Okay, so I’ve been a miserable person lately. I love trees. And the miserable utility company decided to come and cut down all the trees all the way up our drive ON EARTH DAY NONETHELESS! IRRITATING. I’m trying not to let it get to me, but I cry every time I go up or down the drive (or look out any one of the numerous windows at our house.) In any case, Oliver and I have been enjoying the trees and woods in other places and this post is FULL of woodsy posts.
Earth Day was pretty spectacular. Marty Kelley came to Oliver’s school for his presentations and the writers’ festival at night.
Marty Kelley is a HUGELY funny man and I thoroughly enjoyed his presentations. I also really enjoyed talking to him the night of the writers’ festival. He had the kids in stitches all day and his presentation was both a presentation of his books (complete with questions and answers)
and his artwork:
He does an excellent job of telling you how to steal his job (if only we were all talented enough to do so) and how to make illustrations (again, if only we were all so talented.) Oliver decided that since Mr. Kelley was going to be at school through lunch he needed a lunchbox note. Marty was nice enough to post Oliver’s note on his blog which has made Oliver the happiest kid. WARNING! There’s some sort of little love-fest going on between our two blogs, so just wanted to let people know. I do not take any responsibility for chunks blown on keyboards. That said, Oliver’s artwork can be seen here. And apparently you can submit your own for a chance to have it stolen into a book. heh.
After school, Oliver and I decided to go on a walk to clean up our road. We have a tradition of PLANTING on earth day, however, the utility company was too busy clear-cutting our property to let us up the drive to plant. So here’s Oliver picking up trash which is an equally good thing to do on Earth Day.
We also did a quick photoshoot in the woods. I’ve really been digging the woods for shots as of late.
We went hiking with some friends at Pulpit on Friday. Love this picture of the three kids – especially the little one in front looking up at her sister.
I’m so excited! Michelle took a great picture of Oliver and I! WHOOO!
Similar, I know. But *both* kids are in the next one…
The kids were fishing with sticks. It was pretty cute.
I guess I need to play with this picture more. I’m not sure why it’s showing up so dark — I thought I lightened it up when I was working on it — maybe this version is straight out of camera. I’ll fix and repost later…(hopefully!) Just wanted to show all the great little waterfalls that were everywhere.
Next picture cracks me up. Showing off for the girl? I wish I had taken the picture one second earlier. He’s showing off. She’s hugging on him….of course by the time I actually hit the shutter he had to grab on her for balance and it’s not nearly so cute.
Then of course Chiara wanted to perform the same pose…
What a beautiful weekend. I’m a little shocked that April is “the dog days of summer” at 90 degrees. A breeze just blew through this way and is cooling off the house which is nice. I’m hoping for an equally nice school vacation week for all the kids out this way. I’m working tomorrow, but Peter and Oliver have grand plans to wash the car….thinking I’m stealing Peter’s for work tomorrow so MINE gets washed. heh.
