Finding the Bluebirds

I grasp Annie's arm and stifle a giggle. We spot him at the exact same moment and two sets of binoculars pop up and lend us a nearly perfect view of the golden-crowned kinglet. She verbally describes the lores, the wings, the stripes on his crown. The description helps to confirm that what we're seeing is really the species we believe it is. We high-five and are eager to carry on down the path, but a tiny three year-old hand pulls on mine and I'm reminded we've been here quite awhile. I'm grateful she lasted this long.

We do the bird count as we meander back; "ruby-crowned, golden-crowned, horned lark, meadow lark..." It had been a successful hour of birding in our estimation. But, I wanted a bluebird, the sweet whistle-chirping beauty with the blazing cobalt feathers. Of course, I'd have to pick a dwindling species to be my favourite. Later that day I'd find him and even capture him with my camera--a little extra gift from God, I am certain. And while I am overjoyed in catching sight of new and returning flying creatures, I'm always on the lookout for my darling bluebirds.

Baking For Little Bits

Mixing cookie dough with these two "little bits" means a whole lot of mess, a whole lot of taste-testing, but memory-making that lasts :)

the calm, after fighting over who gets which cookie cutters

making silly faces for the camera

meticulous cutting

those chubby hands :)

yeah, that taste-testing...

caught! might as well show off!

turning cookies that flopped into mini muffins? yep, it happens.

 "Offie, you my best friend." -Ashanti 

Days Fifteen and Sixteen: Truth Or Dare and Blessings

She'd planned everything from the menu, my grocery list, team-building games and contests, question and answer times, outdoor fun, Blessing Day and now, fourteen girls squished their bodies round a circle, atop sleeping bags, pillows and couch cushions, filling the room with their laughter and giddy shouts. They were playing Truth Or Dare and I had to smile as I heard dares of sticking a hand into the fish tank for twenty seconds or licking a spoonful of spices. Molly has sweet girlfriends and all that silliness is about as carried away as they get... besides chatting in low whispers till one o'clock a.m. Since Molly is becoming a teenager, we allowed a big sleepover party and, as it turns out, only half were able to spend the night--another sign of great kids and families. Never offended, always grateful for the standards kept.

Almost 13!

Truth Or Dare?

Late night sparklers since it's also Victoria Day weekend!

 

Warhead candy eating contest--no sour faces allowed, and no spitting it out!

Blessing Day returns for the 13th year! Off to bless our staff with cookies and juice on this very busy long weekend.

Cousins love cookies!

Stopping thirsty workers who appreciate a moment's break for a refreshment. 

Helping to put away abandoned carts.

Plenty of babysitters around.  

More cousins loving Blessing Day cookies.

 Handsome Owner/Operator

Everyone is amused by the raspy little "God bless you!" from Ashanti.

Last two friends to go home. Some painting on the driveway.

I'll be writing more about our girl when she actually turns thirteen, but for now I'll just say that this fabulous kid picks pretty darling friends :)

Frogs and Toads And All Things Spring

Frogs and Toads... isn't that what little girls are made of? Or is it boys? Slimy, bumpy and squishy qualify as desirable playthings in our family. That means frogs and toads are right up there with silly putty and mud pies. Last week we visited the frog exhibit at the Royal Botanical Gardens with some good friends, after studying metamorphosis and amphibians.

Oliver's project

We topped the day off by strolling along one of our favourite woodsy trails to feed the birds. While we eagerly await the warblers from the south, we care for our winter birds who flit from one chubby little hand to another, pecking at the seeds in the palms of older ones who teach that the tickle of the tiny bird claws is a good thing.

 

 

 

God said, "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease." Genesis 8:22. He has kept His promise again. Spring has returned and we are delighted!