The Tree

See the big tree? There used to be another just like it at the other end of the hedgerow. Jake and I (mostly I) cut it down. My back still hurts so this tree is daddy's project. They're some kind of evergreen but they're covered in bag worms. Ewwww! Bag worms are definitely a product of the Fall. Last year, they decimated 3 other trees at the end of our porch. Bag worms are not my friends.

The kids all tromped to the basement with daddy to select their weapons. They came up with a bow saw, a chainsaw, an ax and an assortment of toy saws.

Below is Shane drooling at the thought of using the chainsaw.
Practicing on daddy's bumper
Jake demonstrating why mom ended up chopping down the other tree. We definitely foresee a deskjob in his future. Good thing he's smart. :)

Watching Jake with the ax.
Hank learning to use the ax. He's left handed so it was a challenge for Bill who is extremely right handed.

Girlie's turn. We were surprised she had any interest in it at all. Always full of surprises, cutie girl.
Shane. Oh yea, this is his thing. He loves tools and destroying things. Definitely a manly toddler.
Practicing on the hedges

Now the bow saw

Supervising Practicing on the wood chips


pulling out the branch he just sawed off

More practice Pulling out the branch she sawed. I'll get around to fixing the orientation...in the meantime, rest your right ear on your right shoulder. There, perfect now. :)
The saw is as big as she is


We found a Blue Jay's (empty) nest so we saved it. Now we have that and a Robin's nest in our collection. I need to figure out a way to preserve them and display them. Any ideas? leave a comment or email me.

The kids are getting good at looking for and even ID'ing birds outside of our yard. Hanks' favorite remains the Cardinal which he is very good at spotting. Ella and Shane just like spotting birds in general.