Summer?

So, we are all hopeful that we can at last store the winter parkas away.  BUT, I am holding out a few more weeks.  I am loving the highs in the upper 60's, but respect Maine enough to know that that can change in a few hours!  The kids activities are beginning to wrap up as everyone frantically makes plans for the summer.  Ethan's baseball season will continue a couple additional weeks since he MADE THE ALL-STAR TEAM!  Fiona is kicking butt at the rock gym.  Scott and I go to pick up the kids and she has 20 year old men fist-pumping her on her tremendous climbs!  Ahead we have the 9th annual bounce house day, kayaking camp, watercolor and nature illustration camp (Fiona only), and another epic tent camping adventure for the whole family!  I had the kids create wish lists of their own for what they wanted to achieve over the summer.  The ideas range from para-sailing to riding a rollercoaster.  We'll see what we can get to and what we can afford!

At their last art show of the year.  Fiona's is the sculpture mounted in the circle.

Go Waltz Plumbing!

Wise words from coach on the mound.

So much effort.  Such a bright and beautiful reward.

Yeah.  They're so cooperative.  What a lovely picture in the tulip garden.

Theo joined us on this walk.

Awesome, right?  It's a bird backpack!!!

Our little garden.

So when we don't answer the door, Ethan's friends just hang out in the window.

Fiona got BANGS!!!

We took an amazing tour of Longfellow's house.

Cathy and Cate came for a weekend.  We headed to the Maine Wildlife Sanctuary.

Cate.  In a bear's mouth.  With explosive hair on its belly.

Big red fox.

Oh, hello Theo!

Fiona enjoyed four days alone with Gammy and Gampy.

She was spoiled.

And lavished in the down time, and peace away from her little bother.

Easter Bliss

     O.K.  Seems the weather here in Maine is as crazy as anywhere we have ever lived.  There was a freak snow storm in late April, and less than a week later we were on the beach in 75 degrees and sunshine?!  Makes baseball season a challenge.  Wet fields and buckets of rain have made it impossible to practice.  Ethan has his first game tonight, and the kids don't even know each others names yet...let alone positions!  Should be interesting. 
     I am excited to report that we got ourselves a garden plot here at the complex.  It's about 3'x3'.  Super small.  We are working with an artist in the building whom we befriended, and has offered her time and knowledge to train us in the building of small structures.  Our goal is to create an amazing fairy garden, complete with mini pond and solar fountain.  There have been a few brainstorming sessions that were incredibly fun.  Can't wait to start!
     Easter was scrumptious.  The weather called for rain, but early in the day the skies cleared and the temperature soared.  Mom and Dad's yard was in it's springtime glory.  We enjoyed a delicious meal cooked by Dad of ham and lamb chops.  Meagan and Ellie and Jason were there, and we were all ready to welcome the warmer days of spring.

Yarn project.  LOVE IT!

Theo.

Ethan and his buddy Kaleel.  They are building a Porsche.

Tough Maine tulips.

A beach day with friends! (Same week as snow.)

Scott and Scott playing frisbee.

Scott and I were trying for a selfie.

Beach Bum.

Jason kids were here.

Ethan's up there...

Dying eggs.

A stop at the bird store...with Theo in his backpack.

Cullen was bored on the drive to Gammy and Gampy's.

Awwww!

On your mark!  Get set!

Go!

Meagan and I in our Easter bonnets...staring into the sun.

Fiona took this one.

The kids strategizing about the garden with Vicki.

   

Baseball Season is Here!!! At Last!!!

April?  Where the heck did March go?  We are seeing crocuses and snow drops in bloom, and it gives us hope that warmer sunny days are around the corner.  Ethan tried out for Portland Little League, and is in the majors playing for Waltz Plumbing!  Can't wait to see what these uniforms look like! His first practice is this Monday evening.  He's excited to meet the team and get back on the field.  I am so looking forward to seeing him play again.  Kids are still going strong at climbing.  They're in the gym 6 hours a week training and it really shows.  My goal is to keep that going for at least Fiona while Ethan has baseball. 
Scott and I celebrated our 16 year anniversary.  Incredible where we have been together in the last sixteen years.  Tiny cottage in N.C., then to the Cape, from there to Winthrop...and then we took the plunge with home ownership in Lynn.  Nahant had us for a good 6 years (3 different homes), and then way down to Texas, just to loop around the entire country (and portions of Canada) to land in Newton.  Not a bad town...but it too couldn't hold us, and so here we are in Portland, ME.  No telling where the next sixteen will send us.

My sweet baby, resting his head.

Part of my Lyme treatment is getting a UV-IV.  All the colors of the rainbow!

Red is my favorite.

We got the kids their own computers.  We are loving the new technology for school!

Our little anniversary shrine.

Theo snuggling me.  He likes scarves.

The kids with their friends at the Museum of art.

Silent reading time.  Ethan chose this as his cozy place.

What happens when I ask Fiona to wash the dishes.

Found a great bead shop down the street.

We all emerged with an original creation.

Our attempt at a family portrait.  Can you see Theo in his backpack? We just need to figure out how to get the fish in the shot. 

Warming up that arm for practice!

Best coach ever.