Hummingbirds, Flowers & Worms - Oh My!

We had a somewhat magical experience recently when one of our many hummingbirds had a little accident and crashed into our sliding glass door. It was upsetting at first, but we held our breath and waited, watching her for a few moments, hoping she would be ok. We could see her breathing - she was alive, but stunned. We kept a lookout for the red tailed hawk who often sits in one of our pepper trees, but he was nowhere in sight. When a breeze blew our tiny hummingbird onto her side, we figured it was time to lend a hand. I couldn't stand that she was so vulnerable and the breeze was a bit chilly. So we put on our softest gardening gloves and I quietly, gently picked her up. I have handled many wild birds & animals in my unprofessional wildlife rescue past, but this was the first time I had ever held a hummingbird. What a gift! She perched on my finger and seemed quite comfortable. She was used to the sounds of our voices - a regular in our yard. Though one eye was closed, this was better for now. We remained on that side so as not to cause her any more fright than necessary. And there she remained.


We just held her quietly for some time. Each of the girls got a chance to slide their hand into the glove to "hold her". I was so proud of them. They are gentle souls and respectful of nature and understood they needed to be quiet and still. The frightening noises and quick movements of humans can be so upsetting to birds.

When at last, our little friend felt better, she gave a quick flutter and off she flew, whereby she was quickly met by her partner who was so happy to see that she was safe and free! It is a treasured moment we'll never forget. The girls felt so full of love, knowing they helped rescue a little friend! What a special gift!

Afterwards, we had to go to the store to get more food for our feeder and ended up coming home with spring flowers that the girls wanted to plant in our courtyard. We had fun looking for worms...

And then selecting just the right flowers for each spot. The colors were so vibrant and helped ease us into the new season.

The girls finished up the courtyard.

And I will finish up this post with a lovely poem to welcome Spring!

"To Spring" by William Blake (1783)

O thou with dewy locks, who lookest down

Through the clear windows of the morning, turn

Thine angel eyes upon our western isle,

Which in full choir hails thy approach, O Spring!

The hills tell one another, and the listening
Valleys hear; all our longing eyes are turn’d
Up to thy bright pavilions: issue forth
And let thy holy feet visit our clime!

Come o’er the eastern hills, and let our winds
Kiss thy perfumèd garments; let us taste
Thy morn and evening breath; scatter thy pearls
Upon our lovesick land that mourns for thee.

O deck her forth with thy fair fingers; pour
Thy soft kisses on her bosom; and put
Thy golden crown upon her languish’d head,
Whose modest tresses are bound up for thee.

Spring Has Sprung! Mudpies...mudcakes...and water

We've had an unusually chilly winter here in Southern California. Lots of rain has breathed new life into our palette of bronze hues & the girls couldn't resist heading out to celebrate the birth of spring.

Nothing better than making some mud pies / or mud cakes to welcome the season...first, we need some water...




And then add the dirt, leaves & rocks and stir recklessly...



When it's all done, be sure to squirt your sister with the hose and don't forget to laugh at the joy of the simple things...



I've been quite inspired by so many great blogs out there - to document our homeschooling journey as we learn together. I know it will be nice to look back at these days years from now and savor the wonder that is childhood. I think I'll safely be able to say that the girls returned to me the gift that I once lost in the shuffle that is modern life. They remind me to slow down. They teach me patience. And they show me what really matters in life...love of our Maker, whole heart, whole child, and the unconditional love of each other...