An Update on Our Feathered Friends

The baby robins have grown significantly. I snapped this shot May 23.

Ummm, Mom, can I get my own room?!?!

You may remember from one of my previous posts that there was some question as to whether or not a Baltimore Oriole had taken up residence on our property. Today we found the answer.

Isn't amazing how they are able to make their nest hang?!? Good thing we didn't cut down this poplar like we had planned this spring. But it really isn't in a spot where it can grow forever...

As I was typing this post I thought I'd go and take a quick snap of our robin's nest. I hadn't witnessed any feeding times lately, but still frequently saw the robin flying out of the nest as I approached. Well, guess what I found...

No rest for Mamma Robin!!!

And! As we were sitting on the front deck enjoying a tea, I noticed two sparrows approaching a bush in front of me, with worms in their mouths. Devin was pacing, and every time he got close to the bush they would fly away. As he walked away, they would cautiously approach, but never enter the bush. Finally, I asked him to sit for a bit, and sure enough, they quickly dashed into the bush and left, "sans worms." Shannon and I took a quick peak and discovered yet more hungry mouths.


So fun!

And for those of you who also use blogger...do all your pictures land at the top of your post when you upload them, and then you tediously have to drag them to where you want them? or am I doing something wrong?

Today's Class - Construction 101

I always try to schedule our year so that most of the 'book work' gets done by the end of May. This year we have a few grammar lessons left, but for the most part the books have been packed away. Unless of course THIS is the summer that I actually get a program in place whereby the boys have to trade 'book time' for 'screen time.' Here's hoping!

But for today, it was practical learning...construction. Mark's dream of a shop is finally starting to materialize and it was 'all hands on deck!'

We were blessed with having 3 very capable bodies in my brother Anjo, Mark's nephew Stevin ( a general contractor...for hire...e-mail me if you too need a very capable construction guy) and Steve's apprentice, Reuben.

AND of course we had our 3 trainees:

Brent learned how to run a drill.


Devin learned how to use a trowel.


Shannon was very helpful in getting screws, nails and drinks. Lisa helped with this too, once she got home from work. They were kept quite busy since today was a day of no clouds and temperatures reaching the high 20's. Take special note of the super-cute, tiny work gloves (gotta have the right equipment!) and the effective use of the tongue to help with counting!

And of course there was the obligatory class: "How to Walk in Mud."

I'm pleased to say, they passed the mud class with flying colours. While many boots remained in the mud during the stepping process, all socked feet ended up back in the boots, dry and clean. Well, 'construction-like' clean!

And finally a look at the progress...very impressive for one day! All posts placed and leveled; concrete footings poured. Time for inspection; but I think some baths and a good night's sleep are in order first!