Picnics and the Library

This week the kids made lunches after swim practice for a picnic. I have to say that it is a while lot easier now that they fix their own lunches and haul their own gear. I let them entertain themselves, I got out to go grab some pictures, I did not have the camera with me but my phone did a pretty good job.

 They spent a long time trying to get the ducks to eat out of their hands.

 Patrick got tired of the ducks, so he went over to feed the nutria.

 Sitting in the shade, planning our next step. Our library is not far and is on our trail. The kids opted to walk, I drove down and waited for them.

 Alison and her friend checked out 4 movies for the afternoons to cool down after swim team, the pool and or outdoor adventures. They also picked out a few books.

 Patrick found the science fiction section downstairs and checked out at least 5 different Star Wars books.

 Alison and Katelyn picked up copies of the same book so they can read and talk about it together.

Summer Kick Off

We had our first swim of the summer. I spent more time gabbing with the moms than playing with the camera, but I did manage to get a few pictures taken.

Backyard Visitor

We have had a visitor in our back yard for the past 4 weeks. This guy has been around looking for food and company. When the kids are out playing he would land on the fence close to them and watch them. Each morning I would go out for coffee on the patio and he would come land close for a visit.  I got the camera out and started taking pictures to try and get the numbers off of his leg band. We named him Bert.

Twice I got close enough to touch him. We set out clean water for him each day. The kids researched racing pigeons and how to take care of them. This bird is so tame that we knew it had to be someone's pet. It did not know how feed in the wild. Its bright white made him a very easy target for the hawks and owls in our neighborhood.

 The past few thunderstorms left Bert wet and miserable. I was finally able to grab him as he was shivering and miserable on our patio cover. I was able to read all of the numbers on his tag clearly for the first time.
The tag was sold by FOY'S PIGEON SUPPLY in BEAVER FALLS, PA.  I gave them a call and they told me they sold that series of bands to a breeder in Texas.  Long story short a man from two streets over came by to pick up his bird. Bert is actually a Bertha, she is about 4 months old, he tagged her with bands he already had from around the house. He was very friendly and talked to the kids a long time. They had lots of questions for him. He told us he had lots of other pigeons at his house and asked if we wanted one for a pet.

 I will miss having Bert stop by and visit every morning, but I am glad that she is safe and back at home.

Summer

We made it through another school year. Swim practice has started and we had our first meet yesterday. Alison has lots of art projects planned for the summer. Patrick has plans to bike and explore the nearby creek. We got passes for the pools and plan to spend extra time there this summer.

 Alison reading to her Fairy Garden.

 Patrick's bottle rocket from science. He has plans to make more this summer.

Alison is now a Junior Girl Scout.