West Paris Old Home Days

I bet you can probably guess where we will be this weekend...and oh what fun we will have!

The girls couldn't wait to ride in the wagon pulled by Whimsy, the pony. They're getting to the age though where I'm not sure if the thrill is the ride, or the driver....

The other thrill this evening was the petting zoo - they spent most of their time there loving all over the wonderfully friendly puppies, kittens, chicks, ducklings, bunnies, goats, a calf and a pot-bellied pig!  They had the best time and can't wait to go back in the morning...

Smoothie King

It's awesome when they choose to make a healthy snack!  He loves to make fruity yogurt smoothies when he gets home from school.  Me?  I'm baking a cake.  But, I guess I've taught them well.  ;-)

Springtime is so pretty!

RR Xing

Remembering...

Poultry Auction

This morning we drove up to the Windsor Fairgrounds for the Central Maine Bird Fanciers' spring show.  We thoroughly enjoyed touring through the show barn and seeing all the many varieties of poultry that were on display.  Afterwards there was an auction of birds and poultry related items.  We sat there freezing to death in the cold, wet wind because she had her eye on some of those birds.  Our quiet, shy, little girl demonstrated that if she wants something, nobody (And I mean NOBODY!) is going to outbid her!  She stood up in her chair and hollered out her bids.  She is now the very proud owner of 3 laying hens and 2 pairs of bantams.

Pineland Farms Trail Running Festival

They ran the 5k this morning...

This is a race they will never forget!

Homework

It's so much more bearable when you can do it while soaking up some warm spring sunshine.

A bird was born today...

When I found this egg shell during my walk at lunch break, the blood inside was still damp, so it had only just hatched.  I put the shell inside a chicken egg carton, just to show how very small that baby bird must be!

Spheal Pencil-holder & Bunny Figurine

Look at what the boys made for me in their art class!  I'm wicked impressed!!

1st Softball Game

Their first softball game was tonight.  They had so much fun!  And, learned a lot about actually playing this game they've been practicing these last few weeks...

Coach picked her to be the first player 'up to bat'!  She was scared.  Her father and I told her, "No worries.  You got this."  And, she did great!

Finally, it was time for her sister to experience her first time 'up to bat'.  There was a bit of trepidation in those eyes.  As it turned out, she needn't have worried - she swung, hit the ball, and ran to first base.  Then, she stole her way around the bases while the opposing team wasn't looking, and ran home!

Look at who stepped up to the mound and pitched for a couple of innings! She loves being in the spotlight, so it didn't bother her at all that everyone was watching her.  She did great handling the pressure.  However, it was a bitter pill to swallow when her arm started getting tired and after she 'walked' a few batters her coach had no choice but to put in another pitcher.  She humbly accepted it though, and will learn from that experience. 

Oh, and she wants everyone to know - she ran a 6 minute mile this morning!  Yup, you read that right!!  Woooo hooo!!!!

Overall, it was a great game.  Their team didn't win, but they learned a lot from watching the other (much more experienced) team.  We're so proud of all of them!

A Delivery Truck with a 'Maine' Accent

Family Time

This afternoon we created some wonderful family memories working together to plant our flower gardens.  The yard is looking so much more colorful!

They're so soft!

We love adventure!

2 mothers + 2 dogs + 10 kiddos + 1 mountaintop + 1 loooong waterfall =

A really great day off!

It has been rather dry lately...

Unique Daffodil

I love planting the more unusual varieties of plants, and this flower certainly fits the bill.  I was so pleased to see it open this evening.  It's just gorgeous!

However, the little creature buried in its petals is not.  I didn't even notice him until I looked at the pictures on the computer.  Does anyone know what it is?

La Donna Zabella

We visited our friend's consignment shop, La Donna Zabella.  She always has a great selection of really nice clothes, shoes and accessories.

The girls had a blast playing 'dress-up'... 

 This crazy girl thinks she could be a ballerina!

Just look at those grins while the twins were trying on funky hats - those are priceless!  Love it!!

Flowery Tale

This weekend we went to Young's Greenhouse in South Paris to check out all their beautiful plants and find something for the grandmothers for Mother's Day.  Check out that beautiful bed of marigolds...

And, of course, you have to have pillows for your bed...so soft! 

Each year I let them pick out a plant of their own.  This year they skipped the flashy annuals, in favor of these perennials.  They like the idea that these beautiful flowers will keep coming back year after year.
Good choices, girls!

We spent almost 2 hours touring the greenhouses, "ooohing and aaahing" over all the wonderful plants, collecting fallen flowers for keepsakes, and just having a blast learning about all the different kinds of plants that are available.  Finally we picked out a couple of flowering shrubs for the grandmothers, and, while I wasn't looking, they snagged a 'Sensation' Lilac for my Mother's Day gift - what a great surprise!

Happy Mother's Day

Tolerant Dog

She was the first one ready to go this morning, so while she waited for the rest of us, she played with the dog.  It's a good thing that Amber is blessed with a lot of patience!

Transit

He's quite pleased with himself today, because he was able to acquire his father's old transit.  It brings back lots of memories from all the jobs they worked on together.

Plan For It

 

This is one of those license plates that you really want to ask the driver about it.

Feels like summer...

Happy 1st Birthday, Amber!

Building Bridges

He used scrap wood from his step-father's workshop and built them over a couple of particularly muddy spots on the trail, thinking that it would help to keep them from getting too dirty on their bikes.  I have a feeling that the kiddos will do the same thing as Amber did, and get muddy anyway!  That's half the fun, isn't it?

Just driving around...

Guy E Rowe PTO 5k

This morning they ran a race together!  The results?  From left to right...2nd place, 9th place, 5th place (1st female!), 13th place and 33rd place, and she came across the finish line with the biggest grin for all her cheering fans!  We are incredibly proud of them all.  Not just for their accomplishments, but also for their excellent sportsmanship.  They make a great team!

And it's Orb...

We enjoyed another great Kentucky Derby!  Although it's a good thing we don't bet. None of us picked him.

Career Opportunity

Vocabulary Parade

 

This evening the 6th graders put on a Vocabulary Parde.  They each had picked a word to study, and created costumes to match.  They marched, one at a time, across the stage, while one of their fellow students read what they had written about the word.  It was really fun to watch them - they were all so creative!  And not a bit shy!!

Here we go again...

It doesn't seem to matter how hard I work to keep my back strong...and I really don't have time for this!