Baby Hummingbird Leaves the Nest

I happened to be outside with my camera and was lucky enough to see our backyard baby hummingbird leave the nest for the first time. She flew a couple feet and landed on the outside of our table umbrella. 

She sat there for about five minutes, looking for her mother who was trying to get her attention in a nearby tree.

If you look closely, you can see the mother in the top right corner on the edge of the roof.

Right after I took this photo, she flew away with her mom. I'm already looking forward to next Spring when I can watch this all over again.

Happy "Early" Mother's Day.

Earth Day: Our Children, Our Future

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Please remember to teach your children the importance of "Recycle, Reduce, Reuse." Our children are our future. If you don't make a change, then nothing will change. Celebrate Earth Day, April 22, 2013.

VW Bus...Need I Say More?!

So we went a little "hippy dippy" this past weekend...sold the old Volvo and bought a 1977 VW Westfalia Sage Green Bus with plaid interior. And let me tell ya, we haven't looked back. 

"I have to fit this in our garage?!" 

Jack digs the sink & stove. It even came with the original pots & pans.

Cooper looks like Scooby Doo, 

shall we call it the Mystery Machine?

Jack can't wait to go camping. 

It's a Camper/Pop- Up with two beds.

All original interior. She's in great condition.

Even has the old school blue California license plates.

Six more years Jack...

I'm still trying to master 1st gear.

We can't wait to take the Bus on exciting adventures with our kids...up the California Coast, camping, beach and desert trips. Nothing compares to this tin can. I've had a blast just driving Jack to school this week...I can't begin to imagine the life long memories we'll share in this old Bus.

Earth Day Products

As Earth Day approaches, many Etsy sellers are showcasing their best eco friendly, recycled, upcycled and repurposed products.

Here are my top five picks: 

Personalized Cutting Board, Bamboo Wood by Twisted Branch Designs

Wooden Spoons in Chevron by The Bakers Confections

Upcycled Plant Baskets by 5th Season

"Save the Earth" Organic Cotton Purse by Crafts by Nesli

Paper Bunting - Recycled Garland by Peony and Thistle

"A child's smile is one of life's greatest blessings."

This is Jack, my nine year old son. The smile on his face makes my heart melt. It's one of those contagious smiles, you know the kind where you smile back just because. I'm sure you are smiling right now just looking at it.

What makes my heart melt isn't because he's my son and I'm biased, it's "how" the smile got there...

Every year my son's elementary school does a fundraiser called the "Cougar Run." Each grade takes the field and runs for a half hour straight, earning money for every lap they complete.

Here, Jack is smiling with some of his classmates before the run and I'm smiling because Jack has "bunny ears." Does that ever get old?!

For the past 4 years, Jack has placed either 1st or 2nd for running the most laps at the event, last year he did 16 laps. Amazing for a 3rd grader. Here, Jack is running and not smiling. He didn't smile at all during the run.

When the 30 minutes were up...Jack had run 14 laps total. He didn't meet his goal of 17 laps and was very upset. As a mother and a runner, I think running just one lap is fantastic, let alone 14...but he didn't want to hear it from me. My words were futile. 

Here, while all of Jack's classmates were enjoying a nice cold Otter-Pop, Jack was pouting. It's hard to watch your child learn one of life's lessons, "you can't always be number one." 

Many of Jack's friends were trying to cheer him up, but it was Talahiva who brought out that great smile of his. Pretending to be Oprah Winfrey, Talahiva interviewed Jack on his running achievement. 

almost there....

there it is...

To Talahiva and Jack's other classmates who were trying to cheer up Jack: I want you to know that you all possess a wonderful quality called friendship. I admire all of you. A friend lifts you up when you are down. A friend cheers you on, no matter what. A friend takes a genuine interest in others. A friend is a positive person. And a friend makes you laugh.

Jack is blessed to have such good, caring friends. And I am blessed to have captured Talahiva turning Jack's frown up-side down! Thank you Talahiva.

What the First Day of Spring Brings to Our Backyard

The Wisteria is stunningly beautiful.

Our orange tree smells divine.

I love that each of the succulents bring a unique surprise.

This one is bursting at the seams...

Surprising little tiny prickly purple flowers have bloomed on this cactus.

And...the Hummingbird laid her eggs!

What's blooming in your backyard?

Naughty Leprechaun

Look what the Leprechaun did to our bathroom!

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
~Irish Blessing

 Hope you all had a fun day.