We've had a busy week and I have lots to post about, but this one took the cake and therefore trumped the others in getting posted first!
Last night I finally planted my garden... I know Grandfather, June 8th isn't really the most ideal time to plant a garden in Kansas, but I purchased the plants at least 8 weeks ago... very embarassing... and figured they should get in the ground. They'd survived this long ... actaully produciing one small tomato and bell pepper ... they should be given the opportunity to thrive in real dirt with plenty of space, sunshine and water. Anyway, one tomato plant in particular looked a little droopy when I put it in the ground last night so this morning I went out to check on it to make sure it was still alive and had soaked up all the water I gave it last night.
Well from the pictures below you can see what I found. A baby bird had fallen from it's nest - in my dryer vent 2 stories above my garden... AND it was moving! Head, neck, wings, legs, all were moving! I frantically looked for the Nature Center's phone number and dial... praying that someone would answer the phone even though it was 45 minutes before they were to open.
The naturalist I talked to told me to bring it in, they don't nurse animals, but they are a drop off site, so if possible they'd find someone to nurse it to adulthood. I really didn't want this little guy to die in my garden, and if possible I wanted it to at least have a chance at survival - something more humain that what it was doing in my garden dirt.
Using great care, I scooped the little guy into a box filled with shredded paper and topped off with 2 squares of toliet paper, and off we all went to deliver the baby bird. The children were really good with the baby bird, they were quite concerned about the little guy and wanted to make sure it would be okay.
When I showed the naturalist the bird, he was surprised at how young the bird was and was doubtful they'd be able to do much for it given it's size, but he took the bird and said they'd do what they could ... sadly it's injury's were pretty extensive. Since it landed on it's belly, there was massive brusing, and the naturalist was pretty sure they'd have to put it down. More than likely it became lunch for one of the animals they have there at the nature center.
In the car on the way home, the kids were asking about the baby bird and if it would be okay. I explained that they were going to do everything that they could to help the baby bird. But that if they weren't able to help it feel better, that they baby bird would still be okay because he'd be with Heavenly Father. Emily decided that the baby bird would be happier with Heavenly Father.
And, Sam kept asking if the baby bird was going to miss us, and I'm sure in some small way, it might.
Monday, 5 June 2006
Tonight was Rebecca's first t-ball game! She had three weeks of practice, one practice each week and tonight they showed us and the other team, what they've learned.
This summer Parks and Rec. had enough girls interested in playing t-ball to create six kindergarten all girl teams, which I find really exciting! They are pretty good size teams, and I've been very impressed with the parents and coaches. Everyone is very encouraging and supportive of these girls – who are each at very, very different skill levels! GR and I are both really impressed with how well Rebecca has done over the last four weeks. She has come a long way from last years basketball experience!
Becca’s a social bug, and likes to have fun… and when she has an audience, oh boy! So, we had a couple of conversations throughout the day about staying focused on the game and the ball - not being silly, or loosing concentration, ‘cause that's when the ball goes somewhere you don't want it to and someone gets hurt. Somehow she managed to do exactly that, squarely hitting the ball both times she was up to bat and playing third base. Yet , at the same time, she never let go of her personality - she talked to every person that stopped at 3rd base and a few times enthusiastically motioned them on to home, and of course she had to have a conversation with the 2nd base coach and player when she was tagged out – I fully expected her to debate with them, but she didn’t, nor was she upset.
The games last an hour, and both teams were well matched. Both teams managed to have two great plays, and both were able to get two players out on base during the game.
GR took this opportunity to brush up on his sports photography, and despite feeling VERY rusty, he got some great shots of the girls. I’m hoping we’ll have enough pictures by the end of the season, to put together a little scrapbook of pictures of the season for her coach.
Sunday, 4 June 2006
Before loading up the car for church this morning I checked in on our chrysalis' to see if they were making any sign of opening up. Their color had changed from grey to a dark grey/black color. I contimplated taking the entire pavilion to church with us so we wouldn't miss them emerging, but then decided surely they would wait 3 hours ... plus where would I put it during church?
To my horror, when we got home we had a pavilion full of butterflies! After a quick count, we had 8... so we had two chrysalis's that were thankfully, taking their time to emerge. We got to watch one emerge from the chrysalis and that was amazing!
Our little booklet recommended feeding them a sugar water solution on fresh flowers. We tried using flowers from my garden, but they didn't stand up easily, so we opted for the second and third suggestions - a paper towel soaked in the sugar water solution and sliced oranges. So far the paper towel is the favorite.
Now Emily has to decide when she'll be willing to release the butterflies into the wild. Their lifespan is about 2-3 weeks, so by this weekend I'm hoping she'll be willing to release them. It's been a really fun project, and is defiantely one we'll do again!
Saturday, 27 March 2006
While the children played in a new sprinkler, GR and I continued to work on cleaning out and organizing the garage. We started Friday night by taking down some shelves we put up last fall that despite our best molly bolting efforts, ripped themselves from the walls.
It seems that every 5-6 months we need to spend a Saturday morning reorganizing the garage, sweeping out all the dirt and leaves that find their way into the garage, take a load of cardboard boxes to the recycling center, and clear space to park bikes and organize the outdoor toys.
GR talked me out of taking a picture of the heaping pile of trash we set out Tuesday AM. I did feel better as I drove around the neighborhood Monday evening... everyone in our neighborhood either cleaned out their garage or basement this weekend because nearly every house on the street had twice as much trash out for the Tuesday morning pick-up as they normally do.
One item that got thrown away worth noting: The original W Family tents that were 18+ years old. These were the tents we used to camp for the very first time as a family in Bryce Canyon. Daddy would remember the exact year. They were used on many a family camping trip, father son camp outs, scout camping trips, etc. Barbara brought them to use at girls camp the summer she nannied for us in 2002. They didn't get opened then, and they haven't been opened since - just sitting rolled up in my garage. I wanted to make sure everyone was satisfied that they had served their purpose. Daddy assured me they had, and in the trash they went, bugels sounding as they made their way to the end of the drive way.
