sunday 'date'

I had a date with Ambrose yesterday afternoon. We attended the last kids' RPO concert. The RPO debuted Baby Grand, a book/cd about the piano (Baby Grand) learning about all of the instruments (and their families - strings, percussion, brass, etc.).

Before the concert we visited with each 'family'. Here Ambrose is listening to the piano.

Testing the percussion instruments . . .

Trying the violin . . .

We sat in the balcony (first row) and he leaned over the railing barely able (or wanting) to sit the entire concert; his foot tapping the beat the entire time.

rainy days

Rain, rain how you make things grow.
Rain, rain we love the puddles you make to splash in.
Rain, rain while you play outside . . .
. . . we made GAK inside.

4oz. glue + 4 oz. warm water
mixed with
1 t borax + 1/2 c water =
A TON OF FUN!

lilac festival

The season has begun. By season I'm referring not to the rain that just keeps going and going, rather to 'festival' season. The Lilac Festival brings the most number of people to any festival in Rochester. The festival started last weekend and we were blessed with 'almost perfect' weather. It wasn't sunny, but it wasn't cold or rainy!

A new exploring place, or what is left and carved out of an old tree.
Magnolias at the end of their bloom, beautiful 'carpet' on the ground with two gigglers.

My favorite flower, tulips. Bear with me here I included my absolute favorites.


Can you smell them? So sweet! The star of the festival . . .
One more tulip one, it struck me how symmetrical this photo is - the petals of the flower to the the beads of water.

mother's day

Waking up to little voices saying 'Happy Mother's Day, hurry mommy your gifts are downstairs'.
Pictures drawn, hearts cut in various colors, a sunflower planted, hand made bracelet.
Pancakes served for breakfast.
Kayaking at Mendon Ponds Park with perfect weather.
Snack picnic while watching people riding horses and boys climbing trees.
Cuddling up with a good book.

imagine rit

Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival was today at Rochester Institute of Technology. Over 340 exhibits . . . the boys made concrete, learned what can/can not float in water, saw and tasted ice cream made from alternative sources, tried smoothies made from a bike blender (bike pedaled to power the blender) and so much more! What inspiring creations!

As we were driving away we were asking what each of their favorite exhibits were; ironically one of the biggest highlights was riding a golf cart back to our car across the length of campus (not an actual exhibit).

Blaise's favorite exhibit of the day, watching water balloons crash onto some one's head.

Ambrose diligently trying to juggle a plate.

Ambrose's new wheels.

Pedaling very fast so that the light stays lit.

Blaise working on his balance.

sports 'mode'

This weekend gave me a chance to try out a lens (borrowed from a neighbor) for my new camera. From across the rink I was able to capture Ambrose passing the 'puck' (softball).

And the boys always like posing for mommy. Ambrose sporting Daddy's gloves and Blaise wearing his brothers.

From inside the house I caught Damian raising up the training wheels as high as they will go on Ambrose's bike. Pretty soon . . . no training wheels!

boys will be boys

Tickle tackle.
A favorite game when Daddy arrives at home.
Giggling, giggling . . . 'stop, please stop'.
'No tickle me again'.
Simple, fun.