I almost titled this Bird watching {goldfinches} and that’s when I knew I’d been reading too many posts over at Ruthanne’s. I just love how she does that.

I could fill up my hard drive with these kinds of pictures, oh wait, I already did that. Just this weekend I spent hours deleting crappy photos and made a pact with myself to always go through the pictures when I dump my memory card and immediately delete. Doing it months later is such a drag. It makes me cuss and cry. Well, mostly cuss.

Birds are so entertaining. Ever since my mother got me a new bird feeder for my birthday, they have been swarming.

I counted 12 in this picture. There were dozens more on the ground. I filled that thistle feeder up last Thursday. I took this picture Sunday. 4 days and it’s almost gone.

I love catching them in flight.

I even like to watch them squabble over space or seeds. It’s so much better than watching my own kids squabble. Boy, have I had enough of THAT lately.

These photos were all taken through my dirty kitchen window with my friend’s 75-300 zoom lens.

Don’t you love them? I want to go take some more.

I had a very nice 40th birthday this past week. I started the day off on Wednesday, with a peek at my email and found Ruthanne’s delightful surprise with the most touching comments ever. Many from my real life friends and family who never comment.

We did the real celebrating today when my husband took us to the library. I know, isn’t that the greatest birthday gift? Well, it is for a nerd like me. He also got me an external hard drive. My girls got me house shoes (slippers for those of you who don’t speak my language). Because I hate to walk around the house barefoot, I wear out a pair of house shoes at least once a year.

My mother got me a new bird feeder which I filled up right away and it has been swarmed with birds since. Pictures to come soon.

My dad sent money which got me the real Photoshop with my educator discount. I’ve been using Elements all this time. I’m wondering if it will change my life, or at least, my pictures.

I treated myself to some goodies at Hobby Lobby today. A self-healing mat and a rotary cutter plus some new, colorful fabrics for camera straps.

Next week I’m going to show you my cousin’s updated kitchen. It will be a sort of guest post from a non-blogger. You’re going to love her kitchen.

I also want to talk about my move to wordpress at some point. I’ve learned some things along the way and some people have expressed an interest.

And, eventually, I want to sit down with my husband and write another financial journey post.

Oh, I want to show you some of these pictures:

With all the giveaways last week, I feel like I’m a week behind.

Thanks for showing up in this space. I’m always glad you’re here.

I’m not a big snacker. Candy bars seldom tempt me unless I’m on a cruise ship with none of my favorite desserts available. I can pass up the dessert table with no problem at potluck dinners, because I prefer my old favorites.

I’m one of those people who order the same thing at the restaurant every time. I don’t like to try new things and that includes desserts.

You might say I have weird food habits. And that’s ok. I’ve been told that before.

At night, about 9 to midnight is when my craving for something sweet hits and here are a few of the main things I’ll go for when that happens.

1. Waffles. They make a great bedtime snack.

2. Chocolate gravy and biscuits. It may sound weird, but it’s totally wonderful. Try it and you’ll see.

3. I’m not a big cookie fan. I don’t eat store bought cookies. I will occasionally eat a fresh from the oven chocolate chip cookie or a no bake oatmeal cookie that my husband makes, but I do love Brent and Sam’s cookies. And you can’t find them in Walmart, at least not where I live.

White Chocolate Macadamia are my favorite!

4. Brownies and ice cream. I don’t like cold brownies, only gooey, warm brownies. Ghirardelli are the best.

The best ice cream is Blue Bell. Anything else is not worth wasting your calories.

5. Chocolate cake and chocolate frosting. I’m not brand particular here. Whatever’s on sale will do.

I can also eat white cake with white frosting. But it has to be warm!

What are your favorite desserts?

Most of these we got for Christmas, others are enduring favorites.

1. ThinkFun Rush HourWe got this for Milo, but I LOVE it! Milo always has a sudden urge to play when he sees me with it. Sometimes I have to hide to get a chance with it. It’s such a fun puzzle-type challenge. Just one person can play at a time though.

2. Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR CamerasCamera love for me.

3. Plan Toys Dancing AlligatorTess got this and it’s so cute. I know it will be even more fun when she starts walking and can pull it.

4. Deer Drive for the Wii I’m terrible at it, but Milo is a deer shooting champ! One funny thing—he cannot remember the name of this game and calls it Deer Truck instead of Deer Drive. I find it hilarious. I’m writing it here so I’ll never forget it.

5. Apple iPod I love my iPod. This was not a Christmas gift, but a birthday gift a few years ago. I’m not a music fan, but I listen to downloaded podcasts and audio books every night or when I’m in the car (and sometimes when I’m doing the dishes and want to tune out Sponge Bob).

6. LEGOs My kids have gone crazy over LEGOs this year. They got a new set for Christmas and have been playing with them constantly. The only problem is keeping the small pieces off the floor away from Tess.

7. Magformers The kids got a set of these and they’re great! I’d never seen them before. I think Milo has gotten the most building power out of them, but the girls have played with them a fair amount too. My kids love building toys.

8.Nintendo DS LiteMy girls got these for Christmas last year and we got Milo one this year. They are so portable and I suppose they are extremely user friendly since I have never even had to look at one or figure out how to use it. And, they bring the kids so close together! Just look at them bonding over a game at bedtime.

9. Battle of Giants: DinosaursWe got Milo this game with his DS. They all really like it. At first we were afraid they might be nice dinosaurs. Nice dinosaurs are bad. We once bought Milo a coloring book of dinosaurs and when we gave it to him he was sorely disappointed because they had smiles on their faces. In the battle of giants the dinosaurs don’t smile, and that’s a good thing.

10.Project Runway 4-in-1 Light Box Fashion Design Studio Set This is not something that I would have ever thought to buy my girls myself, but their grandmother got it for them and they have had so much fun with it. You design purses, shoes, dresses and you can dress your own models which are like paper doll Barbies. It’s so girly and fun.

Did your family get any favorite gifts this year?

I realize you have three small children, two only 15 months apart and the youngest only a few months old, but if you think about it Mrs. Duggar has 18 so that should help you put things in perspective.

I think it’s important for each of us to look outside ourselves and see what we can do to make the world a better place.

You have a special talent, a talent that the world needs, a talent that I need. I cannot do this on my own. No one wants that.

I know this season is a busy time for you. It is for many people. However, I think you will see that your sacrifice will be for the greater good.

It will bring joy and peace to me and a more natural, even look to my hair. Each Christmas party I have to attend is just a cruel reminder of my unbalanced life.

So, please, schedule me an appointment, fit me in. My roots will thank you.

Sincerely,

Growing darker with each child,

Melissa’s hair