Bird In the House!

                                          Birdie action shot.


I thought I had it all together.

We started homeschool together, did a few warm-up songs and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Then I divided up the kids for computer work, iPad, or seat work, and off we went!

Everything and everyone was quietly working and I felt like I was on top of my game.

When it came time to switch "stations," we heard a strange sound.

A very strange sound.  Screeching and scratching.  Were the bushes whipping against the windows?  No - there wasn't a breath of wind outside.  Then it stopped.  Oh well!

While helping my kindergartner on the the computer, the screeeeching, scratching sound started again.  And this time we could hear it sliding down our cylindrical metal chimney.  Right into our wood-burning stove.

Any guesses?

Last time this happened, it was a bat.

Eeek - a bat!  Eeeew!!  I really hope it's not a bat.

So the girls and I rushed upstairs to peek at the chimney.  It was surrounded by small birds.  Probably finches or house wrens.  Whew - it's probably a bird.  I can handle that...I think.

I emptied out a laundry basket and grabbed a piece of posterboard.  I'd hold the basket over the opening of the stove, open the door, and once my feathered friend had flapped into the basket, I'd slide the posterboard over the opening to keep it in there.  Simple.  It had to work!

When I opened the door, I discovered I'd left recyclables in there to be burned , partially covered in black soot.  Yep, I'd have to remove all that.  I saw no bird, so piece by piece, I removed the ashy, unburned cardboard and papers.  Mmmhmmm - made a huge mess by our entry way.

Ok - the stuff was all out of the fireplace, but I saw no birdie.  Didn't hear it any more, so I let my guard down and removed the basket.

Shouldn'ta done that.

It flew out of the stove like a bat out of "you know where" and shot into our kitchen.  It perched on top of my cupboards to survey its' surroundings.  I called the kids in to look at the cute new decoration in our kitchen.  Then it blitzed over to the windows, trying to escape to freedom.  The poor thing got caught behind our wooden blinds and fluttered and flapped its' little heart out.


I took pity on the thing, pulled up my bravery by the bootstraps, slipped on my garden gloves and tiptoed over to the window.  I very slooooowly raised the window blind, hoping I wouldn't break its' wing in the process.  Once the bird was in the clear, it froze.  I carefully scooped it up in my hands and yelled,

"OPEN THE DOOOOOOR!!!"

Out the door
I flew like a flash
with a bird in my hand
in a crazy mad dash.

I placed it on the railing and bid it a fond farewell.  It flew away home.

Kylie named it "Bogo."

Live action science lesson - check.  


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