Alligator Free!

We had a really good rain one night this week and our retention areas filled up.

As we (I) have been pining for lake activities... we borrowed a kayak.

The water was not that deep, but plenty for the boat.

There Ella is on the bridge watching us have all the fun.

All this from one good rain.

It was a lot of fun... the kids had to drag me out of the boat. They ended up just swimming... probably not that healthy, but it was totally clear water. The best part was that there were NO alligators in this 'lake'. I've seen gators in every lake around the school & I'm just not sure I could put my kids in lakes down here.

Ouch!

Ella has a tooth! Bottom front right.

Though you can't tell in these pictures, she is having a tough time with them.

Just staring at him today... be still my heart.

Sweet love from Dad. Actually I think he just saved her as she got hit in the head with a soccer ball. When questioned, Ben said, 'I just wanted ella to play ball with me'.

And here he was telling me that he has teeth too, like Ella!

We Went Back

We wanted to share our days adventure with Dan, so we went back for all the lovely things we'd seen. We did not get to see our friendly black snake and the ducklings were all snuggled up under momma, but we did take a few pictures to add.

A few abandoned unhatched eggs left in the now cold nest.

Curiosity got the best of us and we discovered what a half developed duckling looks like.

If you haven't already skipped over it, you can see its head at the top.

Looking closely, you can see one of the ducklings poking out from in front of her. She is nestled over all eight.

One of the many fish skeletons we found.

And a live one with lovely spots.

A small enchanted area on the far end of campus.

Orange Trees

Then our walk back home, on almost deserted sidewalks as it neared Friday night.

Perfectly Mad

We (the children and I) went out on a search for tadpole eggs.. or are they frog eggs... yes. Anyway, we did not find any yet, but I have a feeling with a sharp eye and our determination we will find a successful mud hole (or in our current case, drainage ditch).

We heard a rumor from our good friend Sue, that a duck was guarding her hatching nest by the lake last night, so we decided to investigate. Low and behold the rumor was true. All ducklings were hatched except 4 that I suspect will not. We spent a good hour trailing the little duck family, 8 ducklings in all. How fun it was to watch my little ones following and mimicking her little ones. Then momma duck decided to cross the road to take her crew for a swim. We noticed as they all took the leap off the curb that there was a special little runt in the group that could not make it and was straggling further and further behind. I know, I know, I happen to be a believer in nature takes her course and the fittest survive, but my little ones were terrified as they heard the baby quacking desperately for its' momma. She was quacking for it too, but with no apparent intent to come back. So, I caved to the pleading and scooped said runt into my hands to transported it to the lake. After a while of playing catch up, it was reunited with family.

At the lake we saw fish and many many fish bones on shore from leftover bird dinners. A & B were seeing who could find the largest, most intact skeleton, and then threw them all back into the water.

The lake.... what fond memories I have of 'my' lake in Spring... actually year round. I miss 'my' lake like my dearest and oldest friend. It was always there waiting on me to enjoy... with crowds of people or very often all to myself. Sleeping all night there just for lack of reason to return inside. How I ache for this gift for my family. It seems like a side of me that is completely absent.

Back to our adventure today, we saw a black snake and studied it for a long while with lots of questions/answers.... I know we will have to do a proper study of them now. I wet an appetite for these creatures. Mesmerizing how the forked tongue flickers so. The snake was ever so polite to stay still enough for us study and yet move around enough for us to see it in action. He was sitting atop some bushes so it was a perfect level for curious eyes. He was about 2.5 feet long & skinny. We determined he was on a hunt for those before mentioned duck eggs.

Tired, hot, & thirsty, we returned to our dorm to find a group of musicians playing out in our square. Not just any musicians, but a cello, violin, & guitar. Now, violin and guitar we've seen before, but never have they seen a cello up close and causal. We stopped and asked if we could watch and listen for while. It was beautiful... especially amongst the breeze & trees. A gift. I like to point these gifts out to myself simply because I want us to have a more rural home... someday. But I LOVE the fact that my kids are learning different cultures from people all around our planet. People, not that they meet, but that they have relationships with are from Columbia, England, Haiti, Africa. This is something I hope they treasure and will create an appreciation for others.

The 'mad' part of the post title??? The day is perfect with plans for a bike ride journey tonight.... BUT I have not one picture of all the waddling, snake spotting (what wonderful posing he did), and fish from our adventure.

First Sandy Day of 2010

I love how Ben is already trying to do what men do... getting us where we are going!

First time baby toes have touched the wonders of sand... oh yes, she likes! There will be many more days like this ahead for these little toes!

A must at each beach visit is... a good chase for the sea gulls. They better watch out, A &B are getting faster.

A beach bum already.

Silly, Sandy, Salty, Sunbathing Sisters

I love the introduction of child to nature. I get giddy about it.

We must have come right after a big storm because there was a lot of seaweed & shells on shore.

Glorious.

Getting a little creative with the seaweed.

Met some friends, dug a hole.

Got buried, and re-buried, and re-buried.

We wanted to stay until the sun went down, but we were getting a bit ravenous... our fruit supply was long gone and we remembered a Chic Fil A not too far down the road. So, with chicken on our minds we headed home, but I did get to see the setting sun just as we crossed the bridge into the bay. Never tire of that.

Today, Spring

This is my favorite season here in the semi-tropics. Typically, I adore Autumn above any other, but there is something so refreshing in a slightly cool Springy beach breeze coupled with a warm, not stifling sun on bare skin. So, while I live here, I will happily enjoy its gifts. For if one day I should find myself living above the Mason Dixon... I'll miss these beautiful days between chill bumps and sun rays.

Here's to Spring.

My old table cloth that I remember from my Grandmother's house growing up. She gave it to me a couple of years ago and I bring it out each year. (still a bit damp in spots from a fresh ironing)

These two vintage sterling silver candle holders are recent favorite of mine. They aren't particularly springy, but I'm finding every excuse to use them these days.

I will always think of my mom when I see daffodils. They were her favorite flower. Every year we would go together to pick bucket loads of them from a field down the country road where I grew up.

My favorite bunch of roses.