One way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon.....

This afternoon we took a trip 5 miles up the road to the Bass Pro Shop. We are not hunters. I love to fly fish, but we only did with Daddy. We are not camo-wearing Alabamians. However, this is a great family adventure for us as we get to pet lots of animals that one usually is not able to get into close proximity with! (And who really cares if they're dead??)

This is only one small section of the main floor!

There's always something fun for the kids to do. (And Ben and Abby too!)

P.S. Don't you hate when the kids track over your freshly mopped floor?

Ode to a Tree

Wednesday Ben and I heard a noise out front so we went to the porch to investigate. Imagine our surprise when we saw a truck from the city- come to fell our lovely Elm. She was a beautiful tree, but we had watched her slow decline as a loved one with a fatal illness. Finally, this year, Elm produced no real leaves and our hearts were broken, for we knew she was gone.

Ben watched with snack in hand while I snapped off a few pictures of Elm. And before the big truck comes to haul her away, I inscribed her with the highest honor of all treedom.....

And now, a haiku.....

She was beautiful

A Belle in her day

Nearly a century old

Bird sanctuary

You never truly appreciate trees until you live somewhere there aren't any.

Battle of the 'Birds

Since my last post, the word has gone forth and EVERY hummingbird in central Alabama has graced our feeders! One day, feeling adventurous, I decided to refill the feeders and see if the birds would come near me. (This blossomed from last year's experience of me trying to rehang a feeder, all the while being pecked in the head by a very obviously STARVING hummingbird!) I hid behind th iron-work on my front porch with a feeder in my hand. In about 20 minutes, after being smelled and brushed by tiny wings, they began feeding from my hand! Then one little Precious landed in my hair! It was very beautiful and very exhilarating.

I only wish someone had taken a picture......

The Life

On Tbursday, a beautiful little hummingbird graced us with a visit to our feeder. Unfortunately, I had given up on being visited by these tiny guests this summer and had let the necter evaporate out of the feeders without refilling. (SHAME on me, I know!) I jumped up, ran outside, grabbed all of the feeders (4), washed them, made up some necter, and rehung them incase he decided he would give us one more chance.

And he did! We all went out on the porch at about 1:30 or 2 this afternoon and lounged in the hammock, the hammock chair, and the glider. We, children included, silently watched not one- but 2- hummingbirds take turns feeding for over half an hour! It was about 83 degrees outside with a light breeze and low humidity. I laid in the hammock with whisps of my pulled-up hair blowing in the breeze and Abby, wide-eyed, lying next to me. Once in a while the silence was broken with a GASP! and a gently whispered, "Did ya see that one, Momma?" or "Look Daddy, there's a woodpecker on its favorite place on the power pole!"

Ahhhhhh, THIS is the life.................

Spikey

Ben has gone all "spikey" on us. We took him to get his haircut and he said he wanted red spikes. We compromised on the spikes...... isn't he adorable?

heehee..oops! Nemo wasn't deaf!

But he was "dear"!

As our deaf friend, Nemo, said.....

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!! Please forgive the blurry picture, it looked much better on the camera!

Abby did it! She took the plunge and very joyfully endured the first day at Crestwood Day School! For those of you who do not know- Abby is attending "school" at a neighbor's house who is a certified teacher. (Alabama law says that to homeschool you must be the parent, grandparent, or certified teacher.) She teaches in the Charlotte Mason style and has the most beautiful schoolroom set up in her basement. There are 4 other precious girls in Abby's school and they vary in age and grade. Abby is the oldest.

In Abby's own words she "had so much fun I never wanted to leave"! And she can't wait to go back tomorrow.

I however, have now stopped crying and crawled out of my fetal position. And just in case you were wondering, there was a hero's welcome for Abby when Ben saw her after school! :o) More hugs and kisses than I have ever seen! And lots and lots of "I love you"s and "I missed you"s!