A sweep for the Easter Bonnet Contest

After a 1 year hiatus, we decided to try our hand at the Annual New Boston Easter Bonnet Contest.  When we first entered the contest 5 years ago, the competition was virtually non-existent. Mostly just bonnets with a little bit of decoration.  Year after year the entrants step up their game.  This year was a tough one.  Making it even harder was having to make two different bonnets. One for Charlotte and one for Maeve.  We let the girls know that its all in fun and that all that matters.  Deep down, dad knew his creative mind couldn't take a loss. With his brilliant idea and the girls creative touch there was no way he was going to lose.  

The good news is despite not winning the MegaMillions, the girls did each win a coveted spot in each age group.  Maeve with her beekeeper bonnet and Charlotte with crazy bird lady birdcage bonnet.   Next years entries all already being dreamed up by dad's crazy brain.

Crazy bird lady!

Metal birdcage was a little heavy for her.

Finishing touches on the bee keeper bonnet.

Walking for the judges. 

Her first win!

So proud!

Funny

Tonight at the dinner tablet, Mom, Dad, Maeve, and Charlotte were talking about Easter.  One of the things dad likes most about Easter is cooking lamb. Dad proceeded to tell the kids he was going to grill a leg of lamb.  Charlotte said, " Yum!" then paused and asked "Will it have fuzz or just meat?".  The answer to Charlotte was "No fuzz".  Crazy kid.

St. Patrick's Day Fun!

Our St. Patricks day was spent at Pat's Peak soaking up the clouds and skiing on the mush. Mom and Maeve did thier best "decking" with friends. To top it off Dad entered the spring Pond Skimming contest, costume and all. While dad didn't skim all the way across the pond, the crazy bull riding pond skimmer did walk away with the title of "Best Costume" and a $50 gift card to the ski shop. The $50 was promptly spent on some fancy dancy Oakley ski goggles that mom HATES.

Here is Charlotte with her buddies.  Colin (getting the head pat, Mason, Brodie, and Brendan).

Charlotte enjoying a little hot chocolate on the deck!

Our intermediate skiier!

Dad and Dan Robinson taking a fun run. Nothing like a quick run on the mogul trail to make you feel old!

Maeve enjoying a hot treat

Mom and Maeve walking over to see dad and Dan pond skim.

Mom and Rachael cheering on the guys.

Dans costume imploded as it hit the water.  Hours of work gluing quickly came undone in the water.

Still cleaning the water!

Dad the bull rider on the way up to the pond skim

Ride'm cowboy

Splashdown

Playing the the judges

Wet but still inflated!

We all had a great weekend and it was a great way to end our ski season and an awesome way to celebrate St. Patricks day. To top it off Sunday was full of sun and Maeve and Charlotte played all day in the yard while dad raked the yard and pruned bushes. Luckily he was able to enjoy his new hammock and his amazing wife even made him a cocktail to enjoy.

Searching for Gems!

What else do you in NH on a dreary, rainy, chilly spring Sunday? Grab your pick axe and head to the mountains for a little mining. This week Charlotte told us how she wanted to become a gemologist (since they study diamonds and rubys). So dad decided to take the girls on a little family trip to Ruggles Mine in Grafton NH. What else is in Grafton NH? Nothing.

Luckily we were also able to have Charlotte bring along her friend Amelia (who is also very fond of gems). We piled in the van and headed into what seemed like the middle of now where, up a long mountain road to Ruggles Mine which is at the top. We really weren't prepared. Most people bring buckets, flashlights, their own tools to break up the rocks. Instead we used one of moms purses to fill up and dad rented a hammer.

Not really knowing what to look for, we ended up with 10 pounds of rocks. Not sure what kind, but some look pretty cool. My guess is the crazy color rocks were Uranium (yes they used the mine to mine for uranium). You can see it in the picture below really well.

Ruggles Mine, we will be back. Next time with headlamps and a field guide. Hopefully we can score some semiprecious stones!

One of the caves in the mine.

Maeve with Amelia

Dad with the little dwarfs!


Charlotte and Amelia on a hunt for diamonds!


One of the caves!

Another cave

Amelia trying to bust open a rock with the hammer.

Happy Birthday Maeve!

Today Maeve turns 3. Hard to imagine it's been 3 years since she came into our lives. Full head of hair, determined, strong willed Maeve. So much has changed over the last 3 years and so much has remained the same. Her use of language growth amazing. Her attitude and determination unwaivering and the same as always. Our Maevy Gravy has grown into a little girl who makes us laugh daily and at the same time makes us shocked at how tough a little kid can be. We love the dynamic she adds to our family and are thankful for every day, every second we have had with her.

Its been a long few days for Maeve up to her birthday. On Wednesday the 27th, we checked into Childrens Hospital Boston to get her tonsils and adnoids out. Hoping this would help with her snoring, sleeping, and eating. A tough surgery and an even tougher recovery. Mix that with a kid with more determination then I have ever seen and the mix becomes crazy. When the PA came into look into her through, a firm no from Maeve set the stage. 10 minutes later 4 nurses took everything they had to hold down this 2 year old to get her to open her mouth. That is the level of strength she has. Getting her to eat her pain medication and antibiotics has been a challenge to say the least. Begging and pleading didnt work. Bribery didn't work. Trickery of hiding it in icecream, gatorade, smoothies didnt work. Finally we had to use scare tacticts. Not what we wanted to do but it worked. She is smart and tough, but such a loving and caring kid. Always playing with her babies. Always excited to give hugs and cuddles. Which makes her Maeve and we are thankful for that.

So with a few hours left before your birthday Maeve, we want to tell you how much we love you. How much we appreciate your attitude and personality. If we were ever going to get in a gang fight, we would want you on our side. If we were ever going to box Mike Tyson, we would want you in our corner. If we ever had to care for 50 babies at a time, you would be hired in a second. We cant wait to see where your determination brings you and dont worry, we promise to get out of your way!