Roll Over

A few days ago... up on her side, but not quite over.

This afternoon...definitely over. 5 months 3 days old, completely rolled over. (FYI-Her head is not smooshed in the pillow, as the photo might indicate)

If she looks a little more "padded" than usual, its because I am cloth diapering at home. I tried with Avery but just couldn't get the hang of it. I am really enjoying it now. We still use disposables for daycare and occaisional use. Yup, this working mother is breastfeeding, making homemade baby food and cloth diapering!

Folk Festival Part II

We attended the Folk Festival on Friday evening, Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. Amy and Isabelle joined us on Sunday. Avery and Isabelle enjoyed the children's area where they participated in various activities and crafts. It was really sweet to see Avery start dancing and grab Isabelle's hands. Paige loved the music too and started kicking her feet and bobbing up and down whenever a song started. We all enjoyed yummy treats too. I especially appreciated the free organic samples of graham crackers, 100% juice, chocolate milk and yogurt. Healthy treats for the little ones! By the end of the afternoon, Avery and Isabelle were happiest in the green grass along the river bank so we headed home to let them play on the swingset. Thanks for taking photos Amy!

Folk Festival

This weekend is the American Folk Festival here in Bangor. We all went last night, enjoyed and participated in the parade, which was led by a steel drum group called CASYM. The we watched a great performance by Genticorum, a talented Québécois group. It's a great event for our area and it's nice to run into people that we know. We plan to go back tonight to enjoy some more music after it cools down a bit.

Home Day

Avery is writing his name by himself! That's a big A, an upside down V, an E, an R (the only letter I helped him with) and Y that looks a little more like a T. Not bad - he's not even 3-1/2 yet! I'm quite proud, as you can tell. He completely amazes me. His drawings are really starting to resemble objects now.

Today was a home day for the kids and I. Since returning to work, I have only taken 3 days off... that's good for our finances but not so good for spending time with the kids. I'm going to try harder to work a 4-day week.

This morning, we set out for the library. The goal was to get the daily free tickets to the Children's Museum. Thankfully, I had not shared this with Avery. We were not early enough to get the tickets to the museum. I had taken some cash with me, just in case this happened, so we could go to the museum anyway. I didn't need the money... the library was having a free Teddy Bear Picnic and Avery had a bear in tow!! We sat outside (it was absolutely beautiful weather) in the children's amphitheater, listened to several bear stories, had a snack of apple juice and teddy grahams, played parachute with new friends and their bears, walked in a parade through the library and made bear crafts. We even saw a familiar face, as our neighbor is a librarian in the children's section. It was a really nice morning.

We'll try to get new pictures up soon! Both kids are napping at the same time... need to try to clean up my house before hubster arrives home...

My New Toy

Finally, after months of hemming and hawing, I bought the new chainsaw that I have been looking at.  I used my father's old Stihl 028 last fall when my Mom and I took a couple of cords out of the woodlot.  Despite being 25+ years old, it still runs extremely well.  It's had trouble with the starter recoil a few times in the past, and it broke again.  I know it needs a new sprocket, which will require an overhaul of the whole sprocket assembly since the old style sprocket isn't available any more.  Also, it was made before chainsaws were equipped with chain brakes, which makes it a bit scary to operate.  In short, it was time for the old 028 to be retired.

The new chainsaw is a Stihl MS 270.  I plan to head down to Livermore tomorrow to finish cutting and splitting the wood we cut down last fall.  It will be nice to have a reliable and safer saw to use.  The reality is that it's a good investment, costing the same as 100 gallons of heating oil.

A Post for the Canadians

Canadian Jenn sent this beautiful outfit for Paige. Note the lace cuffs on the leggings. I had dressed Paige and Avery came into her room and just said "aaawww". (And the lovely quilt was made by my Gram)

Family Weekend

This weekend was spent with family. Saturday we spent the day celebrating Isabelle's 5th birthday poolside. Sunday we spent the afternoon enjoying lobsters and corn on the cob during Byran's weekend home.