Jer's Aquarium, part deux!

This spring, we thought we got off easy. Our annual spring visitors--the dryer-vent-nesting starlings--had come to check out their site early in the season. Usually, after their initial visit, they are back in a few weeks to attempt nesting in our duct work. This year, they didn't come back. Granted, the weather has been less than conducive, but I figured they must have changed their preferred location. Whew!

Well, when we got home from our trip Sunday, we discovered the birds had, in fact, made themselves at home again in our dryer vent while we were gone. Hmmmm. The joke was on me. They just waited till we were gone and we couldn't block the vent! Though I was less than happy, Jer and Mike were thrilled! They immediately set to catching the birds! Fortunately, Jer had a vacant shark aquarium just waiting to be filled with some form of wildlife...

Before we knew it, Troy, Tony, Isabelle, and Emily were tucked in the glass box. Jer researched what kind of birds they were, how to tell which were girls and which were boys, what food these little friends prefer... He worked really hard to make them comfortable. He built perches, and he (along with many of the neighborhood kids), dug up fresh worms to feed them. Jer even added a bird bath!

Jeremy was in heaven for a couple of days! He finally had birds in his room!! Tonight, however, he and Mike decided to let them go. It was a sad end to a very fun couple of days!

Jer got his Bear!!!

Jer got his Bear tonight at Cub Scout Pack Meeting!  Woot!  Woot!

Jen's Country Report

Today was the country fair at school.  Jen's report was on Brazil.  She did a fabulous job!

(...and here she is with Emily and Madi, too!)

Jer's Aquarium

Jer has always got plans for a new pet. Usually, he's hoping for a dog or a specific kind of bird. Lately, though, his plans have taken a new turn. He found a few unused glass shelves in the basement two weeks ago. It, of course, took only minutes for him to formulate a plan, and thus, a NEED for these pieces. Mike gave him permission to use them...carefully. He decided they'd be perfect for a cage for a snake ("The Incredibly Deadly Viper", from his current favorite book series, "A Series of Unfortunate Events"). He also confessed that if I wouldn't let him get a snake, they could create a wonderful aquarium for a red-tailed shark, which needs, apparently, at least a 20-gallon tank.

Mike said he could build the aquarium, (it would be a good project,) though we did not promise he could get the shark. Once permission was granted, Jeremy immediately set to work. He carefully measured the glass panes, and he drew up a detailed plan and list of wood parts and hinges needed. He also wrote a gentle request of a note to his Daddy for shop time.

Mike took him in to the shop last week and helped him cut the wood:

Once he had the pieces home, he duct-taped the glass together (he couldn't wait for another day when Mike could help him caulk--he needed to see NOW how it would look...). He then set the wood pieces in place, and voila! Steps one, two, and three completed!

He has since securely duct-taped all four corners, added a beautiful piece of pull hardware that Mike had around for a handle on the soon-to-be-hinged top, and painted the top and bottom wood pieces. I'll try to included another picture soon, but this report's continuation must be saved for another day...

Jer's and Jen's New Computer Desk

When Mike's big delivery truck brought our couch back from the weekend's Expo today, it also brought pieces of a desk that Mike had picked up at an auction. When I say pieces, I mean pieces. The top was in two parts, the cabinet door was unattached, and the drawer was completely taken apart. Jonathan and I agreed that once the pieces were moved into their places, we would wait for Daddy to come home to direct assembly. But, as Mike and I had correctly predicted, within a half an hour, Jer had assembled the desk, secured all the loose edge banding (with a hot glue gun), and completely rebuilt the drawer (also using hot glue for assistance!) Hello, desk! Congratulations, Jer!

Jess Can Ride!!!

Today, Jess flew free! She rode solo!

Our big girl has had a lot of support over the last year or so. The neighborhood girls, Olivia, Clara, and Breeana, as well as Jess's big sister Jen have shared endless encouragement and hours of pushing the back of her bike. Bree even shared a smaller bike to help build Jessie's confidence. All of their help and Jessie's hard work have paid off. She's on her way!

The Blue Angels in Flight!