Branch found a baby Red Cardinal who flew the coop a little too soon.
Mean Ol' Mama was repotting an Elephant's Ear plant when she was convinced to babysit the bird while a cage was found. Unfortunately, the little birdie didn't survive, even with a nice, cozy cage.
Spanish phonics, grammar, practicum, and spelling is more exciting outside, isn't it? Hello? Branch? Girl-girl? Hello????!!!!
A cousin stopped by to help Josiah train his bird dog. Stennes visited for a while when Josiah was looking for supplies.
And off they go to discover new worlds...
Branch and The Girl enjoyed an 8 - 0 no loss soccer season.
Anders' team enjoyed a no-loss season, as well.
The children enjoyed a wild game of croquet free-for-all.
And then a few more unsuspecting fellows showed up, and they all enjoyed a wild game of soccer. With a few rules. A few.
Mean Ol' Mama and Teresa are trying frantically to plan summer stuff and one million other upcoming, gotta know now, we're-already-behind, that was due WHEN?? kind of plans. Yes, it takes two grown women to produce as much chaos as we do on a daily basis...
We enjoyed a really good meeting this past Sunday at a Hispanic/Haitian camp. The folks were very receptive to the message, and no one stepped in the fire ants!
We attended the boys' Spring Concert for their band in Tallahassee. Poppins snapped this photo of his two favorite ladies!
Stennes gave a short introductory speech for one of the songs.
A "walking away" shot of Anders...
And here's a photo you don't see every day: Mean Ol' Mama with someone's baby and a....trumpet mute? Yep. Gotta keep both the baby and the trumpet quiet somehow!
One of Josiah's bantam hens decided to set, and out popped six of these cute fellows!
In other news, Josiah and The Girl shaved Lady. She was a bit skittish but managed to stay on the table.
And oh, the disgrace of having one's tail shaved! It certainly is a dog's life!
Now we're pals again...
Our small garden blessed us with two nice zucchini and an eggplant. Combined with sweet onions, we had a very nice stirfry for supper!
The older boys have been very busy at the U-Pick, and we're trying desperately to maintain some semblance of school going on when they're home, which is not easy. In fact, the word "impossible" comes to mind. But onward we trudge. Mo'Mama is trying to re-structure the schoolwork, re-organize the house, solve the world's problems, and get every unsuspecting duck in a row before College begins again next week. Again, the word "impossible"...
And who's wrapped up here?
What a sweet surprise!
Even ChubChub took the plunge!
Some fellows are just too cool...
Mike Todd (on the left, with guitar) flew in from Oklahoma for a few days. He is one of Mean Ol' Mama's earliest childhood memories, and we've been together around the world. He's a great friend and an incredible musician. Too bad you weren't there, too!
Josiah has hatched out some of the cutest bobwhite quail. The boy has plans...
We have enjoyed some great meetings in the migrant camps. The Haitians in the photo below were glad to receive free Bibles and canteloupes (from the U-Pick). 
Mean Ol' Mama was in the translator's chair and got the full benefit of the fabulous music!
We took the kids bowling one afternoon. Mo'M had essays to score, and Branch and The Girl desperately wanted to finish their 4th grade math book, so we worked between turns.
The drought has really caused the pond to dry up. Anders took ChubChub and the dogs down to see what was going on.
The Girl has been reading Chronicles of Narnia to ChubChub. That kid is all personality and imagination!
The Girl also celebrated her 9th birthday! She's a sweet mix of brains, beauty, and benevolence!
She received many lovely gifts, including a pink BB gun, which is a southern belle necessity.
And a cowgirl hat to cinch the deal...
Mean Ol' Mama gave her a bowlful of peas that The Girl had been shelling earlier. We all enjoyed the trick!
Poppins, Uncle Tim, and Mr. Don took all of the kids on a 12-mile canoe trip. They had a great time!
Mo'M has a "Crush" on this little guy!
Get ready! Get set! GO!!
Wasn't it a lovely day?
The Girl found a turtle who was willing to give her a lift!
Another great meeting at a different camp...
Anders, Branch, and The Girl attended a 3-day 4H2O camp. They really enjoyed the different classes, tours, and experiences.
The Nature Conservancy photographer wanted to catch some action shots of the kids.
And now for a tug-of-war with a tractor!
And a trip to the dam...
And a final day at WaterWorld!
We've had a "splash" so far this summer!
The older boys should be finishing up at the U-Pick within the next few weeks; Stennes has a major competition in a few days; Patriotic Performances will begin next week and last through July; work at the College is steady for Mo'M; schoolwork is slower because of outside activities; the weather is very hot and dry; getting a few things from the raised beds; around 200 chickens to be sold; lots of recipes to try; busy, busy, busy...
