Cute notes:

Reagan has officially adopted Georgianna as her "Tsiser."
Reagan is officially afraid of "topper heads."
Reagan officially likes to eat her "tanwish."
And...the official version of one of our most beloved Christmas Carols is..."Violet Night. Coldy Night. All is call. All wish brigh..."


Another warm morning greeted us, so I determined that when Tanner came home, we would all go to the park and have a barbecue. What a perfect outing it turned out to be. Since it was Friday night, everyone else was "out" to eat, so the park was deserted. I cooked some chicken on the grill and tossed a spinach salad while the girls played on the the swings and in the dirt. Tanner laid out on the blanket with Georgie and watched the cloud patterns.

It was at this point in our excursion that Reagan learned about "topper heads". I was just taking the chicken off the grill when Tanner's voice took on a very urgent tone. He commanded the girls to climb onto the playground equipment and stay there. I was pretty surprised when they immediately scrambled to the topmost level. Tanner at first told me to move away from the grill. I asked him why, and he explained that he thought he might be looking at a copper head, but he wasn't sure. I shuddered and then said, "don't they usually travel in pairs." He nodded. "Then I probably shouldn't move since I'm no good at seeing wild life. Good point. Better to climb onto the picnic table. I very obediently did just that as he peered at the curious creature hidden amongst the dried leaves and brown branches of a sprawling bush. I walked the length of the picnic table and then jumped to a second picnic table and thus made my way around the "topper head" and to Tanner's side so that I could hold Georgie while he investigate. I could see the head of the little animal. It was indeed a nice burnt copper head, nestled amongst dry leaves just like we'd been warned, but it sure seemed to be fat for a snake. And then, just as my arms wrapped around Georgie the little animal moved. It had legs that had been hidden by the leaves. Whew! Still don't know what it was except that it was some sort of lizard.

So, we finished up our picnic, packed the girls back into the stroller and headed for home. We made a stop at Dairy Queen and the girls got dip cones and so did mom and dad. Thus ended a lovely evening fit for the month of July.