Robins

There are Robins in our yard - bunches of them. I don't think I had ever seen Robins in real life before, but our neighbor, who I just met yesterday has lived here for over 50 years and she says that for about a month the Robins come to eat the berries off of the ivy fences and then they are gone. They are bigger than I had imagined, about as tall as a pigeon, but not so fat or so... um ... dumb. At least this first impression of them is that they are not so dumb, but I've had a lot of time to watch pigeons and I am frankly pretty distracted by how shockingly beautiful the Robins are to pay much attention to their behavior. They're not flashy-beautiful, they are mostly brown, but the red-orange feathers on their breast are also under their wings, so when they open them up to fly or catch their balance on top of the ivy they completely light up and become golden and glowing for a moment. I stand at the window mesmerized.

the birthday countdown

Three mornings ago while getting ready for school:
Me--"Guess whose birthday it is today!"
William, looking thoughtfully out of the corner of his eye and then back at me --"Weeyom's birthday!?!?"
Me--"Um, nooo. It's mommy's birthday!" with a big smile - only partially hoping that my nearly three year old will graciously tell my 'Happy Birthday' with a big hug. Instead, his eyes widen in excitement "Weeyom AND mommy's birthday!" He's practically floating with excitement at this point and I try to bring it back around to my birthday, but it's too late. He now owns my heart AND my birthday. oh well. But this did get me worrying that his birthday IS coing up soon, in about a month and I have done diddly squat to prepare anything. Last year his birthday was on Easter and I started planning the big Easter/birthday bash while the Christmas tree was still standing. I'm going to have to pull this one together quickly - friends - keep April 15th open - I'll feed you - even get you liquered up if need be. And I'm sure that even though his birthday doesn't fall on Easter this year, I'll be making those bunny shaped pound cakes with Elvis Presely's favorite recipe. mmm mmm mmm...