Try-Outs...Bring It On!

It has been a snowy March so far!  All those warm, I mean warm, days in February are behind us.  A very rainy nor'Easter came through on the second, causing Ethan's try-outs to be canceled last minute.  Which meant the poor kid was a stress ball all day for nothing.  Crazy strong winds were blowing and trees were snapping.  Luckily we were not directly affected.  However, I know that our trips to the beach this summer will look a whole lot different.  Nahant took a severe beating.  It will take a lot of hard work to get our old Tudor beach back to its pre-storm glory. 
Then...less than a week later we were hit by a whopper of a snow storm.  Beautiful thick white snow covered ever surface...but underneath was a heavy layer of ice.  It was more than many trees could handle and many limbs were lost.  My parents were with out power for nearly three days!  Again, here in Newton we lucked out.  Never lost power, and stayed warm and safe from falling trees.  I gave the kids a snow-day, and they made the most of it. 
Ethan was relieved to have his try-outs this past Friday evening.  Gammy and Gampy came over before-hand to enjoy some homemade pizza and wish Ethan luck.  While he and Scott headed off to baseball Gammy and I took a long evening walk, leaving Fiona and Gampy behind watching nature shows (Fiona was in Heaven).  What a giant smile Ethan had plastered on his face when he returned!  He performed very well.  We will hear in about five days whether or not he made "majors" and what team he is on. 
Looks like we have more snow in the forecast for this week (one foot snowfall predicted for Tuesday)...  Is it too early to be wishing for Spring?  Didn't I talk last year about missing snow?  Have I really gone soft just being away for two winters?

My little geniuses at the library.

I used to love these cubicles in college!

Mollie and I had a lovely "ladies afternoon".  Fresh coat of polish and a delicious lunch!

This is Fiona's latest design.

An entire dress!  Made of jersey knit!  Love it!

An entire family of creatures directly from Fiona's imagination.

She even designed and sewed a Red Sox jersey for Ethan's dog.

This is what we woke up to on Thursday morning.

We built a fort from a fallen limb.

A common sight in our yard.  

What better way to cap off a snow-day?

RICE CRISPY TREATS!

I leave you with this.  Here is an example of "fine handwriting".  A skill that was sought after in the years before type.  Here was an advertisement created by the writer to showcase their skills.  All done with lighter or darker strokes within the cursive. 
It hangs in the MFA.  And rightly so!

My boy is eleven. ELEVEN!

Birthday Boy!

Yup, yesterday was a special day.  We will always remember the day my dad had his colonoscopy.  Why you say?  Because my mother was over my house (which at the time was in Lynn) biding away the hours until she could pick my dad up from the hospital.  It was in that hour or so that I went into labor with Ethan.  How convenient?!  So Gammy packed up Fiona and Zevon and went to get my dad (who was surprised to see the additional two bodies in the car) and Scott and I headed to the hospital.  That afternoon we had a son in our arms!  It was that easy.  And I have to say Ethan has been pretty remarkably easy ever since.  He lavished in 70 degree weather with his cousins for his birthday...speeding around in his new rollerblades and even playing a game of hide and go seek outside after dinner!  Like summer!  I am so grateful for my wonderful family who joined in the celebration of this amazing kid, and for the fact that Scott and I have these super-fun, kind, compassionate, healthy, strong, wise beyond their years kids.  Three cheers for colonoscopies and kids!  Hip-hip hooray!

We have had some very wet, heavy snow lately.

Look at this cool bird.

Scott got us some tickets to a huge indoor college track meet in Boston.  So interesting to watch these kids give it their all!

We also watched as this man broke the world record for fastest indoor mile.  3:49!!!

A quick walk downtown on a school day for sandwiches...

Fiona origamied a bra for her brother for Valentine's Day.

She created and filled this box for Scott and I.

All kinds of treasure inside!

This was what Ethan made us.  Too cute!

Fiona's gift to her brother.

What was left after a howling game of "Pictionary" at the Goodwin's house.

Our newest challenge.  1000 piece.

Fiona, Ethan and Cate playing in Cate's new backyard.

Neptune enjoying some Fiona snuggles.

Neptune the therapy dog...

Fiona's newest skirt design.  We just had to give it a twirl at the art museum.

My girls little art installation for Ethan's birthday.

Insane weather yesterday!  It's cold and raining today...with snow forecast this afternoon!

Ethan's birthday menu.  Dad's homemade sauce and meatballs.  YUM.

His sister's origami card.

Cathy Love.

Who knew they made remote control Lego vehicles?!  Meagan, looks like you hit all the nails on the head with that one!!!!

This kid is formulating some serious wishes.

And may they all come true.

Same the Same (as Ethan used to say)

Things are steadily moving along.  "Same the same" is what Ethan used to say.  It's a good thing.  Fridays are my favorite day of the week.  I think I have mentioned why...MFA.  We get snow, it melts, we get a kinda warm day here and there, we take lots of walks, bake lots of bread, work hard in the classroom, play hard in the yard for hours, visit with friends and family.  We're happy.  That's all that matters, and I am intent to keep it that way. 
     This time last month we were on the brink of a VERY bad time.  Little did we know we would all get the terrible flu and loose our precious dog Zevon in the course of ten miserable days.  Throw in a visit from my sister during the darkest hour and you have it!  So I am (with trepidation) keeping my fingers crossed that we weather this short month with as little drama as possible.  We have Ethan's 11th birthday to look forward to, and let's not forget Valentine's Day!  Here's to health and happiness.  Never take it for granted.

MFA photo bomber...

So grateful for the woods near our house.

Ice Queen.

Such winter light.  I missed it. 

Started making sour dough... Yum.

I admit.  Seeing daffodils in the market gives me a touch of spring fever.

Fiona has been running with Scott.  Look at that track star!

Ethan's mini masterpiece.

Fiona/Van Gough's mini masterpiece.

Purple Finch couple in our window feeder.

Fiona made this skirt by hand!  She was pumped to wear it to class!

Ummm, what can I say?  He can't help looking this good.  Don't be a hater.

Scott, Rothko.  Rothko, Scott.  

Cardinal!  We are all a bit obsessed with this feeder.

Ethan's in the blue with his pal Milo.  He loves baseball on Saturdays.

Poop imogie cupcakes for the Superbowl.  'Cause Tom Brady performed like...poop.