The Wheels on the Bus

You would have thought today was Christmas by the way my kids slept last night (not much). They were both so excited and anxious for the first day of school (and very first time taking the bus ever), that they had dressed and made their beds before midnight. Not quite, but you get the point. I can't wait to hear the reports after school.

Another TLC Reference

One of Vermont's Top Ten waterfalls is nestled 10 miles from where we camped last weekend.  Lance and I chased it, and when we got back Ivy's first question was, "Did you catch it?" Yes, yes we did. And the above photo was not the actual waterfall (although lovely in it's own right).

There are some videos at the end of the pictures.

Lance is always so trepidatious on these adventures.

Upper part of the falls

Sibling Power Fist Bump

I brought my non-zooming 50 prime lens, so this is my best attempt at stitching together a complete photo of the waterfall. The videos are a much better way to view the waterfall.

The final video is my first attempt at trail-walking video-ing. If you can make it through the fast motion, there's a treat waiting at the end of the video (more precious than a pot of gold, but don't cheat and just skip to the end):

Stuff and Nonsense

In a fit of "I hate this couch," I ripped all the covers off the cushions and threw them in the washer. They cleaned up beautifully, but now I'm in the midst of a fit of "I hate the stuffing in these cushions."

So I went to JoAnn's, put a large 6-foot piece of green foam in my cart, and waltzed up to check out thinking I was so clever, and would soon be cutting out cheap inserts. That's when the clerk informed me that the foam was 72 U.S. Dollars. A Yard. That piece of foam in my cart totaled $140.  Are you kidding me?!? Nope. I put it back and we left.

Does anyone own a foam store?

*Notice in the picture, we have a lovely sheet covering our foam inserts, and to underneath it all, the back inserts are each shoved into garbage bags. Classy.

Campin' Out

Our annual soaking up in Sharon, Vermont happened this weekend. Luckily the rain was brief- I was making soup when the clouds opened, but the rain was done before the soup (I continued stirring and adding ingredients with one hand while the other held the umbrella).

The rest of the weekend was idyllic.  Some highlights:

• Swimming in the pond. I took Ivy in the canoe on a frog hunt, and thanks to Jenifer's frog net, bagged a green beauty to bring back to shore.  We played with the hopper for a few minutes, and released it back into the wild. New this year was the realization that the dock could detach and float to the middle. Many king of the hill wars ensued.
• The White River. Our usual swimming hole was under construction, so we found a nearby shore to launch our mighty [c]raft and run the wild class [0.]5 rapids.  
• Calvin and his collections. Calvin set up a rock shop the first day after he had mined many interesting specimens from the local amphitheater.  He also enjoyed the "crab leg" he found at the river, and really wanted to bring it home.
• The play. Bryn orchestrated a play down at the amphitheater. Movie will be forth-coming. 
• Volleyball. Peter may not be able to use his arms for a few days.
• Frisbee. I may not be able to throw my kids around for a few days.
• Waterfall hike with Lance. Entire separate post forth-coming. 
• Chess. Bryn and Calvin both learned how to play chess from Brian and spent hours playing games with various people.
• The stars. Saturday night was extra clear, and Ivy and I spent time pretending reach up, grab some stars, and eat them. I upped the ante by eating the whole sky, but then Ivy trumped me by eating outer space. Around thirty minutes later she spit them all out and giggled.
• Relaxing on many a grassy knoll, chatting with great people, blowing grass whistles, playing cards, and listening to the delighted yells of feral children getting good and dirty.

Up a creek...

Without a paddle. But who needs a paddle?!?

Calvin's rock museum collection

Complimentary spa

Bryn wants me to let everyone know that even though she is wearing a life jacket, she knows how to swim and is only wearing the jacket because I made her wear it in the river currents.

Treasured crab leg (I think it's really part of a crayfish)

Sunset

Calvin takes on his primary teacher

Summer Magic

We listened to the book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, as we shuttled to and fro various summer activities.  It was a big hit, so we rented the movie for Take-Out-the-Bed-in-the-Couch-Friday.  Also a big hit.

Magic tricks play a part in the story, and Bryn set up an early morning magic show this morning. Well worth the nickel. Ivy was clearly amazed.

We've been swimming like crazy the last two weeks. Ivy has talents in fish whispering- she sits very quietly in the shallows of the reservoir until a quorum of fish gathers around her legs, swimming above and under her legs and tickling her as they go.

Calvin and Bryn have been in lessons, and are swimming drastically better than when they started. The lessons help, but I think practicing after for hours after the lessons is what really caused the improvement.

Another First: Red Sox Game

Peter traded in his Cubby blues for an evening with Bryn, Calvin and Tim at Fenway Park for the kids' first game (that they can remember).  Bryn read a book between (and sometimes during) innings, Calvin played with a friend in the next seat, and Tim refused to sing Sweet Caroline and do the wave on a matter of principle (he's from he-ah, and apparently those activities are recent injections into Red Sox culture, and not for baseball purists). And in case you're wondering, Calvin is batting with his ticket in the above picture.

Luck o' the First Lost Tooth

Calvin's tooth was quite loose, so I mentioned that maybe he should give it a firm tug. He did, and voila, his tooth came out- easy as that. He then proceeded to chant for about an hour, "Happy as a leprechaun!"

Please Do Not Climb on the Sculptures

We visited the DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum to wander and picnic on the grounds. Totally loved it.