Dining al fresco

Last night the citizens were treated to al fresco dining.  Worked like a charm.  New booster seats, new atmosphere, new excitement for dinner.  Was a great success.  Hopefully we can do this a few more times before the bugs wake up from their winter slumber.

Modern Skills

When MLD was a young boy he participated in a series of orienteering events where he and a team were given a compass and a mission to find certain items in the woods.  From MLD's description, American lawyers and insurance agents would have a field day (pun intended) if someone tried to organize events like that in Massachusetts.

Adam takes after his daddy but puts a modern spin on it:  he's discovered the GPS:

McLennan Park

With the start of spring and the change in weather, we've been visiting a lot of playgrounds in Arlington.  Our most recent visit was to McLennan Park.  

Both Adam and Ashley like riding on what they call the "whee!".

Adam is content to stay on the swings the entire time.  Ashley's inner speed demon comes out whenever a slide is nearby.

Apparently bigger slides are better!

Catching a few zzz's

Every now and then, MLM tries to sneak in a nap.  Ashley stands guard.

Great Meadow National Wildlife Refuge

We took the A-team to the Great Meadow National Wildlife Refuge in Concord do some bird watching a few weeks ago.  We were tired of pushing the stroller, so Ashley helped out:

Butterfly World

On Monday we visited Butterfly World.  The citizens were enthralled by the tiny birds which wandered around.  They only noticed the butterflies when they landed on Karla's head.  That happened a lot, actually.  

Whoa -- Mommy is going to be in the photo? -- Adam
I can't believe it. -- Ashley

This isn't fair.  I want a pet birdie to take home with me. -- Adam

Fine with me, but I'm not cleaning the cage. -- Ashley

Tiptoe through the Tulips

It was too windy to go outside last weekend so we did the next best thing:  visit a greenhouse.  The kids loved smelling the flowers.  It was far harder to catch Adam in the act than Ashley.  

Adam discovered a ramp in the back of the greenhouse and had a ball running up and down.  

Playing together

It's a rare occasion when the citizens play together for more than 2 minutes.  But Aunt Anya found the secret.  A magic toy!  

Let's put it another way:  recently the only images you see of the citizens are when they are strapped into chairs because that's the only way to get them to sit still long enough.  Of the four photos I took while they played with this toy, three were in focus.  That's a new record!

  

Breakfast at Bickford's

Occasionally MLM and MLD feel brave and venture out for a morning breakfast with the A-team in tow.  Bickford's has recently become our eatery of choice and it's easy to see why:  crayons for the kids, special cups for the kids, and TV screens.  Large ones!  Keeps them entertained for at least 20 minutes...

Where's my coffee?

I like the crayons here.

Family Ties

While everyone thinks Adam looks like a mini-Ilya and Ashley takes after me, we respectfully disagree.  Ashley and Adam bear closer resemblance to other family members.  Do you know who they are?

Complicated Photo

Boy.  I thought it was hard to take a photo of the citizens sitting on a couch.  Try taking a photo of the citizens with all of MLM's cousins on a couch.  Ha!  Now there's a challenge!

And in case you were wondering about the behind-the-scenes action: