Afternoons on Park

... browsing possible gift-making ideas in the autumn sunshine with the best babysitter in the world.

Halloween on Park

J was the ghost of a casualty of war, adult J was a rainbow dragon, M was a rock star dolphin (notice dorsal fin) diver with pet orca. It was a mellow evening in our new neighborhood. Scary highlight was a sleeping gorilla man who grabbed people's arms when reaching for candy. Comedy scary was J leaping out of coffin, albeit slightly premature of victim's actual approach.

Tire swing on Park

Testing testing... position 1 got a little entwined in branches overhead and was over the picnic spot of choice. So position 2 is in the 'orchard' on a motley branch that held steady with the test adult.

End of Summer on the river

Was the last day of Summer holidays, we went to our favourite Texas beach. M in spare swimwear thanks to leaving her gear goodness knows where and one sock because the shoe rubs where we repaired it. And J with I can swim attitude, though this was her first swim with river flowing current. We're not in the third picture here, it's the view up-river of our fellow bathers, with hula-hoops and beer.

There were rumours of a Water Moccasin (Cottonmouth) sighting nearby.

We had our own beer at home, and closed-out the day relocating the camellia to its new home. Good luck camellia.

Floyd Cupboard, 2011 & 2015

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE?

Late Summer

Time for poolside relaxing and an extra adult for trips to the corner shop, library and museum, whilst I read read read... and sometimes write.

Evening stroll, Fan

A local evening stroll in Paradise Park - full tire rotation with each child inside was achieved - and new Visual Arts Centre Community Garden inspected.

Yoga Camp

A week of sibling yoga and Sikh mythology plus Kirtan chanting AND a big trip out to the Lotus Shrine in Yogaville - it is just what it says it is... Check it out

Inflatables of the Summer

Will it be a lobster for two or a dolphin?!?

Where else but Target could get inflatable fashion so right?

Marlins Swim Season 2015

First up the Sharpie marking...

Then thunder & lightening and in Meet II a heat win and a 10 second improvement in back stroke. This is a fully immersive thing and J, P & I are just about coping in our multiple support roles, including 'official' timing at 38C.

Science Monday at Reedy Creek

So to summer school and investigating water quality at Reedy Creek, before a good dose of wallowing...

Pool on Floyd

It took three semi-launches to get to the saltwater filtered and even-grounded state it is now routinely in. No algae bloom for us.

So far its been pool parties by the club house every day and fairy lights to come, once we've overcome the health and safety considerations.

Lemonade Stand on Floyd

A duck walks up to a lemonade stand... is a favorite catchy tune and they loved a friends' lemonade stand in their cul-de-sac, so the girls got totally inspired.

There was much squeezing of lemons, sugar swirling and the ultimate ambition to adopt a dolphin at Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Thanks to some amazing passers-by and the neighbors, plus the sale of rocks recently imported from Canada they raised enough money to become guardians of Winter, the dolphin.

Give Peace a Chance, Latin Ballet of Virginia

Three Beatles-themed shows, two sister-dancers and only one Miss Anna holding it all together.

The Octopus' Garden swooshed and swirled and there were bubbles floating in the air - utterly magic and the product of real practice.

Craft in the Yard

The freshly painted door with classy pastels plus a rainbow loom for lurid shades of friendship bracelets and some repurposed tools with weeds' assemblages...

Hair on Broad

A stylist who can go from a drawing... where else but here.

Easy Dunker 2, Strawberry Street Festival

They queued for over an hour, more than once, to be dunked in a freezing tub of water with floating band aids aka plasters, tissues and at least one person's scab. It was the hit of the fair!

Homework on Floyd

We got it cracked today with 'how to plant a seed' storyboarded, whilst the guinea pigs roamed at our feet and the aforementioned plants got tied to stakes aka re-purposed swords.

Pencil case on Floyd

Finally a homemade gift for someone we love from the bottom of our pencil case. Complete with 1970s vibe as extra.

More Mount Vernon on Floyd

My latest purchase is a popular read but when J spotted this page she was so happy and I hadn't even noticed it - the walled gardens at Mount Vernon - which made it in to the top 250 gardens to see. I've done 10% of them but there are more within reach... Herefordshire I mean.