It's Not Easter Yet but...

We have been busy raising orphaned baby rabbits (dog incident). This photo is about two weeks old now, but I didn't want to write about them in case they didn't make it. Sometimes mother rabbits make a bad choice in where they make a nest. In this case, it was inside the fenced yard of a very avid hunting dog.

Orphaned wild rabbits are very difficult to raise, most don't survive. The dog who destroyed the nest, did kill one but the other three are still doing well here with us. Even though they are past the critical stage, they could still have problems but I'm hoping they continue to grow.

They are now eating greens and have their eyes open. I will raise them until they are ready to be released back into the wild ( in the preserve nearby, not my neighborhood ). Updated photos coming soon but be warned, they are so adorable now they might overload your "cute" meter!

Vernal Equinox 2011

Seen way off in the distance by our dog very early in the morning.

Sun is coming up. Dog has alerted the neighborhood.

Dog is now spinning in rabid circles,

occasionally making an amazing aerial attempt to catch it!

Welcome Spring!

Indoor Ant Hill

My son received an Ant Hillfor Christmas this year. It came with a coupon to order live ants to be shipped later. We had to wait for warmer weather to have them shipped so they did not freeze en route.

The Western Harvester Ants arrived this week and we quickly set up their new home. Within a few hours they already started several tunnels.

By day number two, they had really moved things around. It seems a few of them died over night but according to the instructions, that is normal.

We fed them a sunflower seed and a tiny piece of carrot. That much food is supposed to be enough for a few days, along with a drop of water now and then.

My son expected to see a queen ant but apparently it is illegal to ship the queens across state lines. The instructions said the ants will live for several weeks, but I'm skeptical.

They don't seem too perky today. I may end up taking pity on them and talking my son into releasing them. Mom's a real softy, even when it comes to ants.

Time For a Library Card

Mom is very, very happy! Happy because one of the things I had hoped for since my son was born, has happened. My six year old son loves to read! The fact that he can read is not new. He started reading just before he was three years old.

What has happened now is that he reads for pleasure, just for himself and he is going through the books I have for him at full speed. Every night so far this week he has gone to bed to read. He reads until he falls asleep (usually about two hours of reading!). To see him sitting up in bed, completely engrossed in a book, warms my heart.

So far he really enjoys the "Nate The Great" detective series and "Pixie Tricks" books. I have the first Harry Potter here for him to read as well. He also likes "The Magic Tree House" series.

Now I need ideas about other good chapter books to find for him. I grew up on Nancy Drew and Little House books, but I'm not too sure he would want to read those (wow, that sounds rather sexist). Maybe he would like The Hardy Boys (and Nancy Drew) though? Suggestions are welcome!

After hearing so many stories about children who don't like to read, particularly boys, I was worried that he would not grow to love books the way I do. I was also worried that the computer might take their place.

So, I am now proud and very happy to report: I have a reader!