Sylvan Bird Center

 

This park has been on my bucket list of places to visit for a while. It's a 1.75 hour drive so it takes a bit of a commitment to plan.  However, when we were watching the kids bowl last Tuesday my friend brought it up and suggested we go this week.  She called while we were at the alley arranged for the school discount and a field trip was born.

I'm extremely pleased to say we were not at all disappointed by the park.  Apparently, it started as the world's largest private collection of birds and his friends suggested opening it to the public and the park came into being (Like Leu Gardens).  I was amazed at the incredible variety of birds and how up close and personal so many of them were.  When we were in one aviary, this huge spoonbill came flying right at us on the fence and hung out for a bit. 

Chris thought he was making friends with the Crown Victorian Pigeons, ie "Crown Vics" as he called them in the one aviary but when we went to another, these birds will lift their wings straight up and then slap you with them when you come too close, an effective deterrent.  

I am always happy to sing to a Kookaburra and TooCans are fun as well.  

In this aviary Lance fell in love with the "cute little yellow birdy" hopping around the floor, Chris got one the birds to match his "dance" in here as well, much to everyone's amusement.

Titus enjoyed the variety of ducks (video link)and Amber liked the flamingos.  The cranes of various kinds made quite the racket when they started "yelling" at each other, they always remind me of a family favorite "The Wheel on the School".

However, the "Landing Zone" where you could hold and touch the birds was the obvious favorite. 

Jared was mirroring a Cockatoo in there as well and it absolutely drove the bird nuts.  Jared really misses having a pet bird, but understands a bird would not live long in our current house arrangements, so glad he got this time to spend with them.

Music in the Air

This Spring the boys tried something new.  They joined the Church Choir.  It was a unique experience and now they can check that box as done.

Tonight, Jared's Spring Recital couldn't be held at the normal location, so we had it at a local community center.  Good thing we arrived early, as Dad and Lance had to lift the piano up onto the stage.  The piano was old but Jared still managed to make it sing.  Click here to listen to him play "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Fur Elise".

He Went Yard! It's a Dinger!

Whatever slang you want to use it was incredibly awesome and a long time in the waiting!!!!

Today, during a Canes tournament against a Florida Juco team Lance didn't just hit his first HOME RUN but he hit a GRAND SLAM!  I was in shock at first, I couldn't follow the ball well with the cloudy skies, then I saw the outfielder stop running and slump.  I asked to the general audience "Did it go over?!" and got back a loud "YES!!!!!"  I felt silly but I started dripping tears of joy!  Here's the video of the whole event.  He looks so professional, like he's done it a million times before, but it you look closely you'll see my little boy, in his big body, skip and do a small fist bump as he rounds second base.

Chris was listening to the game on the computer and he calls to get the details; totally overwhelmed with emotion as well.  Since Frank had come to the game I joked with him he was now required to attend all games.  Chris estimates that it went about 350 and he only scooped it.  One of his teammates who wasn't playing at the time went and found the ball the brought it to him.  

When we came home the house erupted again, they had made posters and Jared had already texted a bunch of people, we were all so truly excited to see him step ever closer to his dream of playing the MLB today!