ice plant and woodchopping

Oh, I couldn't forget the 680 pounds of ice plant and wood debris Dad and I carted off to the waste dump in Marina, so I added that leg to the map for our California trip. While in California, I cut back some ice plant, and Lisa and Beth and Sandra hacked more that was creeping into the rose garden and then loaded all of it and the waste from the deck demolition into the truck. David asked if the girls had tied it down, too, which made Dad laugh, and David retied it before Dad and I took it away. We piled some boards near the garage, where we'd re-piled some fire wood. I managed to split a few old logs, but it was very hard and I'll have to go back and split some more when the grass is high again.

I talked to Mom and Dad this weekend on the phone as I was burning some steaks. We had some more wintry weather last week: rain and snow and cool temperatures, but this week looks to be high 70s and time to think about air conditioning. Jackson did so well at the recital, beaming and skipping from the stage, and so proud of his award. There's some pictures below. Cyndi had a Pampered Chef party Friday, which was more work than she wanted, and we had a little reception of Chinese salad and salmon after the recital on Saturday. Cyndi and I introduced the young performers during the morning session, and luckily the baseball game had been canceled that morning due to the rain, so Jackson didn't miss anything. It must be strawberry season; we had fresh strawberries all weekend. They're Ry's favorite fruit, along with grapes and watermelon and pineapple, and, oh yes, there's bananas and dried mangoes, too.

Sunday we looked for some cleats that fit Ry, as we plan to sign him up for some sports and he's tripping over the cleats he wears all the time, along with the oversized catcher's equipment, but we haven't found any yet. Jackson's planning a playhouse and the desk for his office. He's decided to study animals next. We spoke to Ariel. She chose NYU. Here's a story that talks about some things she considered in her choice. Chris arrives soon, for about 10 days, and they plan to get away for a few of them on the coast of Oregon.