Weekend Rewind

We had a great weekend even despite the fact that Gabe was on a trip for half of it and my allergies were running wild.

Gabe had a short business trip this past week and by Friday, I was ready for it to be DONE. I really didn't want to go home after picking Alena up from school and try to survive until bedtime so I looked online at something free for us to do.

I found out that a local nature preserve was doing hummingbird banding. I've been wanting to go all summer and see that but with Gabe gone on trips and doing school work all the time, I always put it off thinking that next time, he would have time and we could all go. But then when we could go, neither of us had the motivation or energy. We just wanted to relax at home. But the kids were driving me nuts and I really wanted to do something outside of the house, so the kids and I went and had a great time.

It was really interesting to see how they catch and band the birds. And we didn't just sit there and watch them, they let us hold and release the hummingbirds back into the wild!

They caught them by placing a net over a bird feeder and then when the bird is drinking, someone with a remote control drops the nets to trap the bird.

Then they are placed in small netted holders and carried to a nearby table where the bird bander weighs, measures, and tags them.

Alena got to carry a bird!

 Here are a couple birds awaiting their turn to be tagged.

 

They are tagged first.

Then measured...

They check their body fat by blowing on the feathers because their skin is actually translucent  so they are able to see how much fat they have and if it is an adequate amount to be able to migrate. She also counts their feather colors and check other things that I couldn't understand. She was very thorough in the process.

 The bird is also weighed. Most of the birds weighed around 3.5 ounces! So light and tiny!

 And last, they are given a drink as a reward before being released.

Now the fun part! The birds are placed in our hand and we hold them until they fly away. Alena's bird stayed for at least 3 minutes, mine 2, and poor Christian only got to hold his for just a few seconds.

Love the colors!

It was pretty amazing to feel them in your hand. Their breathing was so fast and they were so light! The kids also found several bugs they just couldn't leave alone...

Then on Saturday we went to an Alice in Wonderland themed birthday party. The setup was beautiful but because it was in the woods, there were bugs EVERYWHERE and my allergies were out of control. I spent all of Sunday just trying to get my face to stop burning and even today (monday) my eyes are still puffy and sore, plus my nose is stuffy.

The awesome cake!

See the grasshopper in the vase? They were everywhere!

What Christian did almost the whole time. Look for bugs.

Caught one!

Vacation Part 7 - Final One!

Thursday was a lazy day. We sat around my mom's house watching TV and relaxing. At around 1130, I dropped Gabe and the kids off at my sister's house so Gabe could continue on his homework. I left them to go see a close friend who had just had a baby.

I got there around 1230 and we started talking. I got my baby fix by holding her tiny little one. I forgot how little they really are! Before I knew it, two hours had passed and it was time to go.

I left and went back to pick up the kids to head to a local splash park. Apparently, Christian had gotten in trouble while I was gone, so it was just Alena and I. We met Rhoda and her boys there. Unfortunately, Alena didn't want to play in the water so we didn't stay too long.

We were going to my aunt and uncle's house later that evening so we went back to my parent's for dinner before heading over. I've said before how I grew up Amish and my aunt and uncle are still Amish. We had a great time as usual. We sat, talking around the fire ring outside while the kids played. I love that they all get along because it makes it so much more enjoyable.

And I even took pictures to show you what a true Amish house, just in case you wanted to know. :)

This is just to the right of the door.

Looking in from the door. The kitchen and dining room.

The dining room. Hall to the left leads to the bathroom and living room.  The door at the right leads to the living and stairs.

The living room.

More of the living room.

The upstairs hallway.

Different view of the dining room and kitchen.

Isn't it great?! I love that the rooms are so big and open.

On Friday evening, we had my nephew's birthday party. He turned 10 years old!

Chocolate faced boy.

Happy Birthday!

The dogs looking for a handout.

And they got it.

Alena was feeling good and threw up a few times, so Saturday, we stayed at my parent's house. Sunday was pretty much the same thing. It was Justin's birthday so they came over and we grilled some chicken.

We really didn't want to leave, but sadly, we had too. :( Monday morning we got up super early again and headed to the airport. We had the same problems as last time with trying to get seated together. Luckily, the attendants were a little more willing to help out this time.

We would love to move back home and are trying to figure out a way to make it happen.