July 4

A few quick shots of Monday at Mom's. Danica and Wyatt rode the most beautiful horse in the parade. (Maggie, for those of you who try to keep track of that sort of thing.)

Instead of the usual extended-using-a-tarp-slip-and-slide, Wyatt went above and beyond this year. Since Dad was irrigating there was a whole lot of standing water in the horse corral so Wyatt decided to convince all the kids to play there with him. Yes, the same horse corral where horses stand around and poop.

It was AWESOME!!

Sterling, showing us some crazy moves.
Wyatt and Sterling pulled the kids around on this thing. I'm not sure its original purpose, but it worked excellently as a water thingee. Wyatt would race around and make sure the rider went through the deep mud hole and spin in circles until the water thingee was almost airborne, and the child would fall off. We should make people pay to watch it. Fantastic entertainment for the spectators.

Milling around in the field--much like a herd of horses. Less grass eating, however.



It's all fun and games 'til someone gets hurt.

Cowen was awesome. Miriam, too, was much tougher than I expected. Ethan whirled her around on the water thingee and didn't use the same *caution* Wyatt showed and she went flying. Came up laughing. I was proud.






A little neighbor boy named Daygon (sp) wandered over to the fenceline and stood there looking wistful. Lindsay took pity on him and invited to come frolic in the muck with us, if he could get his mother's permission. He took off and came back a few minutes later sans his nice-looking shirt. He didn't hesitate and joined in the sport. Cowen was grateful he did. After all other kids went inside, Daygon and Cowen continued to bask in the blissful filth of it all. I love boys. I love how Cowen didn't bother with introductions--just made that sharp "come over here now" movement with his hand that boys make, Daygon ran over, they raced to the other side of the field, and Cowen wanted him to move in with us thereafter.

Hope your Fourth was just as splendid. Full of fun and laughter and homemade rootbeer and manure. Like all good holidays should be.

PS I went undefeated in Koob. Thank you. Thank you.