this child isn't inside

As part of the state program "No Child Left Inside", we signed up way back in the summer to go on the steam train to riverboat to Gillette's Castle journey. Dante ended up having a soccer game at that time, so Lucia and I went for a girl's day out. First, to the CT Riverboat Museum, where Lulu posed as an octopus. Then we boarded the train to Deep River Station, where we boarded the Becky Thatcher for a beautiful fall ride on the Connecticut River up to East Haddam. We got to ride on bright yellow school buses over to the castle, where they had a horses to feed and pet, a scavenger hunt, letterboxing, games, storytime and more.

Hanging out the train windows, watching for hawks or vultures.

I'm not sure who this gentleman was supposed to be, but he, along with a man garbed as Sherlock Holmes, added some visual spice to the scene.

Snacktime!

last hurrah at the beach

In September, we spent a few days down at the beach. Despite the increase of people who live in the neighborhood year round, the beach was deserted compared to the summer, and the kids were free to roam farther than usual.

Grandpa took the kids to North Cove to find some blue crabs.

working with glass

Luke was able to come to the glass art class the kids have been taking at the New Britain Museum of American Art. They've made some beautiful pieces and learned some interesting techniques for working with both glass and clay. The instructor is great -- very patient, shows the kids how to do everything for themselves. They were using glass cutters, diamond tipped drill bits, the glass grinder to smooth edges, and they placed their items in a portable kiln she'd brought to show how things melted, at what temperature, etc. We have to pick up our projects from the lasty day, and then we will post pics of the finished pieces.

The blue twisted glass to the right of the glue cup is made by holding a glass noodle over the little votive-on-a-brick.

Mmm. Dead squirrel in the parking lot landscaping. Complete with maggots. Can we keep it?

sad note about Prima

True to her moniker, Prima always hit the milestones first among the chicks. Both coming into this world, and her dramatic exit this weekend. On Saturday, I went outside to toss some treats to the chickens. At first, no one would come, then the older crowd jiggled their way across the lawn. Seeing this, the chicks followed suit cautiously. I could only count 9 chicks, and Bandit was missing as well. At last, a tattered Bandit emerged from under the big pine tree and reluctantly made her way across the lawn to join everyone else at the feast.

And I finally glanced about and saw what was left of dear prima, just a small trail of feathers.

Prima, up in the autumn olive tree, unwittingly enjoying her last few days of life

Hazel is Dante's current favorite -- she's the second of the incubator babies

Milling about in the yard, with the olive tree in the background. only the chicks are light enough to get out on the thin branches, and it drives the bigger chickens nuts that the little pipsqueaks get all the yummy berries.