Explorers Club

One of our friends, and a fellow girl scout troop leader, took pity on the younger brothers who are constantly being left out of troop activities. In response, she started a group just for the boys. This "explorers" group meets once a month and has been up to some really cool stuff. For our first meeting, Erin led them on a hike into the woods and let them build their own fort. Here are some pics.

The boys, modeling their vests:


Building a fort:



The boys sit in their finished product:


On the trail back:

Camporee

Trying to sneak this in while it is still May... Earlier this month, we took the troop to the Girl Scouts Annual Camporee. The weather was miserable, but the girls still had a fun time. Here is most of the troop exploring the totem pole at Sugar Hollow:


Working on Sit-Upons:


The finished products:



Nina, Abby, and Claire posing in front of their edible fires:



Swaps. The girls really liked trading with kids from other troops:

Reunion Party

As an alum and an employee, I get invited to the law school reunion every year, which is chock full of family events. Our favorite is the Saturday picnic, which features a magician, face painter, and balloon artist, along with cotton candy, shave ice, popsicles and moon bounces. Here is Benji enjoying the slide:



Abby keeps a protective arm on her brother while they wait their turn:



Yum...strawberry:

Sunday Bowling

Abby has been desperate to go bowling ever since a friend had her birthday party at the alley. Surprisingly, Benji seemed to enjoy the outing more than Abby did. He especially liked the loud crashing sound the ball made when he flung it down the lane.

Who is that masked man?

Mother's Day

They came bearing gifts. They were both very proud of themselves.

Rock On

Future Team Hall Pass

The kids look on while the mommies and daddies play softball.

Curly Q

Abby loves to braid her wet hair for curls.

You Can't See Us

Fairy House

Abby and I attended a library program where we were able to make this neat fairy house. No actual fairies have moved in yet, much to Abby's chagrin.

Well Bear Clinic

Both blue Henry and Pooh checked out A-ok.

It's a Jungle Out There

At least, that was the name of Abby's first grade concert. Abby was given a one-line speaking part as a zebra ("Stripes 5")and she wanted to dress the part:


Here she is lined up with all the other first graders:




Delivering her line:



And receiving a flower from Daddy after the show:

Easter Day

After much build-up, Easter morning finally arrived at the Payne-Paquette household. Before Kevin and I were even out of bed, Abby was up and dressed in her Easter finery, and had discovered the first egg in her yearly scavenger hunt. Here she is reading over one of the clues with Benji:


Enjoying the fruits of her labor:


We followed the hunt (and much opening of baskets) with a special Easter brunch:


and an egg hunt in the back yard (before the fall):


Benji took a tumble down the steps during the hunt, but insisted on getting up and looking for the rest of his eggs. Here is a look at the carnage:

Easter Maze

Our friends Matt and Molly invited us out to their place in Afton on Easter Saturday for a special egg hunt. Matt had taken the day before off work to mow an amazing maze through the tall grass (which they hay every fall) and Molly had hidden dozens of eggs and bowls of candy in it. Here is Abby, contemplating the maze:


A long-distance view of the maze:


Benji finds an egg in the toddler area:


Abby and Jack racing through the maze:

Both kids were worn out afterward and had to catch their breath:

All Dressed Up

For Passover Dinner at cousin Denise's house.

Easter Activities

The kids love all the fun stuff that comes with Easter time, so we try to indulge them in as many activities as we can fit in. We tookt hem to the Boar's Head first annual egg hunt which, while not astounding, had enough to keep them busy for an hour or so. Here they are coloring Easter cookies:


Meeting Mr. E. Bunny:




And Abby, actually holding a live rabbit (a big step for her!):

Happy Mother's Day!

Benji, working on a mother's day card at school:

Tutus

More dress-up from the land of the uninhibited...

My Blue Henry

Potato Head

On the Phone