December 9th –

We checked out a place in town called Liberty Wildlife. It is a local organization that focuses on wildlife rehabilitation. They take in up to 20 native animals a day with injuries or baby animals that have been abandoned. They try to get them fixed up and returned to the wild.

We went because I heard that they had a lot of owls. One of the volunteers took an owl out to let us see it up close! I also love her owl shirt.

They thought this great horned owl was a male because it was so small. The females are usually much bigger. They named it Darwin.

Darwin surprised them all by laying an egg! It was a female.

She is really beautiful.

The volunteers put on a little show to educate about the different types of native birds. It was silly.

Brendan got to talk to another great horned owl.

The owl talked back!

The volunteers are so friendly to the kids. This one let the boys pet a bearded dragon that was a surrendered pet.

“Like a kid in a candy store!” We stopped by Sweeties on the way home to pick up some decorating candy. The boys were totally nuts with excitement about all of the candy bins.

A big package came for the boys. What could it be?!

Brendan helps get the big box to the backyard.

Assembly was pretty easy!

They love it!! There are only eight swings on the playground at school and they are a hot commodity. Brendan often is frustrated when he can’t get a turn. Or he gets a swing and kids take advantage of how sweet he is and they convince him to give it up. Now he has his very own!

With it getting colder, Brendan asked for some owl gloves. It is really hard to find owl things that are not super girly and glittery. So I made him some owls!

December 11th –
After melting the mold for the chocolate house accidentally, I had to order a new one. This is the third year of chocolate house building, but the first time trying the new kit. Let assembly begin!

They got to decorate with all of the candy that they had picked out, including sour apple flavor green army men gummies.

Colored licorice shoestrings

Apparently the army needs to defend Santa’s workshop from people trying to see their Christmas presents early.

It was a masterpiece!