Backyard Cleanup

After my nasty fall, the three youngest were sent out to finish winterizing and cleaning the backyard. I must admit, I was both happy and a little surprised that without any instructions from me (well, none that they followed) they did a formidable job. 

Thank you!

Smiley Starts Student Teaching!

Today Smiley began student teaching at a local Montessori school. He was very pleased with his first day, describing to me how he was assigned to help a special needs student, as well as surveying how well the children (1st though 3rd grade) understood vocabulary. 

We are very proud of you son!!

Recent Art

Recent art - Smiley

Sawyer at the Salon

Back on the 8th Smiley and I took the dogs to a salon on KK to have their nails trimmed. Alas, aside from the copious amounts of hair they left in my car, only one of the two behaved well enough to actually get their nails done. I'll let you guess which one (and it isn't this one). 

At any rate, here are some pics Smiley took. 

A few days later, Lulu took Sawyer to his usual salon where they successfully did the trimming. 

 

        

Smiley's First Day of Sophomore Year

We did NOT forget about him yesterday: I even left work early to get a pic of the boy before the 5:30 seminar that kicked off his new school year, but SOMEONE decided to go to campus early and go swimming. 

So this post is a day late, but filled with love and best wishes all the same. 

Have a great school year Smiley! We love you!

Today

A productive day.  First thing in the morning I went and got some blood work done, then returned and cut the lawn.  These are the rhubarb plants that opposed me:

Smiley attacked (most) of them while I did the lawn,  using a new-to-us mower Lulu got us from a gentleman on Facebook who repairs them and gives them away for free. 

After that,  a shower and a nap. I woke up and went to Mass, then headed to Cedarburg with Lisa. 

We had margaritas and chips at a Mexican restaurant we've been to before, but maaan this time was a miss. No taste,  no flavor,  no Bueno.

Afterwards we hopped across the street to the Rivoli where we caught a showing of The Blue Angels.

Not our normal fare, but the documentary,  while devoid of drama, was interesting enough. Lisa enjoyed it more that I did, and I still grade it a B.

A good and busy day for yours truly.

A Day of Dining

Early in the morning Lisa roasted a large pan of mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes to make a homemade tomato soup, then went out with her Mom. 

Among other errands, they had a slice of pie on the outdoor pie at Small Pie. 

They returned in time for an early dinner that Smiley had prepared at Lisa's suggestion. Thinly sliced and pounded chicken breast, breaded and fried to perfection, over a serving of Caesar salad, with the tomato soup on the side. 

Coincidence: We were told that this was actually the 100th birthday of the Caesar salad, or it's 100th plus a day, too! 

Trevor Passes

my american toad trevor passed today on the 4th. he was nearing nine years old and had been given a lifetime of love. he will be missed. i love him lots. 🙁 - YaYa

Trevor was the toad that wandered up to me,  in the middle of the night,  on a smoke break outside my place of employment in 2016. 

I skipped those details then, but you can still read about that night here. 

I don't know what possessed me to scoop him up for YaYa, but I did, and he was part of the family ever since. 

This afternoon , she called me in tears because he had passed away. I went over to comfort her and pay my respects to the best dang toad ever. 

Later, Smiley can by with a personalized coffin for his burial. 

RIP Trevor. You were and are loved.