The Barretts have a relatively new, favorite family pastime.
We have become avid bird watchers over here at the Barrett house. With the cool June we have had (up until this week, at least) and our new bird feeders, we have taken every opportunity to be in our backyard enjoying the birds.
My sweet Aunt Cathy bought the boys a double hummingbird feeder to hang in the flower bed outside our kitchen window. We love watching the birds from the kitchen - they are so close.
Since its been up the past month or so, the little hummingbirds are getting pretty brave. They let us get very close even when we are outside. There are 5-6 that frequent our feeder - all different colors of the rainbow. There are a few that are pretty aggressive and chase each other. Its amazing to watch how territorial they can be and how fast and agile their maneuvers are. Sort of like watching a not too believable helicopter chase scene in an action movie ... straight up and down, dodging through trees, stop on a dime ... so cool.
Occasionally, other birds try their luck with the hummingbird feeder. The finches and sparrows try to peck out the guards that restrict the hole size to hummingbird beaks only ... this woodpecker was pretty impressive, too. Don't you think?
One stormy evening was particularly active in our backyard. We sat and watched for over an hour as the little birds chased each other around our yard and trees. One even hovered about a foot from Will at his perfect eye level for what seemed like a full minute ...
Can you see the bird at the top right feeder and how close the boys are? Don't think for a minute my boys were quiet either in the face of this kind of excitement - these are pretty brave birds!
We also purchased a regular bird feeder that is supposed to be just for small birds, in addition the boys made the classic kid craft - the pinecone bird feeder - from pine cones collected in Flagstaff.
After the first day, we realized just how fast these little piggies would go through seed. They devoured several cups in just a few hours. Now, we only fill this one when we are sitting outside and can enjoy it. We counted up to a dozen birds at a time ... finches, sparrows, doves, pigeons (ugh), and even my favorite, a pair of quail.
The bird watching has been a fun addition to our morning coffee/hot tea/bible devotion ritual. I'm pretty sad that "summer" is just about upon us ... pretty soon it will be "bye, bye" cool mornings.
I can't complain, though ... this has been one of the nicest Junes I can remember in Phoenix ... and we've enjoyed every minute of it!
PS: We have attached a symbolic meaning to the hummingbirds, too. My Aunt Cathy's mom (who passed away before I could know her) was such a kind and gentle woman that she was even known to have wild hummingbirds land on her hand. They actually have a picture of this! I've always longed to have known her, her children - all grown now - speak of her with such love and admiration and are all very close (a true testimony to good parenting, I think).
So... when Jared asks, "What does the hummingbird remind you of, Mommy?" I always say, "My Aunt Cathy's Mommy in heaven."
One day, after having this conversation with Jared, he was silent for a moment and then asked, "Is Aunt Cathy's mommy taking care of that new baby in heaven?" It was such a sweet and thoughtful thing for him to come up with all on his own. It brought tears to my eyes ... and still does. I have no idea what our baby is doing in heaven, besides the fact that I know I will meet him some day. Nonetheless, thinking about my Aunt Cathy's mother (who, by all testimonies was the mom we all strive to be) and my natural mother, in heaven caring for this baby is a beautiful thought.
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