Range Pond State Park

After all the rainy weather we have had the last few weeks, today's amazing weather was a welcome relief and a perfect opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.  My younger son and I went to Range Pond State Park in Poland this afternoon for a hike.  We were not the only ones with the idea of going to Range Pond today however.  There were dozens of teens and other crazy Mainers soaking up the sun and playing in the water.  I kinda wished that I had thought to bring our swim suits and sand toys, but our hike was amazing just the same.  Check out the photos I took at Range to see the beautiful blue sky and puffy clouds against the water.  What an amazing Spring day!  

A Walk In the Woods

I really needed some time to myself today. So this afternoon I decided to take advantage of the warm weather and took a walk in the woods behind my home. I had fun snapping pictures of all the Spring greenery and other interesting things I found along the way. I purposely wore my rubber boots on my walk so that I could squish about in the mud and puddles. I felt like a little kid exploring the wild woods. Here is a slideshow of the things I snapped along the way...

My walk was so good for my soul. What have you done lately that lifted your spirits?

Legos, Library & More!

This morning was our Lego Group's Valentine's Party, so you would have thought that the boy's would be chomping at the bit to get there. But, no! It seems lately that they do not want to leave the house. Atleast I say that because they are never interested in getting dressed or hurrying as much as me to get out of the house. Why would they when they have a houseful of toys? But eventually they got moving and we got there before anyone else. Go figure!

Today's challenge was to build a mailbox for the Valentine's exchange. Ehric didn't seem to care too much that he needed to build one himself. He felt his time would be best served helping other's with theirs. What a great kid he is wanting to help others! Aiden on the other hand was being very clingy to me. But he and I eventually made a pretty cool mailbox out of Duplo blocks. He was so possessive of his mailbox that he stood guard watching over it so that no one would take it apart.

As time was winding down I started to feel anxious because Ehric had not built one for himself yet. I looked over and saw that he was getting started. I tried to offer him some assistence but he didn't want any help, so in between keeping Aiden company, I just started building with Legos. It was kind of cathertic. I think the kids enjoy building for that reason too. Eventually time ran out and the kids needed to set up a spot for their mailboxes. So bad Momma forced Ehric to stop building. I felt bad but he forgave me when he saw how much Valentine's loot he got. It felt like Halloween all over again.

After the boys were sugared up we went to the Children's room at the library. What a mistake!! The boys ran circles around the room at the dismay of the librarian. But I did get them to sit still long enough to read some books and make Daddy a Valentine Card. Finally I got fed up with their behavior that I pleaded with them to leave. I felt such relief when I got them in the car.

The day was so beautiful so when Daddy got home he decided to take them for a long hike in the woods. While they were gone I decided that I wanted to go to the movies and see Dear John. So I called my Mom up and we went to see the movie together. Hubby assumed it was because I needed a break from the boys, but I was over the morning festivities by that point...I just really wanted to see Dear John!

The boys had fun on their walk with Daddy. They explored the woods and spotted deer tracks and scat. Once they got out of the woods they visited with friends of ours. I am so glad that hubby took them outside because they have been cooped up a lot lately. Daddy needed the time outside too.

I was thrilled when I got home and was told that the boys were in their pjs, brushed their teeth and were playing upstairs. Aiden came down stairs to see me and gave me the biggest hug...it is rare that I am away from them to warrant such returning home hugs. Ehric on the other hand wasn't phased that I was home. :(

Hubby read the boys some books:
'Abe Lincoln Loved Animals' by Ellen Jackson (since it is Lincoln's bday today)
Dinosaur Tracks by K Zoehfeld (The boys are big into dinosaurs right now)
and Shape Capers by C Falwell

Then they all went to bed and I spent the evening catching up on shows online. All in all it was a pretty good day!

Our Beautiful Monday

We got a new couch finally!! It is a very comfy sectional.

I am so glad that we finally have somewhere to sit.

What a difference a few weeks make. Today was so beautiful.

The boys had fun playing in their sandbox.

Flowers are even starting to pop up! Yeah!

A few of our chickens enjoying a nice walk in the sun.

Ehric helping me stack some wood.

Daddy and a friend having some fun of their own.

The boys and I went for a walk in the woods with neighbor friends.

Maple Sugar Time

Today we visited a local Sugar Shack to see how Maple Syrup is made. It was a beautiful March Day and we had a lot of fun. The owner did a great job explaining to the kids; and didn't mind answering my four year olds questions! What more can you ask for?

Showing us the tools used to boar holes and to tap the trees.

Talking a walk into the woods.

The lines carrying the sap

Where the lines end up.The tub where the sap is collected.

Outside the Sugar Shack

Inside the Sugar Shack--Boiling it down

The Final Product: Maple Syrup ($50/gallon)

Eating Ice Cream with Maple Syrup! Yummy!

Every Wednesday bloggers post pictures of the Outdoors. Please visit Outdoor Wednesday to see even more outdoor pictures.

Bradbury Mountain

Today was unseasonably warm in Maine...we were blessed with 50 degree weather in February! I wont hold my breath though, because I am sure the weather will change soon. But for today we got to enjoy the sun. My neighbor and her son invited us to go hiking at Bradbury Mountain State Park. We took her up on the offer and went for a winter hike.

When we first got there we had all the boys in just their snow pants (because it was 50 degrees after all--didn't want the boys to roast), but once we got into the shade of the trees Ehric decided that he had to wear a coat. I am glad that I went back for the coats, because it got chilly on the way up.

The boys all had fun climbing up the mountain. Momma realized how out of shape I am! When we got to the top the boys ran around playing tag with one another. Ehric started a snowball fight, but the boys realized quickly that the snow was cold without their gloves on. Guess we should have brought their gloves with us too!

A woman and her adult son joined us at the top. My neighbor and I spoke with the woman while Ehric decided that he was going to play tag with the adult son. He was a good sport about it and played tag right along with him. Ehric got a little rambunctious and Aiden was antsy so we decided to head back down the mountain.

We decided to take another way down...we thought it would be shorter to the ground but we were wrong. Aiden got tired after a while so my neighbor and I took turns carrying him down. Her son got a little jealous of Aiden so of course he had to be carried too. We were all relieved when we finally got back to the bottom.

The kids played on the playground while I got snacks and drinks. We all chowed down on teddy grahams before heading out. I know that we all left there feeling both tired and rejuvenated. I hoped that the boys would nap after all the excitement but no luck! Regardless we had a great time!