The Ducks

Every spring we eagerly anticipate the nesting of the momma duck. The kids have named her, but I can't remember it right now. They also see her all around town and are convinced they can pick her out of a group. Cracks me up. But I digress. She and the papa duck came and prepared their nest as they always do. Its a little low to the ground bush in the front yard that they've pulled the center out of and they just fix it up a little every spring. It's a prickly little thing so why she wants to sit there all day . . . I suppose it keeps other creatures away from the eggs. Anyway we enjoy checking on her when she's sitting on the eggs and checking out the nest when she leaves for a little bit in the evening. We've even seen the ducklings when they've just hatched, but have never seen them leave. One day they are there and the next they are gone. Saturday we had just walked in the house after enjoying the soccer games and their was a BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG (ok you get the idea) at the door. I felt like throttling the child doing it, but it was Josh coming to let us know our ducks were leaving. (All is forgiven) We gathered the troops and ran outside and there they were. I wish I had video taped it. totally cute. We are happy to say the mystery is solved. They head across the street throught the neighbors yard and to the canal runs behind it. Four years and I didn't realize the canal was just across the street. Don't even say it. Anyway it was awfully cute and the kids were so excited. So glad we got to see it.

Glued Together

Mike is off on his grand new adventure--a summer in New York. We saw him off this afternoon. After family prayers and hugs from the Kris/Alyssa and the kiddos I went out to the garage to see him off. We saw Braydon peeking out of the garage door watching us and assumed he wanted to wave goodbye. So when Mike got in the car I headed into with my arms full of the last batch of dried onions to get the kids to wave to Dad. When I opened the door I was accosted by all sorts of hugs and lots from Braydon. The kids stood at the stairs and waved good-bye and he was off. After the kids scampered to the back yard Kristin told me the inside story. When Braydon closed the garage door he came in and told Kristin "Mom and Dad are glued together. They moved and they were still glued together." Kris said, "Yeah, isn't it nice that your parents still love each other? And your mom might need another hug when she comes in." Braydon's reply was "Yeah, I'll glue myself to her." And he did :0) Gotta love em!

The Chocolate Experiment

Braydon was hanging out with Kristin yesterday afternoon. He had a long sleeved black shirt on and got hot in the sun. (YEAH SUN!!!) They had a conversation about dark clothes vs white clothes and heat. So he came up with an experiment. What if I put dark chocolate chips and white chocolate chips in the sun? What would melt first. They decided he should put them on a paper towel and not a plate because the plate might make it hotter. So he did it and lo and behold the dark chocolate melted the fastest, the butterscotch second, and the white last. Then we decided we better try the microwave to make sure it wasn't just the consistency of the chocolate. And the results were that the dark chocolate actually melted last, the butterscotch first and the white second. So it would appear that the dark color does make a difference and I don't think Braydon will ever forget that concept. Go little scientist go!

Something Right

Last night we took the kids to play tennis at South. After the second one face-planted on cement we called it a night. (First, Cailah ran into a mailbox and . . . Kablam! Second, Delayna was running and bit it on the concrete.) We came home and threw the pizza in the oven. Everyone was starving and started eating as soon as the food hit their plates. Delayna is in her chair with her pizza calling Cailah's name "Lailah" and I look over. She is very sweetly folding her arms waiting for the prayer. We all quickly repented and said a prayer giving thanks for the food and for a one year old that is learning so well the things that are important. After feeling bad that I hadn't prayed with my kids, I realized that she picked it up because it is the norm in our house. I'm glad we're doing something right and it is echoed in the actions of our sweet little D. (And no, we're not talking about all the other actions we see echoed in her. At least not tonight!)

Horray, Huzzah, She's on Two Wheels

After a couple weeks of no pedals and just learning to balance, Cailah requested the return of her pedals and she is now freewheeling it down the road. Horray for no training wheels. And horray for whoever shared the no pedals idea. It's amazingly effective.

He's SEVEN!

Our sweet little bouncing baby boy is turning seven today. He's growing like a weed and learning so much it's hard to recognize who he is some days. He's always been the sweet calming influence in our home, and still is, but we are seeing that mischievous smile being flashed more and more often. He's learning that in a houseful of girls he's going to have to assert himself to get his opinion listened to on occasion. The girls all love him because they never get in fights with him mostly due to the fact that he just doesn't fight. I'm trying to learn that lesson. He loves video games. And kicks my fanny at well--everything except Dr. Mario. Phew (I've got to have a least one) He's becoming a super reader and is clearly going to be better at math than his mother.

Braydon on his new bike. Thanks G & G Bell.

Miscellaneous March Fun

OK so going back to work is fun in a lot of ways. I love my students, the people I work with, the goals of the program and getting out of the house a little. It is however taking away from my fun time. But we've mangaged to have a little fun around here. Shaving cream print painting and green pancakes and nails for St. Patty's day to name a few. And yeah, those are my nails. Made me laugh all day long. Gotta love Abby and her applesauce shamrock. Fun Fun Fun!