No Pictures

Well, I've been waiting for almost a month (and harassing Michele the whole time) for pictures so I could put up a post about my surprise Birthday Party.
See, Michele organized everyone to meet at Olive Garden, then nonchalantly called and asked if she could take me to dinner. It was a completely unexpected happy surprise! I got to visit with everyone, I got fantastic gifts, and, well Olive Garden is one of my favorite places to eat. I was even more overwhelmed because it happened mid-week, and how often can everyone get together mid-week? Anyway, because it was such a surprise I didn't even think about taking pictures. Nick C. was the photog that night, and Michele said she'd send me the pictures for my blog. I have to give her some slack because through all of this she's been finishing moving into the house - finishing up the school year for the kids (now all the way across town since the move) - and taking care of the million and one things a mom does.
So just imagine...
The entire back room at Olive Garden was ours. We were just shy of 20 people (that's a lot of Robbins to have in one place). There was good food, good company, and laughing - oh my goodness, so much laughing! Since then we've gotten together for mini reunions, graduations, and next week is Marissa's birthday... We've really kicked off the summer right!
Don't you just love family?

An E Ticket Day

For my birthday this year I decided to take Disney up on their promotion of "come free on your birthday". Since my birthday fell on a Monday I figured I'd go solo and just enjoy the day. Fortunately for me, LoRen had a big desire to go to Disneyland, and was able to juggle her class on that day (she actually had the professor give her the final on a different day!). So, in the dark early hours we got in the car and started on our way.
It was so much fun to be going to The Happiest Place On Earth" since I hadn't been in about 20 years. Everything was different! So different that after we got our tickets we turned the wrong way and accidentally entered California Adventures by mistake. We got it straightened out and were shuttled over to the correct park, and the fun began. Because it was a Monday the crowds were not overbearing at all. And because we didn't have any little ones we got to indulge in total selfish behavior. We hit all the fun rides - and there was almost no wait time. I had never been on Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom, but it is now my favorite ride. Anyway, the day was a blast, and thanks to LoRen we had multi-vitamins plus so we never got worn out. I'm really thankful to Lowie for making the day better than it ever could have been if I'd gone by myself. We were having so much fun that we didn't think to take a bunch of pictures, but here is proof that we did, in fact, go.

Empty Nest Syndrome

Or, "He's Flown the Coop"

It went faster than I thought it would, but as soon as Peck mastered flying he just didn't want to stay in. I decided to release him on Thursday morning, figuring that if he was having trouble I could help him out that afternoon. And he did stay till I got home from work. I whistled to him and he flew to the gate - chirped at me 3 or 4 times - then he flew off high over my head and over the neighbors house.



I filled him up on as many worms as I could first.

I'm glad he's doing well and I hope he thrives!

A Case Of Mistaken Identity

Can you believe how big Peck is? As he grows quickly to maturity it's plain to see that he's not a Robin. I really wanted him to be, for obvious name reasons, but I'm not sad. I'm ecstatic that he's so healthy. Mona thinks he may be a blackbird. I'll keep you updated.


I know this picture is blurry, but I had to show everyone that his leg is healed, and he's actually perching on my thumb with both feet (the foot? talon? grasping my thumbnail was the injured leg). This was the first time he did that, and I really breathed a sigh of relief at this milestone.


I have really enjoyed raising this baby - it's made me feel all Earth Mothery.

They Grow So Fast

It is amazing to me what 5 short days means in the life of a bird. In my internet studies I've learned that by 3 weeks old a baby robin is ready to face life it's own. Also, that in the wild robins can live to be 12 years old. It would be cool if Peck decides to hang around this area for that long.






As you can see, he's really getting big! He eats alot (I finally broke down and bought some night crawlers and meal worms), but fortunately they sleep - or are at least quiet - from dust till dawn, so I haven't had to miss any real sleep.



I got Andrew, Desi's boyfriend, to hold Peck so you could get a perspective of how he's grown. Desi is kind of scared of Peck now that he's stronger, and I couldn't get her to hold him for the pic (well, she is the baby of the family)

Growing Pains

I'm pretty sure that the birdie has a broken leg. It's up high enough that I can't wrap it, so I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that the bones knit together and mend so that he'll be able to use that leg. I asked one of the students at school if he had any suggestions for a name and he said "Why don't you call him Peck?" I think it fits perfectly. So, he is now officially "Peck".

Baby Pictures

This is how we found our baby

When Alex first picked up the bird it was so exhausted it fell asleep and didn't move! If we hadn't seen the rapid rise and fall of its breathing I would have thought it had died.

The first attempt at feeding was a little messy...




So far so good... The baby makes Gigi nervous, but baby birds grow quickly so she'll just have to wait it out.