FREE BIRD

I must make a reference to my cousins quick wit. When I was writing my last post, I said how we got Hawk and she caught it immediately. Thanks for putting a smile on my face. :)

It didn't take Hawk long to warm up. Especially to Joe, who is the animal guy. It seems he has a way with animals of all kind, Hawk was no exception. As I said before, he was already trained, but living in a court with a lot of neighborhood kids. So, of course he is a little more leery of the kids, because of being exposed to so many in the neighborhood who didn't know how to handle him. He seems to be very smart.

The next morning Joe already had him on his shoulder. He was singing and making noise for us to come and see him. He likes to nibble at your neck, especially if you have a necklace on. I think he is adjusting well.


After the younger kids had him on their shoulder he was ready to get back to his cage.

This is a scene we see a lot. Naomi seems to be the animal lover too. She wants him to come out and talk all the time! Butter, as you can see, loves to be around Naomi. She is not lacking in love since Hawk came, rest assured.

INTRODUCING....

HAWK

He is supposedly the newest member of our family. I say that because I don't want to get too attached to him. He was given to us by our friends that have owned him for three years. He is a good bird, just needs someone (or three) to pay him a little more attention.

I started wanting a cockatiel about 10 years ago but the expense and not knowing really how much care they needed scared me off. I have one client who has several birds, always gets me excited thinking I could do it and then the money question comes up. So, how could I turn down a free bird?!

Now, here is the catch. Her son, who is the bird's owner is wanting a second (or more)chance to take care of Hawk. It is something I was afraid of when I said we would take him. How long before they want him back? How long before my kids are attached and he has to leave? I am looking at it this way, if it is meant to be he will stay. If not, we get to experience bird ownership (and responsibility) first hand and will know what we are getting into.

MORE EASTER

We had such a nice Easter. It wasn't like spending it with my big family, but with the sun shining, we had a nice day. I want to show you some of the pictures we took. I love this, Levi made it in art. He is very talented and it really shows in his work. I am thinking of framing it, what do you think?
My girl is excited!
Hansom boy is proud of his candy!
MY BUNNY CAKES! They were a hit! Not so much the coconut, I love it, but it seems not too many other folks did.

HAPPY EASTER

I know we are a tad early on our wishes. We have big plans for tomorrow, early mass and then off to our friends PJ and Gregg's for lunch. I have offered to make a bunny cake so we'll see how that goes! If it turns out, I will try to take some pictures.

The kids have learned so much at school about Easter. What it means for Jesus to die on cross for our sins and to be resurrected from the dead. It is more than just a bunch of candy and eggs.

With that, we can not resist the other meaning of Easter. Candy, bunnies and eggs for all the kids. Naomi remember that we have a bunny costume and just had to dress up for the day. And, of course, I had to take pictures. The Easter bunny is ready.
Almost,
To give you her treat. Enjoy.
Let's color some eggs.
We cracked as many as we colored. Naomi has the proof in her hand!

LAST WEEK

Taking Elijah to school for practice on the play, I go to drop him off at the door. I notice the lights were out and ask if he thought it was open. He said that I could drop him off at another door because it was matted. Confused, I ask what was a matted door. Confused, he looks at me like I was just born and says, "It's the one with the mat rolled up in the door." Oh.

TODAY

Naomi was working on her homework. Being the supportive Mom I am, I try to stay out of the way as much as I can. Math being the subject she was learning, specifically subtraction, I suggested getting pennies for counters(markers). Noticing how well she was doing with this, I ask her if they used markers(counters) in school to help with math. She looks at me and says, "No, we use pencils." Sometimes we speak different languages.

GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE

I'm still going through my office. While I should be working on the paper work the pictures are still waiting for me. I resisted for as long as I could but when I found this one of Levi, I had to stop, scan, and post for you! Or me, however you want to look at it.

Do you think I give my kids a little too much time in the bathroom?

THIS WEEK

I have had so much going on in my life and in my head this past week, I can't even think of a title to this post.

Everyday I think of something interesting and want to write about it and then it is gone. Do you think most people are like that, or, am I "just a little different?"

On top of all that Joe and I have watched the prequel to Lonesome Dove? Has anyone else seen it? I was very disappointed with the way it ended. I am mentioning it because my dream last night was about lice. I am at a convention and working on this guys hairs and when I am half finished I look down and am covered in bugs! Not your normal lice (but that is what we were calling them) but some of them looked to be crabs. Started off tiny but some were about 2". Kinda crazy but with watching the movie, that explains it.

Naomi is having three friends from school spend the night!!!! When I agreed, I never dreamed that all three would! I'm sure it will be fun, maybe a little tiring, but for my little girl it will be WONDERFUL.

Both of the classes I am attending are going great. I think that is where all the extra info is coming from. I am learning so much and want to share with you all. I'll make it in time.

