Thank you!

For all the birthday wishes for Sunshine yesterday and the prayers and concern for us last night. We did not sustain any physical damage (only minor emotional damage : ) except one large branch from a tree that Mother Nature is determined to take apart for us one piece at a time. It landed in the driveway but our cars were in the garage so all was well as soon as Husband and The Professor hauled it to the side yard. I don't know if it's official, but it seems there is a consensus that there was a tornado in our area, a few miles to the northeast of us that either dissipated and reformed a few miles to the south or this was a case of two separate tornadoes, we aren't sure yet.

It was pretty scary. We heard the roar as people call it, that sound like a freight train. It was continuous, unlike thunder and it didn't change pitch like an airplane. I've heard it only once before. It's a terrifying sound even when heard from a distance and you just want it to stop. Sunshine's party ended with everyone praying in the storm closet. I'm sure it's a birthday she'll never forget.

Today's party for BigBoy has begun on a bit of a down note. The birthday boy isn't feeling well and might only get to visit the doctor today instead of the LEGOLAND Discovery Center he's been looking forward to. Would you mind offering a small prayer for him? It's not fun to not feel well on your birthday. :(

UPDATE from the Doc's office: BigBoy has a muscle spasm in his neck making it hard for him to look to the left. We will be staying put until that little muscle relaxes back out. Birthday Party#2... on hold for now!

Out like a lamb?

A stampede of lambs, maybe! Golf ball sized hail. Maybe a bit bigger. Followed by almost 2 inches of rain in about 15 minutes time. Followed by pea sized hail that mostly covered our driveway! We have heard and felt baseball sized hail before so I am pretty sure it wasn't that bad. And... there is more on the way! But the day is lovely today and was made even lovelier by the company of friends who are cozier than spring! The children played together in the soggy park and we enjoyed the warmth of the sun and pleasant conversation. I can't think of a better way to say goodbye to March and hello to April!

OK, I could do without the hail. Have a lovely Tuesday!

Welcome Spring!

Those of you still freezin' yer buns off are free to click through while you count down the days before you can rub summer in our faces!

Yes, spring has sprung in our part of the world. How do I know? Well, let me see...

Daffodils blooming in the flower beds? Check.

Birds a flutter in the back yard? Check

Potential for 70 mph winds, golf ball sized hail and rain wrapped tornadoes? Check!

Potential dissipated just hours after we canceled our plans for today? Check.

But just to be safe, we readied our storm closet...

Apparently someone was readying for Armageddon!

The cleanup begins...

Guess which house is the homeschooling house? When life hands you lemons...

We call him The Supervisor! This guy and his friend kept an unusually close eye on us all morning. We think they might be nesting in the area. I suspect they were looking to score some easy lunch by finding a fallen nest.

The mockingbirds were on patrol protecting the little ones we believe are hidden away in some bushes.