Last year around this time I produced a series of three investigative videos exploring the shadowy world of Peep abuse. Unlike many people’s response to these videos, it’s no laughing matter. Save the Peeps! (the second with Dr. Osterholm is my favorite…)

I love this photo and the story behind it.

Jay Black hoists 5-year-old Rowen McKnight for an autograph from Twins pitcher Joe Nathan before the start of the Twins’ home opener. Black, who didn’t know McKnight, noticed the little boy seem to lose hope since his big brother was in front of him. “He kind of… gave up and I asked him, ‘you want an autograph?’ He handed me his hat and instead I just scooped him up.”

For more photos:
http://www.twincities.com/ci_17802780

Jessica took this photo of what I think was the girls’ first ever ride in a swing. I have no clue which baby this is. See!?

Josh stopped by the other day to deliver (and play) and new game he bought for Arthur and Lewis, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. Here’s a nice photo Jessica got of Arthur and Josh discussing the rules.

My mom left this morning. She was an incredible help and lots of fun for all the kids. Thanks, Mama!

We'll have to get a DNA test some day. With hats on they're nearly indistinguishable!

Several weeks ago Art created an activity that has had incredible endurance: The Animal Party.  Every now and then since that day the boys will get involved in carefully stacking the animals in some semi-deliberate scenario. Once it was piling them all in the wingback chair with snakes draped over the back and arms. Another day it was stuffing them all inside the small dollhouse my mom brought over and standing in the window sill nearby. And then, a week or so ago, they created the Animal Party to End All Animal Parties. They worked on it for forty minutes or more while I was making dinner one night. At one point Art called to me, “Mama! Can you help me make Baby T-Rex stand up?” which I didn’t do. I just told him he had to try over and over. You’ll see in the detail shots of this fantastic Animal Party that he was successful. Note also the very fine garage Lewis built for a car, various animals riding on other animals and regal train passengers.

Consulting a diagram I downloaded on my fancy iPad so I may properly prune our honeycrisp apple tree.  Must eliminate “competing leaders”, “upward interior growth” and, of course, “narrow crotches”.