House Finch

Mourning Dove

Song Sparrow

7 february

this game (risk) lasted almost five hours. 

6 february

these chairs were supposed to keep him safely inside. i do believe i have my first climber.

5 february

he lost his first tooth. it was terrifying. but terror turned into excitement once the big kids told him that first tooths go for five bucks.

4 february

hoping ... that at our next duty station ... there is a home in the woods for us. until then, we will continue to make good use of this small trail and stream set aside for the residents of our quiet neighborhood.

3 february

kylie serenades zach at bedtime. ... "under a shady tree, you and me." ...

2 february

i spent over an hour repairing books this afternoon. duck for president was one of them. they all must have

missed it.

1 february

for the last 11.5 months, judah has been  * this close *  to zach.

31 january

they've been playing star wars angry birds. a little (for free) on their dad's ipad. a lot on the floor with their blocks and playskool heroes star wars guys. but connor informed me this morning that he has $3, and he's going to buy the real thing.

30 january

there was a very big, very long storm today. korinne was at ballet. the students, and parents, and siblings, and instructors sought shelter in the theater basement. she texted her studying-in-the-parking lot-soldier-dad to come save her. and he did.

29 january

cake faces. red hair. real smile. a snugly baby brother, and a handsome big brother.

28 january

i do believe he is finally ready for school. he's copying everything and asking what it says, and he can narrate a (very) small paragraph.

27 january

like father, like daughter ... always talking with the hands.

26 january

playing outside. but not in the snow.

25 january

our home after the big (south carolina) winter storm of 2013. sigh.

24 january

i made wesley a "fishing pole" out of sticks and yarn. but zach was the real fisherman tonight.

23 january

early this afternoon the boys matter-of-factly declared to me that they were indeed done! with school for the day. an hour or so later, i found them huddled together at the craft table, reading take-along guide's snakes, salamanders and lizards to each other, discussing it, and drawing pictures complete with labels.

22 january

"gully, gully, gully?!" as he calls the kitty. just like connor used to do with mimi.

21 january

yes. it's the end of january. and we're outside ... not only coat, gloves, and tobogganless ... but in short sleeves, enjoying full sunshine. it helps me miss the snow less.

20 january

almost 7:00 on a sunday evening. korinne was baking. the boys were recording a play off game on my phone. typical, really.

19 january

reading. eating. sleeping. this is how we are spending this saturday.

Mr & Mrs Cardinal at The Feeder

18 january

they like sliced bananas in a bowl of ice cold milk ... "wif a foon." like their momma.

17 january

i had two teeth extracted this morning. i spent most of the day right here on the couch.

16 january

tyler made an unplanned history connection between a few of his school books. speaking of school books, we're finally embracing our family of kindles. bittersweet. i'm a paper book kind of girl.

15 january

 school, consisting of the naming of john the baptist. and ballet, in a royal blue leotard. and enchiladas, courtesy of pioneer woman's apprentice, kylie.