"The Birds"

For the past two springs, we have had barn swallows make a mud nest high above our front porch. At first it was fun to watch them. There are many that take part in building the nest. Then the birds take turns sitting on the eggs and before too long there are chirping noises and little heads sticking out of the nest. Finally, there are so many birds flying around that you can't tell which ones are the babies and then one day they don't return. The nest falls down eventually and we sweep it all away.

The main problem is that the nest is above the front door and the bird droppings pile up making it very gross for visitors. In the past I have tried hosing down the porch every day and strategically placing newspaper to catch the droppings and changing it every day. Well, it's like having a litter box by your front door.

This year we were determined to prevent them from building their nest. Twice a day we have power sprayed the bits of mud that have accumulated. (Did I mention that our porch is 20 feet high?) Zach climbed a very tall ladder and installed a fake owl at the top of the porch to scare the birds away. This strategy worked for about 2 days but then the birds deduced that the owl was no threat and they continued with their nest building while occasionally perching on the owl's head. After washing down their efforts for a few more days I noticed that they were not rebuilding it so I assumed that I had the better of them and was finally rid of the persistent little things. That was until... I noticed they had built a nest on top of the owl's head! Next year we are installing wire mesh closing off the upper porch. Anyone want to volunteer to climb the ladder? I don't have anyone here too excited about it.

Marshmellow bunny house

Mom helped us make a candy bunny house from our leftover gingerbread house kit that we didn't use last Christmas. We had lots of fun. We will probably do it again next year!

A quilting we will go...

I made some hotpads for gifts for Christmas so I decided to make myself some. I loved the vegetable fabric and it begged to be made into something for the kitchen. I finished a music quilt for the boys band auction the end of this month. It turned out much different than I envisioned but I like it. I quilted it on my machine which does not go as smoothly as on mom's long arm. (Some day my prince of a long arm will come!) I also finished the top for Zach's red, white, and blue quilt that I will wait to quilt until I get to mom's. I've started a batik quilt in blues, greens, browns with a little purple. It is a crazy patch pattern. Mom helped me get started this week when she came for the Dallas quilt show. It's going to be beautiful and still manly.

Pokemon Master Trainer

Tonight we are having some bonding time (we've had lots lately during Christmas break!) Pokemon pride is alive and well in our house. The kids were full of animation during their Pokemon board game challenge. Since I only know the names of 3 Pokemon, I opted not to play. I think they have lost the rules sheet so it was a rather interesting and loud game.

Snowman party

I had such a fun time making these cupcakes for Emma's birthday party. 12 seven-year-olds makes for quite a party, especially with 5 wild boys. It was lots of fun but very hard to do just before Christmas. Emma said it was the best day of her life so that makes it all worth it.

The Nutcracker Suite

I took Sophie and Emma to see the Nutcracker this year for the first time. It must be something that mothers have a desire to do with their daughters, because I have wanted to take them for a long time. I wish Kayla could have gone with us. Emma wasn't too excited especially because I wanted her to wear a dress. We went with some friends and there were kids that we knew in the play. It was done very well and not too long. Well, I can check that off my list because I don't know if I can get Emma to go again!

Fall flew

Well, the fall flew by. Sophie turned 10 and she thinks that makes her a pre-teen. Her parents told her it did not. Her birthday cake was a banana cream pie instead.

She sang her heart out with her school choir at a Veterans Day Celebration. Grandpa Sam and Grandma Nancy came from Utah and got to hear her sing. They also got to see Zach and Tyler march at their last football game. It was cold and the girls and I left after half-time. Grandpa, Grandma and Steve were there till the bitter end. The boys are glad that marching season is over. It really takes a lot out of them.