After a cold spell, we had a beautiful, warm Saturday to enjoy with Poppins. We took 3 of the canoes to a landing that leads to the Flint River. It was glorious out in the sunshine.
Eeeeeek!!! A mouse hidden away in the canoe!!! Poppins suggested that the boys flip the canoe to let him escape.
And what natural delights are hiding under these rocks? Boys and boulders were made for each other.
Poppins headed out with The Girl and ChubChub to meet up with Anders and Branch who were slowly fishing their way to the river.
Stennes and Josiah followed behind. And Mean Ol' Mama? Ah, blissful peace and quiet. She happily waited with "to do" lists, plans, and beautiful blank pages with words just waiting to be written.
Poppins treated the family to fried chicken, and the kids quickly headed down to watch the water flow by. Isn't it a beautiful day?
Too much fried chicken, ChubChub? Gotta rest when you can...
The kids brought Mean Ol' Mama plenty of treasures from the water: a beautifully feathered plant...
shell rings to adorn her royal fingers...
and an aquatic bouquet that left her simply speechless...
Last (but by no means least), Anders surprised her with a real treat: a clawed, unhappy crawdad.
Josiah and Branch enjoyed batting the ball around for a while. It was so nice just to be together.
Even Poppins took a turn at pitching.
At last, Mean Ol' Mama decided to take on the river. She said her farewells to all of the children and Poppins as she made her way down the steep, slippery, dangerous, craggy, perilous way to the river...[ahem...].
"Catch me! I'm falling overboard! Good-bye, dear Poppins! Help! Save me! What do you mean we're not even away from the edge yet?"
"Good-bye, daaahling!"
Well, she made it back alive, although her arms will definitely feel the burn tomorrow.
We arrived home to discover an early birthday present for Anders: two "new" hamster cages (with accoutrements). Just what he needed to house all of those rascals!
And this little guy couldn't even wait on his Chinese supper. What a fun day we had!
Eeeeeek!!! A mouse hidden away in the canoe!!! Poppins suggested that the boys flip the canoe to let him escape.
And what natural delights are hiding under these rocks? Boys and boulders were made for each other.
Poppins headed out with The Girl and ChubChub to meet up with Anders and Branch who were slowly fishing their way to the river.
Stennes and Josiah followed behind. And Mean Ol' Mama? Ah, blissful peace and quiet. She happily waited with "to do" lists, plans, and beautiful blank pages with words just waiting to be written.
Poppins treated the family to fried chicken, and the kids quickly headed down to watch the water flow by. Isn't it a beautiful day?
Too much fried chicken, ChubChub? Gotta rest when you can...
The kids brought Mean Ol' Mama plenty of treasures from the water: a beautifully feathered plant...
shell rings to adorn her royal fingers...
and an aquatic bouquet that left her simply speechless...
Last (but by no means least), Anders surprised her with a real treat: a clawed, unhappy crawdad.
Josiah and Branch enjoyed batting the ball around for a while. It was so nice just to be together.
Even Poppins took a turn at pitching.
At last, Mean Ol' Mama decided to take on the river. She said her farewells to all of the children and Poppins as she made her way down the steep, slippery, dangerous, craggy, perilous way to the river...[ahem...].
"Catch me! I'm falling overboard! Good-bye, dear Poppins! Help! Save me! What do you mean we're not even away from the edge yet?"
"Good-bye, daaahling!"
Well, she made it back alive, although her arms will definitely feel the burn tomorrow. 
We arrived home to discover an early birthday present for Anders: two "new" hamster cages (with accoutrements). Just what he needed to house all of those rascals!
And this little guy couldn't even wait on his Chinese supper. What a fun day we had!
