Ollie: 5 weeks old

Oliver on my Great-Grandmother Nellie Oliver's Chair.

Pre-storm warm front

Enjoying the best warm weather.....before the impending snow storm tomorrow

The boys are into hockey right now because one of the kids in Timmy's class won some contest through the Boston Bruins, and all of his class got a bunch of Hockey paraphernalia. 

Scott also almost finished his bridge: just a few planks to go and then a railing for the little one's.  We'll sort of miss having to balance on a log to get across, but the bridge is rustic enough that we'll still have to pay attention to make it safely across.

The boys enjoyed attending the STEAM fair at Timmy's school yesterday and going for ice cream with Scott on a "daddy date"

Cora continues to enjoy her tot dance class at the local dance studio, and her "preschool" storytime at the library (with no parents).  

The boys tried a trial karate class this week, and loved it.  They are going to go for a month's classes on a PTA special.  I about had a heart attack when I found out that the regular rates are $159 a month for each of them if they want to continue.  Gasp.....well, they can enjoy their one month. :)

March Madness

Our kids are attending the German Saturday School for the next couple of months.

Cora has enjoyed the Playgroup Time and met some fun friends, especially Eva and Frieda.

They sing songs, read books, do a craft, and have a parachute at the end.

I wanted to upload some videos, but I can't get the videos to play, so you can use your imagination. :)

Aaron's new obsessions: Basketball with a homemade paper hoop! 

and reading the "Geronimo Stilton" series

Timmy's latest obsessions: Reading "The Magic Treehouse Series" 

and playing "Prodigy" a math game.

Fun at the library "Pet Shop" Day.  We sneaked in at the very end after German Class, and still got to enter the raffle, get free balloons and get Cora's face painted. 

 So handsome in his new little whale outfit

It's sheriff Woody from Toy Story!

  

It's about time we hung up a few pictures.  We hung these in Cora's Room.

My 4 Babies

 

 My artist friend, Meltem, gave us this.  It matches the blue so well in Cora's bookshelf.

 Cora has come a long way since January 1st.  She's been in Primary for 3 months now.  At first, she was very nervous and wanted only to be right next to me the whole time.  Last week, she stood and gave the scripture with a nice loud voice (the one on the board you see there), and she participated as the Shamrock Music Leader. :)  She likes to sit by Jordan.

The kids all like to hold Ollie for a bit each day.

Life with a newborn is very sweet, but it's also very busy.  Taking care of a newborn feels a day and night never-ending task, with other kids needs' often taking a backseat.  But I know this time in the "trenches" is short, and will regulate soon.  

We are SO glad that Mom and Dad Parker were here to help us get through those first couple of difficult weeks.  Thank you thank you!

And thank you to everyone for sending your good wishes and darling gifts.  We appreciate it so much!

XOXO

Freshly Washed and Lotioned

Winter Break

A few things we did during winter break while KT was taking care of the baby.  Kent and I mounted a bar with some swings up on our trees in front of the house to create mega-swings:

We went on a lot of walks in the woods, taking little breaks on benches 

and making a little wood lean-to

We made a little fairy house.

We went to Mill No. 5 in Lowell, which was cool but not a really kid-friendly place to go.

and we got a package from Mike and Bärbel.  This is Cora in her Prinzessin Lillifee costume.

And those are just a few things on my phone.  Fun stuff happens when grandparents come:)

Ollie - 42 hours "new"