Grandkid Week

Chris dropped off the girls sunday afternoon. He picked them up last friday, kept them for the weekend, and will come get them this friday for another weekend together before they start back to school.
It was no time at all before the girls constructed a tent out of the whole bedroom. That is Autumn getting one of the blankets just right. Hannah is underneath working.
Just after I took this picture, Jack jumped in the middle of the quilt and caved it all in. Needless to say, he was not the popular dog for a while. Although he couldn't figure out what the fuss was about.....he was just playing.
They camped out in the tent last night, except Hannah crawled on the bed in the middle of the night. Today they are adding to and tweeking the design. Lets see....toys and tv in the room with the tent...what more could you need except food for a good time.

Empty Nest Syndrome?

For the past month, I have been watching a pair of Swallows raise their brood of 4. For a couple of weeks, Mom and Dad sat on the eggs in over 100 degree heat. I have watched the 4 little ones grow up, and twice had to get out the ladder and put one back in the nest. They would creep out along the C Perling and find themselves lost.
This past week, they have started testing their wings. Hanging on to the edge of the perling or nest and flapping as hard as they could. They have gotten adventurous and spread out along the length of the beam their nest is on.
Today, the three oldest babies are testing their long distance flight. Mom and Dad keep close watch on them. I got pictures of them sitting on the back fence, but my computer is ignoring my camera, so have to dig up the driver for it. But they are so cute to watch. Only the last hatchling is left under the patio. It did make a short flight, so will probably be flying by the weekend.
I am going to miss my baby swallows. But I bet the parents start to work on another nest full soon. I hope to keep them around all summer. For the first time in the 15 years I have lived here, I have no wasps. By this time of summer, I have usually used up a couple of cans of Hot Shot on nests. I can't find any.....anywhere! I have checked eaves and outbuildings....nothing! I think I have spotted only a handful of red wasps the whole season. This is wonderful for Kim's deadly allergy. For that reason alone, I hope my swallows take up permanent summer residence at my house.

Happy Birthday Jack and Cheree

Jack is happy cuz it's his 3rd birthday! We don't know exactly when he was born because Chris found him by the side of the road outside Hobbs, New Mexico. But we decided to make his birthday on the 4th of July. This seems appropriate since the other New Mexican I know has her birthday on the 4th.
I would post a picture of Cheree....but I cherish my life.
Happy Birthday Jack and Cheree!!!