My Tree

We have this beautiful tree in our backyard. When we first came to view this house when we were looking for a home, this tree is what really drew me to it. It was in full bloom at the time. However, I am clueless as to what it is. If anybody has any ideas, please comment.

Last year, I noticed that the blossoms were not as vibrant nor were there as many flowers. I sloughed it off and thought maybe it had something to do with the kind of winter we had. Then last summer, one of the kids was trying to climb it and the whole limb just snapped off with hardly any effort. I thought, uh oh, something is not right.

My husband then went there to see what he could see. He was able to snap another limb off. As far as we can tell, it's dying. I want to cry. I love that tree. This Spring, it still bloomed but again, not very vibrantly.....just enough to bring out the bumble bees.

Aaron came running in the house sobbing. I inquired as to what all the fuss was about. He told me that the neighbor kid said if he looked right at the queen bumble bee which he informed him was what was out there hanging around my tree, the bee would chase him down and sting him. I love neighbor kids. I ask myself daily why we don't have a few more of them on our street. (note: sarcasm)

It just wouldn't be Spring, if I didn't have one child decide he was crazy scared of bugs, spiders or bees. My Spring is now complete along with the sassy neighborhood kids who have now come out of hibernation.