What's the angle?

Our fishing expedition began with breakfast.

Then we met up with Mark and Desmond.  We brought the worms.  They brought the day-glo salmon eggs.

It was fun.

Just because you didn't have a winter...

... doesn't mean you can't have your spring.

Nature Center

At the Irvine Nature Center for a maple sugaring demonstration, we start inside to look at some creatures.

Outside, we learn how to tap a tree.

Margaret watches while Silas tries his hand at the drill.

Playing at home

 Going to Boston, where Baby Abby lives.

 Fancy dress, warm hat, legos and a reading Silas.

Silas and Margaret working on a project.

Silas scary hands

Fancy

Fancy ship.  Fancy hat.  Fancy jacket.

These kids are growing

Silas has gone through a few different phases with playing music at home.  Lately he's swung back toward being interested in the instruments, and has asked to play the banjo a few times.  Margaret likes to play banjo also -- it's too bad the instrument is so fragile, or I'd let them handle it with less caution.  This afternoon I was playing the guitar and Silas got out the harmonica to play along with me.  I'm not sure he even remembers the last version of him who did that.

Margaret and Silas are now officially a team.  They play together, pester and infuriate each other, conspire, and follow each other's movements in ways that only siblings can.  One night, Silas really wanted to write names on tape.  Since I wouldn't let him label our chairs at the dinner table, he decided to make "stockings" for  Snowy, Dino, Corduroy, and Piglet.  Margaret was on scissor duty.  The tape is still up on our mantle.

Margaret loves containers.  She has five or so bags that she fills with things and moves from room to room.  If you are missing a phone, playing card, magnetic letter, or any other small item, you can likely find it squirreled away in one of her bags.  Here, she has tucked baby doll in an improvised carrier, leaving her hands free to move her small container of magnetic fridge letters in and out of the refrigerator.

Picnicing with our friend Luke.  Sunglasses always go on upside down.

Crocus were up on February 1.

Margaret is packed and ready to go to Boston, to visit "Jax" and Baby Abby.  Baby doll is tucked into her coat.  She climbs into my coat this way when we are on the playground at Silas' school after pick-up, and likes to climb into Rachel's sweater in the same way.