First Sleep-over at Grandma and Papoo's House

Jacob wanted to have a sleep-over. So we did! Friday night he came over in his pajamas to sleep over at Grandma and Papoos house.

He was a little worried about where he would sleep, but once he arrived, he was very excited.

Grandma had bought a tent, two sleeping bags, and a lantern.

The tent was a "junior". It set up quite easily in the living room. Jacob had a great time playing in it. He also had a couple of visitors. "Spike", who is curious about everything, was his first visitor. They had a good time together. Then, "Digory" played in the tent with Jacob for a little while.

We had ice cream and "Hot Wheels" cereal. Then my little camper watched "Eragon" with me and finally fell asleep in his little tent.

Saturday morning, we made a trip to the donut shop for breakfast. Mommy and Lucy came to pick him up around then.

He is such a sweet little boy. I can't wait until the next sleep-over.

Another Birdbrain Grandma!

This is my Mom! If you have ever wondered where I came from, now you know! I get my sense of humor from this funny lady! I'm not quite sure why she is wearing an Alabama t-shirt, since I am pretty sure she has not been there, but she is wearing the hat in honor of Mardi Gras. TOO CUTE, MOM!!!!

Ollie's Big Adventure

Saturday night, we left the house for a short while. We needed to go to the grocery store and pick up a few things for a family dinner, we were having on Sunday, in honor of Tish, bringing home a Boyfriend (for the very first time) to meet "The Family"! This was not her first boyfriend, just the first one she has brought home!
So, needless to say, we wanted to impress the young man with a wonderful, home-style Barbeque Dinner. We left, only after I made sure the dogs were crated and I had covered the finches, so the cats would not bother them.
Upon arriving back home, the first thing I saw when I opened the door was the bird cage, up-side-down on the floor and "Spike" crouched right next to it, licking his lips.
I dropped the bags, I was carrying in and immediately picked up the cage. "Annie" was still inside, a little nervous but otherwise okay, but "Ollie" was missing. After an exhaustive search through the house, I finally gave up for the night. I thought "Ollie" was a goner for sure, this time. Little did I know, he had a few tricks still up his sleeve.
Sunday morning, I got up, started the coffee and left for the store to get some charcoal and aluminum foil. As soon as I arrived back in the drive way, my cell phone was ringing. "Mom, we found your finch!", "Where is he?", "Flying all over the house!"
Apparently, with the morning light, "Ollie" woke up and decided to dive-bomb Tish, when she walked through the living room. When I got in the house, Jerry was standing in the living room with a large minnow net in his hand and Tish had locked the cats up. It was literally a 20 minute work out to catch the tiny imp. He flew from the front window to the dining room, to the kitchen, back to the living room, back to the kitchen and so on and so on........until, either he decided I had exercised enough or he was hungry, he finally let me catch him with the minnow net. I know, he let me catch him, because, he actually waited for me to net him.
Back in the cage with "Annie" and he dove into his food bowl, the poor little guy was really hungry.
He was no worse for his adventure, Jerry, Tish and I, all got our morning workout and "Alex" had another good laugh.
We had our dinner and met Mr. Really Nice Kid, everyone liked him. Cotton, of course, had to interview him to make sure he was good enough for Tish, he passed the test with flying colors. Jerry liked him, I liked him. Krysta liked him. We'll have to see how things go from here.
It has been along and eventful day, so I am saying "Goodnight" and hopefully, "Ollie" will stay put for a few days.

Bringing home "Ollie"

I named the two finches "Annie" and "Ollie". I named them for my Mom and Stepdad, Margaret Ann and Edward Ollie. Of course, Jerry had a great time with that one considering how teeny the birds are. Mom will get him for that.

I think "Ollie's" name is very appropriate. When we got home from the pet store, I opened the door of the carrier to carefully remove the little things and "Ollie" promptly flew out. He flew here and there throughout the the house for a good 15 minutes. Then, I had a brain storm. I made a careful note of his latest landing, I know, sounds silly, but I am very forgetful. I went outside and got Jerry's fishing net from the boat, then being careful not to spook him, I netted "Ollie". Yeah, I caught him before the cat did. But, my celebration was short-lived. He is so small, he wiggled his way through the net and we were off again.

Finally after several more minutes of chasing him around the house, turning off ceiling fans, making sure the doors to the other rooms were shut and praying he doesn't decide to land in the pot with the boiling potatoes, I caught the little rascal. Very gently, I picked him up, he is so tiny, I was careful not to squeeze and congratulating myself on a safe rescue, when he slipped through my fingers and was off again. Okay, so laugh. Have you ever tried to catch a small bird or a mouse loose in the house?

Luckily, this time, "Ollie" landed on the kitchen counter and tried to slip between my espresso machine and my coffee bean canister. Haha, the little goof ball trapped himself. This time when I picked him up, I kept my hands closed tightly together. We made it to the cage and "Ollie" joined "Annie", who I am sure was cheering him on. I know "Alex" and "Lexus" were enjoying the show, "Alex" was laughing.

I could have let "Spike" help, he was trying to until I locked him in the bathroom.

So, we are all safe, and I am glad, I chose the names I did for the finches. I am sure, even if no one else understands, those who know my Mom and Stepdad will find their names perfect.

I love you Mom and Eddy.

MORE BIRDS??

If you follow my blog at all, you know about, "Saul" our shepherd mix, "Sami" the old man, "Snickers" the hyper one, "Candy" the 20 pound cat, "Spike" the mischeivious cat, "Digory" the sweetheart and The Quakers, "Alex" and "Lexus". You have also met my 4 kids and my gorgeous grandbabies.
Now introducing, "Annie" and "Ollie". They are Spice finches. They are no bigger than a grown persons thumb. I think they are really very pretty. Finches are not really the "hold and cuddle" type of pet. But they sing prettily and are nice to look at.
I really enjoy my pets, but they are quite a responsibility, they require a great deal of daily attention. With my children all grown, they are great company. Even after the roughest day at work, I know when I get home, I will be greeted with a chorus of happy noises. Of course, dinner and household chores have to wait until I let "Sami" and "Snickers" out to potty, let "Alex" and "Lexus" out to play, feed and water "Saul" and give him his treat, feed and water "Digory", and now feed and water "Annie" and "Ollie". Oh, I can't forget "Candy" and "Spike", even if I were to try, they let me know quite loudly and adamantly, that they would like their water freshened and their food dishes filled.
Then, I start the people food. I usually end up sitting down for the first time about three hours after I arrive home from an eight hour day at the office. The good thing is, I think, I have cured my insomnia.