Whether it’s the warmer weather, the later evenings playing outside, or just chance, there have been a lot of animal encounters around here lately: frogs have been caught, lizards have been chased and manhandled, and on this evening Ashton happened upon a lone egg in the grass.  It was a green egg, so unless it was an egg someone bought from a local farm and dropped lightly enough that it didn’t break while walking across the grass, chances are it was an egg from one of the ducks that cross our neighborhood yards on occasion.  She was so excited about it, didn’t know what to do with it, then set to work directing the neighborhood boys in making a nest for it.  Sadly, one of the boys dropped and broke it, and thankfully I saw it happen and was able to run over and hold her while she cried.  I offered to give her an egg from our refrigerator which she accepted… and asked for 6.  I gave her 4.  The boys were very good after that, listened well to their leader, and they all had a good time playing.  I loved being outside in the middle of it with my camera (made me really miss my niece and nephews back in Montana, actually– I can’t wait to have some outdoor summer playing with you guys).