Now, I'm off to give my house a good spring cleaning. Or deep winter cleaning, something like that!

WE GOT WHAT WE WISHED FOR

The snow finally made it! We have been wanting for snow all winter, but ice is what we got. Every single time! So with travel in our plans, the snow was predicted. We kept a close watch on the weather, got an early start, and made the trip. It took an hour longer than normal, which was OK. We saw several wrecks, no one seemed hurt, and just took our time. There were very few cars on the road which made it nice.

This is what we woke up to. Over 6 inches!!! The kids couldn't wait to get out and play. The ones who started the day.
Piled up on the front porch.
Inside the igloo.
The only one with endurance! She came in frozen and ready for hot chocolate.

You've come a long way, baby

For as long as I can remember, I have had trouble with the "correct" emotions for lack of a better word. Let me explain, in stressful or awkward situations I tend to smile or laugh or, at times tear up. This is uncontrollable, and very uncomfortable to say the least.

To make matters worse, this happens often when I am dealing with my children. They are telling me something traumatic in their lives and I laugh. Most of the time I can hide it but what am I saying to them?!

So now, I feel like I had a breakthrough! Last night after I put Naomi to bed, we were laughing and having a good time, I hear these awful sobs. They are getting closer and Naomi is uncontrollable, saying they are going to kick her out of school! My first response was to laugh, but something happened, and aware of it I was able not to. (This is major in my book!) I was able to calm her down and find out why they were going to kick her out of school.

It seems that the toilet at school had got clogged up with paper towels more than once, and the person responsible for that was leaving school. She said that she was responsible for one time but not both. We decided that she needed to tell the teacher and that I would go in this morning with her. I was very proud of her (almost started crying myself) she was steady, clear and remorseful. The teacher knew that she wasn't responsible for both times and hadn't even thought Naomi was to blame. She told her it took courage to own up to doing wrong and she would NOT be kicked out of school! When I left Naomi was happy and her old self again.

Now, for me, I know that I will have slip ups in the future. I like that I was able to help and feel good knowing that I didn't have to hide my face when my child was in pain.

FUNNY BOYS HAVING A BIRTHDAY

I could not resist this pick when browsing for picture to post for Elijah's birthday tomorrow. He is definitely the clown, not afraid to make to make a statement. That's what I love about him. I have seen him grow and change so much over the last 15 years. I can hardly believe it.

We are going to celebrate tomorrow but his real present will be in a few weeks when just the two of us are going to go on an adventure. I'm not sure what we are going to do, the big part is just spending some real time together. We were supposed to go this past weekend but he had to sing with the French Choir. So another time it is. (They sang beautiful as always, and he was the only guy so they really needed him).

As always, I never take pics without getting permission. Putting them on the blog is another thing.
Cutie pie, taken this summer on our trip to Cherokee. He hasn't changed much, just gotten a little bigger.

SOMETHING TO BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY or night

This is always an exciting time of year! Springs almost here, several birthdays to celebrate, and the beautiful blooms on my orchid!

For years I grew violets, which I love, but I didn't have much luck with. They would do OK and bloom but I had to work at it. My theory on plants is that if you need a lot of attention, I'm not the home for you. I want to plant, water, feed occasionally (hardly ever), and watch you grow (bloom). Then one day my client suggested I get a philonopsis orchid. She said they are the easiest to grow, and will reward you with many beautiful flowers.The first time this one flowered, I counted almost 50 flowers. It hasn't bloomed that much since, and I don't mind. I didn't realize that they bloom for months at a time, that was a surprise too! The best is that they come at a time when winter is dragging on and you can't bear another dreary day.
I love this flower, it is delicate but not fragile.

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL and more

First, I must say we had a wonderful time at the opera last night. The show was Hansel and Gretel and was superbly done. It lasted around two hours with beautiful music throughout. The highlight was the witch was played by a big vibrant man. There were many laughs and a good time was had by all.

Now, a follow up on my sweet girl. I was able to go to school and bring the cupcakes as planned. I had ask Naomi not to tell her friends that we put carrots in them but I could tell when I got there and everyone started asking what was in them, I knew the secret was out. Some of the kids ate them but most were skeptical. The teachers and Naomi loved them, and that is all that mattered. It was actually funny to watch the kids, I know they didn't want to hurt my feelings.

Later we celebrated with Pizza and more cupcakes at home. It was very low key, except for the massive excitement kept in motion by the birthday girl. Mamaw had sent a BIG bag of goodies home with Daddy and she couldn't wait to get to them!

One of the outfit from Mamaw and Papaw. I did her hair for school extra special to look like she was the present. Pretty girl
Family picture
A gift from Georgia.
One of her favorite presents, a pink Nintendo DS! Complete with a big brother to show her what to do!!