whole time Ian hot on his trail.
Finally, the squirrel just stopped, right about the time Ian said - "Hey, where did he go????"

And I, the oh-so-not-professional-photographer-but-caught-in-the-perfect-moment...
snapped this classic photo for your enjoyment for years to come.

I know it makes me laugh every time I look at it!

The rest of Mother's Day was meant for photos!

Ian, now too big for the swing-set pictured...

And Megan, just having some fun...

The Andersons - Rod, Melissa, Alan, Millie, and Baby Theo!

What a fun way to spend the day!

A memorable Arbor Day!

Yes, as I get caught up, I will be posting things that might seem a little outdated.
But, nonetheless, important!!!

So, one April 25th my good friends Bill and Pat called.
Seems they wanted to take a stroll out to one of my favorite places (and theirs!) to Dawes Arboretum.
I kind of laugh when I think about how much I love New York City. Dawes couldn't be much more polar opposite!

The green buds on the trees, the gentle breezes, the quiet beauty that Dawes brings to the senses.
The acres of preserved land, grass and creatures.
Awwwww! A breath of fresh air!

Well, we pulled into the Arboretum, only to find...wow, hundreds of people!
It was Arbor Day!!!!

Bill quickly maneuvered us out of the crowds, down the 3 mile trail to the lake.
There, we indulged in a picnic brunch.

Here is Bill, focused on an important duck in the pond...

I loved the beauty of this picture.

Here is Bill, photographing his favorite landscape spot!

Bill and Pat, the lovely couple with the lovely setting behind them.

Thanks for spending the day with me!

The next step...

is to smother the dumb things...
here we go!!!!

The battle has just begun!

Ahhhhhh, the freshness of spring!
Leaves on the trees, grass growing, flowers budding!
Such a breath of fresh air after a long winter...

And...the battle begins.

1. The grass grows.
2. The neighbors mow before I can even unbury the mower in the garage under the bikes, snow shovel, and yard sal stuff I am "saving". 3. The mower doesn't start when I finally unbury it.
4. Another week passes. The neighbors have mowed 3 times. The grass is tall enough to hide bunnies, kittens, and other forms of life.
5. I get the mower started.
6. I discover dog poop, dead birds, wasp nests, and hoses that were left out all winter.
7. I must clean up all dog poop, dead birds, wasp nests, and hoses that were left out all winter.
8. I must deal with conflict and face the neighbors and their dog poop, or complain about it all summer.
9. I abandon all attempts to mow the grass and depart the premises.

And then....there are THISTLES!

These nasty buggers come up every year. Actually, they don't even die in the winter. Ever.
So, once they are 2 feet tall, I begin the thistle battle.
This has gone on since I lived here!
I have tried EVERYTHING. Trust me.
But I am open to advice on whether I can douse them with gasoline, set them on fire, and live to tell about it.
???????

The one most awesome story I must tell is how my neighbor Cody, in the 4th grade, came to see if Megan could play.
Jokingly, I told him she wasn't available, but I could sure use a hand weeding!
He went home, got his gloves and tools, and proceeded to tell me all about plants, weeds, and animals.
He is going to be a vet some day!
He stuck with it for a solid 1/2 hour, until he was called by his mom for baseball practice.
She should be proud!
I sent him home with some flowers to plant and an orange popsicle.

I forgot to take a "before" picture.
Below is the result of HOURS of back breaking work! For one little area!