Public Enemy Number One

Wanted: Gray housecat with beady, evil-looking eyes

Last seen in our front yard--the scene of the crime

FACTS:

An innocent robin couple found love and built a nest in our holly tree. Much to our elation, about a week later 3 beautiful blue eggs were discovered.

We loved these eggs. We checked them every morning before school and nearly every other time we got in the car. Having done our homework, we knew that they would take a couple of weeks to hatch and that their number one enemy was the common housecat. Thus our war chant was born:

"What do we do? Defend the eggs!

How do we do it? Scat the cat!"

Imagine our grief and surprise when, after having just checked on the eggs that morning, another quick look in the nest just before lunch revealed the following crime scene:

A grey, fuzzy stray cat (did I mention his beady eyes?) was seen perusing the premisis. I, of course, shooed him away, and held some small hope that perhaps this last egg was hatching rather than the leftovers of a feline snack.

As we had already planned a fun, robin-friendly craft for the afternoon, the kids and I made our robins and then went out to check on the now lone egg in the nest. This is what we found:

Warning--the image may be disturbing.

What followed were many tears and sobs and inner-cursings of housecats everywhere. The looks on the kids faces tell all.

You'd better watch your back, Mr. Cat. Next time you come around these parts, we'll be waiting.

Our Easter Best

Spring and Other Easter Happenings

This spring, we have discovered many things.

First of all, Lincoln loves the trampoline. Jonah and Kate play the roles of jumpers, while he stars as a bouncer (Bouncers are usually big, chubby guys, aren't they?)

And although this picture doesn't particularly show his enthusiasm, he really enjoys swinging as well.

We've discovered that opening the sandbox is our favorite rite of passage every spring--despite the creepy crawlys we have to scoop out of it every now and then.

Besides, who can resist a sandy baby foot?

We have also discovered that Lincoln wants to crawl. And we're not talking in a small way; he really wants to move. If he can't reach it, he'll roll to it. Ahh...it's only a matter of time until we have another "Babyzilla" on the loose (that's what Jonah used to call Kate when she started moving and going after his toys).

We've discovered that Easter egg hunts are pretty fun...

Apparently eggs aren't always the only things Jonah is interested in hunting for.

On Easter morning the kids discovered their Easter baskets and some other hidden goodies. Jonah and Kate both got chocolate bunnies, while Lincoln got baby food and Cheerios. Being a baby does have it's drawbacks. We dyed our Easter eggs Sunday night. And despite Jonah's "deer-in-headlights" expression, we really did have fun. (Oh, and Micah did make Eggbert, for anyone who was wondering...the tradition lives on!)

We discovered what the Easter Bunny would look like if he ever got busted by the paparazzi.
Mostly we have discovered that life is much better in the sunshine.
Welcome Back, Spring!

A Rainy Day at the Zoo

A couple of weeks ago, I decided that we needed a family fun day...and what could be funner than the zoo? The only problem was that it was kind of a rainy morning. We'd never done a rainy day at the zoo, but let me tell you--it's pretty fun! The animals were more active and there was hardly anyone else there. Lincoln, of course, enjoyed the view snuggled in his stroller. The older kids cruised in the wagon, umbrellas in hand. Thankfully there is a lot indoors at the zoo, and we had a blast.

Jonah had a close encounter with an orangutan (above) and a gorilla (below)...

While Kate proved she has a lot more growing to do

And you would think that this next picture was taken outside in the unpleasant conditions, right? Or maybe it's a scary tiger or crocodile exhibit? No, this is documentation of my children cowering from the PENGUINS!

I was nursing Lincoln, so Micah took them into the penguin room. Well, they have some little birds in there that are free to fly around, and one of them went to perch on a nearby rock and the kids screamed bloody murder. This photo is from when we had to go through the room again to get out of the building--they were literally crying. I have a feeling that now the penguins will not only be stinky, but terrifying for our family.

One last picture of the kids in the VW bus that they never get to sit in because it's always swarming with other kids. Can you believe it--all 3 looking at the camera! The surprises of a rainy day at the zoo are endless!