No Car, No Problem.

Last week was the longest time the kids and I have been apart from Scott (except for that little trip he took to Abu Dhabi). As we waved goodbye to him, so too did we say farewell to the truck.  Now for the test.  Did we truly move somewhere that would allow us to get what we need by bicycle or public transportation?  We passed the test!
As much as we missed Scott terribly, it was nice to know that we could function with out him.  (Seeing as we will have to do that a lot for the near future.)  Fiona, Ethan and I zipped on our bikes to the library, Whole Foods, the town center, out to dinner, out for ice cream and most recently to Fiona's sewing studio.  The weather has been near perfect and it is the sun that has granted us our freedom!  We were spoiled a bit this week for the art class because Gammy drove us all into the city.  She and I blabbed away the entire two hours with coffee, while the kids were busy getting smarter.  Then we headed to the Isabella Stuart Gardener Museum!  Always a breathtaking visit. 
This week we are hoping for an earlier homecoming for Scott.  Poor guy arrived back Friday night just in time to install air conditioners (always a back breaking job).  Then he needed to fix mine and Fiona's bikes...and get all our phones on a new plan.  As soon as his "To Do" list was complete it was time to bid him farewell, again.  The Great news is that he still loves his job!  The first week of training and meetings was a success, and he was very anxious to tell us all about his adventures.

I used my parents gardens as a back-drop for the kids "school pictures".

We helped Gammy and Gampy burn their brush down by the stream...where Fiona and Scott found crawfish!

So long old chair!

Gammy, Fiona and I attended the MFA's "Art in Bloom".

Here's my own arrangement...

To conclude our lesson on India, let's Henna!!!

Out to eat with my babies.

Newton center had "Piano's in the Park".

Our new fire pit, thanks to my sister!

Fiona and Ethan with the little kids next door.  They all wait in our backyard until Fiona or Ethan come out.  It's adorable.

The greenhouse at the Isabella Stuart Museum is insanely gorgeous!

Can you believe this garden is entirely indoors?!

Such a great street for the kids to play on.  Never lonely!

O.K., for those of you who don't know... Fiona is obsessed with David Attenborough(known for narrating BBC nature programs for National Geographic, as well as being an explorer).  She wrote him a lovely letter last month, and we sent it along to England.  Well...he wrote back!  An actual letter, and included the signed photo she requested!

Best buddy/sibling duo.  Too cool!

My Man got a J.O.B.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Phew!  Thank God!  Hallelujah!  I was holding off on adding to the blog until we had some good news to report on the job front...and at last we do!  Scott landed the job he really wanted with Cianbro!!!!!!! They are a civil engineering company (building bridges, dry-docks...roads, and potentially branching off into wind power))  He will begin as the sales development guy for the north east (northern MA, Vermont, Maine, upstate New York)  It is so nice to see him excited about his work.  There will be a few challenges at first.  He will be reporting to their offices in Maine right off the bat, so a lot of single Mom time here in Newton.  The other factor is that it appears we will likely be moving.  AGAIN.  Yup.  Seriously.  BUT, I am happy to be looking at New Hampshire as our best option.  Portsmouth in particular.  I LOVE that place!  Kids are fine with it.  At this point it barely elicits a response.  September will probably be a good time, but what I have learned in this life is that you NEVER know. 
     In other news, spring has finally begun to arrive.  What a cold and rainy April.  Despite the weather the kids have been running around outside with the neighborhood kids, apparently unaffected by the frigid temperatures and wet conditions.  They have also been working on creating a small village in the woods by our home.  There is a perfect little stream running through the woods where they have decided to settle, and with Scott's help, a sizable teepee to get them started.  Even Ellie has got in on the building due to the fact that we were able to spend a considerable amount of time with her over April break.  Let's see... There have also been a few museum visits, new hikes..old hikes, over nights and a front row "seat" to the marathon this month.  Lots of ups and downs this month.  Mostly up...but I would be lying if I said it was easy dealing with so much uncertainty.  Now we embark on a new journey.  Scott going back to work.  It has been an amazing year having us all always together.  We never got sick of each other.  I think that's a good sign. 

Fiona ready for her first FULL day at work!  9-3!

Here are the kids assessing the land before starting to build.

A couple civil engineers in the making.

When Ellie was here they experimented with origami boats made of wax paper.  This stream provides hours of fun.

Ethan and Avery after hours of building in the woods.

Scott stepping back to admire his handy work.

My girl teaching her brother...so patient!

Just a dry run.  We were at Harvard, seeing what it will be like when we drop the kids off for their first year of college in a few years!

Gammy joined us for the Museum of Natural History.

Admiring the glass flowers.

The kids dutifully completed the work I had prepared for the visit.

Just another day on the subway...

The start of the wet, cold walk to cheer on the marathoners.

My sister taking the call from her gym, notifying her that she just won a vacation to Martha's Vineyard! (which, by the way, she is taking me and the kids on!)

I believe it was Scott's obnoxious cheering that allowed Desiree to win the marathon!

Exploring some of the hikes around town.

Father/daughter.

We stumbled upon a slightly overgrown public garden.

Look at my little man!  That face!!!

Like a bunch of mountain goats.

Ellie was lucky enough to spend a day with us over her vacation while my sister was at work.  Scott used this opportunity to visit the "Waterworks Museum".

Huge impressive tools!

Fiona was at work...but Ellie and Ethan got so much smarter!

I was blown away by the craftsmanship.

Fred just loved Scott.

All of this constructed in the late 1800's... before electricity.  Mind blowing!

Mac n Cheese on the front steps.

Sundaes to celebrate the new job.

Cathy took the kids overnight this past Friday...so Scott and I were able to take a two hour hike in Lynn Woods.  It was bitter sweet,  I hadn't been there before with out Zevon.

It felt like he was right there with me.