What wonderful comments you all added to my post from this morning, thank you SO much!
Today was a better day, the best day I’ve had in a while, as a matter of fact. I slowed myself down and made an effort not to be rushing from one thing to the next. We had a very nice day of school. I have some older school books that I have picked up from library book sales and we used one today to read lines from a play. It was about Robin Hood and Little John. The kids loved it. Guess who seemed to be the most natural actor? ETHAN. I sat with Grace and re-explained her math skills, using beans to show her exactly what she is doing when she multiplies and divides. After lunch (we had spaghetti w/sauce and David threw his *third bowl of it*around! Jacob vacuumed it up and it went up the vacuum just fine LOL). . anyway, after lunch we all bundled up and went outside. It was much colder today than it was yesterday but it did us good to get out in the fresh air. Grace, David, and Caleb jumped on the trampoline. Jacob and Ethan walked ran the dog, played near the stream and gathered some chunks of ice.
When we came in, Caleb watched a Thomas video and fell right asleep on the floor.
The kids finished up their school work and then they went upstairs to read/play quietly so that I could have my hour and a half of rest time.
After they all got up, they watched a video and I went for a little walk. I was gone for about 20-25 minutes, within hearing distance of the house. I found a bright yellow feather and put that in my pocket. I went to the bird forest but didn’t see any birds so I came out of the woods to the stream and then noticed a whole flock of cedar waxwings and one robin up in a tree, in the bright sun. I had so much fun sneaking as close as I could and I took a lot of pictures.
I hope you all enjoy the pictures and thanks again for being so kind to me here on xanga. Have a great evening!
A happier day
my handsome son Ethan
best friends, standing together in the middle of the rushing stream
Crazy Ethan, balancing on a rock, pulling out some ice
in the middle of frigid icy water.
The prize! Ice!
Caleb got good and tired
after all that fresh air
and fell asleep while watching
a thomas video.
The Cedar Waxwing Photos
they were busy eating these berries
There are three in this next picture, can you see the one in the background?
Do you
see the one and only robin on the far right side of this next photo?
“Oh Master, let me walk with Thee
in lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret;
Help me to bear
the strain of toil,
The fret of care.”
~”Oh Master Let me Walk with Thee”, W. Gladden
~a hymn the kids and I have been working on all week long.
Good to be Home 
Beautiful post, beautiful pictures!
So glad today was better for you! :)I agree….beautiful post and beautiful pictures!
I love the picture of Caleb falling asleep with his train! How cute is that?! You do a wonderful job at taking pictures. It sounds like you had a wonderful day and also wonderful that you were able to get outside and enjoy the fresh air!
I love the first one of Ethan and the dog – and Caleb sleeping. The Waxwings are so pretty. I wish we had some in our area.
so glad today was better! Gorgeous pictures =)
I’m so glad your day was better. I love how Caleb is asleep holding his precious train.
Oh, beautiful beautiful photos!! I don’t think I’ve ever seen Waxwings before, they must be a northern bird. Thanks for sharing them!
I am so glad to hear you had such a great day. The waxwings are beautiful much more beautiful then the 1000+ crows we saw this evening.
I’m glad your day was better, mine was definitely improved with Casey, so that was an answer to prayer. I look forward to getting together with you, let me know when we can, ok? Have a good night. Love, Trish
I’ve never seen Waxwings before! Thanks for sharing them with us! Beautiful! So happy to know your day was better…we’ve all had those days…don’t be so hard on yourself. We’ll continue to pray for you and your family! *Hugs* from Iowa.
I just love the joy that is in that first photo! Caleb is sooo sweet sleeping with his train. The cedar waxwings are beautiful….your pictures make me happy!
We are taking care of our 4 month old baby friend again tomorrow….so I will get my baby and homeschool workout again She is so cute and I do call her “my baby” since I am so close to her mommy (one of the young women who lived with us) Last week David and I kept switching subjects to find one that we could do with her. I ended up reading aloud and she was busying “talking” with me. David finally showed her magazine pictures while I kept reading.
How tall Jacob is getting — all the better to run the dog! And how different life is in cold weather! So glad you had a much better day today. How nice that you were able to get outside and walk as well as having some quiet time indoors. I love the cedar waxwing pictures — I’ve read about them, but never seen them, and I didn’t realize how much color there is in their feathers.
aren’t cedar waxwings the most handsome birds?
I love this post! I love all the photo’s and the part of the hymn at the end! I have never seen a waxwing before and they are now one of my favorite’s! They are so beautiful and unique! I’m glad you had a better day and that it much more peaceful! Love you! lish
Hi Shanda! Just trying to catch up on your site a bit ~ sorry you had such a bad day a couple of days ago, but getting to see the cedar waxwings! ~ what a special privilege! THANK YOU for sharing them with us! And the white feathers ~ I am so afraid that some bird with white feathers most likely met it’s demise, but who knows? Perhaps, they just floated in from the heavens, just to bless you! Have a wonderful day ~
You got some Amazing pictures of those birds! Wow. Seems like getting outside did everyone some good. I better check the weather…maybe I will give it a try. I am glad you had a better day. Hugs
That hymn was one of my father’s favorites.Wonderful photos of the cedar waxwings….Glad you had a better day. xo
The area around your house is so amazing. It makes me want to go on a hike with you all.
Love the Waxwing pictures — and a robin!! Haven’t seen any of those yet around here — Bob and I always try to see who can be the first one to see the Redwing Blackbirds come back — we’re ready for some warmer weather!
Cedar waxwings are new to me. I must say, you captured lovely pictures of their condo!!!Glad you didn’t have two of “those days” in a row!
I love the photos (all) especially Ethan running with the dog. I love cedar wax wings. We used to get them in CA. We are still looking for them here in SC. They love berries and part of why we planted the pyracantha is to attract them. I love the little sounds they make. Aren’t they gorgeous in your photos!!! Ed called yesterday to say that two pairs of bluebirds were competeing for his new bluebird house. Oh the sweet simple joys the Lord gives us! love you! with blessings, m in sc