HF built a semi-permanent fence yesterday in an effort to ensure that Angus' experience in the chicken coop this week does not repeat itself. It's an ingenious creation I must say, in that Red and Feathers can come and go easily but it look pretty dog-proof. The fence is mounted to large flat posts that hold it vertical and the weight and construction of the structure make it seemingly impossible for a dog to topple (note I say seemingly). Time will tell I guess!
The monkey had his last week of preschool last week, which was not how we wished it but as it had to be. In mid-December he became best friends with the one boy in his 10-kid class who was defiant and unruly (after four months of simply observing the boy) and immediately displaying major behavior and attitude problems at home. The two were inseparable so every minute Monkey spent at school was time in which he was absorbing this boy's behavior. HF and I spent weeks trying to work through this with him and modifying some of our home life to accommodate his difficulty in reconciling his home and preschool lives; we met with the teacher and director. We tried hard to make it work and salvage things. But ultimately we felt like we were beating our head against the wall while we watched our son turn into a disruptive and uncooperative child. We made the hard decision to pull him from preschool and re-arrange our spring as best as we could to spin it as a positive. He has handled the transition fairly well, and a week after his last day we're beginning to once again see the pleasant and responsive boy we so enjoy. 
Our dog has nearly as many adventures as the book hero, Harry the Dirty Dog. He had major surgery on his ACL. He's flown solo cross country twice (the second time was a major inconvenience for his sending aunt and uncle). He had a terrible case of mange. Then this week though, we had a new one: Angus almost ate himself to death.
We went up to our favorite spot in the mountains this morning as HF has the day off for President's Day. It was the Goose's first time there (not counting the memorable morning when our hike there caused my water to break, the day after which she was born). She did very well riding on her daddy's back in the pack and even fell asleep on the return hike.
On Sunday we decided to take daddy up to survey the lovely spot we’d visited last week so he could see the seals for himself. We popped the Goose into the baby backpack for the first time as we set out for our little trek. She enjoyed herself and (apparently) the scenery, seals, and passing train as she made not a peep once the whole windy time. Such a good girl! Great Sunday outing and surely one we’ll repeat before long. Even Angus got to participate.
This morning I jumped into the van with Monkey and Roo and headed up the coastline to the Carpinteria Bluffs - leaving the goose with a trusty babysitter. I'd long heard about this place - what a scenic spot and perfect for young children - and it didn't disappoint. In addition to wide (and short!) trails atop bluffs overlooking the ocean, it also offered access to a protected beach where sea shells and other beach gems not found on most beaches near us. We collected shells, mussels, seaweed, and the like. We even got to see a baby seal up close that had somehow gotten separated from its family.
We broke for a picnic snack - always a hit with preschoolers - of bananas and crackers and then strolled along the bluffs till we hit a seal sanctuary, which was amazing. About 50 seals visible on the beaches below the bluff (protected) - lounging, swimming, sleeping. We glimpsed a brown pelican and one dolphin too! Very exciting. As we walked back we saw a para-glider riding overhead... And lo and behold, he landed right next to us! Very 
friendly guy too, who chatted all about the operation and said he'd para glided 210 days last year. (!) [Roo spent the whole car-ride home saying she wanted to para glide.]