Dragoons

This year for Thanksgiving, we made grand plans to go to Big Bend, TX. I don't know where the idea came from, and why we decided that this year was the year to do it, but we did. We spent weeks planning the trip - menus, camping gear, best locations for camping, dog-friendly hotels on the way... The night before we left, I packed the food and Howard packed up the truck. By 10pm, we were loaded and ready to go!

We thought we should check and see if we needed to take wag bags for primitive camping, so Howard jumped online and looked up information about the National Park. There was no mention of wag bags, but there was something about keeping dogs on leash... and off trails... and out of rivers... and not letting them anywhere, really.

This was a glitch.

We couldn't leave Semilla behind, and we couldn't take her with us.

Without missing a beat, we changed our minds and decided instead to go to Cochise Stronghold, AZ. We bought an Arizona road atlas at a gas station along the way, and we were organised.

Semilla was very glad to be with us. 

We stopped along the way for some snacks, and to consider our route...

Here's a little friend we met. Such a big, shiny abdomen! We have been learning all about black widows (same family as red-back spiders) and how spiders are cool, but not good to touch. 

We camped on the west side of the Dragoons. This is the view, a short hike from our camp. 

Looking west over the Arizonan plains.... Is that Tucson in the distance?

The vegetation here was a little bit different to what we are used to seeing. I'm not sure if this is still Chihuahuan Desert this far west?

Ocotillo!

We all had a great time, running around in the desert air (and bike-riding and hiking and climbing rocks). 

The sunset was spectacular!

On the road - a break from our unexpectedly long bike ride. Imogen has a seat behind Ayesha and Paloma has a bike-trailer behind Howard. We can really get going - much faster than ever before!
And Semilla is wonderfully tired by the end of the day - she had to drag herself out of the tent at marshmallow-cooking time....

Lots of interesting things to see... 

Century plant! They were everywhere, and made great sticks for Semilla to chase and Paloma to ... create elaborate imaginations and games about witches (with Imogen in tow). 

What's over there?

The highly toxic native coral bean!

More gorgeous views.... 

Our little home away from home for four lovely nights...

There were some lovely little creeks too - we discovered this one on our circuitous way out (I'm sure we could have found a short-cut, if only we had a map...)

Oh, and by the way: Paloma is awesome.

A weekend detour

Semilla has been escaping from the yard a lot lately. This has given us a great opportunity to get to know a lot of our neighbors, which may or may not be a good thing. So, last weekend, we planned a mission to figure out exactly how she was escaping. How does a dog jump over a six foot wall?!??

The plan was for all of us to leave the house so that she would think that she was home alone. Then Howard could sneak back and watch her...

But I had to find something to do with the girls.... Paloma didn't like the idea of the art museum and voted for the aquarium instead.


Paloma was happy to introduce Imogen to the rays.


And the fish! Lots of fish kisses xxxxx


And then it was off to Lowes to pick up supplies to reinforce the yard wall. Howard had outwitted Semilla and figured out her escape point.

Paloma doesn't look very pleased about driving, but she did really love it.

And Semilla has safely stayed in the yard and we all live happily ever after....







***** update: Howard has reported that Semilla has escaped the yard again. I think this dog may have superhuman powers (super dog powers?).

Hello 2014!

Here are some of my favorite moments from the post-Christmas break...

Imogen is ready to take on the new year with GUSTO!

Paloma thought that Semilla should put a hat on before going out in the cold.

Santa surprised us with face paints for the girls. Paloma surprised us with a request to be a butterfly princess. And then made squinty eyes for the photo.

Peace at last....

bath time

This is what happens when Semilla gets a bath: 

At least all of the girls are playing together....

Memorial Day camping

Happy birthday Paloma!

Paloma turned three last week. Three already. It feels like we just celebrated her second birthday.

My, how time flies.

Her birthday was on a Thursday, so we opened a couple of presents before school. She seemed pretty happy to get a new bunny ears jacket.

Modeling her new jacket

Ears to keep her ears warm in the winter

At school, she shared some hedgehog slice with her friends and everyone sang happy birthday.


When we got home, Howard artfully hid her next present in the backyard.

Although she seemed a little distracted, we eventually got her to try out her new trike.

And away she goes!!!

After a trial run in the backyard, we decided to take it to the streets.

She talks a lot, doesn't she?

The next night, Grandmommy and Grandaddy came to visit and she dressed up for the occasion.

Thanks for the hat, Aunt Shari!

Then on Saturday morning, we celebrated AGAIN! (Three parties: what a lucky girl!)

We had a bunch of friends around and they had a grand old time with paint and a blank wall.

Of course, no party is complete without birthday cake. Paloma had requested purple cake with pink frosting and I did my best to oblige (despite some technical difficulties).

Proud as punch!

Mia, Caroline, Paloma, Finn, Liam, James

One, two, three blow!

Thanks to Sarah for capturing Paloma blowing out the candles. Apparently, I missed the first attempt:

In the meantime, Imogen just soaked up the atmosphere...

"Yeah, I'm cool. No big deal."

And now we have a beautiful mural in our backyard!

[Thanks to everyone who came and painted with us![

There's still room to add more!

I wonder what will happen when (if) it snows?

Flying solo

Last week, Howard was out of town for work, surveying sfishes on the Delaware River. He caught a huge gar and had a pretty good time (apart from missing us, of course). 

I had my hands full with three girls (Semilla, Paloma and Imogen) but we all survived. I have found the key is to keep the meals simple and give each of them some attention. Including Semilla. 

You may have noticed that Paloma doesn't like to wear shoes. She loves to walk barefoot in our pokey backyard. But you may have also noticed that she's wearing one pink sock and one purple sock. 

Odd socks!

Apparently, there was a little communication problem before Howard left. He had a different understanding of what it means to do a load of washing for everyone. Paloma seemed to miss out.

Paloma's full laundry hamper. 

You may also wonder what Imogen is doing while I'm tossing the ball for Semilla and watching Paloma rake.

She's part of the fun too, but she's behind the camera. Kind of.

Along for the ride. 

She's got my back.

Up close and personal.