March 2022

March brought the big 9.5 half birthday.

To celebrate, we went to Bit Bar, ate some junk food, and played video games.

Then we walked over and got Fatties.

There were some appliance repairs.

And Jack helped me chip away the snowbanks so they would melt faster.

There was also science fair.  Jack got some nice complements 

on his presentation of his project.

Jack was able to see friends in person, 

and virtually (iPad music jam).

And of course Covid tests were the norm.

- S.

February 2022

 

We got a good amount of snow in February which Jack enjoyed.

The Calvin and Hobbes fan and his snowman.

Ski lessons continued in February.

Jack had a random Friday off, so we went to the Peabody Essex Museum.

After the museum we went to Gulu for lunch.

For February school vacation, we spent a few days in North Conway.

On the way, we stopped for lunch and fancy hot chocolate.

We did a snowshoeing excursion.

We got to snowshow across a lake.

Derrick and Jack spent a day skiing.

Jack's idea of Apres ski.

On the way home, we stopped at Zeb's to browse.

We got some other treats, but no cow plops.

- S.

January 2022

 Now that it is the middle of summer, how about catching up with some snowy winter pictures?

First significant snow at the start of the month.

My dicey snow fort wall.  Not much protection from incoming snowballs.

Jack started ski lessons at Ward Hill out in Shrewsbury.

Impromptu "band" practice with his buddy.

Jack had his annual checkup.  Here he is pointing to the "no phones" sign.

At this point Jack was clocking in around 4' 11"but has had a couple of spurts since then.  

First library card!  Would have happened much sooner if not for Covid.

Much more significant snow towards the end of the month.

Enough to tunnel!

Extravagant hot chocolate after playing in the snow.

Stay tuned for more monthly updates including trips to Florida, Washington D.C., and Maine.

- S.

December 2021

 December was mostly focused on Christmas and Christmas-related activities.  We did get back to hosting Christmas Eve this year, and we kept it traditional with New Year's Eve by staying in, watching movies, and eating junky food.  I didn't get any NYE photos apparently, but Jack is on year three of staying up until midnight which he is proud of.   

Decorating the tree.  Jack did the star by himself this year.

Jack and I did some gingerbread house decorating at TBK.

Pre-fab house that we could just have fun decorating.

Finished product.

A hearty hot chocolate mustache.

The parade was back this year too on Christmas Eve.

We were able to run down the street and see the second half.

Christmas morning.

Nerf

Adorable baby pandas.

Gingerbread house destruction.

Delicious!

- S.

November 2021

In November we enjoyed a hike in the woods near our house.

Jack and I went to an event at the Lynn Museum and he got to make 

his own dog tag on this old machine.

Jack also started drum lessons and this is his makeshift drum kit.

Watching TV with Cleo and Cleo's sneaky doppelganger. 

Evil eye during Thanksgiving dinner at Nana's.

Post-dinner air hockey at Nana's.

Jack and his buddy getting into the recycling and building stuff.

- S.

October

 October means the Fair and Halloween, both of which were back in action last year.

Reluctant photo with the giant pumpkin.

Made a beeswax candle in the bee building.

Delicious kettle corn.

Midway overview

Rides, of course.

Completed sand sculpture.

Jack is tall.

Halloween fun at Target.

Jack's school did a trunk or treat event this year in lieu of an indoor party.

This is our contribution.

Jack initially wanted to be a spider for Halloween, but couldn't find a costume he liked.

Instead, he recycled his shark costume from two years ago and Derrick fond an adult version.

The well organized haul.

- S.