Well, we've had a pretty successful past few days. We've packed picnics twice and spent time at both the fountain park and another nice playground located in downtown Sacramento. We have been working as a family in our back yard, which is slowly becoming less of a jungle and more of a functional play area. There are still several hazards that prevent us from letting the girls run free, but it is our goal to have it clean, safe, and maybe even in the beginning stages of landscaping by Fall. It has been neglected for a few years now, and so we have our work cut out for us, but everyone is excited about it being usable space soon and so we inch our way forward, a little bit each week. Steve and I are looking forward to having a place to garden and spend time together, and a place for the kids to play without the threat of large scary dogs. (The 10 Pit Bulls next door- 3 adult, 7 puppy- have been decreased to 5! But more on that at another time)
Speaking of dogs- the girls' only motivation for helping the in the yard is to get themselves a new puppy. Sarah Jane and Sadie Lynn have been asking, no begging, for a dog for about a year now, and we have put them off with the excuse that we don't have a yard for a dog to run and play in. It was Sarah Jane's idea to get started on the backyard, and she wouldn't give up until we went out and got to work. So, Steve and I now have approximately 3 months to come up with another excuse for not getting a puppy. Although, I have a sneaking suspicion that good 'ol Dad will cave in before then and get his little babies a baby of their own. As the yard gets cleared, the girls get excited, and Steve gets softer in his stance on NO DOGS. I can see it coming...Oy vey, I'm in trouble!

Yours 'till my girls will settle for a Corn Dog.