Day One Hundred Seventy Four 2011

The sky was undecided today. Loved seeing blue for a change. No rain here. Yet. There was a tornado warning about 15 miles east of our back yard this evening. The sirens were blaring as the sun was shining. Go figure. Hope nothing came of it.

Day One Hundred Seventy Three 2011

Grandson Elijah's tee shirt says I've Got Game, and he did, pretty much all day on the Wii. He and Shelby played Super Mario Brothers, which I think is Elijah's favorite video game. Then they both did a little target shooting with this way cool gun. They both ran out of video game steam this afternoon when Shelby dug out paper and Sharpies and made some art, and Elijah curled up on the couch. It would have been nice to spend some time outside riding bikes, but we got soaked again, so the bikes got to spend the day in the back of their mom's truck.

Day One Hundred Seventy Two 2011

I got in a little closer today with my long lens while the momma starling was feeding her peep. The little one seems to be the only one in the nest and in no hurry to leave home. With all the rain and stormy weather today, I'm sure that nest feels pretty cozy, especially with home cooked meals served in bed.

Day One Hundred Seventy One 2011

Biker Peeps. Grandpeeps Shelby and Elijah brought their bikes over today and enjoyed riding up and down the sidewalk and street. Elijah had a bit of a meltdown this morning because his brand new red bike still has training wheels. He wanted them off. Now. I eventually dug out a wrench and tried to remove them, but I couldn't budge the bolt or nut or whatever it's called. Elijah gave it a shot, too, and when he saw they weren't coming off, he calmed down and enjoyed his bike. Last I heard as they were leaving this afternoon, his dad was going to remove the training wheels, and Elijah was going to learn to ride without them. Hope he wore his helmet.

Bird Peeps. They blend in with the tree trunk, I know. Hope you can see this blackbird or starling (not sure what kind) feeding her peep. She stays busy all day long, bringing them food (sounds like more than one inside there). I'll be surprised if they're still there tomorrow. This hole in the trunk of this maple tree is a popular spot with this bird--if it is the same bird. She comes back year after year it seems. Peeps almost ready to go. No training wheels.

Day One Hundred Seventy 2011

Daddy Neil and Daughter Kelly~Happy Father's Day!

The Beetles. They were all over this hosta earlier in the evening and then we noticed them all clustered on this one leaf right before this huge storm blew through town. Wonder if they knew it was coming?

A mighty storm blew through here this evening with fierce straight line winds that blew this rather large limb out of our silver maple and onto a deck chair. The wind was scary!

We were pelted with hail in all shapes and sizes. Thankfully, nothing fell on the cars and house and the storm came and went pretty quickly. This has been one crazy wild spring!