Saturday, May 31, 2008

New Neighbors


I had every intention to blog about this earlier, but it just kept on getting pushed aside. Now it is one of those things you can't ignore anymore. One night, about a month ago, while locking up and shutting off lights, I noticed some grass and leaves hanging down from one of the pillars in front of the house. Upon further inspection we found a bird's nest. We didn't see any birds in the nest or signs the nest was actually being used. Granted we are short and couldn't see very high into the nest. We assumed it was abandoned. I couldn't reach it and Brandon had been busy with work, so it just hung out. Or so we thought...

Yesterday, our cousin Bekah was over and commented about the nest still being there. I replied how I can't reach, so she tried to grab one of the stray pieces of grass hanging down to pull it off the pillar. As she did this a little bird flew down and settled in a tree chirping loudly, I am sure what were bird profanities. It surprised us that there was a bird living in our "abandoned" nest. And due to the scene she was making we are now sure there are eggs in there also. The whole situation included girlish screams and tears from Bekah's 2 year old daughter Laura.

Later Brandon went to see the bird for himself and take this photo. The flash caused the bird to also fly out and attacked him. This situation also included girlish screams.

Sam has named the mama bird Diva, the dive-bombing bird. I am nervous our visitors will unexpectedly be attacked by the protective mother. Though Sam is good about informing anyone who comes to the door about the bird attacks including sound effects.

As for now, we are dealing with our new temperamental neighbors and are looking forward to the day they move. Now that we know and check on them often, we will post again once the eggs have hatched.

Ferocious Tigers


Sam got a hold of Grandma's lip liner and decided he and dad would pretend to be tigers and lions Sam was in charge of the face painting

Friday, May 30, 2008

What a Mess!

Brandon just illustrated a poem called, "You're a Mess," by Jack Prelutsky (included in a big book of poems coming out in October.) These photos describe it perfectly. They don't do the messes justice, but we tried.

Taking an ice cream break while working in the yard.


Helping mom make brownies...

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Gotta love the Frog Boots

Sunday we told Sam to grab his shoes for church. The next thing we know this is what he looks like...


These are the only shoes he can put on on his own.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Return of the frog...

Brandon surprised Sam with a frog the other day. Sam remembered Amy (the frog from last fall), but decided this was Amy's friend and to name this frog Ribbit. After making a home in a jar, Ribbit spent the night in Sam's room. The next morning Ribbit was not moving around a lot. Sam came and woke me up telling me he had hit the jar with his play hammer and Ribbit wouldn't wake up. My first thought was Ribbit was dead! We killed a frog! After a little investigation Ribbit was NOT dead, but very lethargic. Brandon and Sam let Ribbit out in the backyard so he could get some breakfast. When Sam realized Ribbit wasn't coming back this was his reaction...


P.S. Notice the wristbands?

Wristbands


Brandon got a box of promotional stuff to give away during signings and assemblies. It included bookmarks, T-shirts and these really cool "armband things." Sam has been wearing them ever since. According to Sam, if you wear the wristbands you can go, "Hi-Ya!" and do karate.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Little Brother and Nesting

Well, I believe nesting has started. Monday I spent most of the day out in the garden, trying to get a handle on all of the weeds in the flower beds. It is hard to tell what I actually did, but there was a lot of weed tugging, which is hard to do with a big belly and Sam. About 5 pm I was ready to go in and Sam was just getting started. "Mom, let's get weedy!"

Tuesday, Sam and I cleaned the house. We dusted, vacuumed, cleaned the bathrooms, washed all the bedding, reorganized my closet, did laundry, mopped, and tried to finish little projects here and there. Hopefully this isn't the end of the nesting, because there is still so much more I want to get done before the baby comes. While it still seems forever away, I feel like there isn't enough time to get everything done.

Sam is getting super excited for the arrival of the baby. Here are some of the recent comments:
"Ok, I am ready for you to come out now."
"Hurry UP!"
"Mom you have a big belly with a baby in it."
I asked Sam to help me up and he replied, " Yeah because you are really big."
"Are you coming out to play with me?"
And my favorite...While looking at my bare belly
Sam: "Look, mom, stripes like a tiger."
Mom: "Thanks Sam. Some of those [stretch marks] are from you."
Sam: "You're welcome."

5 weeks

P.S. Baby is no longer breech. Hopefully he will stay that way.