God's sense of humor

Spent some time at the Monterey Aquarium today. I took so many pictures for the kids, I know they will enjoy looking at them. Like me, they can't get enough of sea life. I think I stood and watched the otters for an hour, they are just so funny.
I am always amazed at some of the creatures we see at aquariums. Like the leafy sea dragon.


This tank showed how garbage incorporates itself into sea life and the animals that live around it.


And jellyfish, just plain weird.

Meet Joe

Our first hatch! Friday night we heard loud peeping and scratching and we knew one of the chicks was close to hatching. Saturday morning the kids all watched Joe hatch out of his shell and fumble his way around the incubator.
Stumbling over what we hope will be siblings (no other hatches yet) he learned how to stand up, but spent most of his time sleeping from his difficult journey.
This is Joe in the incubator shortly after hatching.



The kids and I went over to our Southern States store to get all the essentials for raising chicks. Heat lamp, feed, containers to hold both feed and water.
This morning we moved Joe from the incubator to his brooder (fancy for cardboard box with a newspaper lining). The kids all held and pet him before placing him in his new home. Following our chicken "bible" we dipped his beak in water so he knew where to find it and also threw feed on the floor. Stephen thought it was pretty disturbing for Joe to be walking around on a grocery flyer with chicken breasts on sale.
Joe seems to be doing really well in his new home, we have about 24 hours for the other chicks to hatch, if they will. Avery is hopeful, Stephen and I are just very ahppy to have one healthy chick here. Here is Joe in his brooder. Isn't he cute?

I am in love

With spring and what it brings to where we live!
This morning