Surprise for us when we checked in after school...12 days old and they have left the nest!!!  It's bitter"tweet" for us since we have thoroughly enjoyed them and the experience, but we know that God's plan for them is to fly and be free and explore as far as their little wings will take them.  
At least we saw them early this morning and touched their soft little feathers, not knowing at the time that it could be the last.   We saw the Momma flitting around from roof to fence chirping.  We're pretty sure we spotted one of the baby birds practicing his flying from shrub to shrub.  We're hoping they will return to the nest at night so we can see them once again.....

Our precious little friends now have brown feathers and looking more like their Momma.   They are fluffly and very soft...yes, we touched them!  And the Momma is comfortable with us visiting daily.

Look how beautiful at 11 days old!

It's amazing how much they change from day to day!  To think they are less than a week old and look how different they now look.   They're starting to open their eyes, they are getting more fuzz and feathers, and they no longer look naked :)

sleeping peacefully

Is it time to eat?

The babies responded to our "peep-peeps" by opening their mouths....look how cute!

They're getting more birdie fuzz now almost 3 days old

All 5 baby birds have hatched.   Look how precious!

This little one thought it was feeding time when Duncan shone the flashlight into the nest to see them

Happy Birthday birdies....we have 2 babies so far.

Check out the photo and video clip. 
Yes, they do look like naked chickens :)
We expect the other 3 eggs to hatch in the next day or so....stay tuned

Watch closely and you will see the babies moving their legs :)

Congratulations MamaBird and thanks for sharing the experience with us.

All has been relatively quiet at the nest except for Isabel peeking in and getting startled by MamaBird who flew out and brushed up against her face.  She said "I didn't know birds were so soft" :)   
According to our calculations, we are 4 days into incubation. Estimating a hatch date of 3/26-3/28.  
 ~debbie