The PTO at my son's awesome elementary school organize a fundraiser/family event at our local Barnes and Noble each year. It is a great opportunity for everyone to come out and hear some teachers read from their favorite books, hear young authors read what they've written in front of an audience, and for the school to raise money for future PTO sponsored events.
Trenton's teacher had asked a few weeks ago if he would be able to attend and read an original piece of writing. After the principal read a book, Trenton was the first kid to go. Below, his story (see it here):
Also, check out the enrichment math homework he composed the other night:
My favorite is the second one. I really hate impashint drivers that cause acsadents.
Jim and Oliver frosting some Italian Easter Cookies.
Ollie concentrates as he squeezes frosting out of the bag... and then is excited to eat it!
Alex and Michelle, above, at Alex's baby shower. Due in early April, it will be the first child (a girl!) for Alex and Jim's good friend Jonathan. Pickle craving is being fulfilled....
Konopack Easter Egg Hunt was a success! All 50 eggs were found, although quite a few were put in tricky places. The boys LOVE this tradition.
I clearly love eating the rewards:
We had a lovely early Easter dinner, as Jim's folks are soon leaving for their annual trip down south. Unfortunately, I didn't take many pictures of the family in attendance... but I did take pictures of this interesting Resurrection Plant that Great Grandma brought to share.
You place the dried-up plant in a small dish of water... and watch as it unfurls itself and 'grows' (or at least opens up). Can you tell the difference between the two pictures?
When we arrived home today, we were struck by the dozen or so robins on our yard. The boys insisted I take a picture. Happy first day of Spring!!!
OK, so we go from another March snowstorm to this: 65 degree weather. So much for the two snowmen, as this is what was left from them the next day (above).
Kids playing with new lasso golf toy, below. Yes, it was that warm.
I had read an article in the local paper about a group that was holding a hike on "Daylight Savings Day". The Jackson Pathfinders promote and maintain hiking trails throughout this Ocean County community. So on Sunday afternoon we found ourselves in the middle of a gorgeous park taking a nice hike with the boys.
The area that we hiked through had once been the state's largest quail reserve but has since switched over to a state tree nursery. It also housed a "Sugar Shack" where maple syrup was harvested and processed (I can't believe I didn't take a picture), a bee hive community, and -- hold onto your seats--- :
Oh yes, they grow SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS here!!!!
Jim was over the moon.
They order the spores from some place in PA and then veeeryyy carefully plant them into these logs. They water them or something and hope that they grow the fungi.
Based on what the guides told us, it was not Sandy that did the most damage in the past few years in this area... it was Hurricane Irene. Displaced trail rocks, shifting creek boundaries... But I'm pretty sure that the tree above was from the Sandy destruction. You just don't get over seeing these ruined trees with the entire root system exposed. We discussed how most of the trees do actually have roots that grow out (rather than down), although it seems that evergreen trees are an exception.
And here you have yourself an enormous, tactile representation of the great Garden State!
We are very excited to come back and experience the Project Learning Trail again. Now that we know it is so close to home, we'll be hanging out/running/exploring around here more often!
Little man was all about having a snowball fight today. I happily obliged. And then we made some awesome snowmen. The one on the right fell down a couple of hours later.
SO. We have been stuck now, without a car, for almost a week. Not exactly sure what the problem is with my truck, but it seems to be transmission-related. We will wait and see if we will either 1) ditch the truck and look for something new or 2) fix the truck and pray it keeps working for a few more years.
My friends are THE ABSOLUTE BEST, though. Several have happily driven me and Oliver to the gym, home again, to Oliver's school, and today... to McDonald's!
There is an AWESOME playplace at one not too far away from here. The boys had a wonderful time. Below, they enjoy their ice creams.
Ahh, Ocean Grove. FEMA says that it won't cover the expenses to fix your boardwalk... because it is technically owned by the Methodists who maintain it. But money is hard to come by, and the summer season is soon approaching.
80 days until Memorial Day weekend, but who's counting?
Lots of the debris has been removed. Lots of the dunes that were there are still there, although quite a few are not. Most of the homes seem to have weathered the storm just fine.
But not the boardwalk. And Ocean Grove had a nice boardwalk.
One of my favorite Ocean Grove memories:
It was Chocolate Lover's Weekend and we were childless (!) ... so you know what that means!
On this weekend each year, the beautiful Victorian-era bed and breakfasts/inns open their doors and allow you to take a peek at some of the rooms... and they feed you full of chocolate! For free! Which is crazy and right up my alley! I have been known to carry small children all around town, just to get to as many B&Bs as possible. One year, there was chocolate french toast, all kinds of mousses and puddings, and a few even served nice, warm soup.
But this year was different. Only a few participated, and the chocolate offerings were quite terrible-- store bought and everything.
I'll cut them a break for one year. But by next year... man...!!!
View from one of the rooftop sundecks, with a view of the ocean in the background.
With time to kill, we headed over to the new Hot Sand location in Asbury, on Cookman Ave. They (smartly) moved from the boardwalk out to the main street in town about a year ago, but we had still yet to visit them. A few years back, we had the kids' handprints done, which makes for a beautiful memento.
But this time, it was all about MUSTACHES, BABY.
Random: got an email this week saying that they were allowing anyone to come in and make a free, personalized GLASS mustache. Um, okay, thanks!!!
So we made them. Will pick them up next week, after they've been fired & cooled.
After HS, we had a niiiice loooong luuuunch at Kaya's Kitchen. And then attended the last home men's basketball game of the season at Monmouth. Go Hawks!
An excellent date-day ;)
When we lived in Illinois, Jim and I went to the State Fair. I have to tell you, we totally heard a sheep scream like a crazy-child while being sheared. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life.
This reminded me of those crazy animals. Make sure to watch with an empty bladder!
