Compassion

One of the things that I really enjoy about Dylan's personality is that he is filled with compassion for animals. This last week we had a baby bird fall out of it's nest from the front yard tree. He was so worried about the bird, ooh'ing and aah'ing over it. It was so sweet to see him care for it.

The kids quickly rounded up a box put grass in it and made a home. I informed the kids that the birdy might not make it through the night because it was so small and still really needed it's mama to feed it. To my surprise it survived the night and the day. We brought it out in the backyard in the afternoon and I forgot to bring the box back into the garage for the night...needless to say, unfortunatly little bird was no where to be found the next morning. I think a stray cat got a tasty dinner. Dylan thought that maybe it flew away...and I told him that it might be true, that he took care of it so well that it gained enough strength. :)

Then a few days later another baby bird appeared in the front yard, this one a little older and could just barely fly low to the ground. Because of my guilt of the little baby bird being left out overnight, I felt the need to care for this one as well. We found a tub to put it in and the kids quickly got to work again with making it have a comfy home, food & water. It would hop out of the bin so we put pieces of wood on top. The kids were having such a great time caring for it, and quickly gave her the name Ashley Bird. :)

We came in for dinner and went back out to check on it...and it was gone as well! This time it actually got out by itself and flew away. We saw it in the front yard the next day...but decided that we would let it be and that it could care for itself.

I love the wonder and excitement that life outdoors brings. :)