Our Zoo

Allan trying to catch the squirrel

The squirrel hanging out before Allan chased it away

Peeking out at me

The pileated woodpecker

Everyone knows that I have three little birds. My birds, Will, Emma and Jack are enough to make me feel like I live in a zoo most days. Evidently, these are not the only strange animals in our midst. A couple of weeks ago, Allan decided he couldn't stand it any longer and HAD to cut down one of the dead trees in our backyard.

Will had made a birdhouse which was attached to this tree, so he decided to cut the tree off just above the house. Allan had mentioned that some bird had been trying to make the hole bigger, but no further investigation was conducted. When setting up the ladder and getting things ready to cut down the tree, Allan saw a big set of eyes looking back at him from the hole in the birdhouse. He thought they were really big eyes and asked me to take a peek. When I did, the big eyes started coming out of the hole toward me! I had my camera in hand and started snapping photos. It looked similar to a squirrel, but the eyes! They were huge! And it had a funny stripe down the side. It came all the way out and just stayed put on the tree. Allan decided he was going to CATCH it. It had other plans and was much too fast for Allan. The tree came down and we haven't seen the creature since. We did do some searching on Google and found out that it was a FLYING SQUIRREL. How exciting! Note: zoom in on the squirrel's booty. Interesting!

Not a week later, I stepped onto the deck to see a huge black bird with red on it fly out of the yard. Not being a bird expert, I guessed it to be a pheasant. Later, my mom and I kept hearing a very distinct and loud bird call. Neither of us had ever heard it before. Later, we found the bird pecking on the ground just beyond the deck. My mom was able to take a picture of it and we discovered it was a Pileated Woodpecker. For those of you who have never seen one, they are HUGE! It was about the size of a chicken. No kidding.

Amazing how many different creatures we have discovered in our own backyard. I guess it makes getting a dog not seem so wild after all!

Not To Be Mean, But......

Last week, while sitting in the car, Jack piped up out of no where. "Mom, not to be mean, but, I can't wait until you die". Thank God I wasn't driving at the time. Why? I asked. "Well, then, when you come back to life, you can tell me what it is like after you die". Amazing how little minds work. I really never saw that one coming.

Another sewing project

Recently, I made an apron for my friend, Amy and another dress for Miss Emma. I was very happy with both projects. I have to admit though, it was hard to part with the apron. I fell in love with the fabric and for some reason, I have a fondness for aprons (even though I don't usually wear one).

Emma was extremely excited to wear her new dress today, which also can be worn as a smock over capris or jeans. I love that it is so versatile!!! It will also grow with her because instead of buttons, I used knots.

Will's Gym

The other day, I found Will and Emma giddy with excitement. This caused some concern because rarely are they both excited about the same thing. They have made it clear that they are individuals with individual interests - in other words, the boy vs. girl thing has been set into motion.

Will decided that he wanted to start a family "gym". This would encourage healthy living and more fit bodies for all family members. To encourage the use of his gym and exercise program, Emma offered to make a few signs to post throughout the house. Here are a few of their creations:

While at the sign-making business, Emma decided to make a few of her own. Like I said, she has made it clear that she is a LOT different than her brothers.

Jack's New Bike

For the longest time, I didn't think Jack's legs were long enough to reach the pedals on a two-wheeled bike. The other day, after fussing about him wearing high water pants (he needs a size 3 for the waist, but a 4 for the length), I decided to see if he could ride the infamous Tigger bike. Lo and behold, that child could actually reach! We put the training wheels on it and away he went. He is Big Stuff now that he can ride a big kid bike. He has to ride it EVERYWHERE! It has actually been a great thing, because now I can go on a walk with him riding and actually move at a rate faster than a snail's pace! Life is good and it just keeps getting better.

Funny Dinnertime Moments

Sometimes, there are family moments where EVERYONE just has to laugh. We've had several lately and I just had to share a couple of them.

The other night at the dinner table (where all great conversations occur), I was talking to the kids about how important they are to Allan and I and some other mushy stuff. I told them, "we created all of you....." and during my pause, Jack piped up just as serious as can be and said, "uh, that would be God. God actually created us."

Another night, Allan had a jar of olives that he was eating out of during dinner. On the jar was a picture of an Italian woman sitting on a stone wall, leaning back with her arm up high, reaching for an olive branch behind her. Great mental picture, huh?! Anyway, out of nowhere, Allan started asking each of us what we thought she was saying. Will- "I'm mad". Tanna - "Come and smell my armpits". Allan - "woo hoo these olives are good!". Next, was Emma's turn. She looked at it for some time and then without much emotion in her voice, says "raise the roof". We all just cracked up.

I'm sure reading about these moments don't really portray how funny the actual moment was, but I can say with certainty that we have fun at the dinner table. Dinner with my family, at home, is the highlight of my day. I hope that these moments, as insignificant as they may seem at the time, will instill the sense of family in our children. I am sure the day will come when we will be apart at dinnertime. But for now, these are the important and cherished moments of my days.

Parvuli Dei

Father Michael, Will and Allan

Congratulations, Will! On Scout Sunday, February 7th, Will received his Parvuli Dei medal at church from Father Michael. This is an award received through Cub Scouts.

Will had several activities to complete with us (Allan and Tanna) at home. One of the activities was to make a banner which represents things for which he is thankful. Will drew a rough sketch of what he wanted his banner to look like. Things included on his banner were: his family, God, the Trinity, trees, the sun, ice cream and hamburgers. We printed a family picture on cloth and then Will sewed the cloth picture on his felt banner (using my sewing machine!). He cut the rest of the objects out of felt and glued them on. It turned out really nice!

After completing these activities, which were all faith-based, Will had an interview with our priest, Father Michael. He was then selected to read the intercessions at the Scout Sunday mass at Holy Family.

True to his nature, Will was not in the least nervous about reading in front of the congregation. Mom and Dad were nervous though! Just minutes before mass, Will was given the names of the people for whom the mass was offered - Tona Duarte and Giovanni Fontana! Lord knows it couldn't have been the Smith family! Nonetheless, he said them without hesitation or flaw. He and two other boys were then presented with their Parvuli Dei medals.

We are so proud of Will and this accomplishment!