5.25.2020

This week the girls were able to retrieve and return items from their schools. It was done very carefully and the older two wore masks, had an assigned time and had their temperature checked before entering the building.  There was a certain sadness when they were there and was a bit surreal to me.  I wonder if this will be a new normal when the doors (hopefully) open again in August.  I think there will be a certain risk tied to everything we do. The weather has been warm and sunny with intermittent storms especially in the evening and we have enjoyed a few rainbows too.  Stores are beginning to open and some restaurants at 50% capacity.  We are seeing some places close for good.  The girls have seen and biked with a few friends with social distance procedures in place.  They can't wait to give them a hug and have things return back to normal.  We are thankful for a beautiful backyard full of birds (my new friends), nature and summer fun.  We are thankful for each other.

 Eastern bluebird 

Tufted titmouse

5.24.2020

Our Memorial Day plans were cancelled and so we spent a quiet weekend at home.  We did venture out to Turkey Run State Park.  It is a beautiful place!

 Thank goodness we all had on our hiking shoes and boots!  The trail was so muddy and wet!

On our way back from the park, we were behind this buggy with these sweet faces looking out the back dressed in their Sunday best.

5.21.2020

While the days in quarantine at first felt long, the last quarter of school somehow flew by with e-learning.  The girls adapted well, navigated the system and finished the school year.  It certainly wasn't without frustration and tears occasionally.  There is way more to school than academics, and the girls all missed the social aspect so much!   As we "open" our state and county in phases, contact with friends is still limited at best.  I am proud of the girls for showing up every day, completing their work and doing their best.

 Last day/first day of school

 My rising 5th-8th-10th graders

 My baby is heading to middle school!  How!?!  ;)

 She had a great high school year and made a lot of friends and learned so much.

 On to her last year in middle school!  She missed her musical this spring as well.

 E-learning

5.20.2020

We are closing a chapter on our wonderful elementary school.  Juliette is finishing her last day tomorrow and she will be off to a new school in the fall (fingers crossed).  It has been a great school, filled with loving and caring teachers and staff.  We are so lucky to be a part of such a great community that makes saying good-bye so very hard.  

 We had a PVE parade today and it was so fun to wave at some familiar faces!

The 2 photos below were taken and shared by a parent.

 The principal and "Soar" the mascot

Juliette's 4th grade teacher

5.13.2020

5.12.2020 A few of my backyard friends

We have slowed down but our backyard friends have been certainly out and about enjoying the feeders, blooms, eating seed and insects and nesting.

 We have a mallard pair that make their way to our feeder every day.  The drake always looks out for his lady while she eats first.  

 This wasn't the best shot of the cardinal pair, but there were so pretty nestled in our flowering crab apple tree.

 A black and yellow feeder for our very favorite goldfinch.

 Filling the bird feeders while some of our friends wait for the first nibble.

 We have had a lot of catbirds this year.  We hear them "meowing" often.

 Our elusive pileated woodpecker decided to be rather social tonight and I got some fabulous pictures of him before he landed for a suet treat.

 Yellow breasted warbler

 Ruby-throat hummingbirds

I love these little guys!

 Northern flicker

 So many blue jays this year!

 Rose-breasted grosbeak

 Goldfinch posing

 House finch

 Another catbird

 This is our first oriole that we have attracted to our backyard and we were so excited to have them visit.  Years ago, we tried to entice them with a feeder but were unsuccessful.  I heard that they were sighted in a neighborhood near-by and went to get a new feeder.  That evening, we thought we saw an orchard oriole coming to investigate in the tree.  Around noon the next day, I saw this Baltimore Oriole perched on top!

 Orchard oriole

Red bellied woodpecker