First Birthday gifts for the Grandsons - Decoys and Rocking Geese: delivered, ridden and floated

Dave Diefenderfer

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My family was greatly blessed in 2021 with the first of our grandchildren. My Daughter and SIL had Johannes in July, and my Son and DIL had Samuel in December. Until they are old enough to have their own ideas of what they like, they will get the same from me!

For their first birthdays, they will each get a pair of Blue Wing Teal decoys.

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In addition to what I hope/plan will be annual decoys, for the 1st, I made a pair of Rocking Geese, from original plans made by John Bourbon more than 30yrs ago for his first-born Tucker.

John saved the templates, and I used them with some license to make a very similar pair for Hans and Sam.

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I tried making one of each of the pieces perfect to be used as routing templates.

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In retrospect, it would have been easier to stack, glue and cut all at once on the bandsaw. The router left me with some variation, and filling to do. Nothing epoxy and micro-balloons could not address.

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I left a hollow as a place for some marbles... it resonates quite well!

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One is complete for Hans' birthday in 2 weeks. The other is nearly done, but will sit until early December for Sam's 1st. I look forward to seeing Hans and Sam riding rough!

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Fantastic idea w/ the annual decoy and the one time goose rocker!! Those grandkids one day will cherish those items!
 
The teal are awesome and I love the rocker!!! Happy 1st birthday to the grandsons
 
Saturday was Hans' birthday, and he had a very busy day. Lots of kids, friends, and family around. I think he was a little overwhelmed!



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The decoys I made for him got a swim....



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And the Rocker got some use.... by many of the kids, including his Mother! Though I didn't get a picture of that.



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Good stuff Dave. Hans is a cake eater after my own heart! The goose rocker is sharp, it's sure to be a family heirloom.
 
Nice work, put the decoys through the toddler test. If the birds survive, they can take anything a duck hunter can dish out. Bob
 
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