April Fool's Day

Well, Mother Nature gave us a double whammy for April Fool's Day this year: 1) Just when it started to look like spring had sprung, we were hit with another six inches of snowfall-- sigh. And 2) although we've been expecting a March baby all these months, April's commenced with no additional need to hurry me to the hospital, as of yet.

On the bright side, though, the kids enjoyed another snow day home from school yesterday. Emma played outside in the snow fort Daddy built her, and had a winter picnic with Coco. And Michael opted to remain in pajamas most of the day and enjoy the comforts of life indoors.

After dinner we all went for a walk down our country road (a little tradition we've started since the days have become longer and we've moved to Colfax), and by then a lot of the snow had already melted. It's supposed to be warm all this week, so the melting should continue.

On Saturday we attended Pack 128's Blue and Gold Banquet, in Eau Claire. It was the first time in awhile Michael's been able to hang out with some of his old friends from Cub Scouts. He was part of the opening flag ceremony and even read some remarks to the crowd using a microphone. We had a nice potluck meal and enjoyed talking to the other parents (some of whom have become our friends, as well, after seeing them so much at the kids' different activities and at school).

We also enjoyed a presentation from a local wildlife rehabilitation center. It's a nonprofit agency (receiving no government funding) started by a local retiree and a bunch of volunteers, which now services over 20 counties and works closely with the DNR and other agencies. They take in injured animals, help them recover while being careful not to tame them, and release them when they're ready to be on their own. The little owl, pictured, had hit a window and was permanently injured, so she lives with one volunteer as a licensed training and public relations bird. The little owl can't fly and would never make it in the wild anymore; she will only recognize white mice as food, and will eat nothing else (part of brain damage she suffered).

Michael and other boys from the group were awarded their badges. Michael is excited to be moving on to Webelos next year; but we're going to wait for next school year before getting him started in scouting at Colfax. So far the scouting thing seems to be a good way for him to interact with other boys, and he likes working on the home activities in his scouting book. I do most of that with him, so it's one of the things we "do" together, just him and I. I will NOT be in a hurry to become a Den Leader again, though; no thanks.

Tomorrow I have another doctor's appointment. I will see if they can maybe hurry me along, in some way. I want to have as natural of a childbirth as possible, but don't want things to drag on another week yet. We'll see what happens!