We have several bird houses in our yard. Every spring baby birds are pushed out of the nest by Mama and Papa Bird.  Papa almost always takes a limb on a near-by tree, Mama on a patio chair.  They chirp to each other, and encouragement to their off-spring, as they watch over the baby bird.  No matter what changes in the yard, this event takes place every year.  For a couple years, an old stray cat hung around.  Mama and Papa pushed the baby out, and more times...

MAJOR PARENTING WHINE/VENT..... After reading Tex's latest article, Minivan Confessions , I admit to being somewhat relieved.  Why?  I'm not alone!  And because every year at this time my kids seem to get cranky.  Not just a here and there crankiness, but an honest to goodness "what will it be today?" foulness. My twelve year old doesn't want to do anything but play on his computer.  Part of it is laziness.  I love him, but am not blind to his tendency t...