Easter

 Easter this year: 

Cool kids in their sunglasses, egg hunts, in all a good and not-too sugar-fueled day. We got to do two egg hunts, one here at the house and a second one at Nana and Grand Joe's. 

Sadly, it ended with the news of the second guinea pig dying. Piggie Pig, later know as Disco Steve, passed away. He was recently relocated to their Dad's apartment when I broke my hand and couldn't take care of him. Chris had to come and dig a hole as I realized that I couldn't do that with a healing hand. Vivian decorated his headstone and he was quickly buried as I realized I had a new sitter starting the next day and couldn't quite leave a dead pet for her to help bury.

Feliz Cinco de Mayo

Vivian's caretaker is Mexican and she dressed the girls up in traditional Mexican clothing for Cinco de Mayo.

Prepared for the Day

Wearing mittens for this 70 degree day and homemade pirate gear.

Under the Snow

Scootering with the kids and found a mound of snow not yet melted, complete with an entire parking curb now revealed. 

What a Difference

Finally outside and playing again.  We've hung out after school at the playground just about every afternoon this week, reluctant to leave now that the sun is finally shining again.  However, although the snow is finally melting, it feels like fall.  There are leaves everywhere and not much is in bloom.

This was two months ago, when I thought I'd never see the last of the snow.
February 16 snow



And driving to get Sam today I spotted this huge mound of snow (under the grit) at Fresh Pond Plaza in Cambridge.  Just lovely to think about all the nasty crap in the air that ends up coating the snow.

Easter

It's Finally Spring

It was a long winter around here and has been a very cool spring.  Mother's Day weekend we went to see family in Long Island, and despite the fact it was mid May, many of the trees and flowers were in bloom, about a month later than usual.  The kids spent most the time outside, running around and enjoying, even in the rain!

Vivian enjoying the flowers.

Sam playing Hide n' Seek with friends.

In the Garden

Outside is still one of Sam's favorite places to be.  He has a little set of gardening tools now.  A spade that I had bought for science in the classroom years ago, a rake that my parents dug up in their shed and repaired, a snow shovel that has become useful in all seasons, and to his great delight, the Easter bunny brought him a Radio Flyer wheel barrow at Easter time!  He will run across the yard with it, calling, "Eas-ta bunny bwought Sammy wheel ba-row!"  Everyday when we get home, he wants to be in the backyard.  He is usually moving dirt from one location to another random spot on the lawn.  Our grass looks like it has little pitcher's mounds all over it.

GrandJoe recently built a beautiful and elaborate, very strong gate to contain Sam, which Sam will affectionally pat, and say, "GrandJoe build gate," as he unlatches it ; )  We are working on the latch.  It is very exciting to come home and find GrandJoe and Nelson building the gate, rain or shine.  Sam immediately needs to get underfoot, or into wet concrete, or under the scaffolding.

They have started a gate on the other side of the house now.  This gate is still under construction and has two holes for the granite posts, that are not quite filled in.  They are wonderful for putting things into however and for splashing in.                                                                              Sam is getting the concept of putting plants and flowers in the ground, sometimes they are a little mangled when they are finally planted though.  The garden was a little neglected these past two summers, since he required much more attention.  It's starting to shape up though and it's fun to be out there with him.