Birds at Home

Sometimes we don't even have to leave the house to enjoy the birds. Here are Cattle Egrets that decided to perch on top of the car. They were very tolerant of me approaching and snapping pictures. I've seen them roaming the neighborhood recently but this is their first official visit to us.

Birds

Here are those bird photos I'd planned to post a couple of weeks ago...

Hooded Merganser




Roseate Spoonbill (unfortunately these are not very close)

Snowy Egret

Royal Tern on the beach.

Tricolored Heron

Wood Stork

American Coot

Anhinga (a Cormorant like bird also called a snake bird)

Great Egret with babies.

We're All Winners

Cub Scouts nationwide celebrate the birthday of scouting every year in February. We call it the Blue and Gold and our pack usually has a banquet with a mother/son bake off. The theme this year was Chinese New Year.
Check out Nathan's cake.

It didn't win but that was because there was some stiff competition.

He did, however, have a winning ticket for a door prize.

But really we are all winners, because after the contest was over we got to eat all that cake!

Concern

Nathan: Are you tired mom?
Me: Yes, why do I look tired?
Nathan: Yes you have... (and points around his eyes)
Me: Dark circles?
Nathan: That too but mainly wrinkles.

Well, I did ask!

Locked Out

By the dog!!! Today was our day to pick up milk and when a member of our group arrived for her order, we went outside to help carry the cooler, to chat (me) and to play (the boys). We left Duke in the house, but when we turned to go in, the door was locked ...and it's NOT a self locking door- it's a dead bolt! We're not sure whether or not he turned the lock by jumping on it or with his mouth but it was like a scene from The Far Side. He's a sneaky one, he is! On occasion, when we are out in the garage, the door from the house mysteriously opens and a canine face peers through. Now, if we could only catch him in the act and capture it on camera, we could be on AFV or at least You Tube.

Narnia, Airplanes, Acrobats, Nursing Home, Valentines and Parties

Just another typical week of homeschooling. In all honesty, this week was extra busy. It started Monday with our co-op and will end tomorrow with Sully's extra chorus rehearsal. We are all finally over the yucky flu that knocked us out the week before my dad came to visit. Getting the house back in order is another matter entirely.

Sully attended his first day of co-op classes on Monday. He's taking creative writing, cooking and my favorite(and possibly his too), Prince Caspian. He seemed to enjoy his day and has a little homework that is, according to him, "No big deal." Nathan still considers cup stacking his favorite class but he says he likes all three. Tuesday held a trip to the airport and Kids Klub auditions for the boys. Cirque-works Birdhouse Factory was our Wednesday treat. Valentine's Day gave us an opportunity to share homemade Valentines with our friends at the nursing home but our "kid party" was today. This is the first year we've participated in a Valentine's Day party and both boys had a good time. Nathan was especially excited to exchange Valentines and diligently signed over 30 cards for today's celebration. It was a day of play and overindulgence in all things sugar. I'm looking forward to getting back to "normal" next week and, as much fun as we've had, I think the boys are too.

A February Day in Florida

Bagels and playing at the beach.




Breezes, birds and shell collecting.









A drive through the wildlife refuge where we saw amazing birds (here's a snowy egret but look for more pictures in a future post) and ...




Alligators.




Lots of alligators!











I lost count but we saw around 7 or 8 and 2 outside the refuge.
All enjoyed during a visit from Granddad to make that day that much more special.