Shopping Online

It's important to teach all children the value of money.  When I was young, perhaps this lesson was a bit easier to teach because cash was used far more often than it is today.

Not only does today's world use credit cards, but our children watch us order over the computer. They don't see us enter credit card numbers (unlike those hackers out there).  Magically the items appear at our doorstep a few days later.

The connection between working for money and then spending it on goods is completely lost.

How lost?  Well, this clip demonstrates it fairly well:

Goodbye Lab

After half a decade of working at an academic institution, it was time for a change of pace.  While I will miss my colleagues and the great work we accomplished together, I will also miss having an office.

I will especially miss what Ashley and Adam put on my whiteboard during their last visit to my office, many many months ago. 

Ashley picked up the marker and wrote the sentence.  Then Adam took the marker and sketched one of his trademark cars, using the exhaust to craft a speech balloon.

I never erased it. 

Not even before I handed over my keys and walked out the door.

It was their love letter to me and it gave me the strength to smile on many days.

I love you too, my cuties!

Farewell (Take 2)

We were so excited when Laura came back to the US for a few months to visit.  It was difficult to watch her go again.  Good news:  the kids are a few months more literate, so they're now able to chat every now and again on WhatsApp.

Technology is amazing, eh?

Here's our farewell meal together:

Thanks to the virus, Laura is stuck in her home too.  It's now easier to chat than ever!

We miss you!

To the Moon!

To the Moon!

Kids today are being prepped at a young age for life in space.  After all, this generation might even make it to Mars.

Well, that's if we're allowed to end the coronavirus quarantine and leave our homes.  But hey!  We can all dream, right?

Here are photos of Tate and his classmates preparing for the future:

Jet pack

Tate modeling his jet pack

Safety first!  Wearing his space helmet in case there's a rough landing.

Capt T announces it's time to get back on the ship.

We Got Spirit, Yes We Do!

We got spirit, how 'bout you?

Sorry... I'm reliving fond memories of my own days in sleep away camp while these two are getting ready to experience their first summer away from home. 

We went to a "Slice of Watitoh" to meet other families.  It was a snowy night so we didn't get to meet many families, but that didn't dampen our excitement for the summer!

This little piggie...

... sat on Tate's lap!  And Tate giggled all the way home....

The guinea pig belongs to our friends, Sienna and Oren.  We went to their home for dinner and had a fantastic evening!

Final Frogging

This was our final trip to the Frog Pond for seasonal ice skating.  We all agree:  the season was far too short!

Project Linus, Year #1

Our kids were motivated to give back to Boston Children's Hospital in Noah's memory. As a family, we decided to donate time and materials to create Project Linus fleece blankets for the babies who are on the same floor (Med/Surg) as Noah once was.

We thought it would be great to get a group of their friends together to help.  Everyone responded to the call enthusiastically.

The goal:  to create infant sized (for car seats and strollers) fleece blankets and hats.

In one hour, we completed 18 blankets and 25 hats.  Whoohoo!  The intent is to donate them in May. They're sitting in a plastic bag, waiting for the right moment to be transported to BCH.  We'll see what the virus allows us to do on that timeframe.

Adam's table at work

Ashley's table at work

The handy hat-maker table

Finished blankets

We hope this will be an annual project for our family.  If you're interested in participating in some way, please contact me and I'll share more information with you.

Human Burrito

For years we've made the "Nannie burrito" which involves taking Ashley's Nannie the Duck (seen here in this video clip) and wrapping her up burrito style in Taggie, who we thought was recovering nicely from surgery but seems to have sprung a few new holes.  Sigh.

At any rate, on one fine afternoon, two siblings decided to cook up a new concoction:  a Tate burrito!

Quiet time

With all of the furniture in our home, you would think there's a better spot to read a book.  Turns out that wherever you are, there you are, and that's the place to read a book.

Homeschooling, Lesson #36: Civics

The general theory behind civics and democracy:  if you can figure out how to work together, you can accomplish much more.

Sure is different than the earlier days when they used to chase each other around the table!

Hoop It Up!

This is a gal who loves hoops:

The Boxer

Ashley keeps asking for boxing lessons.

She might be serious about this:

Dear Daddy

To:  Daddy
From: Tate

Dear Daddy,

Daddy, I love you very much.  I want to stay with you forever.  I want to help build things. I want Ashley to teach me to read so I can read to you. Lastly I want to help you drill a hole in tees. I want to give you hugs + kisses.

Love, Tate

(written by big sister, Ashley)

Searching for a Home

Now that we're in the thick of a statewide "voluntary stay at home" effort, I might as well spend a little more time in front of the computer and update the blog.

Although our last post was in March, the photos were actually from... gulp! January. If nothing else, I'm honest.

Let's continue where we left off.

This poor fella was in our backyard searching for materials to make his home.  This particular branh was too heavy for him to lift.

Neighborhood rumor is that they're building a nest somewhere right around here.  One neighbor is purchasing a telescope so he can watch.  Maybe I'll see if we can get a photo from him to share?

Thankfully the eagles remember to keep 6' away from most people.