Change our name to the Peabody!

One of our favorite things to do when we are home is visit the Peabody -- a stately hotel in Downtown Memphis. The story of the Peabody is legendary around the South: Early in the hotel's history, hunters would stay there while traveling. One weekend in the 1930s one of the hunters decided to play a prank and put three duck decoys in the majestic fountain in the center of the hotel's lobby. Hotel guests loved it and soon real live mallards replaced the decoys! To this day, live mallards live at the beautiful hotel and make a grand entrance daily to the fountain! You can read more about this at: http://www.peabodymemphis.com/peabody_hotels/the_peabody_ducks.cfm

But after yesterday, we may need to change our name to Peabody...as we came home from school yesterday to find this little couple in our swimming pool!

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard swam along happily -- with my squealing children throwing bread crumbs at them -- until they spotted Pluto, our Golden Doodle puppy!

They took flight over our back fence then, leaving my daughters broken hearted (Cate really thought we should keep them!). Their wishing may have paid off, however, since Mr. Mallard was back this morning. Not sure where the missus was...or if they will come back! I'll keep you posted!

And so today, I am counting the blessings in life's little surprises -- and hoping you'll do the same!