Gardening

All plants have been in the ground (or pots) for two weeks.  These are the before pictures, taken today, to document their growth.  I've never done this before, so I am proud of myself for remembering!

The front of the house, built in bed with impatiens, three pots with impatiens.

Between the front door and the garage, planter full of pansies, small pot with marigolds.

Next to the driveway, the beautiful slate rock raised garden Dave built me many years ago.  Two large cone flowers, many marigolds and pansies.  Yellow marigold pot, back left, pansy pot front right.

Zen garden rocks.

Rose bush by the front door on the left.  It has hundreds of flowers blooming right now.  (The burning bush directly behind it is where Mrs. Robin is anxiously awaiting the birth of her babies)

Garden on the west end of the house, soon to be alive with black eyed susans, day lilies, bee balm, and perhaps my peony will bloom this year.

Potter's seeds we planted only a few days ago, soon to be sunflowers!!!

Roses from the front yard, in Granny's cranberry glass vase.  This would make her happy to see!!

Hiking

Today, our family went on a hike in the BU nature preserve.  Not the part that is heavily travelled by students and friends of the university, but the part that lies across Bunn Hill Road.  It is hard to find a trail head, and you have to make your way down through some really tall grass and vegetation, but when you do, you are truly rewarded!!

At the beginning of our hike, a huge field of these beautiful flowers, with what we think is a swallowtail butterfly.  He was all over the place, I am glad to have caught him still!

The first part of the trail leads to a short bit of creek bed and cool rocks.  Pretty flat and easy to navigate.

I love rocks with running water!!

Beautiful!

Love this picture!

After a short time in the creek bed, we walk through another field, mostly grasses.  This is what we found: the skeleton of a deer.  It looked to be a young deer, probably had been hit on the road, rolled or fell down the hill, and couldn't survive.  While the kids found it interesting, they also found it sad.

Another gorgeous butterfly, but not sure what it is.  Anyone??  Maybe a red-spotted purple??

Beautiful children in front of the first waterfall we had to climb :)

High up on the path looking down, we were unable to climb this waterfall (unless we really wanted to be soaking wet)

Cool lichen

Stunning view of yet another set of more gentle falls

My bird!!

From the top of the last waterfall looking down.  Yes, I was right on the edge.

A new family in our neighborhood

Momma Robin decided to build her nest in the burning bush next to our front door.  We can see these two beautiful eggs that she has laid.  We watched her build the nest on Mother's Day, so given the short gestation time, we are expecting babies in the next 24-48 hours (we hope).  We are really ticking her off every time we open the front door, I can only imagine her irateness once those babies are here!!  

Cuddle Up and Read!!

Caleb's preschool held its first 'Cuddle Up and Read' event this April.  The children were given a chart for the entire month and a roll of stickers.  If they filled their chart every day, having read with someone in their family to earn a daily sticker, they earned a free new book from Mrs. Wheeler!!  The evening event was the culmination of the reading frenzy and book selection, also including hot cocoa, fruit and yogurt parfaits, graham crackers, and a reading by Mrs. Wheeler of 'Pete the Cat'.  

Caleb with his friend Myles.  I chose this one, as it looks the least like he is choking his buddy!!

Mrs. Wheeler, pre-story, showing off her stuffed Pete the Cat.  I'll bet she sleeps with him too!!

A very rapt audience!!

She is sooooooo into this!!

Caleb's Finch Hollow Field Trip

Caleb's class went to Finch Hollow Nature Center a couple of weeks ago.  They take the children on a hike outside along one of the nature trails; they also have a presentation about birds (complete with stuffed animals, as in, they used to be alive) that is interactive with the children.   This was my third and last field trip with the UPK to Finch Hollow.  Luckily, even though it was a bit cold, it wasn't raining like it was last year.  We did see all types of birds, hear the calls of some birds, and left little bird seed piles for them to enjoy.  Fun morning!

Getting ready to leave bird seed....

Holding it in his hands, waiting for directions.....

Out on the hike, looking at the nests of the tree swallows

Inside, touching some of the stuffed animals

Final random shots

Granddad posing with all of his grandchildren, each person wearing one of Granddad's old Navy hats.  This is the more serious photo.....

......this is the sillier photo!!

Best. Dragon. Ever.

Tinsel in my hair :)

 Two brothers with two beers.

OUTSIDE!!!!

We had superb weather while down in NC, which made it easier for the kids (and as a result, the adults) not to go stir crazy!  There are some small water falls which empty into a pond right near Granddad's house (and the goats), which the kids all love to climb on.  What kid isn't drawn to water?? There are also large open grassy areas for the kids to run around as well.  Dave and Doug took the kids kite flying one day, but although it was windy and clear, the kites didn't do very well.  In all, being outside was good for everyone's mental health and provided energy release!

Odin and Caleb crossing the mighty creek

Odin posing, while Molly just goes on across

Pretty Meredith on the grassy knoll

The kids went running around the upper pond and all the way back to where Meredith and I were waiting.  They thought this was fantastically awesome to have that small bit of freedom.

The day before we left, with only a few hours work left to do in the house and loading the truck, we all packed up and went on a picnic lunch at a park nearby that sports a frisbee golf course.  If you don't know what frisbee golf is, you should read this.  First the kids found a playground and hung out there for a while.  We took a break for lunch, then we finished our afternoon with a few more holes of frisbee golf.  It was such a fun afternoon and great way to end our trip.

All the kids on the playground bridge

The first hole, Odin is up

Potter, the lefty, gives it a mighty toss

Molly is ready to hurl that thing

Taleb Tark, frisbee golf expert

Just my beautiful girl, out in nature

Dave, my love

Odin and Caleb = BFFs

Molly's turn on the felled tree

Doug and Mere

Easter came and was celebrated while we were visiting Granddad.  The bunny was able to find all of the kids, even though we were not at our own homes.  The kids got a lot of candy loot, books as well, which was perfect for right before heading to church!  

Potter with his felted bunny left by E.B.

Kids checking out all their new stuff!!

All dressed up, taking a rest.

(Right here, there should be a few nice pictures of the entire family dressed up for Easter.  We took dozens of photos in the front yard after church.  Sadly, Dave hasn't downloaded his yet and I haven't gotten any from Granddad to post.  Sigh.  I'll have them eventually.)

While setting the table for dinner, Meredith and Molly went to pick flowers outside.   Molly got a fancy hairdo, complete with some of the pink flowers.

Doug, now sporting an apron, cooking in the kitchen.  And apparently using his magic finger to make it all taste just right.

The adult table - complete with fancy wine glasses and individual salt cellars.

Had too many beers.  Now apron is doubling as his bonnet while he performs his version of 'Little Red Riding Hood in the 'hood.'

Kid's table for Easter dinner.  Fancy pastel tablecloth, plates and napkins.

Post meal.  Can't move.  Can only read books.  Sedentary activities.  Burp.