Day 5.125: Back to the scene

Saturday morning we took the kids and their bikes to the Corning Preserve. It was a popular spot for cyclists and runners on what was a pretty gorgeous day.

E5N1 started on his glider but then resorted first to running and later to walking and then trudging.

The girls were rather more committed to the cycling - and indeed on the way back, they quickly disappeared together from sight and were not seen again until we reached the parking lot and the playground.

Pictured: the bench where we took a group picture moments before E5N1 gave us our first "do we need the E.R.?" moment, E5N1 looking wistfully at the floor perhaps recalling his favourite stones? and Exile #4 cycling along the stretch of path where I previously filmed her.

We don't go there as often as some local places. but we do have history with the Corning Preserve!

Day 5.124: Mom to three...

Exile #3 woke me to say that we needed to make breakfast - which the three kids and I then did.

There were cards, pictures, a plant:

And then Exile #4 decided that we all had to wear the wrapping for the plant as a hat:

We managed a short but eventful hike at Five Rivers (more when I have time) and to make lunch while Exile #2 relaxed, so all in all I think despite almost completely failing to organize anything, we managed to do Mothers' Day just about OK today.

Day 5.123: LOFT party!

We were at a LOFT party this evening. Not in a loft mind you - rather this was a pot-luck (bring-and-share) with a Local/Organic/Fair-Trade theme organised by Albaniana and family.

We took gluten-free cookies with fair-trade chocolate chunks and local beer (Browns - Troy, NY). All the food was excellent, the weather was perfect and the company was both varied and congenial. A good time was had by us - and I suspect by all.

Day 5.122: Ancient history

Sometimes I just don't get round to posting things. Sometimes I find those things a long time after the event and occasionally I decide to post them then.

This is one of those times.

These pictures are from a short hike in Thacher State Park nearly two weeks ago.

Pictured:

1. Walking the trail still in need of coats.
2. Overlooking the overlook
3. A trillium that Exile #2 was excited to spot (I was excited too - I thought she'd spotted a Trillian)
4. The stick that E5N1 used for pooh sticks that managed to go upstream instead of under the bridge.
5. Exile #4 and E5N1 playing on the beach.

Day 5.121: Cooking and flowering

Exile #4 is often pleased to see me when I get in (obviously, all three are oblivious to my presence if the TV is on), but today she was much too busy to give me a hug because she was cooking:

Apparently E5N1 had also helped earlier in the process (although it didn't encourage him to eat the chickpea curry he had helped make). Exile #3 was excused from chores today on account of her being home from school with strep throat. Yummy.

Earlier in the day Exile #4's other contribution to the household was to collect fallen rhododendron blooms from under the tree and distribute them around the edge of the lawn.

Well, why not?