From New Hampshire

After our hike, we got lunch at Lindy's Diner, where presidential candidates are apparently required to eat.

Back at the cabin as Oliver napped, Madeline cataloged the rocks she found on our hike (a guidebook said there have been lots of precious stones and metals found there, and oh did she search).

When Oliver woke up, it was warm and sunny and time to take out the canoe!

The kids were ready!

We paddled out around Granite Lake; the kids seemed very excited and nervous at the same time (Madeline worried we wouldn't find our way home and would be stuck on the lake forever).

Afterward, despite their nerves, both kids agreed the canoe trip was the highlight of our New Hampshire visit -- we're all looking forward to getting out on the water again sometime soon.

Back at the cabin, we started a fire and cooked up some bratwursts.

Then we roasted marshmallows and made s'mores (though the kiddos preferred the marshmallows sans graham crackers and chocolate).

The next day was Easter.  Somehow the Easter bunny found us in our little cabin!

Then we cleaned up and drove home, where Madeline decided she needed to write an important letter to Nanny and Pop Pop ...

... and we dyed Easter eggs out in the back yard.

After all that, it was back to school and normalcy for the kids.  Here's a shot of them from this evening -- what good buddies they are!

To New Hampshire

As Madeline's spring break wound down, she got into engineering: here's her Duplo prototype for a bunny food delivery vehicle ...

... and here she is doing some additional work on the design.

She also continues to love drawing; here are Petey and Nory.

And she got a haircut!

Madeline helped Oliver pick out most of last week's outfits.

On Thursday evening, after the kiddos' swim lessons, we drove to New Hampshire.  Friday morning, we woke up and had oatmeal.

The day was cold and rainy so we were very glad to have found a place with a healthy selection of toys.

We did venture forth to a book store and, for lunch, a great little pub that also came pre-equipped with toys.

And, because the afternoon remained cold and rainy, the kiddos curled up with Summer and watched The Little Mermaid (which also came with the cabin).

Saturday was much nicer.  In the morning, we ventured out for a hike.

Madeline and I climbed to the top of the grotto at Bear's Den -- it was high!

Then we descended and ventured further.

We took a break ...

... but Madeline wanted to keep going! ...

... and we watched her explore for a bit before returning.

Spring!

Two Sundays ago, we had a play date with Lea at a playground in Warren.  The kiddos shared snacks ...

... and Lea tried to help a reluctant Madeline with her pumping.

At home these days, Madeline likes nothing better than to get her hands dirty outside ...

... day after day.

For St. Patrick's Day, the kiddos got temporary shamrock sleeves.

And they generally enjoyed all things clover.

Madeline also enjoyed a visit to her school playground with Summer.

On Saturday, we celebrated St. Joseph's Day by buying zeppole ...

... and eating them!

In the afternoon, I presented at a conference while the kids did art projects at home with Summer.

Sunday morning we met some friends at a playground; Sunday evening the kiddos received a visit from Nory while they continued to be the fourth generation to enjoy this copy of Sleepy Kitten.

Finally, this morning the kiddos had a dentist visit.  Their dentist provides them with cool shades to wear under the bright lights of the dentist's chair.

And this afternoon, they made construction-paper owls!

Today: Great Swamp!

Today we ventured down to the Great Swamp!  The kiddos were so full of energy that they wouldn't pause for a photo with the sign.

At one point in the path, flanked by the croaking of wood frogs, the kiddos discovered a pond with convenient seating.

We continued venturing until we got to a convenient stopping place with dramatic lighting.

Near where we stopped, there were quite a few of these growing in and at the edge of the swamp.  I wondered if they were a type of pitcher plant, since I know the Great Swamp has several kinds of carnivorous plants.  But I can't match them to any particular species, carnivorous or not.  Anyone know what they are?

While I admired the plant life, Madeline was most taken with these chunks of granite she found along the way -- she called them either "pomegranate" or "salmon rocks" after their pinkish color.

She also did a joyful swamp dance ...

... while an admiring audience looked on.

On our way back ...

... we ran again into a kind naturalist who'd told us about wood frogs and spotted turtles on our way out.  This time he told us where we could find a bunch of snakes doing snaky things like basking,  slithering, and swimming.  We found them!  (Don't just look at the one in the water; peruse the leaves as well.)

Madeline tried to befriend one.  If you squint, you can see it in the leaves near her feet.  Oliver said another snake was his, and that it would come home with us and then go to live at his school with their class fish Dodo.

At home, Madeline and I played while Oliver napped.  First came dinosaurs ...

... then blocks.  Actually I didn't do more than provide advice as requested -- Madeline constructed this fine edifice all on her own.