Spring!!

Warm weather is here!

 Time for a change of outdoor sports.

 Barefoot it water! (note the snow lingering in the background!)

 Eight days ago these guys were in snowsuits and boots and sliding down the hills!

On the edge of our property is a woodpecker nest, we think. Pileated. You can see the fresh hole carved out. I saw them working at it a few weeks ago. They are big birds!

Last of the snowy days

 While the kids' wet snow gear is drying they are inside playing. Evelyn got her hair done...a rare occasion. "Ow, ow ow!"

 Matthew borrowed, or rather, stole, my easel and got supplies ready to draw a cat. Or rather, the head of the cat, so far.

 Melanie watched the girls for about an hour while the boys were with me. They had a good time and didn't miss me. At all.

Jennifer and Daniel helped me move marigolds into bigger pots

New clothes...enough motivation to bounce out of bed.

Ice and Snow in April

 Instead of our usual going to church on Sunday, services were cancelled and we relaxed at home.

 We had company over for the occasion.

 The kids enjoyed the "new to you" dolls that came from Great Oma's place, which was being emptied out...hence the company.

 Melanie and her friend made a lot of new outfits for the aforesaid dolls. And they played some games.

 While the younger three enjoyed the new outfits. Taking their dolls to the beach. While it was ice raining outside. :p

 Evelyn loved all the new clothes too. There was a lot being made! Good thing w had electricity on this time...so the girls could keep at it! (My sewing machines are all too modern for manual powering.)

 The birds were happy that I'd filled up the feeder before the, seemingly for them, unexpected change in the weather.

 Doesn't look like much, but remember, it's mid April!

 The driveway became a challenge...which Philip couldn't surmount with his car. My van and our company's 4 wheel drive did better.

 Looks pretty!

 We did keep hoping that the ice wouldn't build up too much. We'd already had a half day of no power the other week and were happy to keep the luxury of electicy. More ice means more broken trees (when the wind builds up later) and more fallen branches and more broken lines. This time our area was unaffected. :) :)

 The ice and snow made for really great sliding conditions. Any hill is a good sliding hill now. No pre-packing required to make it fast!

 I did not recommend sliding beside the driveway. In fact I discouraged it. But they promised that they didn't go too far and always stopped well away from the road.

 When Daniel complained that his knee hurt from hitting the lamppost he got no sympathy from me!

Squishy ride!

Older by a head

 It seems to me that the girls' height is going up in increments of head height. Melanie is a head taller than Jennifer, and Jennifer a head taller then Evelyn.

Work and play

 Wouldn't you like your life to have these proportions? One of my children feel this represents their time.

 Oh, to be a carefree child once again! What a life!

 Some of the play:

 Daniel working on his piano practice.

 Jennifer setting the table without complaining or arguing. (certainly a moment worth photographing!)

 Matthew gone bird watching. All he saw was his mother.

 Matthew and Melanie discussing knitting. Needle size changes, projects to make.

 Evelyn received a photo of a cousin her age for her birthday. I rescued it while it was being trimmed to size by miss independent. I took over the trimming so it fits nicely. She didn't appreciate my help. But now Mark is hanging on the wall so she can see him when she is in bed.

 And Evelyn lost her first tooth! When asked about it. No, it wasn't wiggly. I just pushed it out with my tongue when I was in bed. (strong tongue)

 What are the girls waiting for? The plumber! We've never had a plumber come before. And THIS plumber is going to make sure that our sewer doesn't come up into the basement. Then we can flush and wash our hands as much as we like without worries.

 A long time ago Nathan finished his model airplane. Not bad considering all the design he had for it was a photo.

 Evelyn is helping me with my plants. Spring is here and we are making preparations for the day when there is no more frost!

Evelyn is 5

  So for Evelyn's birthday we made a trip to the zoo. It also happens to have cheaper entrance rates if you go before the 5th of May. We took advantage of the off season rates. :)

 Once we sent out a picture of us all by this orangutan. Now here is an updated picture. This time everyone is smiling. Growing hasn't been slowing down with these children!

 There were a lot of animals to see.

 As Evelyn had requested seeing monkeys (and the spider monkey was not open until the "on season") we checked out the orangutans and gorillas and baboons instead. They are certainly very interesting to watch! There were lots of giggles when the orangutan used the blanket to cover himself up. 

 Outside were lots of things to view too. We got lots of walking time in, and the weather, a tiny bit breezy, was quite reasonable for the time of year.

 Melanie graciously accepted the role of "official cake maker" and made Evelyn's birthday according to specs. Chocolate cake, whipping cream icing and fresh strawberries!

 Since Melanie wouldn't let her decorate it, she supervised especially carefully, making sure that it was enough like the cake in the store that she'd wanted it to look like.

 Evelyn liked the "Happy Birthday to You" song.

 She even waited for gift giving patiently and was mostly gracious about homemade gifts and cards. She wants them all read out to her and recognizes her name in print.

Five years have flown by. We are grateful for her exuberance and her willingness to offer help and solace to those who are sad or hurt. We love you Evelyn!