Beep! Beep! Benji at the wheel!

a tale of four fledglings

Their tiny chirps grew in intensity. Their beady, black eyes were wide and alert. And their bright orange throats were exposed when they stretched out their necks and begged for food from anything that got too close.

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This may look like a peaceful scene, but the truth is that Benjamin screams and cries and wails if Judah ever happens to beat him in a race. Which is nearly every time.

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But, seriously. Those lashes. 

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Meet Fledge. Today, I witnessed him fly three feet. And, if you are not careful, he will hop all the way up your arm.

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I have been quite overtaken with these feathery little guys. They require feeding every hour, and are just starting to be interested in perching above and observing their surroundings. The kids are still fascinated - it is tough to reign in their excitement when they are near them, though, so their contact with them is limited. 

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Our day was consumed in taking care of these four feathered creatures, whose parents abandoned them following a merciless (and probably fatal) onslaught by the neighbourhood feline.

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Early morning puzzle assembly makes for a happy Bean.

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Swing, Daddy?

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Practicing his fancy footwork. 

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It is impossible to stay inside these days. Also, sidewalk chalk was a wonderful invention.

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Most of the time, I can't quite pick out the similarities they share. Then, sometimes, it's just like copy and paste. Look at their little smirks. :)

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She tries so very, very hard to keep up with her big brothers, and she does a pretty good job of it!

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I never understood the draw of pulling weeds until I had three eager  and adorable muffins to help me.

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It is appropriate to explore Parliament buildings and gawk at stately statues on Victoria Day, is it not?

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She has a habit of being expressive beyond all reason.

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My parents came back from their vacation and quickly found their laps overtaken by three little wiggles asking far too many questions.

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We enjoyed our first of what we hope will be many fires in our wonderful back yard. Now we all smell like smoke and fresh air and good memories.

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Benjamin is giving the spray park a trial run before it opens. Hopefully he will muster the courage to enjoy it this year.

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I will never get sick of photographing this sweet, little profile.

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His drawings are as random and hilarious as he is.

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Judah is educating his siblings about farm anatomy on this slow-paced, flu-ish Monday morning.

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Lydia and I have the flu on this Mother's Day. But, you know what? I am beyond blessed. Seriously. My husband had the weekend off, the boys have spent so much time outside that their skin even got a bit pink (clearly I am not in Summer mode yet), and the very fact that I am tasked with taking care of this sweet, little, sick girl declares me to be a mother in a way words never could.

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Helpin' Dad build some potato boxes. These are supposed to hold 100 pounds of growing potatoes each when it's all said and done. I remain a skeptic.

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"No, I will not sit with you." The attitude. It is just thick with this one. (Also, I'm working on my gallery wall. Please to be excusing the sideways pictures.)

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He asked to help me set up the kitchen island I brought back from IKEA. It's not child labour if they beg you to do it, is it? ;)

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Judah, winning the heart of one of his great grandmothers. 

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We spent the morning exploring a park with Grandma.

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"Here, Lyd! I will catch you!"

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Trampoline buddies. Cousins are just the best.

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These cousins/munchkins love to have Grandpa read to them. I think I have about eight versions of this same picture from different visits.

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Helpin' plant the garden with Grandpa.