signs of spring and bowling

This one is for my sister - who accused me of not writing enough words and hiding behind visual content.
First up this morning was a lovely (somewhat icy walk in the woods) with hemmac (aka Henry, Ellie, Meg and Mac) looking for signs of spring - and trying NOT to fall into the river! Mac was not amused... he starts looking at me like eyeore when we don't immediately leave on walks. No - not the kids - please dear god - do we have to take the kids? stop and go, stop and go ... then he sulks. Buck up white furball - you got an hour walk out of it! We found a red tail halk, some swans, black and white ducks, bugs, a squirrely, bunny tracks and cardinals - feisty ones.
Per ellie, Mama fell and per meg, mama bleeded (small scratch - quite dramatic).
All kids managed to wipe out on the icy trail - success!
After the walk - I skeedadled - managed to squeeze a nice chat with one of my school buds - thanks Nick! - good chat.
Then we went bowling (after hitting reuse to scavenge ... no luck this time). Per Ellie - everyone got at least one strike... lots of spares... meg even got to bowl (mama's handicap)... then it was nappy time - kinda.
Kids got roiled up with mac - put peanut butter in kong (note to self - try slathering it on meg... probably good for at least 15 minutes of hilarity). Mac really looks so silly trying to shove his tongue (all of it) into the small opening... he concentrates very hard - goes kind of crosseyed.
Ellies slippers from Jakarta (of indeterminate animal fur) continue to be a source of fascination for mac. Ellie walks around and he follows her every step hungrily... amuses Ellie to no end. She is giggling as we speak...
All in all a fabulous fun holiday - and it isn't over. We are eagerly awaiting Claire's arrival for a sleep over and have pawned off Henry on her brother. Mac REALLY can't wait - two giggly girls hanging on his every move.
I on the other hand have thirty exams to pore over and grade - god help me.
Meg will help me :)
Happy happy - good enough, Kat? - Liz

Spring Break in Michigan

Sleepy spring break while the snow flies and the ice (doesn't) melt.
Mac sleeps on:

Make sure to persevere til the end ... maybe its just us but his twitches are wonderfully understated.
Dave and I got some hockey against Henry in this weekend. Dave even scored a couple of times (Henry didn't :) AND he stayed (mainly) upright.
Check out some of his better moments - Henry is in the yellow helmet -

But to give everyone their due... Michigan is the place to get a good sense of keeping your edges.
Here is Henry at our favorite neighborhood skating rink:
And Ellie:

And finally Dave (and Ellie) carefully guiding Meg in her travails... she has turning right down to an artform:

More later this week... we are actually suppose to hit 40 degrees F by Thursday - break out the sun tan lotion! Best - Liz