ELLEN AND I WALKED FERDIE AND MIMZIE AY THE RIPARIAN

Sunday morning's walk was different for me. We took Ellen's Yorkies along and they wanted to visit with every other dog they saw. Believe me, dogs were plentiful. Gazillons of flowering shrubs were showing off their beauty.





My idea was to look for the peach love birds I photographed last year and the yellow headed Verdin's nest in the same area. We weren't the only people disappointed by the lovebirds absence. And the nest was hidden by the spring growth so that was a bust too. All was not for naught. I enjoyed walking with Ellen, Ferdie and Mimzie surrounded by ponds, blossoms, trees and all the wonderful sounds of nature.








The American Avocet pictured here is new for my list. I saw a huge Blue Heron take flight and only managed to get a distant blurry photo.

PECOS PARK WATER FEATURE IS A HIT

There we were all prepared for the park with lots of water TO DRINK and snacks and hoping to have as much fun as last week. Oh boy, were we surprised. Silly me forgot about the large area with snakes that spout water and holes underfoot that shoot water into the air.

Did it matter that the kids were not wearing swim clothes? How about towels? Rules? When I turned around and saw Luke rolling in the sand by the play equipment I quickly realized I had to make a rule. But truthfully, the kids were on their best behavior.

A parent remarked that the feature was just turned on last Thursday. I missed that notice. But heh! We live in Arizona. Things like upholstered car seats, hair and clothes dry fast here. So does skin and when I realized Brayden and Sophie were shivering statues, I knew it was time to leave. We had a greaaat time. And on the next visit we'll need suitcases for all the paraphernalia necessary.

SATURDAY FUN WITH LUKE, BRAYDEN AND SOPHIE

I've always enjoyed playing hide and seek. I had so much fun with the game when our kids were little and I can't think why I've waited so long to play with the grandchildren. Last Saturday I met the challenge. It was great fun helping Sophie hide-she's so little it doesn't take much space to make her disappear. Next time I'll plan ahead and create more super hiding places. We'll have to do something with Bruce though, you'd think he was a pointer instead of a Yorkie!

Next we hurried to the Phoenix Park off Pecos Road and 48Th st. The children met a family who invited them to play touch tag. Running and chasing and getting rid of a lot of excess energy hit the spot.

I'm constantly counting them to keep track of their whereabouts but somehow I missed seeing how Sophie was able to hang upside down.

It could have been when Brayden was performing his drum solo. DO I HEAR MUSIC? DRUMS? CAN YOU NAME THAT TUNE? HERERRRRRS BRAYDEN PAUL BAUER!

UGH OH, THE CAMERAMAN'S BEEN SPOTTED!

We're hoping to meet that family another Saturday. I'll take extra water for dunking and good treats. Mr. Brayden had hunger pangs. It was a good thing the ice cream truck made a stop at the curb!