Some April Moments.......

April came in like a lion and went out like a lamb, as they say.  Here's a LONG update from April.

 Oliver in his debonair new shirt

 We had some warmer beautiful days thawing the winter.....

 and then several snow days sprinked in

 The kids and I discovered the Dear Leap Trail - 

beautiful little loop just 6 minutes drive from our home.

 Scott placed his logs for the new bridge - causing a couple days of back pain.....

but it was all worth it!   We now have easy walking access around our entire property.

One day.....this day in fact..... minutes after this photo was taken.......Cora pulled out her toddler potty for fun.  I didn't know this.

While I was talking to my sister on the phone, she used the potty.  Oliver was quick to check it out.   She put it "all the way" up on her bed to keep him from getting it.

As you can see, he is quite able to climb up onto her bed.  Cora runs in to tell me that Oliver got into the potty.  I came in, and found him swishing his hands in a yellow substance in the little potty, happily splashing it all over himself and the mattress.  Agh!

At least there was no bedding already on the bed!   From some other accident that morning!

Beth Pitcher turned our very plain cultural hall into a wedding wonderland for her daughter, Chelsea's wedding.  Amazing!

 Cora continues to dress up into 5 different outfits a day, leaving a trail of laundry behind her.

 April hiking in our woods is the very best!   The snow is gone and the water levels are high and rushing.  Best part?   No mosquitos!  

There are only a few precious weeks to enjoy the semi-warm weather with no bugs.

 Timnus Falls is back!  So lovely to have a little stream and waterfall in our backyard.

 Cora and I made a tiny batch of rice krispees with the few marshmellows 

and 4 cups of rice krispees we had.  

They were yummy!  

She said I could have the gingerbread man, Dad could have the angel, Ollie could have the star and she wanted the heart.  I got the best end of that deal!  Don't worry I shared.  Cora has a generous heart.  She is always giving things away to make others happy.

 Feeding this kid is one of the most time consuming parts of my life right now.  

He is a bottomless pit.

 Aaron enjoyed a very fun field trip to tour historic parts of Windham.  

He was most excited that he was allowed to bring a camera to take pictures.

 Searles Castle

 Yes, we have a real castle in our town.  Pretty awesome, right?  

 Windham Museum

 Windham Town Hall

 Sadly, his camera ran out of batteries, so he couldn't take photos of Indian Rock and Windham Tower.   That happens when you take 800 pictures in an hour.  :)

 Timmy saved up his money to get this special toy.  He has the red one, and he is very fond of it.

 Great night for a fire, hot dogs and smores.

 Aaron did a report and poster about Griffin Park.

We both learned a lot about our town in the process.

You can see old photos and learn about Windham History on these blogs: 

http://www.windhamnhhistory.com/searles.html

or this one:

https://windhamnhhistory.org/page/9/

I got to meet up with my dear friend Annie for Indian food and a temple session.  

Cora got a special surprise from Grandma Pat - 

a new dress for her Dollie that Grandma sewed herself!

NOT pictured are the grueling hours and hours Scott spent up in the attic re-insulating and cleaning up after the blasted squirrel.  I made 5 home depot runs in a weekend to pick up 30 bags of Rock wool insulation, that wore me out completely.   Scott has worked for days and days tirelessly to get the insulation installed.  We were getting burned out, so as Spring Break approached, Scott insisted we take a break and get outside.

Scott took off work for a couple of days so we could enjoy the outdoors before the mosquitos hit and enjoy some family time.

We went Rock Climbing in Pawtuckaway State Park on Monday.

First time we have been rock climbing in ages, and first time ever alone as a family, I think.  It was a beautiful spot.  Great place to return for sure!

The next day, we went for a very snowy hike 

Beaver Brook Trail

Yeah.....we're pretty extreme....proven by this sign here. :)

We then did the Flume Gorge Trail, which is closed at the Flume, but has winter access right up to it.   It was beautiful!   

Cora, of course, is well prepared with the best winter hiking attire.  She should write a book about the handy method of wearing a fancy dress over her hiking pants and boots.  Very warm.  Very warm.

The FLUME from the bottom.  See the ice falls?

From the Top

Avalanche Falls

All in all - very pretty, but tough hiking.  This is what we all looked like when we were done. 

So we ate at a greasy diner and felt better. :)

 We had a day at home, and then decided to get out for our last 2 days for vacation.  

I took 5 kids (by myself) to the Boston Aquarium.  Whew!  That was my city-run for the month.  

Friday, we went North instead.  Much more easy-going.

 This is the SEE Science Center in Manchester.

 Timmy JUST did a presentation about Dean Kamen in his class at school.  He was excited to see this poster and a display of an invention by Dean. 

Saturday, we pulled out the Pickleball court!   So fun!

Perfect Driveway game.  Thanks G&G Parker for the Christmas gift.

Now, if we can survive the chaos of May and June - the kids will be out for summer break!