Evidence of genius

Charlotte figured out how to put a coat on the dress-up doll.

Timber!

And what were we doing that scared the robin away? Dean and George were taking down a scrubby holly tree that has taken over one end of our porch. This has taken two Sunday afternoons so far, using a handsaw, but George is enjoying it so much that it would be a shame to borrow a chainsaw and be done with it. Three trunks are down and one is left, probably for next weekend.

George has been cutting off branches and trimming the brush so that it will fit into our yard waste buckets. Dean has been sawing the main trunks. I'm impressed with George's efforts -- he has really stuck with this.


And Dean was repairing the screening on an attic vent that had been ripped open by wildlife. Starlings were building a nest in the attic, and wasps are building EVERYWHERE right now, so it was really important to block that hole off. Unfortunately it turned out to be a much bigger job than anyone imagined. Sorry, Mama Robin.

A little excitement

Monday evening I went out to water the plants on the back porch. One felt dry, so I watered it -- and then thought, "That felt strange." I took the planter down and looked into it to see a bird's nest -- I had stuck my hand right into it! I had only bought the plant on Saturday, two days before. I was really surprised that a bird had found it and built a nest so quickly.

It held water really well. Wouldn't you think it would be healthier for the chicks if water drained right out?

We saw a little bit of activity at the nest during the week. It turned out to be a robin's nest, and the bird would add something to the nest, then spend several minutes pushing it into place with her chest, turning and pushing, turning and pushing.

(Crummy picture taken through the window so as not to startle her.)

Sunday morning we were excited to find an egg in the nest. Unfortunately, the nest is right next to our back door, and the bird was frightened away by our activity.


Can you see the edges of the pot? The nest almost fills it.

I thought all was over, but this morning she was back, and now there are two eggs in the nest! I'm hoping she can get used to us and we can watch the babies grow right from our breakfast table.

Where there's rain....

..... there are mud puddles.

Silly firefighting

George created this diorama just to show the family:



He wanted people to be sure to notice the firefighter who is putting water into the firetruck.

Here's a better look at our youngest firefighter. She dressed herself (surprise) and can really walk in those boots.