Cassidy had a field trip to the Strasenburgh Planetarium this week.
“Cassidy turn around. Cassidy, mommy’s trying to take a picture. Cassidy. Cassidy…” Both my mom and Paul and Andy’s mom and dad were able to come on the field trip! So much fun to have grandparents along for the day.
We enjoyed a 25 minute show in the planetarium’s dome. Animals in the Sky was about animal constellations during the different seasons. It was really neat, although my mom and I were giggling through the whole thing…some of the star groupings turning into seriously intricate animals was a bit of a stretch. “Somebody” really used their imaginations there.
Afterwards Cassidy got to play with some of her school friends in a few exhibits. I was a bit disappointed though, when Ben had his planetarium field trip there were lots of hands on, sensory and mechanical toys and stations for the kids to explore. I think most of them got moved over to the Science Museum next door (to encourage you to get a ticket there). So we didn’t get to play with a ton afterwards.
We headed to Chipotle for lunch! And then I got a coffee (and Cassidy a giant cookie) at Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters. We ended the afternoon bumming around Barnes & Noble.
Cassidy was telling me a very important story as we pulled in the driveway. She talks with her hands (so do I). It’s adorable. Gosh, she’s just the cutest :) So hard to realize she has just 6 weeks of Pre-K left. Summer vacation and then Kindergarten in the fall. It’s the end of an era. Beginning of another one, but ending of this one.
Several years ago Andy came across a 70″ LCD TV in the garbage, by far his biggest find. He figured out what was wrong with it, replaced some boards and we had a swanky new TV! After a couple of days messing around with it, he really felt like he was supposed to give it to his dad as a gift. So we did, and went back to using our 46″ TV he’d also garbage picked :)
Andy’s dad had the chance to treat himself to a 75″ QLED TV a few months ago! So guess what we got to bring home? That 70″ TV!
Andy helped his dad set up and mount the new TV. The “boys” had such a fun afternoon with the new toy.
Cassidy was helping too…
Later that day we just enjoyed some family time together.
The next morning we headed to Justin and Kate’s house for Brielle’s birthday party. It was a donut theme!
We hid the kids’ baskets before heading to church Easter morning. Their favorite gifts were the walkie-talkie/flashlight/radios Andy picked out for them.
We hosted :) It was so much fun to have everyone gathered at the new house. I’m figuring out how the space works best for meals and entertaining. Company came over mid-afternoon and visited for a bit before we ate our meal.
I was desperately needing a bit of bright, bubbly spring…so I went with the gaudy Easter Egg table decoration :)
A not often seen side of the house! Becky planned an egg hunt for the kids after dinner, it was super cute. Each kid had their own color to look for (older kids eggs hidden a bit more than the little kid ones).
We had dessert and everyone went through their eggs to find more goodies.
Cassidy’s friend from school got baby chicks last week! They invited us over to meet them, 15 in all. The group included Welsumer (will lay dark brown eggs), Brown Leghorn (white eggs) and Olive Eggers (olive green eggs). Miranda and her mom showed Cassidy how to hold the chicks and that they like to snuggle up to feel warm and safe. The girls and “the girls” were just the cutest!
Miranda’s brother Garrett was playing mother hen. Ben had a full day of school so he didn’t get to meet them until we popped over a week later.
So sweet!
I have lofty plans for chicks next year (after all, why else would you buy a house in the country?) I really want to get the garden up this year and deal with some other projects before jumping into chickens though. Looking forward to learning more about them!
Over winter break we visited my friend Heidi, along with Triton and Tux the horses and Chiffon and Paisley the mini donkeys! (And her dogs Missy and Scooby Doo!) All the critters were just the sweetest :) The kids weren’t quite sure what to think about the donkeys at first but were soon smiling and giggling at their silliness.
Meet Paisley.
And Chiffon.
The horses loved getting some attention and treats too!
Heidi gave us a tour of the barn and stalls too!
Then we took a little hike around her property. Even in muddy February it was beautiful and SO nice to be outside.
So. Much. Mud. The kids had a blast, I was really proud of Cassidy for being brave and wading through on her own. She did get a piggy ride towards the end though.
Heidi helping Ben get unstuck :)
We followed animal footprints, found fox holes and mice tunnels, discovered all different kinds of poop and had such a nice time playing outside. Thanks for giving up your morning to spend with us Heidi :) I think I even had more fun than the kids!
Back in December Cassidy had a super cute holiday party at school. The kids told the Christmas story, exchanged gifts and enjoyed lots of snacks. My mom was even able to make it out to surprise Cassidy.
