Friday, May 4th

During last Friday's trip to Volta Park, Kate and Caroline noticed that the children were still talking about the ducks.  Clearly, we are not quite finished with our trips to the canal.  As we crossed the canal bridge today, Max showed Hugh the important landmarks for our trip saying, "This is the canal, and that's the Potomac."  As always, we stopped to run and climb on the brick columns that are just across the canal.  While looking for the ducks, we found dandelions (for making wishes) and buttercups.  
We found our seven ducklings.  Actually Grace spotted them resting in the grasses across the canal.  They were difficult to see as their coloring blended in perfectly with their surroundings.  We were surprised how much the ducklings had grown in the two weeks since we had last seen them.  Perhaps even more surprising, they were on the their own, with no mother duck nearby. It was great to see them, but both Grace and Prater expressed sadness that the ducklings were not so little anymore. We tossed our duck treats along the canal, but these cautious ducks waited until we had walked away to come across to eat.
The canal itself was different today.  We noticed more plants growing in the water.  The water itself even looked different.... with stripes variations in the color that Max referred to as "scrapes."   Enjoy these images of life along the canal.

Just before dismissal, we spent some time talking about the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo.  Have a great weekend, whatever you are celebrating!