4:19 a.m.

R:  [awake, tossing and turning]
B: [chuckles in his sleep]
R: What's so funny?
B:  [mumbling]  The polymorphism of the node ... its behavior can [can't?] be explained... mrphmb mprhmb...
R: [Blog gold!]

What did you dream about last night?

Two more.

We borrowed an industrial snow-cone machine from friends for a mutual activity last week.  We haven't returned it yet for good reason.  Want to know a way to keep five kids content and busy for an hour?

It's hard to tell from this picture -- what fer the evidence of successful spring gardening (see that humungo zucchini????  That's on account of the "greenhouse" we built this year) and taking the picture through a window screen -- anyway, I digress with my com-brag --- but Clara is watering the garden and I thought it was very industrious of her. 

Hmm. Well, this crummy picture actually has another story to tell:  Note the graduation tassels Briton used to string peas.  Reminds me of the anecdote about Hugh Nibley praying for forgiveness in an opening prayer at one BYU graduation, because of something along the lines of being assembled, dressed "in the robes of the apostate priesthood."  Here, the honors of man, have found a more useful purpose.

June is for Strawberries

My, how the seasons roll 'round. Seems like these same pictures get posted every year. Tho' berry picking is a tradition worth keeping, eh?

 Clara looks hard at work ...

 ... but don't be fooled.

"Hmmm ... this one looks juicy."

"Yep.  Juicy."

"Ah! Caught red handed/mouth-ed ... quick ... get rid of the evidence!"

Grandma filled three buckets to every one that Clara ate.

The berries are always redder on the other side of the furrow.

Compare and Contrast.

 Clara's favorite part, besides eating the berries, was moving the yellow flags so people won't know which length of the row has been picked or not.

May and June Stuff

Cardboard is cool.

Memorial Day Weekend

We camped at Nehalem.

Clara.

The cuz's at the Rose Parade

Last game of the season at Alpenrose.  Pretty slick diamond.

Last day of kindergarten.

We love Mrs. Weber.

On Angry Birds and Turning Six

Talmage narrowed down his ultimate birthday party theme to .... Angry Birds (said the video-game-less, app-less son).  Angry Birds?  Why are they angry?  ... Which reminds me of a cartoon:
Whereupon he schooled his mother on the Angry Bird Cast of Characters and how it all works.  I assume his knowledge is a by-product of the Public Education System -- more specifically, "riding the bus."

His wish was partly accommodated.  I made him an Angry Bird cake and he made a Pig pinata -- but the rest of the party was pure Classic.  In summary:

1.  Kids painted potatoes and made potato cars while waiting for everyone to arrive.
2.  Flannel-board, participatory rendition of Three Billy Goats Gruff and then they dressed up and practiced their parts for a ...
3.  Movie version.  They did that three times, to get the various needed cuts and opportunities to be other characters, per their request.  After edits,  this will serve as an heirloomic party favor.
4.  Treasure hunt
5.  Pig Pinata
6.  Lunch/cake/etc.

Figuring out the clues

Treasure!!!!  Love Talmage's expression.

Disemboweling the Pig Pinata: scrambling for the loot.

A Polite, Delightful Afternoon Luncheon Turns Ugly: "Hand over your wallet, er, .. hot dog."

Look what the Internet can teach you to do.  My favorite one is the king pig.

And how does it feel to be six?  That's what I asked the Man of the Hour.  He said, "I'm not six, yet."