I went to Chuck E. Cheese and all I got was a cold

One of Keven Jr.'s classmates invited him to their birthday party on Saturday. It was at my (not) so favorite place - Chuck E. Cheese. But you know, the kids love that place for some reason and how can you blame them. There is pizza and soft drinks and games. And Chuck E. And people that steal cake. Oh yes, I said what you thought I said. People that steal cake. Let me start from the beginning. We arrived at Chuck E. Cheese promptly at 2pm, met up with the birthday party and then the kids went off to play for a bit. I visited some with the other parents, checked in on Keven Jr. from time to time and then before we knew it, the pizza was ready to be served. Then Chuck E. Cheese came out and they did their birthday dance with all the kids having parties there and then it was time to sing happy birthday and eat cake. So far so good. Once the cake was sliced up and handed out to everyone in attendance that wanted some, the party hosts set the cake aside on an empty table to get it out of the way. After all it was time for presents. And then that's when it happened. A lady, who was not at all part of the party swooped in and helped herself to more than half of the leftover birthday cake. And then she ran off. Okay, okay, she did ask* if she could have some cake, but still! Who preys upon birthday parties and uneaten cake and then just helps themselves? I was floored. Incidentally, when I went snooping around the establishment to find the cake stealing lady, she had already divided it up amongst her family who had pretty much devoured it in an instant. When I scanned their table, they had a ton of food and the more I thought about it? The more I thought that they were preying on everyone else and their leftovers for their own meal. And I'm speculating yes, but every time I glanced their way it seemed as if they had more variations of pizza on their table, not complete pies, but random slices. I sure hope they paid for their tokens that they were using to enjoy the games! Times are tough, I get that, but would you go as far as approaching people in a restaurant for their leftovers? *She did approach the Dad of the birthday boy and asked him if she could have a slice of cake; however she ran off with more than half of what was left. He thought that the lady was a mother of one of the kids at his son's party but was sadly mistaken when his wife gave him the look of death as this stranger walked off with her son's leftover birthday cake. The nerve!

Weekly Winners 5/10 through 5/16

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Photo Hunter: Painted

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F O U R

A few weeks ago we noticed various strands of grass, twigs and such in the crook of our tree in the front yard. It was obvious that a bird was trying to build a nest but by the next morning all traces of it were gone. The wind in the night must have blown it away.

I didn't give it much thought really and then I happened to catch a glimpse of the tree one evening on my way into the driveway. Mama bird was back and she was building another nest. I watched her from a distance as she'd fly into a nearby yard, gather up dried grass and other bits of material in her tiny little beak and then fly it back to her nest. She'd place it where she wanted it, then would mash it down until it was just right and then she'd take off again for more. Daddy bird wasn't too far away, supervising the construction from a neighboring tree limb.

Before we knew it, we had a pretty decent nest.

I'd say it's constructed pretty well, wouldn't you? We can see the nest from our front bay window. And also from our front porch. Mama bird is very keen on any sort of activity close to the nest and sometimes at the slightest movement, she'll fly away. Sometimes though she'll just sit tight.

Our kids and the neighbor kids have been asked to stay out of our front yard, and to especially stay away from the tree because Mama bird has been working hard to keep her eggs safe and warm. This morning when I was outside with my dogs I watched Mama bird and Daddy bird wandering the landscape pulling up earthworms. The other day though Mama bird had me worried. You see, I've gotten into the habit of checking in on the progress of the events when I wake up, and that particular morning Mama bird wasn't in her nest. Come to find out she had gotten herself trapped in a rabbit trap that our neighbors had set in their yard. We have lots of rabbits roaming the neighborhood - and I mean lots. Luckily Mama bird was unharmed and as soon as they released her, she flew right to her nest to sit. It made me sad to think about how long she could have been separated from her eggs. She's safe and sound though, see?

Yes, she was watching me. And no, I wasn't very close (that's what zoom lenses are for).

And because I just couldn't resist, very carefully we snapped this photo this evening when she left her nest

I can't wait for the babies to arrive.

Why hello there. Where ya been?

I talked to my brother briefly on Mother's Day and he asked me if my blog was ‘broken’. I had a co-worker put out a ‘missing blogger’ inquiry just last week. I never really gave it much thought, but I do suppose there is a slight chance that my readers miss me. Even Keven commented recently about how nice it was when I updated my blog. Which is hardly at all these days. Obviously. When I stop and think about why I’m having such a hard time keeping up with everything that’s on my plate these days, I come up short with no real answer. Life just sort of took over and well…..that happens occasionally, right? I feel guilty when I don't post, it's always in the back of my mind but when the going gets rough, the blog gets swept under the carpet. That's just the way it is I suppose. SO. I can’t promise anything but I’m going to put more effort into getting a post up daily. It’s something that I enjoy doing, so really – why not. In the meantime let’s get caught up. :: :: :: I am completely flabbergasted that Keven Jr. has a total of three* school days left. THREE DAYS. That’s it. I honestly feel like I blinked, and that was it. It was over. When he first started Kindergarten, I was in disbelief when his teacher told us that by the end of the year he’d be reading. I am no longer skeptical. And besides this new acquired skill of reading, Keven Jr. can do simple math in his head (better than me might I add) and seems to not only enjoy but excel in art and science. The proof is in his report cards. I have no doubt that he’s ready for first grade, but oh how I wish he was still a little boy. He’s had some recent struggles with the concept of having a ‘full-time working Mom’ as a parent. He’s begged and pleaded on more than a few occasions (daily to be exact), asking me if I could eat lunch with him, or volunteer in his classroom. After all, all the other kids Mom’s do – why can’t I. I do what I can when the situation allows it, but don’t think that with each and every request that I have to tell him 'no' my heart shrivels up a little bit more than the time before. And in some cases these situations bring tears to my eyes. Oh how I wish I could be the Mom that his 6 1/2 year old self expects me to be. With the good and the bad, and the occasional guilt trip too, he'll always be my boy. I just hope he's as proud of me as I am of him. *The official last day is 5/22 however throw in a teacher conference day and an early start on summer vacation - you magically have only THREE DAYS of school left.

Four Words

I want this job.