This is a dandelion. Most people consider it a weed. Most people at some point have made wishes and blown on it. Did you know they also have many culinary uses? You can eat the leaves raw or cooked, and they're high in vitamin A, C and iron. It's a medicinal herb. It can be used to make wine, jam or a coffee substitute. It's used as a diuretic in Canada. It can also be used as mosquito repellent and wart removal. Who knew something so useful grew so prolifically in our yards? Personally, I look at it and think of Horton Hears a Who. 
This is, of course, Sweet Annie, one of my favorite subjects. She has an ear infection right now. She always has ear infections. Apparently that is a lab thing...they always get them. Dogs with hanging ears in general are more prone to them, and dogs who swim a lot.
Annie leaves us lots of this around our yard. I make the boys scoop it up once a week before our mowers come (because the image of poop flying through the mower and around our yard is slightly terrifying). Also, dog poop carries diseases, especially ringworm, which can cause blindness if untreated. Dog poop can also possibly pollute ground water. Lovely, huh? Sorry for the close up of it, but it's for the sake of science...or my hobby...
Another favorite model, Remy. A close up on the playground where he's always hanging from the monkey bars. I love his big blue eyes. My eyes are green...my hubby's eyes are brown...yet both our sons' eyes are blue. Genetics is so interesting.
A knot in a tree at our playground. Do you know the story behind the supersition "knock on wood?" Well, we do it to avoid bad luck or evil consequences, right? Apparently it dates back to pre-Christian rituals involving the spirits of sacred trees such as the oak, ash, holly or hawthorn. There is, I’m told, an old Irish belief that you should knock on wood to let the little people know that you are thanking them for a bit of good luck or to let the wood spirits who live IN the tree you are thankful. 
I have no idea what kind of flowers these are, because I don't speak plant. But, I'm trying to learn.
These rocks are what makes up the surface of our playground, which after some reading, I realize is NOT safe. Wood chips, mulch, or shredded rubber are good surfaces.
More random images from our playground. I think I'm finally figuring out this close-up thing!
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