baby birds

It's hard to tell in this photo but the grey fluff is a baby bird! They hatched about 12 days after they were laid. We were interested to learn the mother still sits on them in the nest!

hike

We've been enjoying hiking this spring. We can see far away without the leaves!

farm fun

We went to one of the kids' favorite places the other day: Davis Farmland. They were happy there were bunnies to pet!

As they held baby goats, another goat chewed Jane's shoelace!

They could get used to this...

We saw some cool cows on our hayride.

They liked this new jump pad!

This is Bubbles, only three weeks old!

The goats they held in the afternoon took their afternoon naps.

Jane milked a goat!

snuggles

Malcolm was happy Westie sat on his lap!

Strawbery Banke

We met Nana at Strawbery Banke to see baby animals, but the kids wanted to play in the store first!

All the animals were heirloom breeds.

Afterwards we went out for burritos. It was a great way to spend a cold, drizzly day!

Old Manse

We thought we were going to attend a childrens' program at the Old Manse, but I guess there was a miscommunication. Instead, we got a private tour with our friends! It was great seeing the home where the Emersons, Hawthornes and Thoreaus lived.

We even got to see the attic which isn't part of the usual tour!

Afterwards we walked to the Old North Bridge. It happened to be April 19th, so we were there on the anniversary of the start of the revolutionary war!

Jane outside

We continued the tradition of photographing Jane with the magnolia!

Jane and I had a fun time hiking. She climbed on all the big rocks!

Passover 2017

We had a nice time celebrating Passover with Nana and Grammy. Malcolm read the four questions this year. The kids still aren't interested in learning the Hebrew version.

This is the matzo crunch we had for dessert, sitting on chocolate mousse!

It was nice out and we had a good visit!

Patriots Day

The kids suggested going to the arboretum on Patriots Day, so I happily obliged.

Last fall this pond was dried up. I'm glad it's back now! I'm sure the turtles and frogs are, too.

Easter 2017

For the first time at our house we had the kids hunt for eggs outside! Jane's eggs were hidden in the front yard, and Malcolm's were in the back yard so they'd end up with the same amount. I was glad there were some flowers out because it helped to hide the eggs!

Malcolm wore his bunny shirt and socks, of course!

Yummy treats!

nesting

The cardinal sitting on her eggs!

nest

It's been exciting to watch a cardinal build a nest right outside our living room. This morning we noticed she laid eggs!

symphony

We attended our second Boston Symphony Orchestra family concert. The theme was Common Courtesy: Minding Our Musical Manners.

Pieces included Bernstein's Overture to Candide, Prokofiev's The Montagues and the Capulets, Dvořák's Scherzo (Furiant) from Symphony No. 6 in D, Op. 60, A Whirl Through Academe from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Marian's Theme from Raiders of the Lost Ark by John Williams and Koehne's Unchained Melody

Next a pianist named Andrew Li, who is a junior in high school, was introduced and played Grieg's 3rd movement from Piano Concerto in A minor along with the orchestra. It was very impressive!

Bacchanale from Samson et Dalila by Saint-Saëns ended the concert. Afterwards the kids ran around the Christian Science Plaza before we went out to lunch and to a bookstore. It was a fun day!