Marshy Point State Park & Such

An afternoon at Marshy Point was cloudier and chillier than predicted, but still fun. The first pic is pre-departure, but features A&B looking unusually twinny:

Then, various marshy things. Alex and Ben decided the marsh grasses were different instruments, and spent the rest of the afternoon making various instrument-noises as they tromped down the trails and boardwalks.

Sawmill Branch Trail

Last weekend our walk in the woods took us to our friendly neighborhood state park, as usual, and featured wriggling worms, wet feet, a big rock to climb, and a garter snake. This time we had Grandma and Grandpa Yoder along, which means more fun AND better photos.

Classic, or Cliched, Fall Adventures

Picking apples and jumping in leaves... some delights of fall (especially when the apples turn into pies).

Alex and Ben Had A Birthday...

Admittedly, this was some weeks ago now. They were very busy being six. But as you can see, it featured balloons, presents, cake with friends-- the usual birthday suspects, really. The September birthday party for their kindergarten class was, possibly coincidentally, on their birthday, so they got birthday crowns, too. And a special birthday present: zebra finches! Their names are Finch and Olivia.





More to come soon on fall-themed adventures.

Animal Maps

Constructing maps of continents out of various toys is a popular activity these days, so I decided to get one or two on record. The best part of the first one is when Alex corrects Ben's pronunciation of "Tajikistan". (By the way, if you're wondering, Ben is dressed up as Teddy the wizard from the Magic Treehouse books).




Alex chose to make his map out of stuffed animals, instead. It's of Africa. Unfortunately the camera memory card filled up before he got to tell us the North African countries. (He's dressed as Kathleen, the selkie/wizard from M.T.)

Beach Boys

Last week marked the very first beach vacation for A&B, which they and we enjoyed in the company of all the usual Yoderae. Actually going in the water was a bit scary for Alex, but the beach and rental house had many other attractions, including cousins, treats, and lots of sand for digging and shells for collecting. It was a wonderful week!

Burying Mama/Aunt Sarah in the sand

Mole crabs!

Grandpa taking pictures of dolphins

Saving a dinosaur from drowning, I think....

Presents from Italy!

Digging for shells

No one can resist Grandma reading Nate the Great.

There was birding too! Here is a Clapper Rail.

Slipping and Sliding in Cincinnati

Last week we got to see our friend and mutual geography geek Danny on the way to Cincinnati. In addition to his big world puzzle, Danny has wild turkeys in his backyard, and the National Aviary in his city! What a lucky duck!

Wild turkeys in Danny's yard

Alex, Ben and a sunbittern at the Aviary

Then it was on to Cincinnati, where there was big fun on the slip and slide in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard. Grandpa also showed us a map of their upcoming out-west trip.



Then there was a big party, with lots of aunts, uncles and first and second cousins.

People pile!

Go fish

Cameron and Alex have different pie-eating algorithms.

A Weekend in Raleigh

We're just back from a wonderful weekend in North Carolina, where Ben and Alex got to finally meet Great-Aunt Linda, Great-Uncle Doug, Aunt Alexandria*, Uncle Brad, Aunt Christa, and cousin Hank (who has his own blog). There was swimming, hiking, food (including pie), a dog... pretty much all the good stuff, especially: family.

* "First cousin once removed," while correct for Alexandria, Brad, and Christa, is inelegant, unnecessary, and a mouthful.

Hank & parents in the pool

A&B in the pool

A&B providing a pro bono bird consult for Uncle Brad

A delicious dinner on the patio. (Brad obviously making an important point of some kind).

Hank scoops some watermelon. Yum!

Alex finding a mushroom on our hike. We also found a toad, some mating frogs, and a lovely summer tanager.