Spring Time Catch Up

It's Spring!

I love everything about the spring!!!
  

Okay, scratch that... I can't stand OAK POLLEN!  

It does terrible things to my allergies.  

I could see it taunting me from our bedroom window as it grew and dangled from the trees just outside.  

Finally it snowed... Oak Pollen.  

Everything was yellow.  My black Suburban now a dingy color of mustard.  Lovely! 

The sidewalk, patio, flower beds, the front and back yard... all covered.  

I knew the weeks to follow I would be in a hazy cloud of continual pollen.  

Oh well, that is over now.  My allergies are back on track and I can focus on the beauty of blooming flowers, green trees and new life. 

To welcome spring and great weather the boys and I had a lunch date at the river.  

Downtown Boerne is undergoing a fabulous makeover.  They are adding a new walking trail all along the river.  There are new tables and benches for lunching and ledges to go fishing off of.  

And lets not forget the ducks. 

 Dozens of ducks and turtles make their home in and along the Boerne river.  

My mom met us there and we enjoyed chicken left over from Easter dinner.  

I also cleaned my pantry out of all the stale bread I had intentionally left in there waiting for the perfect opportunity to be feed the ducks.  

I have compassion for the ugly ducks

"Show me your teeth"  ...only way to get them smiling simultaneously

Ducks... and turtles BEWARE OF FLYING ROCKS!

...and whole wheat tortillas.  I pray no animal died of consumption 

Love the geese in the background.  Their brown detailing is beautiful.  

Memories From the River:

1.  Eli threw a rock into the river and accidently nailed a turtle on the shell.  It sank immediately.  Thankfully it came back up.  We think!

2.  Cullen's serious wind up and not so wonderful throw to the ducks.  He had such enthusiasm.  Although half of his attempts landed in the grass along the river, C still enjoyed himself.  

3.  The attack of the ducks!!

I promise, there is a gang of ducks around the Boerne and we were witness to one of the attacks.  

An unsuspecting goose was minding his business eating the bread and out of nowhere three ducks began their attack.  

They pecked his head, climbed on his back, pushed him under water, pecked at his body

... It was absolutely bizarre.  

Without thinking I told my mom "Those ducks are trying to kill that goose, or else this is a very strange way or mating." 

 Eli overheard and was immediately intrigued and concerned.  "Why are they gonna kill that duck mom?"  "Did they kill that duck?"  "Aww poor ducky" "We will be sad if that duck is killed".  

Cullen chimed in as well, "bla bla kill that duck?" in a very concerned voice.  

 Thank goodness the goose was smart and once it was pushed under the water again it swam underneath a few yards, came back up and made its escape.  

Phew!!, no gruesome finale to explain to the boys ;-) 

4. Whole wheat tortillas.  We learned at the river that not only does my family not like whole wheat tortillas, but ducks turn their beaks up to them as well.  It was only after they sponged up in the water that the turtles would half heartedly peck at them.  Oh well!

5.  This is a not so funny one.  

It was time to go home so E, C and I headed to load into the car.  

I turned to Cullen and told him "DO NOT GO INTO THE STREET!!" 

He heard and understood me... right?! 

Wrong!

As soon as I opened the doors and set the icebox inside I looked up to see Eli in the car but no cullen.  

Not only was he not climbing into the car... he wasn't on the sidewalk at all.   

In the split second I took my eyes off of him he had run to the other side of the road, into river road. 

I yelled out his name, dashed around the back of the car to see him running back in my direction while shouting "Car!" 

... Imagine the pounding of my heart and images running through my mind...

Once I had my arms around him I scolded him and instantly burst into tears.  

I was overwhelmed with gratefulness for God's protection over Cullen.  I was disappointed in my lapse in judgement.  I was so grateful that no car hit my child and that even though we were both distraught, he was with me.  Ugh! Not a fun moment but a lesson learned and a story of how God showed up big.  

It took a while for me to calm down.  It's crazy the love you have for your children and the emotions you go through when they are in danger.  Eli, being the precious tender hearted little boy he is consoled me on our drive home by telling me Cullen was okay.    

My mom called me to tell me she saw the entire thing.  

She was looking out her side view mirror to pull out on to River Road when she saw out of no where Cullen had run out from behind the car and into the street.  

She helped ease my mind by telling me that the cars saw him and slowed immediately;   

Cullen attempted to open the door to the suburban, realized he couldn't do it, noticed the cars and turned to run back to the other side... into my I'm never gonna let go embrace.  Drama over.  Thank goodness! 

So... Great trip to the river and we will absolutely do it again, but the next time E AND C go into the car before the icebox!

So glad both my boys are with me and healthy!