A birdie’s nest outside my slider

About a week ago, my mom and Alivia found a bird’s nest on the tree planted outside my slider.  I’d been seeing this particular bird a lot, and it never dawned on me that I may have been housing a family of baby birds and a very protective mommy. Not really surprising.  I’ve been oblivious to the simple “right under my nose” things lately with more complicated things consuming my mind these days.  It’s true, that saying:

“If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.” - Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Vacationing in Cape Cod, MA

It’s nice to be home from vacation but only for dependable and fast internet access so I am able to do what I love: BLOG.  Otherwise, I rather be basking in the sun under a clear blue sky with nothing to worry about other than sun protection.  Alivia and I had such a wonderful 3 day vacation in West Yarmouth.  We couldn’t have asked for better weather.  And unlike previous years, the ocean was exceptionally warm and inviting.  Even better than warm ocean water and sunshine was Alivia accomplishing some HUGE milestones!  After struggling with her for 2 Summers, I finally got her to walk on the sand!  It took some serious persistence and a thick skin when she began to melt down, but I stayed strong and was relieved to have it pay off!  Of course, I knew I wouldn’t be able to get her to do it  with bare feet so I came prepared with water shoes.  And when her shoes filled up with sand, I was pleasantly surprised it only took a little distraction and some mild coaxing to keep her from obsessing over it.  In no time at all my baby was playing in the sand comfortably!  She even, for the first time, played in the ocean water (something else I had been struggling with getting her to do)!  It was amazing watching her enjoy activities that once had her running for dry land, a shower, or my arms.  And if that’s not enough, on the very last day of our vacation, my sister handed her a water bottle and she drank out of it like a PRO!   What?!  It was as if the milestones kept being thrown at my baby but she continued to hit them right out of the park!  I was so proud of her!

Nature Photography & Alvin and the Chipmunks

My little one, Alivia, has taken a liking to Alvin and the Chipmunks!  She is obsessed with their movies (they have 3 out)!  After she went to bed last night, and while I should have been drafting Wednesday’s post, I was entranced with Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeakquel.  Just when I thought I was the only one, I looked over at the hubby to find him laughing his butt off when, yeah, he should have been doing something else as well (homework)!  It was a nice and much needed break for the both of us!