Saving Lives with Duct Tape

Today is an incredibly windy day.  Our front door area has a big stick wreath that a House Finch has decided to make a nest in and house five eggs inside.  Back to the wind- the wreath is just sitting on a nail, not attached to anything and the wreath was scary close to flying right off.  So, this morning I was outside with Audrey who was riding her bike (the wind just pushed her along) and I see the nest just about take flight.  I run up and hold it to the house and Audrey goes and gets the phone and we call Pops- he suggests duct take! Duh- duct tape will hold anything and there's a million uses for it.  So, during a calm period of little wind I run and grab the duct tape out of the gargage and go to work.  Here's the end result:

Just minutes after I secured their home, Momma Finch was back on her dainty little nest keeping those five little eggs warm.  You're welcome Momma Finch- you can just call me Grandma KT.

The Release

5 Painted Lady butterflies emerged successfully from their cacoons and learned to fly in the net and then we had the ceremonial RELEASE last Friday.  Nana, Poppa, Uncle Bob & Aunt Cheri who were in town for the weekend came over to watch. 

If you look closely- you can see a butterfly flying out of the net and is pretty much in front of my nose- making me cross eyed for a moment. 

 Audrey telling me a secret.

 We waved bye to each of our new found friends. 

 Anyone left?

Oh Audrey!

Here's another one that made me shake my head, say Oh Audrey and then crack up.  (Similar to the "Mom, I'm saying butt" story.)

Me:  "Audrey, I said no, now sit right there", {plopping her on the couch}
AK:  "Ok, I'm going to sit right here and read the Bible and see what it says about no yelling."  {picking up a book that was beside her}

{couple seconds later}
AK:  "It says No Yelling Mom"

Then I went into a little speech about how the Bible says obey your parents and if she would have obeyed I wouldn't have yelled. 

Brother!

11 months

Our happy healthy baby boy is one month from his first birthday.
April 22, 2010- 11 months old.

Birth & Beyond

Announcing the arrival of 4 (soon to be 5) Painted Lady Butterflies!  We are all proud parents!

Monday morning we woke up to a butterfly emerging from her cacoon.  We went into fast action and got them moved into their new home- a butterfly net.  Since then 3 more have hatched and one more to go (we hope). 

Yesterday afternoon I came around the corner to see both kids just watching the fluttering and wing flapping that's going on inside the net. 

Prom 2010

Mommy was gone all evening to help prepare the meal for prom.  So, Daddy had kiddo duty and Audrey was asked by Nana & Poppa to go see some girls all dressed up for prom.  This is the cute part-  Daddy dressed Audrey up in a "prom gown" as well- her flowergirl dress from Uncle Jacob & Aunt Christy's wedding last June.  He tried to curl her hair but after two swipes he touched her ear tears came so Daddy aborted that mission.  But, Daddy did manage to find a bow that matched and her jewerly especially for that dress! 
Pretty darn cute!!!  I'm glad Poppa took pictures because otherwise I wouldn't have gotten to see my little Prom Queen. 

Amazon!

I love it.  It's great. It's wonderful. It's easy. It's fast.  It has EVERYTHING!

So, I'm a frequent flyer at Amazon. 

Well, we've stepped up in the world- we are now Amazon PRIME members.  To be a PRIME member on Amazon you pay a $80 per year and get allll your purchases- ALL of them 2 day shipping for FREE!  I bought a carseat at 4:30pm on Tuesday and it was at my door today-Thursday at 3pm.  Now, that's service.  Some other items were also on the order and they arrived as well.  AMAZING! 

No trips to Target or Walmart to find those three items and walk out 20 items later.  You know it's true.

Another example of why I need to have some major stock in this company is this:  our refrigerator needed a new water filter installed.  So, we went to GE website to find our exact model number for our exact frig and it was $40 (without shipping).  Then just hopped on over to Amazon just to SEE if they would be so cool to have one and THEY DID and for $10 cheaper (and remember free 2-day shipping).  SOLD. 

Thank you Amazon for making my life so much easier!  I love you!

She hates it, He loves it

Vacuums that is.  Audrey hates the vacuum, she will sit on the couch and not move the entire time the vacuum is running anywhere in the house.  Isaac on the otherhand follows the vacuum from room to room and grunts and groans and wants to touch it.

Gosh, I love these difference in children- it's so neat to see.

{here's Audrey on the couch waiting for the vacuuming to be done}

{and here's Isaac following this cool machine around}

The Circle of Life

Announcing the arrival of 5 painted lady larvae!!  The Easter Bunny brought Audrey a butterfly net and larvae.  What a sweet little bunny!

They arrived in a tiny box a week ago today.   They are currently entering the pupal stage where they crawl to the top of the cup and hang upside down.  It's quite fascinating actually, a little gross, somewhat weird and quite amazing!  In 7-10 days we'll have ourselves BUTTERFLIES!  They will be able to fly around a specially designed net cage and then we'll let them go in our yard. 

Around the house

Audrey loves to get in Ike's crib after he wakes up!  They play together for sometimes quite awhile- my rule is IF - or I should say WHEN Isaac cries- crib time is over.

Audrey playing with books in a swimming suit.

Changing it up a bit:  I told her she could have a picnic lunch in the living room.   You would have thought I gave her the moon!  She invited Emma to eat with her and gave a piece of her crust and one carrot.  (it's sitting on the sheet beside her)

Isaac on his way to get a bath but he got destracted with the dishwasher.  I think it's his favorite toy.  

This was what's left (almost all of it) of breakfast on the left and lunch on the right.  Isaac isn't a fan of baby food- he would rather eat "real food" but that's hard with only two teeth!

So, he gums down mushy carrots and mushy green beans. 

Two birds...

with one stone.
I wasn't going to post Easter pics until I killed two birds with one stone - scrap em and then blog em. 

What you don't see:
*  Audrey's MAJOR meltdown an hour before church.  Her swollen red eyes matched well with her green cute dress. Gosh, gotta love a three year old. 
*  Ike got kicked out of nursery.  They have a ten minute cry rule and he hit that so he spent church with us.  That little stinker.  He WILLLLL learn to love the nursery.  He will.  I have a hard time worshipping with a wiggly child in my lap. 

And lastly, you don't see:
*  The kids and I in pj's pretty much all day on Monday!  I guess that's what a busy weekend will do.

                                                             ::Isaac's pages::

::Audrey's pages::

Rainy day

Audrey loves a rainy day because that means she get to use her umbrella! 

Easter Sunday

What a blessed Easter!  SO many things to be thankful for. 

I wonder do you know Him?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VOn5eMcWW0

HAPPY EASTER!

How was your week?

Ours was good.  Here's a little recap of SOME of what we did:

Audrey & I (and MiMa, Nana & GG) attended our first Mother Daughter Banquet together at church.  I remember doing this with my Mom and Grandma's when I was young so it was fun to take her. 

Here's Audrey and her imaginary friend Emma eating applesauce.  She set the table and opened an applesauce for Emma and scooted the chair out for her to sit down and then Audrey pushed it in!  The other day I was closing the car door and Audrey said "Mom, don't shut the door, Emma's getting in"- heaven forbid I slam Emma in the door! 

Daddy came home over lunch and took the Jeep top off and then Audrey and him went on the first topless Jeep ride of the season. 

Audrey spent some good time on her bike.  She hasn't mastered how to break yet.  Now, you know why there's just a picture of her bike and not one with her on it - I have to be right there being her break for her.  Hopefully soon she'll master the break.

After we put Ike to bed, Daddy, Mommy & Audrey dyed Easter eggs. 

The final product.