Baignoire (Le Bain)

Mutiny Brook and Oreos

The weather was a little too grumpy for a hike today so, after breakfast and cartoons and craft time and an impromptu dance party, the kids started getting restless and we decided to take a drive. We headed down to Grandpa Bill's house in Waterford in hopes the weather would clear up enough for us to take a walk.
It was raining when we got there and Sadie didn't want to get wet but Sawyer wanted to walk up to the brook, so everyone waited in the car while Sawyer and I took a stroll behind the house.
Even with the drizzle, it was lovely and Sawyer was happy to be out.

When we got home, I made a lasagna and the kids watched Looney Toons followed by The Empire Strikes Back.  This is a photo of the kids watching Star Wars for the very first time last  night.

And here is Frankie discovering the joy of Oreo cookies.

It's not easy, but we're doing an okay job keeping busy. Sometimes it's pretty trying, but I'm grateful for all this time with my family. 

Another Day, Another Hike

Victoria left the house today for the first time in 6 days.  We all went for another hike.
More important, my kids have fun together.

A Social Distance Walk with Uncle Preston

The big kids were going a little stir crazy today so this afternoon I got them out of the house to go for a hike.  But Sawyer promptly fell asleep on the car and his big sister followed.

Since they haven't been sleeping enough lately, I decided to keep driving until they woke up.
I headed out of Bethel towards Norway, ME.

Sadie more or less woke up in Norway but Sawyer was still sound asleep so I kept driving and followed the signs toward Waterford.

I hadn't given up on the idea of a hike so I called uncle Preston who was at home in Waterford to see if there are any good trails on the Haynes property. He suggested the logging road behind the barn that heads up Mt. Tirem. So we agreed on a social distancing plan and decided to meet at the hay barn

I exacted a promise from the kids to keep a six foot perimeter and we headed down Sweden Road to meet Uncle Preston.

 The kids really love their Uncle Preston, so it was tough to keep their distance, but they did. At one point Sawyer asked me why he couldn't hug or touch his uncle and I had to give an obfuscating answer in order to not scare him with talk of illness - it made me sad.

I promised the kids and Uncle P that they will be able to hug lots soon. I'm looking forward to the end of this scary moment.
That said, I'm not looking forward to going back to real life. This is a pretty special time with all of us together with so few distractions. I love my family.

It Snowed Yesterday!

It snowed overnight yesterday and, for the first time in our lives, we were ready! The kids' snowsuits and boots and gloves were right there by the door AND, we have an enclosed, safe backyard to send them out into. HEAVEN FOR THEM!

So, the kids ate breakfast and then went right out to play in the fresh fluffy snow mostly unsupervised before the sun was even all the way up. HEAVEN FOR US!
Here it is.

Scenes from the Quarantine Bunker

We're at Grandma's India's house now and it is lovely.
Here are a few photos of the kids.
These two are at breakfast this morning.

And these are from a couple days ago when I was still working from the kitchen - before I got a folding 'banquet' table from the shed and set up my  desk.

And this is what my coworkers see when we have video conferences.

I'm the Wizard of Oz!

Scenes from a Quarantine

Our lives have changed and the world had changed, and neither for the better.  Notwithstanding the circumstances of our coming to Maine and staying in Maine, we're making the best of it and getting a lot of quality family time here, much of it outdoors.

We've walked this same trail 3 times this week. It's so lovely.

Did I mention we made s'mores?