Bear Sighting at JMU Arboretum

Bear Sighting at JMU Arboretum? (wink, wink...)

Out of the corner of my eye, I thought this was real for a second! It took me by complete surprise. Some full-time horticulturist/part-time prankster nestled it right behind a bush. Good grief. We visit the arboretum all the time and the biggest change in scenery is a new type of plant in bloom: daffodils, tulips, azaleas, you get the point. Toss in a few mallards, geese and turtles and that's about as lively as you get. Well, I guess a snapping turtle on rare occasion has caused a little commotion. But a BEAR in my peripheral vision??? That definitely made me do a quick double take.

I wonder if the there's a camera hidden in the trees to catch the reaction of unsuspecting visitors... You sure would get a good laugh out of watching people flip out for a second! I can't be the only one, right?

Caroline on Swing

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Just a snapshot of Caroline enjoying the swing. She loves it!

Tom Coaching the Soccer Team

Tom volunteered to coach Dylan and Daniel's soccer team.  This is going to be so much fun to watch.  The rest of the team is made up of five girls and only one other boy.  I know a few of the kids and parents from school activities.  It seems like a nice group.  The kids had tons of fun last night, and I think Tom had a good time, too! 

dylan runs down the field

the boys pass each other as they run down the field and back

 

a look at daniel's run

 the team gets ready for a scrimmage

Plus, I took some pictures of our after-practice fun.

The boys wanted to hang around and play some more.

boys vs. dad

 

 practice after practice... they couldn't get enough!

dylan tries to get in scoring position

changing direction

passes to daniel

daniel has an open shot at the goal

tom blocks it, but everyone still had fun!

during a lull in the action, haley sees how it feels to be a goalie...

and she didn't seem to think it's such a great idea.

i just stand here while they kick it at me ON PURPOSE?

playing with the gravel instead

Bocce Ball Game

Uncle Spud leads the nephews in an Easter Sunday game of bocce ball.

Haley's Bedhead Rocks

Caroline has her first taste of food

Caroline had her first breakfast of rice cereal today!

She sat in the same teddy bear bouncy seat that the three older kids did when they had their first breakfast.

Watching her reaction brought back so many memories of them as babies.

I remember Dylan sort of liking it.

Daniel and Haley scoffed it up like it might be both their first and last meal.

  How did our Sweet Caroline feel about the experience?

She was confused and disgusted.

A link to the video.

Daniel's Midnight Messages

Wish you all could have seen this last night. Thank God for camera phones.

After I put a grumpy Daniel to bed, a note was slid under my bedroom door.

"Do not come in Daniel's room."

I read the note and chuckled to myself. This kid is creative. 

He didn't want me to go in his room and see he wasn't there.  

But he kind of gave away the plan when he sent me that note.

I opened the door and told him (and Haley) to get back in their beds. 

It was way past normal bedtime and they needed their rest. 

A few minutes later, the two of them were at it again.

They had figured out what they were going to do...

"Daniel said that we will take all the candy."

The Easter candy, that is. I had to laugh. What a threat, right?

But conveniently enough, they were acting as their own informants.

Talk about double agents.

I told them again that they really need their rest.

Daniel disagreed.

Apparently, so did everyone else.

So I called him into my room again and had a little laugh with him about the notes. 

And then I had to lay down the law...

My dear Daniel, it is time to GO TO BED.

After about fifteen minutes, I didn't hear any movement outside my door. 
I peeked in to the hallway, and this is what I found...

The note laying next to Daniel has a drawing labeled:

Daniel, Dylan, Haley and Dada.

With each face sticking a tongue out at me. 

The writing says, "I hate this spot." 

I would, too.  The hardwood floor isn't all that comfortable. :)

Caroline and I found the whole fiasco amusing.  What a nutty night.