A new pastime

We have two wonderful balconies; a long one on each side of the apartment. We haven't used them a lot over the past months, and I have neglected them badly. It is the time of year where we set up our sobias (gas heaters), which we had stored outside. Anyway, I decided I was going to get out there and clean up. The dilemma was how to go about this task with Joshua roaming around. I have been realizing that I am just going to have to let him get dirty. Many of you will probably laugh and think, "Well, hello! He is a little boy!" But really, it has been a big step for me! Over the weekend, I cleaned the filth outside and let Joshua "help" me while I wiped down gas cans. (Don't worry, I didn't let him touch the gas!) He discovered the chickens behind our house, and he has decided that it is pretty fun to go in and out of the door that leads to the balcony. So his new pastime is chicken watching, and he will stand on his tiptoes peering over the concret wall as long as I will allow him to do so... and he might sample a little bird poop if I am not paying attention. I am thankful for this new diversion (minus the bird poop)... at least while it is pleasant enough outside to take advantage of it!