kiku

Some friends invited us along to visit the NY Botanical Garden's incredible Kiku exhibit. First we walked through a gallery that explained how the artists achieve each form of the chrysanthemums, then on to see the flowers themselves. We walked in awe of the time and energy required to bring each style to fruition.

The artist here uses rocks and mums to recreate the mountains of Japan in the fall.

The pond was a much bigger attraction for the younger kids, but Dante and Elias managed to absorb some of the exhibit as well.

This bamboo structure outside the conservatory was a big hit, tho less so once we made it clear that the kids could not, in fact, run through it and whirl around the posts. Buzzkill.

Halloweenie

As they've done the past few years, Tucker, Grace and now Ben joined us for our trek through the neighborhood for toxic loot.



We look forward to this guy's house each year. The first year we went, he was sitting in a grim reaper costume on a chair with the bowl of candy on his lap. But he hadn't moved the entire time we meandered up the walkway, so the kids assumed it was stuffed. When they reached for the candy he moved and said something, which scared them out of their wits. This year he came out talking about how he'd already taken his head off to wash, not expecting visitors so late. The kids weren't quite sure what to make of it for the first few minutes he was on the porch, and just eyed him warily.

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.

Happy Birthday Nonni

The deck finally finished, we arrive in time for cake.

...sleepy Justin

the boys slept in the cowboy room, much to their sisters' dismay

the big boys played rod hockey

I finally let Nonno in the picture