Citizenship Award

A few weeks ago, I received a phone call from Amanda's teacher.  She wanted to let me know that the entire class had voted on the annual Citizenship Award, and Amanda was the female recipient.  There would be a special ceremony during the Monday morning exercises, and we were invited to attend but had to keep it a secret.

It is difficult when your child receives an award that honors respect and kindness, and not be able to tell them how proud of them you are. 

This morning, Dave, Liam and I showed up for the Awards Ceremony in the school gymnasium, carefully making sure that Amanda didn't see us.  When the principal announced Amanda's name, I could tell that she was surprised.  It was only until after the awards were presented that Amanda noticed us standing against the wall, and she gave a shy, little wave.


A citizenship award is something that makes Dave and I very proud. That's what it's all about.

Way to go, Amanda!

Family Portrait

Finally, a professional portrait of our family!

Thanks to photographer Matthew Lomanno for taking this fine photo last weekend at ArtFest 2014 in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Our new swingset

Tasks for this weekend:
1. Sanding, painting and hanging the old "rocking chair" swing
2. Sanding, staining and re-building the "new" swingset we bought for the kids

The kids and I sanded and repainted the rocking chair swing, and Dave hung that from the small grove of trees in the front of the house.  The swing overlooks our neighbor's giant yard, straight out to the ocean.  I am looking forward to some downtime there, even if it's just while I wait for the school bus to pull up at the end of the day.

As for the swingset, that wasn't quite as easy of a task.  This is how the backyard looked on Saturday morning.... with the playground pieces strewn all about.

After a few hours, it became apparent that Dave would need more help than I could offer.  Luckily a friend was able to come to the rescue and lend a hand, along with tools and music.

This is how it looked at 7:00 pm on Saturday evening.

 

Our friend Ryan even tested the rings to make sure it was sturdy.  I think it passed.

Obviously we will need to get new chains and swings since they're old and rusty.  We also need to install the wavy slide, put the roof on and re-stain it.

* *

After our work today, this is how it looked as of late Sunday afternoon - after completing the roof, installing the slide and starting the first coat of staining. 

  

This beast should last the rest of the kids' childhoods.... it's never being moved again! 

 

I think it will be the perfect combination of swingset and clubhouse.  They're already talking about putting up curtains and other homey things.  In fact, when I was staining the wood today, I already found a carpet square that they had put in the upper entrance, and a broom!  At least they have a place to call their own and they're keeping things tidy.

A Sunday in Boston

Last weekend, we had a Family Day in Boston.  It was a lot of fun, and we all learned a lot!

First we visited the Bunker Hill Monument, and got passes to climb to the top. 

 

Eva was the first to the top, after climbing 294 steps.  (The rest of us huffed and puffed up shortly thereafter.)  We arrived at the top just in time to hear a Boy Scout giving a lecture all about the history of Bunker Hill.

The view from the top of Bunker Hill Monument

 

One of the bridges in Boston

Another Boston bridge

Our next stop was the U.S.S. Constitution, located in the Charlestown Navy Yard. (Link here and here.) 

USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. It was first launched in 1797. Constitution is one of six ships ordered for construction by George Washington to protect America's growing maritime interests. The ships greatest glory came during the war of 1812 when she defeated four British frigates which earned her the nickname "Old Ironsides," because cannon balls glanced off her thick hull. The ship was restored in 1927 with contributions from the nation's school children. 

The Charlestown Navy Yard was built on what was once Mouton's or Morton's Point, the landing place of the British army prior to the Battle of Bunker Hill. It was one of the first shipyards built in the United States. During its 174 year history, hundreds of ships were built, repaired and modernized, including the World War II destroyer USS Cassin Young. Today, thirty acres of the Navy Yard are preserved by the National Park Service as part of Boston National Historical Park.
- Source: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/ussconstitution.asp
 
Before touring the ship, we went to the Visitor Center, which was actually a small museum, and among other things, the kids learned how to make rope. 

Once on board the U.S.S. Constitution, we listened to another talk and learned that there were 60 cannons on the ship.  It was immense!

The Constitution Museum was absolutely fantastic, and the kids really got a kick out of all the interactive exhibits.  There was one whole room of activities, games, puzzles and even a puppet show stage.  I think the highlight was learning what types of wood shipbuilders used to withstand being hit by a cannon.  Live oak was the winner, in case you were wondering.  Fir?  Not so good..

Learning how to build a ship

Ta-dah!

Liam practices scrubbing the deck.

The kids loved these hammocks, until Eva fell out and landed on the hard deck.

We ended the day with a delicious Mexican restaurant dinner.  What an awesome day!

Liam playing "Party Cat"

Here's another short video of Liam, playing along with the MIDI accompaniment, on my new Clavinova.  He loves this piece!