summer camp: music week

In order to keep mom entertained (okay, the boys too) we are holding our own summer camp with themes each week. This past week was music week. We talked about sounds, rhythm, various instruments and genres of music. Ambrose discovered a number of sounds from the clicking of his tongue to Blaise banging on the wall to sounds I didn't even hear until he pointed them out. And the sound that we are happy to 'put away' after music week, the saxophone (a Sesame Street one that Ambrose was very drawn to that played and played and well you get the idea . . .)

Ambrose is extremely focused on the topic thus accentuating it throughout the day by pointing out sounds all around us, or asking me to turn up the radio, etc. (I've read that is how it is if you are deaf or blind that another sense is heightened; that is how Ambrose seems to me). Blaise is walking to his own rhythm and taking a few more steps each day.

Our week included a lunch time concert of the Mambo Kings and listening to numerous cds during our trips to Dearborn, MI and Toronto. One cd brought back memories. My dad would typically work in the garage listening to 50's rock n'roll. I always liked helping to change the oil. This meant riding on the piece of wood with wheels (what is that thing called?) so that you could slide underneath the car while it was up on ramps and look up to try and guess where the oil was going to come from. I'm proud (I think) to say I still know all the words to the Monster Mash. Music week ended with a trip to the baseball game that included a performance by the RPO with fireworks.

Take me out to the ballgame . . .

Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra

strawberries

Ambrose and I went to Chase Farms today to pick strawberries. After greeting the goats, riding the wagon, and hiking to the spot to pick. We (I and all the pickers around us) were treated to the sounds of: Mommy look at this strawberry. Mommy this one is mushy should we keep it? Can we make a mushy strawberry pie? Do you like this one? I want to make strawberry pepper pie? (recipe follows, and um, yuck) and so on . . . and so on . . .

12+ lbs. of strawberries = some to eat, 3 batches of freezer jam, some more to eat, strawberries to freeze for smoothies or muffins (oh wait, those are in the freezer I need to bag those) and yep you guessed it more to eat!

Strawberry Pepper Pie: as told by Ambrose

you start with blueberries, some sugar and then add strawberries

and peppers on the top

travels

Visiting cousins last weekend - Elijah and Tobias (and baby on the way in August):

Greenfield Village - Dearborn, MI

Play all day, play all night (amazing what 4 boys can do at night):

On the way to Toronto - African Lion Safari:

Our little prince sleeping 'queen' style at the Hyatt Regency Toronto (even sleeping in until almost 8am!):

Ontario Science Center:

The view from CN Tower:

and so much more . . . (but I didn't want to inundate with pics)

summer is here

Summer is officially here; as Ambrose had his last day of preschool today. They did a performance of changing from caterpillars to butterflies (to show how much they've grown over this past year). . . so cute.

Camp Mom starts tomorrow and what a great summer to look forward to with these two smiling faces!

chickens in the city

Yesterday Ambrose and I attended one of NOFA-NY Organic Field Days called 'Chickens in the City'. We've had the delight of meeting chickens at his cousins' house in Boston. In fact Ambrose is always asking when we can visit again and feed the chickens.

So I thought it would be perfect to take part in the field day where city residents open their back yards and chicken coops for a self guided tour throughout Rochester!

We saw chickens in an omlet, in coops and running free in back yards (yes, all in Rochester). But the best part was holding the chicken (according to Ambrose).

omlet

I'm surprised to say, Ambrose hasn't asked for a chicken . . . he seemed more concerned why the eggs hadn't been collected from one coop we visited. I tried to explain they were there for people to look at but he thought we should take them home. Would you like that sunny side up? (just kidding)

small joys

We have been inside under the weather (A has the croup and B a nasty cold) for the majority of the week. Due to his 'seal-like' bark Ambrose hasn't attended preschool this week. . . .he should make his last day of school though, next Tuesday.

Today being Thursday, it is a big day in our neighborhood; trash day. We heard the roar of the garbage truck and the boys went running to the window only to find Spiderman picking up our garbage.

And I hope we don't pass along our coughs to the ducks but we had to get out for a bit. There is nothing like watching Blaise smile and giggle and point to the 'duh' (that's ducks). And Ambrose with some wild left hook throwing food to the ducks (good thing the ducks waited to swim in for the food otherwise they may have been pelted) along the canal in Pittsford.

Here's to a 'cough-free' weekend, cross your fingers!

visit

A 14 hour drive from SC to Rochester brought Grandma and Grandpa for 10 days. Our days were filled with, well it might depend who you ask. . .

Grandpa might say "projects and more projects - gutters hung, a bookshelf painted, dresser fixed, etc." Grandma might say "Blaise fell asleep in my arms in church, Ambrose and I read books together, etc." Either way I know the time flew, fun was had and we are still trying to figure out how to situate SC closer to NY. We miss you already!

Grandma pushing Blaise

Look at Blaise flying, Grandpa!

A 'small' fire after some work in Macedon

Enjoying Grandma & Grandpa's new croquet set

Taking time to smell the flowers

per Edna Cinchinski's advice (my Mom's mom)

Fairport Canal Days - watching the lift bridge

family draw

Plain white paper was quickly turned into an oasis of color, thanks to crayons and hands eager to be creative. The drawings ranged from random to more purposeful. We took turns deciding what everyone should draw and finally closed our eyes to see how we could draw without one of our senses.

Some of us preferred to draw on our heads . . .