New Beginnings

Easter is about new beginnings, and that was especially true for us this year.  We started Easter Sunday EARLY, with Annabel & Thane eager to see if the easter bunny would leave them treats in their new pails because their traditional easter baskets are squirreled away in an unpacked box somewhere.  Thankfully, the bunny was feeling generous this year.

Next, we all dressed up in new clothes and went to service in our brand new church building.  Well, it's not technically new (it was built in the 1920's), but it's new for our congregation.

Then we rushed to our new house, where we had to make do with the new tradition of Jordan hiding the easter eggs.  It wasn't quite as much fun as the egg hunt at Jordan's folks house, but the kids had a good time anyway!  Thane got into the competitive spirit this year,

while Annabel was a good sport and helped her younger brother.  Unfortunately, she inadvertently led Thane to the special egg containing the $5 bill.  While she's wasn't quite sure what to think about that stroke of luck, in the end she was thrilled with her stash.

 

Then we headed back to our temporary home, where we enjoyed a quiet Easter lunch with new (i.e. different) food.  We sure did miss family and friends in Washington, but our new beginning wasn't too bad.  We pray you all enjoyed your Easter and new beginning celebrations!

First Field Trip

The kids were super excited to go on their first "real" (i.e. all day) field trip yesterday.  The K-3, K-4 and Kindergarten classes went to visit the planetarium at the University of Maine in Orono.  At the planetarium, the kids learned about stargazing, constellations, and flight.  They loved it!

They especially loved hanging out with their friends outside of school.

 

The best part of the day was, of course, french fries and the playground at McDonalds.

 

As for me, I'm just enjoying these days when a simple Happy Meal will do!

Little White Wonders

Last week on the way home from work, we looked into a field and saw a herd of deer with a white goat in the middle of it.  What?!?  So we turned around for a closer look and saw that it was an albino deer!  Seriously.  It was one of the coolest things we've ever seen, although I must admit that I worry about its survival now that the snow is melting...  Anyway, it turns out that there are several albino deer in the area, with a missing genetic component being the primary cause.

So, speaking of missing white things, Annabel has lost two more teeth.

She proudly reports that several of her remaining teeth are also in various stages of loose-ness.  Good lord - at this rate, the poor kid won't be able to eat a thing!

Going 80 in a 40

Two weeks ago, I found myself back in Baltimore, visiting old friends and grazing my way through some of the best restaurants in town.  Actually, grazing might be too mild a word - gobbling at the trough might be a more accurate description!  That first night I got to see one of my most cherished childhood friend's cozy new home. Then I got to spend a wonderful evening with my old boss and his wonderful family.  Words can not describe how proud I am of all of their children who are growing up so quickly, and the people that they are becoming. 

After spending the day visiting old friends at Hopkins, I found myself surprising my dear friend, C, who turned 80 earlier in the month.  C's brother and his wife helped me cook up and execute our little scheme, and it worked perfectly.  After a delicious birthday dinner at Red Lobster (and don't you even think about telling any of my friends & family in Maine!), we headed home to get rest before the real fun began.

C and I left her house Saturday morning around 9am, fully expecting to be back between 12 and 1.  And we did, except that it was 12-1am later that night!  Along the way, we had breakfast with two of my BFF's, tea with "home away from home" family Karen & Emily Janssen, prom dress shopping (for Ems, not me!), several coffee breaks with assorted snacks, middle eastern food for lunch, a movie, crepes and even more coffee in the Inner Harbor.

Just when I thought we'd be heading home, we got a call from another great friend, Polly, who was heading downtown to hear her son's band play at a popular, upscale pub on the water.  That's all C needed to hear, and we were off.  It was truly a night to remember with awesome music, great conversation with the crew of HBO's "Veep" and a surprise run in with the Red Sox, who were in town for the O's opening day. 

Sunday proved just as busy with more visits, parties and food, including dinner with my friend B (and C!) at the Melting Pot.  Proper Irish tea and scones followed at B's house, with her wonderful family Aedan, Maureen and Thomas.

I had the absolute BEST weekend, but man, am I exhausted.  Here's hoping that I have as much umpf and energy as C does when I'm 50 (forget about 80)!  Happy Birthday C - much love to you!!