gym, Moab, & Mother's Day

This weekend we drove down to Moab to see Beach's Papa. You might already know he has been living & working down there (~4 hrs south of SLC) building a Straw Bale House.  

Big Coach D had given the girls a week off of gym after Regionals. I can't say we did much during the week because Beach was sick and I still had to work at the gym. Beach had to "work" a little too.

She loves her coaching-thing with Coach Dan on Friday mornings. She and Dan took these pics of one of the classes. Pretty cute stuff!!! Anyway, we took advantage of long break from gym to include some time with Papa. We meant to leave Friday night but it took us a little longer than planned to pack and settled the house for the house sitter and to get Beach's half brother off to see his mom in Idaho for Mother's Day with her. 

So instead of driving Spanish Fork canyon in the dark we left very early Saturday morning. Rolled into Moab a tiny hair past 9am. We tooled around town, hung out on the building lot, and Beach played house in her Papa's trailer while he finished a shortened work day.

In the afternoon we hit the road leading south out of town for some hiking in Mill Creek followed by fishing at Ken's Lake.  

The next morning was Mother's Day.

After breakfast dad-style we headed for Dead Horse Point State Park. 

But first we had to stop at local rock shop.

Dead Horse Point

After Dead Horse we headed way out into the wild looking for Dead Horse Ranch. A beautiful historic (private) ranch well hidden up a red cliff canyon.  Beach's papa knows the caretaker. 

Amazing spot! Then back out to the wilds of the desert.

 Back in town for a quick ride on papa's new bike, a hop through the community pool, and home again.

birds at school

You can clearly see how much these 2 love each other. I'll note that a bird is not a pet for just anyone. They demand a lot of attention and care. Boo is just the about the best kind of person you could get for a bird! 

Pixel, Boo's little Sun Conure was injured 2 nights ago when he spooked and flew into the edge of a glass panel. He is still not quite himself and has 2 large "spots" on his head that are featherless & swollen.  

He isn't flying but he is walking around, eerily silent. The vet we spoke with must have a bird herself because when I mentioned the lack of squawking she said, "that might not be such a bad thing." She advised we watch him carefully and he get plenty of rest and love.

Normally, Pixel spends a good deal of time out in the house with Beach. But since he wasn't able to be out (& he was a major worry) yesterday we took school in bed with him.  

We gathered our books, closed the door to Beach's room, and set up on the lower bunk. We read, worked, & played while Pixel snuggled and walked around.  
   

Usually this is where I say how nice it is in "times like these" to be able to have the flexibility to adapt school to our lives, not our lives to school...but it was Beach who said, "Mom, thanks." I asked her for what. She answered, "For knowing this was right." 

springing

 The past 2 days we have spent most of our time outside. The weather here is beautiful! Sadly, it wasn't much of a winter in the West but still one is always happy to "feel"spring coming. 

Owen, the rabbit, is glad to have more company. There are plans in the works for a larger pen. Boo wants a fenced area she can stand up in and walk around while playing with him. 

Saturday was mostly a play day in the sun. Ending with Beach cooking us roasted sausages and marshmallows over coals on the fire pit grill. Not exactly a balanced meal... 

Taking a closer look at the Holly Hock Stems

Yesterday, after a small detour learning about Eric Clayton and the sad story behind the song Tear Drops in Heaven, (oh the directions school goes) we got down to business on the farm. I told both of the kids there was so much to do they didn't have to do anything they didn't want to. They should pick a job they enjoyed. Beach picked pulling up last years stalks & planting the rows of early spring vegetables. Fish, being a 15 yr old boy, picked lighting the charcoal barrel- a job his dad usually does.

Giant bags of chicken & rabbit food and Boo-Bear's sun tea.

 In the mild weather out behind the greenhouse, Arizona, Beach's private succulent garden is thriving! 

 And what is a summer day without a homemade bubble wand with new improved bubble solution for stronger bubbles? Beach researched "stronger bubbles" and experimented with the tips until she found one she thought worked the best- adding a vinegar based window cleaner.

 We ended the weekend in the company of good friends. Sophie (always seen around these parts) and her papa came down to the farm to help craft a nice dinner. Menu: Grilled Bison Steaks, Ginger Chicken, Roasted Peppers, Fried Polenta Cakes, Spaghetti Squash (R&B farm homegrown), & a green salad.

~Nice way to weekend~