Watering

Molly planted some beans and corn at school. Those have been transplanted to our garden. Now, the question is, how do we ensure the plants get water while we're gone? 

We don't have a spigot nearby and don't want to buy a long hose, timer, or sprinkler. So we're trying an experiment. The hope is that the water in the clay pots will slowly leach into the soil and water the plants for a few days. We're not sure exactly how we're going to cover the top yet though. 

Adventure weekend

This weekend we went up to the Carrabassett Valley region for a few days of outdoor adventure. 

Saturday was mountain biking day. 

High fives after a great first ride. 

Riding the trails! The kids did a AWESOME job. 

On Sunday we went for a hike up Tumbledown Mountain. The hike was a bit longer than we had originally planned, but we made it through in one piece. 

Near the top of the mountain is a pond. Perfect for a rest, and for trying to catch fish. 

Near the top. 

We had originally planned on making it a loop hike, but this sign and one look at the trail down convinced us to just go back the way we came. It made the hike longer, but safer. 

An early 6th birthday

Since Molly's birthday lands on the first weekend of Spring Break, we had her party early. Molly loves climbing things, so we figured she might as well be safe doing it. So we had the party at a rock climbing gym. 

Molly did a great job climbing. Until about halfway up any route when she'd remember to look down. Then she'd had enough. 

This place had it all. Big walls as well as smaller bouldering walls that didn't need any ropes. 

There was even a glass wall to climb. 

At the end of the day we asked Molly what her favorite part was. She said it was swinging from the ropes. 

The (almost) birthday girl. 

Music is Awesome

Wes performed his original composition, "Music is Awesome" at Family Pachanga today. 

LEGOs

100 days

Today is the 100th day of school. Molly's class is doing a celebration of sorts and she's sporting the glasses she made. 

Meanwhile, Wes is grinding coffee beans in EC (left over from the Peru study). 

Sledding?

The kids are making the most of what little snow is left. 

What a difference a day makes

This has been an interesting winter. 

Yesterday the kids were riding their bikes in 50° weather and only a few strangling piles of snow. 

Today they were having a blast in 6+ inches of snow. 

Oh, and Katie went biking too. 

Blocks

Wes put this together all by himself today. 

Bedtime

Christmas

It's Christmas time again. 

Grammie and Gramp came down on Christmas Eve and were immediately put to work by the kids to make gingerbread people. 

Kathy also tried something new: Brie cheese, covered in jam, and wrapped in pastry dough. 

It was amazing. 

Eventually it was time for bed. And the presents were out. 

There a lot of excitement in the morning and much ripping of wrapping paper. In the midst of all that we noticed a clever note on some of one of the presents. 

One of the kids gifts was a tablet. They have been enthralled with them ever since. Thankfully there are limits on how much time these will stay on each day. 

We have ourselves a reader!

Molly has really been into reading and learning to read. A few weeks ago we got her a book that we refuse to read to her, but hope she'll read to us. 

Tonight, she did just that. 

She did a awesome job and read the whole book. Before we know it she'll be reading Tolstoy and Hemmingway. 

Giving Thanks

This was a special Thanksgiving because Molly and Wes got to spend it with their cousin Charlie.  

Molly was all about holding Charlie. Charlie wasn't as enamored with the idea. 

As usual, Wes was all about the food. 

Gathering of the clan. 

Wes being silly as Momma knits. 

A boy and his cars

For his birthday Wes go a few MatchBox cars. He's been playing with them ever since. 

November self portrait

This is very true. Molly has been having seconds and thirds at dinner most nights over the past two weeks. 

Halloween party