Encounters of the Animal Kind: Real and.....Not So Real

This past week we had some animal encounters that I just had to share. First, early in the week, the kids and I discovered that once again we have a bird's nest full of baby birds in our chimney. the incessant chirping grates everyone's nerves. In the words of Caitlyn, "Those birds are annoying!" The kids and I realized that one of the birds had fallen down into the bottom of the fireplace and was flapping around frantically trying to escape. Since it was a baby bird and I assumed it couldn't fly yet, I stupidly opened the firplace door. The bird flew right out of the fireplace and smacked into the windows in teh sunroom/schoolroom! Thankfully it was just stunned, but it would not let go of my fingers. It was just sitting in my hand, holding on for dear life. I decided we would put it into a cardboard box until Jeremy got home. The first thing out of Kylie's mouth when it started flying around the house? The same thing that went through my mind, "Call Daddy!" Anyway, it apparently didn't like the idea of being put in a box, and off it went flying again right into the window for a second time! This time, I could tell it was a little more than just stunned. Per Jeremy's instructions, I put the bird on the back porch. Luckily, Jeremy was on his way home, and after some prodding from him, the bird took off flying much to the girls' relief.

The second encounter we had came on Thursday night in the midst of a rain downpour. We were eating dinner, and Jeremy's chair sits directly next to the back door. He was watching something intently in the back yard, then he gets up and slowly sneaks out the back door. I assumed he was trying to catch something, but I had no idea what it was. He had this look on his face like he was six years old again and stalking a frog. He finds such joy in catching things to show to the kids. A second after he went out the door (at this point the door was open enough for me to see what was going on) he jumps on what appears to be a snake. Only, I knew it wasn't a snake because this same toy had fooled me before. Jeremy was quite disappointed that he had "caught" a rubber toy snake! :) In the pouring rain at that! I told him it was too funny not to blog about. :)

Love you all, and thank you to God Almighty from whom all blessings flow!