Not quite what I expected

Yesterday Ek, H, L and I were out in the yard for an end of the year leaf project (that's another post completely). We walked the whole yard looking for our 5 types of leaves to collect, taking pictures, studying, exploring, trying to be good little scientist. We needed pine needles. Um, has anyone seen how tall pine trees are? Couldn't exactly grab a few. And I can't wait for a good wind to blow some down. Don't have a ladder tall enough. So I look into our lot next our driveway and see a small-ish pine tree. I give the kids a big spill-- "Ok kids, remember snakes are out, there are probably lots of snakes in there. I do not have boots on and neither do you, so you must, I repeat must, stay out of the woods, I will be very careful but I just want you to stay in the yard, Agreed?" They all nod with great reverence. "Good" I think and off I go, one step at a time being so careful to not step on a sleeping snake. Ek says, "Lets see what's growing in the garden!!" H and L follow with joyful, "yeah!!'s" Thirty seconds later, I'm not kidding, Ek says, "Mommy! There is a snake in the garden!"

Yep. There was, alright. Add it to the wildlife list (along with our various cats and turtles that I left off the last list.) I come out of the wilderness and back into our civilization to find a 3 foot long king snake slithering around the garden and my 3 children standing 10-15 yard away staring at it. Had it bed a 3 pound dog they would have run into the house screaming, but a snake, they stand and stare. hmmmm. Not sure about that one. So since he is a "good snake," we watched him slither back into the wilderness and we went inside, that's enough leaf collecting for one day.

Good question

They say that children who ask a lot of questions will be very smart-- well, L will be brilliant! Today, while reading Goldilocks and the three bears she asked at least 25 questions. My favorite, "Where's her mama?" L, we have all been wondering that for years. And "Can I go to their house" Well, you do have curly hair. She would be Brownielocks. Would anyone join me in calling her that nickname?

L + a container of sprinkles = ?

I said out loud today, if front of witnesses (HH, actually, and he laughed), "L don't pour out all the sprinkles or we won't have any left for our toast in the morning." Never thought I'd say that. And I'm not sure what I think about it. I do like a little colored sugar in the morning. Well, she did pour them all out. Rub them around a bit and lick her hands. Really, am I telling this story? sigh. But I did get the kitchen cleaned up a bit. the end.

Wildlife report

Since living in our home we have seen quite the wildlife walk by... During the first week, mom and I returned from a walk to find a wild hog in the front yard. That same summer we enjoyed frequent visits from 2 ducks living in the pond down the street-- they would walk down the street to visit us. Sometimes of the year we year the chorus of quail all around us and one night during dinner we saw them marching across the yard. We always enjoy our bluebirds, blue jays, red headed woodpeckers and cardinals. I love nothing more that a bunny jetting through at top speed. This winter we would spy quite the deer family in the neighborhood in the evenings- our highest count one night was 11. I have spotted an armadillo in a neighbor's yard- I thought of TX. Not in our yard, but on the way to school there are several turkeys who choose to cross right in front of me. We saw a King snake 10 yards from our garden several weeks ago. Can I count Samson, the wild lab, as wildlife? If so, count him several times! I was not expecting this little creature today... and may I saw ewwww. We trapped him in a bucket and let him go in the pond. BH desperately wanted to take it to school. I do not thing TH would have slept well with it in her home!! What will be next?

I think she'll be back

I think L's smile tells the story of this one. She enjoys (mild understatement) getting her nails painted very much! And, well, actutally, so do I. I tried to make the most of my disappointment of the rain spoiling our trip to the strawberry patch by meeting up at the mall with my 2 year old to and her generous Grandma to have nails done. Watching L was fabulous. I will remind her though, when she is finding it difficult to sit still, that I know she is capable if she can sit through trimming, filing, buffing, pink paint, sparkle paint and clear coat, oh and drying! She is a hoot. She asked if she could have her toes done too. I told her not today. She asked if she could when she was a mommy. I don't think it will be quite that long for this little girl.

All the time

I'm not sure when it began. I'm not sure how it began, but it did. Ek wears a variety of rubber bands and bracelets with her watch everyday. She even has some little rubber bands on her watch band. Sometimes as many as 12. They are not so much to be used. How do I know? She told me one day last week when I was desperate for one that 'ummm, they aren't really for hair.' sigh. It has drawn some attention. But she likes them and that is fine.

Early

It had been 6 weeks since the day of the great piercing. This is Ek's birthday present from her daddy and me. I knew she wanted to change them, so we opened birthday a bit early. She was thrilled with her pink flowers with a sparkle in the middle. They are a bit bigger than I wanted, but they are sweet. "Bigger that my ears!" is her description. Happy Birthday Ek.