Arkansas critters...and other random stuff.

Yesterday afternoon, Tessa was looking our our front window and spotted a wild rabbit, just lounging in our grass. We see them quite often. We watched it for a while, and then walked out toward it. It didn't move--just hunkered down farther, and it's eyes got really big. I wondered if it was hurt. The kids, of course wanted to keep it for a pet (like many of the other little creatures that we find in our yard or in this area). As soon as Tessa turned around to go get PJ, so he could come see it too, the rabbit took off running, it's little white tail bouncing. It was so cute.
Since moving to Arkansas, our kids love to see all the wild little critters that wander into our yard, or that we see on the road (except we DON'T like to see all the roadkill). We don't live in a heavily wooded area, although there are quite a lot of trees & bushes around. However, if you go a couple blocks in any direction, you'll find yourself in a forest. That's how this area is. Lots of trees & greenery everywhere. It's very pretty. But it also means there are lots of little creatures around.
We have seen lots of different kinds of birds of all different sizes, shapes & colors (our favorite are the beautiful, bright red cardinals). We've had robin nests in a few of our trees, with eggs in them, and love to see the baby birds as they start to leave the nest. They are so cute. We've seen rabbits, frogs & toads, turtles, opossums, armadillos, deer, lizards, fireflies (as well as lots of other interesting bugs & insects), and lots more. Thank goodness we haven't had any snakes in our yard! We have some friends not far from us that have had snakes--Ewww! That would creep me out! Our kids want to keep all the little animals we find as pets. HA HA HA! NO CHANCE! A dog is enough. We did have a pet rat for a while (that we bought from Pet Co), but I was the one who always ended up cleaning out the cage, and the only one to give her much attention, so after about 6 months, we gave her back to Pet Co. So, our kids will have to settle on enjoying the wild life from our window or yard. They aren't comming in! :)


Last week, after having some severe thunderstorms, I got this great picture of the sky one evening. It was the brightest pinkish/orange color that I've ever seen. And there was a huge rainbow out our front window. It was so pretty! (The picture doesn't do it justice). It's too bad I don't have some pictures of the sky right before the severe weather hits. It's pretty scary looking. We never experienced anything like it before moving here.
Yesterday the kids helped me make some oatmeal chocolate chip/butterscotch cookies. They are Neil's favorite. I like oatmeal raisin the best. So, we make both. The kids love them all! We had a fun time! :)