Strep Hooky

Calvin has strep, so is home from school for the mandatory 24 hours. But the antibiotics kicked, he's quite chipper, and the day is lovely, so we adventured in the forest. Cece was so happy to have him along.

Potpouri

I made this lemon blueberry cake for a dinner at Kimberly Burnett's. Tasty, but not worth the effort-maybe a lighter frosting next time. I don't like sugary cream cheese frostings.

Cece loves baskets.

Once on this Island

Picnic after Dark

 We had an exceptionally warm day, so I brilliantly planned a picnic dinner at Robin's Farm park. Sadly, I neglected to calculate the sunset into my plan, and we ended up eating Blue Ribbon BBQ by starlight. Still, a rather fun memory.

Masterpiece-cee

Such pride and workmanship.

Waterfalling in Melrose

Determined to get outside and enjoy our Saturday, but also needing to pick up Bryn and Brinley from volleyball in Lynnfield, we choose an efficiently located hike with the cascades of Melrose. It's a short hike, but a fun explore.

My older kids are much braver than last time we went there and climbed all over the falls. Cece was not a fan of having to wear gloves, but then doubly not a fan of icy hands, and quickly dissolved into a tantruming troll for most of the hike. She perked up when I forced her to put the gloves back on and we headed back to the car.

Cece 21 months

Ladies in Red

Well, the cycle is complete. Cece wore this dress for Valentine's day which makes all three Jones girls wearers of the red dress. Peter's mom made this for Bryn many Christmases ago.

Dec. 2004- Bryn in red (plugging in a carnation)

Bryn again

Dec. 2010- Ivy

Feb. 2016- Cecily

On Shawsheen Reservoir

Our new neighbors across the street brought us like new hand-me-down ice skates for Calvin and Ivy. After a week of sub-freezing temps, we seized the Saturday to try them out.

After hiking to the reservoir through the woods, we found a group playing ice hockey, which saved us the trepidation of testing the ice ourselves. They also had snow shovels that they let us borrow so we could clear a patch of ice.

Calvin and Ivy are both novices, but had a great time and a great attitude. They improved so much in the half hour that we were there. Calvin definitely took his "go big or go home" approach, while Ivy methodically baby stepped her way into skating.

It was so charming to hike to a frozen pond and skate to the cool wind blowing through the pines. Sometimes New England breaks my heart in a good way.

PEMDAS- Peabody Essex Museum doings at Salem

We ventured to the Peabody Essex Museum with the Jensens (Reed and Saralynn). They currently have Strandbeesten on exhibit (see here if you are unfamiliar- they're amazing). We also saw the Native fashion show, the maritime art room, the Art in Nature exhibit, and Stickwork.

Dancing in the rainbows

Kids in Art in Nature

Stickwork!