Hey ChickaDDD, I know what you mean about Chicklet's story. He sounds super natural or something. Sleeping on roof, resetting his own arm, Typhoon or something and his birthday. WOW. But like you said if it is true your are surely helping them and thats all that matters. I must have missed it when the unwelcoming committee killed a catbird chick. That is awful!!! And it is not FUN to get rid of HOSP. I dont know why they would say that and it makes me sick. I cant believe they said it was fun, that is disgusting and shows how stupid they are. I hope you dont dislike ME for it but I have seen them with my own eyes terrorize my other birds and not just the cavity nesters, but i dont enjoy it. I just want to save my other birds. They were after Braveheart today when he and Scardycat would try to feed their babies AND they are building two nests in two of my boxes right now :-( When papa tries to bring food they jump him and fall to the ground. It is just pure harassment and today i noticed his right eye was closed up. I dont think it was the HOSP because he was fighting two mockers today too and they probably got fed up with him getting in the middle and decided to kick him around awhile. My blue is insane they are twice his size. But now he will be at risk of hawk attack because he cant see from that side. Ahhhhhhh SIGH. I am having such stress this year with the bluebirds. I love them and all the birds except the HOSP and it is hard on me because I worry so about the birds. My other little sparrows are building in my holly bush that the robins used three times this year ( they were busy ), you know the little ones that i keep blowing there little babies out of the bush. So at least i know where they are this time and wont blow them out. Birds are so funny. She fusses at me every time i go out there but then builds her nest right in my back steps. Go figure :-) Why would they kill a catbird? I dont understand that, it must have been before i joined because i dont remember seeing it. Do you know what month and maybe i can go back and find that post. That is very disturbing, maybe they are just animal killers? Maybe they do enjoy it. They almost had me convinced that the house wrens were evil till Bet got on there. Maybe they kill all birds except bluebirds. That's sick :-( Well im glad you didn't have any little jets get confused and end up in your house today :-) Maybe they realized that outside is where they belong. Hopefully for you and your families sake. All summer without air conditioning is a horrible thought for me. You are a very strong and sweet person to sacrifice your comfort for the little jets. I bet Daisy was hot too with all that hair. My Mary is very hairy like that ( 4 layers of fur ) and she doesn't even like to be outside in the summer. We are very spoiled. Im glad your kitties got bored with the swifts, i know you were blaming yourself for the deaths but you didn't know they were coming so im glad all is good now :-) I better go because this is long but i know i could talk a lot more!!! LOL. She who is to long winded~~~~~~~Bonnie

That omitted some of the classics! Capture the Flag: Everyone divides up into two teams at night. Each team has a "flag" -- usually just a shirt or bandana. The terrain is split up into two sides, one for each team. Each side positions their flag -- depending on your rules, either announcing where it is, or hiding it within certain constraints (say, must be roughly eye level, must be hanging from a tree branch, or whatnot). Usually, no "guarding" of flags is allowed (you can't have a person hang out within, say, ten feet of your flag, although they can pass through the area). If a member of the opposite team is on your side of the border and you spot them, you can "tag" them and bring them to your "jail" -- if you can catch them before they flee back to the safety of their side ;). Jail "guarding" is usually subject to the same constraints as flag guarding. If a person is "jail" is tagged by a member of their team, that person and the person they rescued get free passage back to their side. The winning team is the first one to grab the other side's flag and bring it back to their side without being tagged first. ----------------------- Skits: Classic campfire entertainment. Kids come up with skits to perform in front of all of the other kids (often figured out in advance of the trip if you haven't seen many before). These are generally performed with improvised props (camping equipment) or no props at all. Humor is the most common aspect of them, although sometimes pranks are involved. Googling should come up with a huge list of them. -------------- Commandoes: A game of flashlights. There is one base (a circle of arbitrary radius), one person trying to defend it with their flashlight, and everyone else who tries to sneak into it. Anyone who sneaks into it "wins" and gets to defend the base for the next round. The defender "defends" the base by shining the flashlight around, looking for people. If they tag someone with the beam, that person is "hit" and has to go far away and try to sneak up all over again.

That's interesting. Now the only sage I'm familiar with is what comes in one of those spice containers that you just sprinkle on to whatever - didn't know it came in the bulk. Who was it some time ago posted about using Listerine mouth wash in a spray bottle and spraying that around the campsite. Never did try it.

My oldest daughter did not sleep well as an infant, and I bought a noise machine at a friend's recommendation. It made a huge difference, and my daughter started sleeping much better. The book "the happiest baby on the block" also recommends white noise as it simulates the womb. I have now moved the noise machine into my youngest daughter's room, and my oldest daughter, now 4, no longer uses it. So she is not dependent on it. However, I did find it helpful to bring it when we slept away from home as it blocked out the noises of a new place and was a familar nighttime sound. The noise machine blocks out the noise of the dog barking, my older daughter yelling, my husband clomping down the hall. In the middle of the night, my younger daughter would probably sleep through all that without the noise machine. But in the morning, the noise machine makes the difference between her waking up at 6 or 7:30. As far as breastfeeding, I was kind of grossed out by the idea (for me, not anyone else). I decided I would try, and if it worked, great; if not, I would bottle feed. I went to a class prior to giving birth, and the one thing I remembered was that breastfeeding should NOT hurt. If it does, unlatch and relatch. At first, it would take numerous tries to get the latch right. But, I never had any issues with pain. I also used Gerber's NUK Gentle Moisturizing Balm, which is like a big chap stick. I liked it better than lansinoh as it was not so messy. Plus, it is not harmful to apply and then feed the baby. Anyway, initially nursing did not feel at all natural. But it worked out good for me--so easy and convenient. Our hospital offered a session with a lactation consultant which was very helpful. Good luck with whatever you decide!