Saturday, June 18, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
I Don't Know What I've Been Told...ALEX is SIX Years Old!
Well...Alex is officially six years old! He kicked off the celebration of his sixth birthday with an ARMY themed birthday party. The week before had been warm and beautiful...then the weekend hit and the weather took a nose-dive. It was chilly (50s) and misting, but we made the best of it. Alex had tons of fun as did his guests...I can honestly say that I didn't hear one kid whine, at least not about the weather!
PARTY ITINERARY
ARRIVAL: Fold and decorate paper airplanes.
INTRODUCTION OF DRILL SERGEANT: Drills and a game of 'Drill Sergeant Says'
OBSTACLE COURSE
PARACHUTE GAMES
SNACK and DRINK
RESCUE MISSION: Find and rescue their fallen comrade.
GRENADE ATTACK: Attack army men with water balloons.
PAPER AIRPLANE FLYING CONTEST
CAKE AND ICE CREAM
PINATA'
PRESENTS
We had to change up the itinerary a bit because of the weather. We stuck mostly to the original plan, but had the kids set up the army men upon arrival instead of doing the paper airplanes. We had to scratch the obstacle course because the ground was so wet, but were able to do everything else...just a little bit out of order. We don't have pictures of 'Drill Sergeant Says' or the 'Parachute Games' because I forgot to hand off the camera until after the parachute. Thanks to Papa for the birthday party photos!
PARTY ITINERARY
ARRIVAL: Fold and decorate paper airplanes.
INTRODUCTION OF DRILL SERGEANT: Drills and a game of 'Drill Sergeant Says'
OBSTACLE COURSE
PARACHUTE GAMES
SNACK and DRINK
RESCUE MISSION: Find and rescue their fallen comrade.
GRENADE ATTACK: Attack army men with water balloons.
PAPER AIRPLANE FLYING CONTEST
CAKE AND ICE CREAM
PINATA'
PRESENTS
We had to change up the itinerary a bit because of the weather. We stuck mostly to the original plan, but had the kids set up the army men upon arrival instead of doing the paper airplanes. We had to scratch the obstacle course because the ground was so wet, but were able to do everything else...just a little bit out of order. We don't have pictures of 'Drill Sergeant Says' or the 'Parachute Games' because I forgot to hand off the camera until after the parachute. Thanks to Papa for the birthday party photos!
A six year old army man running drills!
Cake #1
Cake #2
Decorations and Prizes
Setting up the army men for the Grenade Attack!
Marching as soldiers...They fell right into line..."HUT 2, 3, 4..."
Their rescued and repaired fallen comrade!
Taking him back to base...
Snack Time!
Getting ready for the Grenade Attack!
Ready, Aim, Fire!!
Paper Airplane Folding!
Paper Airplane Flying Contest
Cake and Ice Cream!
Pinata' Time!
Opening Presents
Post party eating at Subway!
His birthday...a few days later! Alex is 6!
Putting some presents together at Grandma and Grandpa's!!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Empty Nesters
Our family home has been abuzz with the anticipation of waiting for Duchess' eggs to hatch over the past four weeks! The kids and I checked on her multiple times a day to make sure she was doing alright...We even tried to feed her, but always received the same response...nothing. She just pretended that she wasn't there and hoped that we did not see her. Duchess endured the heat, the cold, rain, a falling clematis, and a funnel cloud all with the hopes of bringing new life into the world...and she did!
I went to check on Duchess early Friday afternoon and there she was standing on the sidewalk leading to the front door with her brood...I didn't wait to count, but I think there were about six or seven! By the time I ran to get the camera and come back (a mere 20 seconds), she had taken them back to the nest to sit on the remaining eggs. I took a couple of pictures while she hissed at me and then I gave her the much needed space she needed. Alex peeked through the door and I pondered waking Julia to witness the event, but decided that there was plenty of time and it could wait. After all, Duchess went to sit back down on a few unhatched eggs.
Unfortunately, there was no time...I was fortunate to catch them when I did. I went and mowed the backyard to come back only 25 minutes later and find them gone. The only proof of their existence left behind: broken eggshells, unhatched eggs, and their doody on my sidewalk.
I searched everywhere! In our bushes, in the neighbor's bushes, and rode up and down the streets on a bike looking for them and asking neighbors if they had seen a family of ducks walk by. Nothing...Julia and I went on a drive later in the day looking for them at local watering holes and still no luck!
I'm sure they're around here somewhere...We'll check the local ponds again later today after the rain has stopped. Mostly, I just want Julia to have the chance to see the little buggers...she waited so patiently and for so long.
We now need to fill the void left in our lives. Four weeks of constant checking and monitoring has left us as empty nesters...We welcome any new mamas! We'll take good care of you!
I went to check on Duchess early Friday afternoon and there she was standing on the sidewalk leading to the front door with her brood...I didn't wait to count, but I think there were about six or seven! By the time I ran to get the camera and come back (a mere 20 seconds), she had taken them back to the nest to sit on the remaining eggs. I took a couple of pictures while she hissed at me and then I gave her the much needed space she needed. Alex peeked through the door and I pondered waking Julia to witness the event, but decided that there was plenty of time and it could wait. After all, Duchess went to sit back down on a few unhatched eggs.
Unfortunately, there was no time...I was fortunate to catch them when I did. I went and mowed the backyard to come back only 25 minutes later and find them gone. The only proof of their existence left behind: broken eggshells, unhatched eggs, and their doody on my sidewalk.
I searched everywhere! In our bushes, in the neighbor's bushes, and rode up and down the streets on a bike looking for them and asking neighbors if they had seen a family of ducks walk by. Nothing...Julia and I went on a drive later in the day looking for them at local watering holes and still no luck!
I'm sure they're around here somewhere...We'll check the local ponds again later today after the rain has stopped. Mostly, I just want Julia to have the chance to see the little buggers...she waited so patiently and for so long.
We now need to fill the void left in our lives. Four weeks of constant checking and monitoring has left us as empty nesters...We welcome any new mamas! We'll take good care of you!
Duchess' finished nest in early May...There were nine visible eggs.
Duchess and two of her ducklings on Friday afternoon.
Duchess' ducklings huddling by the foundation...From this picture, there looks to be about six or seven ducklings.
What is remaining of the nest...Two unhatched eggs, with one or two unhatched eggs beneath the mulch, and some broken shells. We're a little confused about numbers. In the picture above, there is definitely six ducklings and maybe a seventh. It seemed as though there were nine eggs in her nest in early May, but some were maybe underneath the visible eggs????
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