PHOTO: NASA (an osprey over KSC)
BREAKFAST WITH THE BIRDS: Via the good ol' Facebook feed, about the first thing I saw today was news of a live Web cam on an osprey nest in Sandpoint, Idaho. Well at that, I pretty much had to cancel all the day's plans. ...Just kidding - I wasn't quite that obsessed, but I will cop to spending waaay too much time watching osprey today.
The nest is on a light stanchion at War Memorial Field. From time to time, you can catch glimpses of the baseball field and players below.
According to the Web site hosting the camera (The Sandpoint Osprey Cam), the nest was relocated to the top of the new lighting standard in autumn of 2011. It's just one of two nests at the field and in early spring, the ospreys return following their migration from Central and South America. They'll head south again in the fall.
Today we learned that osprey are the only raptors that eat fish exclusively, and they do not regurgitate their food for their young. Rather, they rip off chunks and offer it to the wee one(s).
While CJ and Annabelle were eating breakfast, we watched the parental raptors feed the two day old bird in their nest. We also noticed an unhatched egg. In reading the comments on the site, it's believed it might not be viable, but they're still hoping and waiting (and so are we!)
PITCHING IN: Though their classes are still officially over, today the kids and I headed up to their Shoreline science classroom to help clean up. We cleaned tabletops, the kids used a vacuum for the first time (hey, we have hardwood floors!) and Annabelle even dusted the flag (patriotically and politely, I assure you).
FEELING BLUE: We went to (gasp, choke) a MALL today. Annabelle was so excited. Hope she enjoyed her 12 minutes there. ;) Our reason for going was to hit a GameStop store in hopes of finding some second hand used Just Dance titles. Just Dance for Wii is probably CeeJ and Bee's favorite form of exercise, so I have to support that habit, right?
GameStop had had 'em all, but we only got one - the original Just Dance 1. Oh, and we picked up the Smurfs Dance Party, which is in the same genre. It's not as challenging or sophisticated as the Just Dance titles, but the kids like it - and it was only $8!
So, this afternoon, we got Smurfy and danced along with Smurfette, Papa Smurf, Gutsy, Brainy, Clumsy, and the gang. I have to say, the Smurfs' arms and legs are so stumpy that it's kind of hard to follow their moves sometimes.
BTW, while we were at the mall today, we saw a sign featuring a LEGO Yoda. Seems Alderwood Mall is adding a new LEGO store (it opens tomorrow) and to celebrate, they're having some LEGO Master Builder come and build a big (8-foot tall) brick Yoda. The public can get in on the action, and building helpers will receive a certificate of achievement for their efforts. We might just have to go check it out. You can see how thrilled the kids look at the prospect!!!
Silly Sing-Along: The Disappointing Pancake and Other Zany Songs
Based on the number of re-play requests, I'd say "Fried Ham" was CeeJ and Bee's favorite song in the CD. Here's Loeb performing it awhile back. ...
Another of the songs on the CD was a total blast from the past for me: "Found a Peanut." I hadn't heard it in 40 plus years, but remembered every word when Loeb started singing it. A macabre song, in a way. I'm probably going to have nightmares.
Rotten peanuts give you nightmares?
ReplyDeleteWe saw an osprey nest driving down the gorge yesterday. their nests are BIG.