Zoo

Many times I have joked about the

Harbeck Zoo.

I'm not exaggerating.

Our backyard really is an animal infested environment.

The other day

while we were out for 10 minutes letting the turtle roam around,

Anden quietly caught 3 baby quails!

And proudly came running over to show me!

Aaahhh put those mini puff balls down!!

I had that old wives tale fear in my head

that if a human touches one,

the mother abandons it.

And the last thing I wanted was 3 more pets to take care of!

So he dropped it

and Taylee was walking right behind him

and unknowingly stepped on it.

The poor puff ball hobbled away sideways when she lifted her foot

and ran under the hot tub.

Great, now we have a handicapped pet.

I pleaded with Anden to not catch another one

and that they were only babies and were really scared.

 Ten seconds later I hear Taylee baby talking to something.

I turn around and see the two mischiefs huddled up.

Anden looks up awkwardly.

"Mom I had to. Taylee didn't get to touch the other one."

At least this one didn't get smashed by a flowery flip flop.

After smothering love,

they released this one to roam the backyard zoo with everything else.

Then they went back to loving the turtle.

Which he now has an official name.

I really had to "guide" their selections

into something I approved of.

He will hereby be referred to as

Ninjy Turtle

(c'mon it was the only way to make "Ninga" sound cute!)

But he also responds to Rocky.

Since the kids can't seem to get Lynds' turtle's name out of their brains.