It's For the Birds

A pair of mated bald eagles is raising two eaglets in the U.S. National Arboretum, and we can see it all via the live cams that have been set up!  Now THIS is reality television I can get into!

In our little arboretum (i.e. our backyard), we're busy with birds, too.  We've made our own bird seed blend by picking and choosing through the bulk bins at the feed store -- we went with thistle and black sunflowers to woo our goldfinches back.  The chickens love the black sunflowers, too, so that's a bonus!

The hummingbird feeder has been washed and refilled with a new formula.  I have given up on the homemade versions.  It gets syrupy in the feeder and mildews quickly.

And I'm daily trying to unravel the mystery of who is pecking the chicken eggs and for what reason (for the love of Pete!).

Well it ain't much...

but we call it home.  Or, "tent," or "tipi," or... something. 

 It's that time of year, when schedules relax and days open out ahead of us.  

So, we grabbed the bamboo poles we picked up at the garden center two summers ago (still "tied" together from our last go), spread a blanket under and wrapped a temporary cloth around our frame (a safety pin works fine!).  Perfect reading, snacking, drawing, chatting spot!  We like to set up nearest the plum tree (yum) and the gardenias (mmmm).

And did I say "temporary"?  Three summers may or may not be "temporary."  No matter.  We're not going for perfect, we're going for doing it. 

Paper Airplanes

I didn't check this book out to be fancy, I just really don't know how to fold a good paper airplane.  Pretty sad state of affairs.  (When did I lose this ability?) 

It is a necessity here -- so I recruited some help.  We're loving it!

Bonus: it makes a winning "waiting for our big kid" activity.