Waiting for Cardinal Eggs to Hatch

This spring has been so cold that we have spent very little time out on the porch.
It wasn't until this morning that I realized that there was a momma cardinal in the juniper next to the porch. The nest has been there for quite a few years and each spring we get to watch as the eggs are incubated and then hatch. This spring our waiting will be much shorter!

 

Waiting for the Eggs to Hatch

 

If all goes well there should be falcon babies in just a few days.

This year we have a new male. The hope is that these eggs will be fertile. Incubating has been going on longer than the past two years.

Keep your fingers crossed.

 

 

This is the male, Spark, sitting on the eggs.

 

OOHS Presents "Beauty and the Beast"

Pit Orchestra practice started in March, just two nights a week for two hours.
April's practices got a little more intense, beginning at 4:00 and ending sometime after 8:30. The 4pm start gave them time to get homework done, the late end time meant that they ate dinner at school. I started packing CJ second lunch so that he had something to eat before practice because he eats lunch before 10:30am!
Even though he arrives home exhausted each night he is enjoying every the experience.
On Wednesday they performed a couple of scenes for the students at four different times throughout the day. This meant that CJ spent more time with his clarinet and bass clarinet than he did with his teachers. Then he went to practice!
Thursday night was the first performance and it was nice to see CJ come home after school. He had about an hour of downtime then it was dinner and back to school. Once again he came home excited to be a part of the performance.
Friday night's arrival home was a little more subdued, he was really tired and was looking forward to sleeping in on Saturday.
After a good night's rest CJ was ready for another performance.
Note the look of confidence!

Steve and I were in the audience for Saturday's performance and what a performance it was. The pit played more than 2 hours of music and it all sounded amazing. The actors were just as amazing, they sang, danced, made us laugh and cry. It was hard to believe that these were teenagers. My favorite was the ever smiling LaFou, Grayson you made me smile all night!
Sunday's matinee concluded the run. CJ is glad to be home and is looking forward to a quiet week. He is also looking forward to doing it all again next year!
I am so very proud of all CJ has accomplished in the past month and a half. At first the music seemed daunting. He practiced and practiced, even asking his cello teacher for help. And in the end the hard work paid off. Way to go CJ, you are a great kid.

Thank You Mr. Cardinal...

For your bright colors during our too long winter.

 

Sun Lover

 

Freshman Concert Band

The Freshman Concert Band provided a bit of entertainment at the OOHS Art Show.
They sounded great.
And although I am a bit prejudiced, I think CJ looked very handsome in a shirt and tie.

 

 

 

 

 

Claire was a good sport to pose with CJ and Josh. This was our carpool crew from the summer. Not sure what will happen this summer since Claire will be driving by then!
What a good looking crew. They clean up so well!!!! 

Good Hockey in Columbus

Just a few months ago I would not have believed that the Blue Jackets would be exciting to watch.
They are just that - exciting. They have been awesome of late.
We might even get to the playoffs this year. Keep your fingers crossed.


This is the view from our seats during the first period. We were in the last row of the arena. Brought back memories of the days in the second to the last row of the Spectrum. While it was fun up there we knew that a friend had empty seats next to his so we wandered down to join him.
 

This was our view for the second and third periods.

Bobrovsky used to be a goalie for the Flyers, he now plays for the Blue Jackets.
He has been amazing and is a big part of our playoff hopes.