The World is a Classroom

Heather and I have fully committed ourselves to instill a love of learning into our kids, and to reinforce the idea that inspiration and wonder can be found no matter your location; even someplace as mundane as the backyard.  The garden has been the source of many biology lessons involving plants, toads, dragonflies, and fish, but today we were surprised to find unexpected activity surrounding a very boring little round shrub under our bedroom window.

As I opened the backdoor and went inside to get a drink, a bluejay unexpectedly flew out of an Indian Hawthorn.  I looked out the window and found that I had a pretty decent view of a bluejay nest, but the kids couldn't quite locate it in the shadows.  We ventured back outside and Norah and Justin took turns being lifted up to peer into the nest and observe four little speckled eggs.

 Despite their excitement, they both took the instruction very seriously as we discussed how important it was to give the birds privacy and how we needed to be cautious around the nest.  The mother bird stayed away from the nest while we were near it, so we went into the garden and the kids sat on my lap and watched as the mother bird immediately returned to sit on her eggs.  We went back into the house to watch from behind the window and see her dutifully sitting.  I happily considered how we could continue to watch the nest and might someday witness feeding time and maybe even see the chicks mature and fly away.

However with all natural processes there are a series of checks and balances, and nothing is guaranteed.  The kids couldn't wait to check the next day and pestered me to show them the eggs again, but we found that someone else had checked the nest first.  In all likelihood another bluejay feasted on the nest, leaving it empty except for four empty shells.  We were all disappointed, but I was surprised that Norah and Justin seemed to naturally understand that bad things, sad things, and disappointing things just happen sometimes.  They both remarked with sympathy and hope, "The poor Mommy bird must be so sad.  Do you think she will make some more eggs?"  Although the past 2 years she's tried unsuccessfully, we hope she tries again with better results.  We know from experience that sometimes sorrow and disappointment can yield to the joy of new life.