Flora and Fauna

Our yard is bursting with colour and with an unexpected array of animal life. Now, some of the critters we see are fine by me--they are welcome to scurry about around my house as long as they stay out of it--these include squirrels, amazing birds (robins, cardinals, chickadees!), and even our funny groundhog (see picture below). I like those guys. The deer and rabbits are ok as long as they don't eat the flowers. But then there are strange or yuckie critters: the wild turkey startled me this week while I was chatting to Matthew by phone on his lunch break. This turkey was HUGE! And very close. And very loud. Then, the bright red tick I found walking along the deck. I HATE ticks. Hate them. The one pictured here is now dead (sorry if that offends anyone out there). It was a brilliant hue but it had to go. And then the snake. This guy has crossed my path--like that anthropocentric viewpoint, MY path? Actually I have disturbed this snake three times, twice nearly stepping on it. I'm trying to make myself feel better by imagining that it is the same snake each time, but it may not be. The one in the picture seems bigger than the one Noah discovered two weeks ago.

So we have lots of wildlife around. None of it domestic. So far though, not too many insects in the house, and that makes me glad. The flora though, that I bring in! We have Crocus, daffodils, paperwhites, irises, violets, grape hyacinth, bleeding hearts, hellebore, wisteria, jasmine, azalea, bradford pear, forsythia, regular hyacinth, and a bunch more that I can't identify. I've attached a handful of pics below!!

Alright, I need to go--Abby needs a ride to school, Noah wants to watch a show, and I am in my pjs (a common state at 8 am just before driving Abby to school...) Here we go! Enjoy the pics.

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Originally uploaded by gennabby.

Handsome boy.

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Originally uploaded by gennabby.

Here is our sweet little guy on his b-day. He was wily and not very obedient that day, but he looked awfully adorable. It's a good thing they are so cute at this age, hey?

Three Year Old Bean

Today is Noah's third birthday! He ate three bowls of cereal for breakfast, skipped his nap, ran around like a wild man, read books with his Meemo, blew bubbles, rode his tractor down the backyard hill, ate (very rich and delicious Daddy&Abby-made) cake, smiled at several Happy Birthday serenades--thanks mom, Alec, Mimi, and Leas--strummed his new ukelele from Grandpa and Nana, played with puzzles, ate yummy burgers, watched Kipper the Dog (show), and ran around some more...barefoot in the grass, wearing airplane jammies and a striped shirt that is still too big for him (a 3T).

He's three years old and spunky, testing, loving, funny, ticklish, and sometimes willing to share. Sometimes. He's not interested in the potty, but he LOVES to pretend he's an airplane. And he is exerting his will to see just what he has control over and just how seriously he has to take our words.

He can count to twenty, say his ABCs, sing a few songs, identify tons of vehicle types, make awesome rocket sounds, and snuggle. His hair smells wonderful (unless he's been out playing all day in the sun and needs a bath--then he smells like a sweaty kid). He is the most kissable person I know, even though when asked for a kiss, he leans his forehead in so you may kiss it. I have to specify: I want your lips (which he calls "yips").

Noah is an awesome kiddo. We love him and he loves us. Thank you, God, for three wonderful years with this precious boy. We look forward to seeing who he becomes!

Now it is time to sleep!