M. Sullivan Photography

June 3, 2010 M. Sullivan Photography Animals, Family, Flowers, Photos, Weather

Thirty-Nine

Tuesday was my birthday. It wasn’t a big milestone birthday, but in some ways it seems like maybe it was. As my Mom said in my birthday card, “…your last year of your thirties”. Wow, when did I get so old? Despite the number, I had a fabulous day. Mike and I took the day off from work. He got the kids off to school in the morning and brought back flowers, a fancy coffee and bagels with cream cheese. We enjoyed our breakfast while watching the Today Show. After getting our fill of the news and bagels, we decided to take Daphne for a long walk around the neighborhood. The weather was in the 70’s and it was sunny – no rain, tornado warnings or 39 degree temperatures like I’ve had some years on my birthday.

We checked out our yard and gardens when we got back. I also looked in on our nesting birds. Three babies had hatched!

Backyard blooms…

After our stroll around the yard, we headed to Valentini’s restaurant for lunch. We had a great table outside overlooking the lake. We were planning to go to a movie in the afternoon, but the weather was too nice. We opted for a walk along the Lakewalk instead. We ended up having ice cream at the Bridgeman’s at Fitger’s and walked down to the lake to dip our toes in to cool off a bit.

We picked up the kids from school and opened presents before Sebastian’s baseball game.

Sebastian had two hits in his game – a single and a double – and also pitched an inning.

We finished off the evening with a quick dinner and some birthday cake.

I can’t think of a better way to spend my last birthday in my thirties. 🙂

May 26, 2010May 26, 2010 M. Sullivan Photography Photos, Sports

Take Me Out To The Ballpark

Another baseball season is upon us. Sebastian is in his 2nd year of minors in Little League. This is his first year as pitcher though. He has a very strong lefty throw. So strong that I make him ease up a bit when we play catch in the backyard. (Just to be clear, Mary is writing this, not Mike.) I never thought a 9 year could throw that hard. He has struck out a few kids already and shows great promise for the season. His fielding and batting has been great. He is quite a player. Look out MN Twins!

Here are a few photos I took during his pitching debut.

On a side note, I didn’t have much opportunity for game photos. Sophia and I were spectators while Mike was coaching. We thought it would be good to bring Daphne along since she had been home alone most of the day. What I didn’t realize is that boxers are kid magnets. I could have assembled my own T-Ball team will all of the little kids that wanted to pet her (and get licked by her). I made the same mistake last night too. If there are going to be any more game photos, Daphne is going to have to stay back at the house. Sorry Daphne!

May 19, 2010May 19, 2010 M. Sullivan Photography Animals, Photos

New Tenant

We have been noticing two pairs of birds hanging around in our back yard recently. They sit on the grapevine next to the deck, then fly off before we can figure out what they are. This past weekend I was finally able to take a picture of this guy out our dining room window.

We thought that he and his girlfriend and the other couple they hang around with must be nesting in our backyard somewhere. Then last night we found this in the butterfly bush next to the house.

After a bit of research, we believe we have a pair of house finches making their home eight feet from our back door. This afternoon I checked the nest again and found that another egg had been added. According to the information I read about finches, two weeks from now there should be three to six featherless baby birds in the nest. Two to three weeks after that they will get kicked out and will be on their own. I guess our kids have it pretty good compared to those birds. I plan to remind Sebastian and Sophia of that the next time they complain about homework or chores.