second look

On the way to the park I saw this house and wanted to take a photo of the long stack of firewood (a close-up). I didn't have time to try until the way home. But I found the owner outside, traffic behind me, so driving slowly I caught this photo. I remember driving home thinking this isn't what I wanted but had to get home for dinner.

After I downloaded the photo and took a second look I was pleasantly surprised! I love the forsythia with just a pop of color, the texture/color of the siding on the house and then there is that firewood not as noticeable but a nice addition to the photo. I'm glad I took a second look.

fun play today

One blanket, one pillow, one matchbox car, two imaginations equals tons of fun!
Camping trips, hiding from ghosts, going on hikes, car races all happened in one corner of the house this afternoon. Whew, I'm tired just listening.

good times this weekend

Preschool soccer for Blaise ended and he received a certificate (and he was a hit with all the ladies)! Ambrose's art exhibition where he won 'best legos' award! And we finally got to meet our newest niece, Harper Marie Bindig!

happy spring

Can you check the calendar for me? What is the date? Okay, yes you confirmed it for me we are still in March. I know technically the first day of spring was March 20th. What I don't understand is this weather.

Aren't I supposed to be shoveling snow or making a snowman? Yesterday it got up to 85 degrees! I knew as soon as I woke up this morning that the Magnolias on Oxford Street would be in bloom; that's right say it with me - allergies! Now please don't take this as complaining at all, the weather is beautiful. I have one question: what should I expect in May when this would normally be happening? I guess we will have to wait and see.

Until then, Blaise and I enjoyed a walk where we took in a number of spring flowers. Do enjoy the day!

old/new, take 2

My 92 year old neighbor. She told me that she was a hand model for a print IBM ad one time a number of years ago (wouldn't it be great to see that ad?) And Blaise playing the piano.

old/new

A prompt for a photo class I am taking is . . . old/new. The weather is advancing all the buds this year. I saw down the street that the Magnolia's are starting to bloom and this normally doesn't happen til May!

brothers

Brothers,
best friends,
one anticipates the others arrival home,
one is so caring and helpful,
I hope this lasts for a lifetime
because it is so precious right now.

st patrick's day parade and the er

Saturday, more than 150,000 people attended the St. Patrick's Day parade. As far as your eye could see the streets were lined with people in green. We had prime seating right on East Avenue and took in the entire (all 2 1/2 hrs.) of the parade! From leprechauns, to old cars, Irish dancers and more.

The best 'nose bleed' seats for the parade.

After enjoying the parade and not doing much else Saturday . . . we were awoken early Sunday morning. Somehow Blaise fell out of bed and cut underneath his nose on a humidifier 2 feet away. After a trip to the ER it was decided no stitches as it is an area prone to infection . . . sterile strips and antibiotic cream did the job!

Later Sunday we enjoyed a drive up to Charlotte for a walk and dinner out. There is a 'secret' pathway behind the properties that line the water that is public. We enjoyed the views of some exquisite homes right from the waterfront pathway.

Charlotte Lighthouse

leprechauns and irish dancers

Ambrose came home from school and said that a leprechaun had visited their classroom and hid pencil cases, tied up locker doors, turned papers upside down and placed clovers all over the tables. They celebrated with having 'colored' lemonade (added blue).

We are prepared at home with our leprechaun traps set in case any visit tonight. We are getting our green garb and beads ready for the parade tomorrow.

To get in the mood we watched Irish dancers perform at our local library. And a Happy St. Patrick's Day to you!

the weekend

After traveling to Ancient Greece in his art class where they painted vases with chosen Gods (the God of Lego's). Ambrose came home to do a marker drawing of a Greek vase too.

Evidence that caulking is being done in our hallway; next step to prime!

Damian and Ambrose took a trip to Sodus Point to check out the cottage. This is where the neighbors' cottage used to be.

And some great outdoor time just throwing rocks. What beautiful weather!

tornadoes

Tornado season hasn't even officially started and they are certainly in the news. We've been watching and learning as Ambrose just did a science experiment on tornadoes (ironically he chose it before all of this started happening).

He gave his presentation in class yesterday:

I went to the Wizard of Oz exhibit at Strong Museum. I wanted to learn about tornadoes. Question: How is a tornado formed? Prediction: it is like a vacuum.

Experiment:
Fill a clear 2-liter soda bottle 3/4 full with water, add 1-2 drops of dish soap, add 1 Tbsp of gold glitter. Put the cap on tight, turn it over and swirl/shake hard. You will see what looks like a tornado from the bottom of the soda bottle.

A tornado is a dangerous, rotating column of air that is in contact with the ground and a cloud or base of a thunderstorm.

What I found out: a tornado is a collision of warm and cold air. Tornadoes destroy things in their path. I will demonstrate a tornado drill. You should seek shelter in the lowest room in the building with no windows.

this weekend

Blaise started preschool soccer at his school. See if you can pick out my guy (blocked mainly by his helper friend Maggie, green socks, and well, look down he isn't breaking any height charts).

He had to borrow brother's soccer pads and socks, quite the look don't you think?

The boys and I went to Rochester Museum & Science Center. The boys could have stayed here the whole time . . .

they also dug for fossils . . .

Hope you had a good weekend too!

its all about family

sometimes you need a little help . . .

sometimes it is fun just to observe . . .

Either way, our visit was wonderful to South Carolina
but of course too short!


Can't wait to see our cousins again.
Ambrose (6), Blaise (4), Victor (almost 2), Samuel (almost 2)