Centripetal Force

It was a big science activity day today--one kid blew up balloons to match the planets of the solar system in scale and the other experimented with centripetal force, whirling washers around on string. I wish I could say we had a great time and learned a lot, but the sad truth is that we would all just as soon not be bothered by these activities (though I think we may have learned something in spite of ourselves).

My Pastor

I took this with my camera phone as my pastor was preparing for our Sunday evening service. I am so grateful to God for this servant of His, who faithfully keeps watch over my soul--may I live in such a way that he can do this with joy and not groaning (Hebrews 13:17)!

Spring Ring

I spent the day at the Connecticut Spring Ring, a gathering of a number of handbell choirs from around the state. Here is our director rehearsing for the massed ring that concluded the event.

Gamers

They're shooting each other--or maybe a common enemy?--in a computer game. In the foreground is my third good-looking child.

Shoreline

I have clearly obligated myself to post a picture of my third good-looking child, but that will have to wait. I spent the afternoon with a friend, ferrying her to her back surgeon's office and then, fortified at Starbuck's, exploring the Connecticut shoreline together. This picture is a view from the shore in Stony Creek, looking at one of the inhabited Thimble Islands. It would be interesting, I think, to live in a house on a rock in Long Island Sound, relying on water taxi for transportation to the mainland.

Aimee

Another nice-looking kid.

Ben

Am I the only mother who looks at her kids and thinks, Where did that good-looking person come from?! Whatever. This is my good-looking son.

Clothesline

I love the smell and feel of sun-dried clothes! Dave fixed the back stairs that give me easy access to the clothesline over the weekend, and today was one of the first really warm days of the season and perfect for drying the clothes outdoors. Yay--simple pleasures!

Hermit Thrush

I spent a long time outside Sunday afternoon reading and taking pictures. I watched this bird and its mate off and on much of that time, hoping to get a decent picture. They're extremely well camouflaged, and I was afraid to get too close. I am pretty sure they are hermit thrushes.

Forsythia

Our forsythia have just begun to bloom.

New iPod Case

I think this case is so cute. I am such a dork. At least I waited for a good sale.

Sign of Spring

These red flowers are among the earliest signs of renewed life around our house and show up before we see much green--but green is coming.

Tawny

My mom and Aimée are in New York City for the day, so we are dog-sitting for Mom's dog. He's kind of cute, isn't he?

Peanut Butter Cookie

I made dinner tonight for a friend who's recovering from major surgery. I'd heard she was craving sweets, so I included cookies. From a mix, just so no one thinks I'm something special.

Birthday

We celebrated Aimée's 18th birthday today. She's a terrific daughter--I'm so proud of her.

Postprandial Conversation

Most Sundays we spend time together as a family, just talking. We did that after lunch today, and it was just Right.

Celebration

Aimée opening presents from her friends.

Sky

Rather dramatic today (but--true confessions--I did edit the photo a bit to heighten the drama).

Fish

I'm feeding our pastor's fish while he and his family are on vacation. These little guys are very difficult to photograph, but they like their food.

Togetherness

They are reading the same book at the same time. The pictures I took of the fake stone fountain in the building where Ben's karate dojo is were uninspired, so I am falling back on my patient children.

Cabbage

Part of our dinner, before I cooked it. Makes a poor man's vegetable look kind of artsy!

Kip

Master of varied facial expressions.

Egg Hunt

We all know Easter is a celebration of Christ and His resurrection, not eggs and candy and spring colors. But somehow these traditions became part of what makes the day fun in our family. This egg was one of the last to be found in our annual hunt.

Egg Dying

They insist, every year, and I understand why--those lovely colors, the satisfaction of it, the tradition. Oh, and the egg salad!

Pine Cones

Yet another nature close-up!

Sky

I really like the sky. Why do I live in a house surrounded by trees?

Rainy Windshield

I took this in a parking lot from inside the car tonight, using a long shutter speed--again, just playing around.

Nina's Crocus

I spent the 45 minutes of Aimée's piano lesson wandering Nina's yard taking pictures, and this is one of them.

Squirrel

I sure like my new camera's 12x optical zoom. I'm also glad I cleaned the front window recently, or this would not have been as clear as it is.

April Fool

What better April Fool's picture than a self-portrait?