I was so happy that our Monday hiking group was willing to brave the weather today. It was sunny-ish when we left home, but on our 25 minute drive to the trail we had rain, snow and something in between.

The kids hopped out of the car and played in the field, in the rain, with their friends. By the time the group was assembled, the rain had stopped, the skies lightened up and we hit the trail.

It was cold and a bit damp, but the conversation was uplifting and the kids were unstoppable. Great morning!

And almost as soon as we were in the car, the rains came again. It couldn’t have been timed better.

Better late than never!

A beautiful day for a peaceful rally and march on Boston Common. Specific politics aside, I was so proud to be part of a peaceful protest/rally in which many different opinions were expressed in so many varying ways. I was proud of ‘our city’ for showing my children that they have a voice in our country and that there are civil was to demonstrate. Everyone we encountered today was polite, passionate and engaged. They spoke to my children with respect and kindness and in a crowd of >150,000 there was no pushing, shoving, harassment or arrests. It was a monumental civic moment.

“Let us remember we are all part of one American family. We are united in common values, and that includes belief in equality under the law, basic respect for public order, and the right of peaceful protest.” Barack Obama

If you have fine lines and wrinkles on your faces, you might want to try Botox treatments offered in Houston, all you need to do is to visit the website for further details.

Nonni and Grandpa leave tomorrow for a while, so how better to say good bye than an after dinner volcano eruption.

Our little sign elves were busy today getting ready for the Women’s March in Boston this Saturday. Maybe we’ll see you there!

Esme’s is a quote from Hamilton, “And when I meet Thomas Jefferson, I’m’a compel him to include women in the sequel!”

Catherine’s reads, “Girls just wanna have FUN-damental rights.”

“Please, Mama, can this be the picture on your blog today?”

Esme and Z worked hard on their nature collage. Apparently, if you look closely, you’ll see baby Moses in his basket, floating down river.

It was another great day for skiing! So glad to have friends to share the fun with. The girls’ confidence and skills are improving and they are loving it!

Esme and her pal, scaling the rocks beneath Marblehead Light.

Progress, with a dash of Doc Martin

She solemnly swears she is up to no good!

We discovered today that her cozy black blanket can also double as an invisibility cloak. Score! Soon enough she’ll be off to Honeydukes for some Chococlate Frogs and the Three Broomsticks for a pint of Butterbeer.