Snows

Today we had some unexpected snow showers.  Here I am today with Betsy under a tree in our front yard:

And here we are under the same tree, nearly 5 years ago.

I'm not sure which of us has aged more.  But we both still do think the snow is a pretty wonderful thing to see.

Random Photo of the Week

I do love a toddler in sunglasses.

Also, apparently it is spring again here.

There is a Time for Everything

And a season for every activity under the heavens.  (Ecclesiastes 3)

A time for bringing home our tree,

Talk About Excited

Today was the first day back at school, and Betsy's class was out on the playground as usual when I arrived to pick her up.  These kids were having a great time, tearing around with the pent-up energy of two weeks off from school, two weeks of Christmas candy and presents, two weeks away from friends and teachers.  There were whoops of glee as kids leaped off playground equipment and spun in circles and boinged off the school windows.

And then it began to snow.

The Best Kind of Medicine

A warm day in December,


Fresh air and sunshine,


 

And plenty of space in which to run.  Some of my favorite cure-alls.

The ball was a Christmas present from little sister to big, with big declaring that it was just the kind of ball she had always wanted.  Because sisters know these things.

October Snow

 

 

Surprise!  We really did have snow, in Virginia, before Halloween.

Who knew that fall foliage would look so pretty in a show shower?

The last of the preschool marigolds.

Of course, Betsy wants to know when we'll have enough snow for sledding.

Happy Birthday, Mom

A few images from Mom's 60th birthday celebration at Shenandoah National Park.  There was a little hike on the Appalachian Trail, a picnic, s'mores, and general and assorted silly fun with the family.

Stay Off the Streets. And the Sidewalks.

I bring to you a recent dialogue with the older child.

Betsy:  (Out of the blue)  Mom, how do the police know if you're a kid?

Me:  I don't know.  Can you tell the difference between kids and grown-ups?

Betsy: Yeah.

Me:  So, that's probably how they can tell.  (Pause)  Why do you ask?

Betsy:  Like if you're driving a car, how could they tell if you're a kid.

Me:  Oh.  Well (a long explanation about how you need a LICENSE and how you have to be AT LEAST sixteen years old and how kids ABSOLUTELY should not be driving cars as they will be caught immediately).

Betsy:  (Disappointed)  Okay.


And then a snippet from another conversation, about going to school.

Betsy:  But I have to go to school, so I can learn how to be what I want to be when I grow up.

Me:  That's right.

Betsy:  (Pause)  But I could almost be a police.  (Pause)  I just have to learn how to drive a car more correctly.

Yes, now that she has mastered riding a bike (and by "mastered" I mean "uses the brakes instead of dragging her shoes some of the time") she is apparently contemplating moving on to other forms of transportation.

The Volunteer Farm: Planting

I wish I'd published these pictures earlier, but this way you'll get to see the full cycle.  Today, images from The Volunteer Farm in Woodstock, VA, back in June.  This is a great organization that has provided literally tons of fresh produce to area food banks, filling a real need (and real bellies) in our community.

We were part of a group from St. Matthew's that went to help with planting.  Can you guess what was in the back of that truck?

First Fire of the Season

What's a family to do on a chilly, rainy fall weekend?

Go out walking and collecting firewood, of course!

Everybody can help.

Then we taught Abigail the fine art of putting one's feet up by the fire.

And we educated her in the delight of homemade hot cocoa.

A good use for a chilly, rainy fall weekend.

Random Photo of the Week

Look out, world! She can ride a bike all by herself!

Some Things We Liked in Portland

More vacation photos from Maine! Also, some links.

Deering Oaks Park with good friends Angela and Dahlia. This was the day after the hurricane/tropical storm (whatever it was at that point) passed through, and it was sunny and absolutely gorgeous.

Exploring downtown to find lunch, the wee ones needed a rest.

Some fun things we found:

Yummy food with harbor view at the Dogfish Bar and Grille.

Too much fun at Knit Wit. But the yarns were so pretty, and the people so helpful. Besides, I've already finished mittens and a scarf from one of the yarns... and I'm sure I'll get to that sweater for myself soon.

Honey sampling and an up-close view of how the bees make honey (and how we get it out of the hive) at The Honey Exchange. The owner was wonderful with the kids and happily answered our many questions (like why bobby pins?).

I can't imagine why we liked Silly's so much. Its' not our kind of place at all.

Plus they had lots of allergy-friendly options, and big juicy cups of sangria, so there was that.

Reading with Nannie Pepper while waiting for our food to arrive.

Bug Light Park at sunset. It's across the river in South Portland, with some pretty views of the city.

Lovely, isn't it?

Beachcombing

The home we rented in South Portland was a mere half mile walk from lovely Willard Beach, where we spent many happy hours searching for treasures among the waves and tide pools.

Abigail, who dipped her toes in the Atlantic for the first time, was instantly smitten. Salt water in the veins must be hereditary, because this child had no fear of the chilly Maine water.

She also had no fear of squishy mollusks.

Betsy really liked the hermit crabs, especially when they tickled our feet. A plastic cup became a handy tool for examining a hermit crab up close.

What wonderful summer days.

New York, and How We Got Around

We didn't want to advertise to the internets that we were away, but now that we're home we can tell you about our trip. This is part I, stopping in NYC coming and going to Maine.

Our friends Steve and Patrick were gracious and patient hosts.

The theme of this visit, apparently (according to our pictures), was transportation. Subway!

On shoulders!

Central Park merry-go-round with creepy clown/alien decor (which is not really pictured, sorry)! Also it played such traditional carousel hits as "9 to 5" and "Ring of Fire!"

Baby's first carousel ride, which she enjoyed immensely for the first 30 seconds!

Swimming! (Searching for Sammy the Seal)

Horseback rides in the park!

Jellyfish! (And Betsy's first show in NYC!)

Walking!

Carrier!

And some more subway! Whew! Thanks, Steve and Patrick for the whirlwind of fun! Now we need a nap.