This quiet scene belies a full day of dancing and model car building and rambling in the cold, snowy woods.

Esme and I met up at the circulation desk at the library today and our selections gave me quite a chuckle! It is quite an ironic pairing!

We checked out:

The Princess Problem by Rebecca Hains

Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, three of the Magical Princesses series by Sally Gardiner.

The former is written by a friend of ours and local college professor. I’m looking forward to sinking my teeth into it and although the Wood household has not been terribly princess obsessed, I’m sure it will be a good read! The latter three were a surprise delight. Esme chose them, but she and I both love them. They are simply written, beautifully illustrated and just the right level for our newest reader. They are just delightful!

Both girls were very happy to participate in a little sound recording project that was happening after church today. We were the finest background clappers and gang singers ever assembled. (Well, maybe.)

Slept in

Discovered unseen episodes of Psych on Netflix

Had lunch at the Ugly Mug with great friends

Bowled a string

Built Lego horses

Ate a Nonni made dinner

Devoured a cake

Smiled a ton

Fierce girls on their way to their Y sports class. Cuties!

Esme reading patiently at the dentist today.

We took advantage of our MOS membership’s reciprocal admission program today and spend the afternoon at the SEE Science Center in Manchester, NH. We were impressed by the both the number of exhibits and the breadth of topics covered.

One huge enjoyment (both literally and figuratively) was visiting their massive Millyard model built entirely out of Lego. We spent a long time walking round the model pointing out different facets and watching the train and trolly go round. The girls were politely patient as I went on and on about mill work (Industrial Revolution style) and my work in a mill (Historian style).

We then sat and built with some amazing inspiration in front of us. Nice.

The snow fell this afternoon, slowly and silently.
Cold pellets of flakes dusting the sidewalks and the street.
A sparkling cover of white hiding the dingy neighborhood.

[photo: Snow on the car windshield, from within]

Forgive me if I wax poetic, but I truly hold dear our Monday skating outings with our homeschool friends. The kids are so adorable skating together and the ones who are comfortable on the ice are so willing to encourage and guide and teach their friends. They never complain or poke fun at those who aren’t as accomplished.

On any given day there is serious skating going on as well as some serious play. I skate in and out, near enough to hear their discussions and give a little tip or encouragement, but far enough away that they feel independent enough to try new things and forge their own relationships.

The photo above was taken one minute before the zamboni came out and a mere fraction of a second after they all gave me a great pose and fantastic smiles! I put down the phone and they all sped off for one last lap before they got kicked off the ice.

Amazing what you can do with some paper, six hours, a mile of scotch tape and a bag of marbles.