Meanwhile in Maine...

We woke to THIS today.  So not happy...

Just Another Day in Maine

Comparatively speaking we can't really complain about the winter weather too much this year.  That being said, however, we're more than ready for spring.  The extra hours of sunlight and increasingly blue skies make us all yearn to be outside.  Last weekend the urge to breathe fresh air proved too much, and we took the kids for a hike after church on Sunday.

  We went trekking through the acreage behind our home - literally over the river and through the woods.  We hiked a 4 mile loop that included a picnic lunch from Scribner Hill with its view of Bucks Harbor in the distance.

We forded several streams and brooks, and passed through an area with strange mounds (which we have named the Indian burial grounds).  We saw recent signs of moose, the kids scared off an owl and we all admired the destructive strength of the woodpeckers (see above).

Just another day in Maine with these two critters!

Beastly Business

It's been a long winter, and the kids have been great about helping us with lots of house projects, including ripping the siding off the house.  Back-breaking work.  To reward them, Jordan and I planned a surprise of epic proportions.  Shortly after they had finished lunch, we sprung the kids from their prison, er, school.  Then we drove to Bangor and bought tickets to see "Beauty and the Beast."  We even indulged in popcorn and treats.  Best.Parents.Ever.  Right?!?  Um, not so much.  At least not for Thane who declared that there was "too much singing, too much dancing and gross kissing.  YUCK!" 

Thane's teacher had been in on the secret, and she was surprised to hear that he didn't enjoy the show.  When she informed Thane that she was planning to see the movie with her mom over spring break, Thane felt compelled to write the following letter to said mom:

If you are planning to see the flick - consider yourself warned!