After suiting the kids up (no less than 20 minutes of stuffing and zipping and tying), we got in about 10 minutes of sledding before they started to complain about being cold and itchy. I think they liked the after-party much better — hot cocoa and lolli-cakes — who can blame them?!
Our last big snow hadn’t even melted away yet, and we got another couple of feet in a quick but powerful storm. After baking and decorating cookies, Charley braved the outdoors to slide down, dig tunnels through, and climb on the snow banks. Despite frozen hands and cheeks (even switching into big sister’s waterproof mittens), he insisted on staying outside until it got dark. Flora and I, on the other hand, insisted on staying inside where it was nice and warm.
Actually, not all that frosty — temperatures were hovering around fifty degrees this weekend!
A fall hike with Gram Kaye at Mount Hood on a blustery day. Charley’s been wearing the hat and “glove-gloves” 24-7 ever since.
We met up with friends Boulton and William at Drumlin Farm — a great place to walk around; learn about all kinds of animals (birds, sheep, goats, cows, horses, chickens, pigs, and more); explore flower and herb gardens, fields, and greenhouses; take a hay ride; and get a snack of hot cider and donuts! This trip we learned that a pigs pee is like a blasting garden hose and that the other pigs like to drink from it like a water fountain — that was one lesson we could have lived without!
The kids love to hit up a local playground with a friend or two — this time it was with pal Henry.
Today was another beautiful New England day, so we went for a hike in Whip Hill. We explored the swamp, fallen trees, giant rocks, and the conservatory garden … collected pine cones and sticks … and we’re pretty sure we heard some wild turkeys!
The weather this time of year in New England is the best — seventies, sunny, with just a slight breeze. We took full advantage and went for a picnic on Winchester Commons, where there is a very cool climbing tree.
… from Flora’s garden. She put the T in my FLT (facon, lettuce and tomato).
Years and months, that is. I have to say that I am NOT missing the first half of four. I think between all of Flora’s twos and threes, I had the hardest time during the first half of four. I’m not counting all my chicks, but Flora seems to have settled into being an independent, responsible, and mostly agreeable big girl. She loves to draw, read, tell stories, and pretend play. She really has an insatiable creative side! But no sooner did we get a reprieve with Flora then Charley hit his terrible twos, although his aren’t quite so terrible, at least in comparison. But he certainly has his own opinions and preferences, and has no problem expressing them. He’s talking in sentences — this morning he hollered across the breakfast table, “Don’t copy me Fwora!” He loves to do just about everything his big sister does (much to her chagrin), play anything outside, read, dance, and pretend play. He also loves to watch movies — his favorites are Monsters vs. Aliens (“Monsahs n Ailens”) and Wizard of Oz (“Viv Oz”). He definitely has a thing for monsters, robots, creatures, etc. and loves wearing shirts with “guys” on them.
Apparently they make for a nice shampoo, too.
We picked this guy a little early to make room for some of the other carrots and Flora promptly ate the whole thing!
Currently featuring lettuce … and working on carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, parsley, raspberries and blueberries.
Taking a page from Annabelle’s book, Flora and I made a “fairy house” from sticks and bark in the back yard. The Fisher Price guy keeps vigil until the fairies move in.
With temperatures in the 50s this weekend, we took full advantage and met friend Ruby at the playground, walked and walked, had brunch at the local cafe on Sunday, and played in the yard the rest of the time.
Yes, it’s true, today was seventy degrees and sunny. And it’s November. So we couldn’t pass up one of the last few days to be outside and not be miserably cold, and walked down to the playground to take full advantage of the day. Flora is experimenting with the big swings and Charley loves the BIG slide.
On Friday Marty took Charley to some nearby Marshlands where fishermen were bringing in their clam harvest for the day. Typical boy, he loved the boats. In fact, he loves water, too. Even toilet water. Sigh.
The kids and I almost always hit up a playground on summer Mondays and Fridays, even if it just walking to the one a few blocks away. They get to expend some energy, and even I get a work out pushing the two of them in the double stroller back up “the hill.”
Dad and I let a single strawberry plant from last year overtake the entire flower bed this year, and BOY do we have lots and lots of strawberries. We outsmarted the bunnies and put a net over the bed early on, so we’ve already got sweet, red, and juicy strawberries for the picking … and eating … right off the vine.
And Mom transplanted just a few peony plants from the back yard to the front yard, and this year we’ve got a plethora of peonies, too! There must have been some magic formula during the winter weather to make everything in the yard go so gangbusters this spring.
Flora is expanding her physical abilities this summer and showing no fear by climbing up tricky ladders, climbing up high, hanging upside down, and flipping.
With temperatures reaching 90+ degrees today, we busted out the kiddie pool for some much needed heat relief. Tough guy Charley thought the water was too cold, so he was content to just sit poolside and sun his physique.
A family of cardinals set up shop in the bush outside our living room window. Here the mother bird just got done feeding the babies. Marty said, “The Mommy bird feeds the babies worms and bugs.” Flora replied, “And the Daddy bird drinks beer.”
Mommy had to work an extra day this week, so I got to hang out with Charley and his sitter, Diane, today. Diane brought us new bubbles to play with, and I had a great time experimenting with all the different wands and spinning around and around making bubbles.