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Week 5



On Saturday morning, J and her Dad left for Maryland. The 9 to 10 hour drive would take them out of Vermont, through New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey! They touched on New York so lightly, that the best photo I got was captioned "There's the Empire State Building in the back!" Four days away from the rest of us was interesting... E helped me man the house - one of our biggest challenges being keeping everyone well fed, since the Chef was away. Meanwhile, the road-trippers were checking out the local sites and tasting the local fare. We were only too happy to welcome them back on Tuesday at lunch time - which the Chef prepared, of course!


Exploring Lost Pond River

"Look Ma, Empire State Building!"


We enjoyed a visit to the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) on Monday afternoon. We arrived just in time for the Predators of the Sky show, then walked through a Dinosaur Exhibit and almost literally flew past some Raptor Enclosures to get back to the car and keep tired Baby from mowing people down with her pram. The grounds are every bit the leafy reserve you would wish for the rehabilitation of rescued birds - that they offer there. The indoor and outdoor facilities make for an fun outing for all ages. I hope we get to go back again (with J) and to see some more of the centre. I won't lie, I was very glad to miss the Reptile Encounter show. Happy to wait in the car until that's over!

The famous bald eagle

Dinosaur conversations

Excavating - sand and dinosaurs - kids' dream stuff

In our quest to kill time as we waited for the travellers to return, we did our best to be ready and at the Library for 10:00 Story Hour on Tuesday. The children enjoyed 5 stories about summer and swimming, followed by games and a craft and then ...dum dum dum... a snack. A favourite phrase to use around these parts. If the stories, game and craft hadn't convinced my son to come again sometime, those choc chip cookies sure did! We met Mr Fish and his daughter as well - he sat at our table and E helped him colour in his page and handle his snack. What a gent. So proud.

Not keen on a Rice Krispie treat - thank heavens!!


Giving a helping hand

Since the weekend, we've also enjoyed cooler weather on some days and nights. And then some days, the temp is high but we've got threatening storms. Too hot to stay inside. Too dangerous to head outside! You just don't win. Last night there were thunderstorm alerts going off on the TV but nothing too close to our end. Turns out, the rain didn't even hit us last night and this morning when the heat did, we ventured down to the Gorge for a swim. Some people are still fortunate to be sleeping that outing off! 


Our cake of the week is a rainbow sprinkle vanilla cupcake, prepared for Didi and Dale's 51st wedding anniversary. Under strict instruction from the Chef, I was not to attempt the 'wedding style' celebration cake alone. So we settled for yummy cupcakes instead! I do hope Chef whips up that other creation before their 52nd! 


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