The Peacock Park

The Peacock Park, originally uploaded by islandj.

Isn't it wonderful - this wasn't a field trip! Did I mention school's out for the summer?! (can you tell we are all excited about that here, especially the planning mum?)

Today we went with friends to the Leo Carrillo Ranch - a city park that preserves the home and grounds of late actor Leo Carrillo. The kids around here know it as Peacock Park, and it is that. Tons of peacocks, strutting all around, squawking their great yells and cries, and showing off their stuff. They even have a very rare albino peacock, which dazzled everyone.

It was marvelous watching the kids play. Left to their own devices while the parents talked, they went about building a peahen nest, since we had seen peahens and their chicks wandering about our picnic area. I don't know that they needed our help, particularly, but it kept the girls well occupied and they were so happy about it! Sterling was busy finding feathers and, a true triumph for our collection, four peacock eggshells!

I am so enjoying the relationships that our kids are forming, and the blessing that comes when the parents enjoy each other as well. As we begin our second year in one place (hurrah!), it becomes all the more apparent and meaningful to me that we really are settling in here, finding our routines, places to play and visit, friends to be with. It's shaping up to be a splendid summer!