One of the things on our list of home improvements was a big wooden play set. The boys had outgrown their plastic one, and were in need of something substantial that wouldn’t lift off the ground with each swing. The right set finally came along on Craigslist on Mother’s Day weekend, and we pounced on it. Jonathan was such a sport, and spent the weekend renting a trailer, disassembling, moving, and reassembling the new set. We love it!
   

  

Last spring we hatched butterflies. This year the boys picked ants. We ordered the anthill though Insect Lore, and it was so entertaining to watch them tunnel and use teamwork to move the sand around.

Here’s the boys with the vial of 20 harvester ants that arrived via USPS. They were checking the mail every day for these little guys!

The ants had to be refrigerated for a few minutes so they’d get sleepy and not bite when Jonathan loaded them into their new home.

The entertainment begins

Avery was mesmorized

On this day he sat with the ants for more than an hour watching them tunnel. Better than TV!

The ants had to be fed and watered every three days. Usually they got a piece of carrot or apple.

We had a fun Easter. In total, the holiday celebrations lasted three days, there were three official egg hunts (two dry, one wet), and an obscene amount of candy (much of which was conveniently repurposed in Kieron’s birthday piñata). We missed the big local egg hunt because I forgot that those are actually on Saturday (which makes no sense to me, because why would the bunny come early? But whatever, I get it, apparently a lot of Easter celebrators have Sunday morning plans). Overall, a great time was had by all, and we had three very happy boys on our hands!

Easter baskets!

The hunt is on

Kieron was more concerned with eating the candy from the eggs as he went than with quantity.

One egg in, two fall out

An egg on Buddha’s lap (although it kind of looks like Avery is making an offering)

Eating their loot. Avery is helping Silas open a chocolate. 🙂

On Saturday, we had a rainy Easter egg hunt followed by a potluck with three of our neighbors.

Kieron & Silas hunting eggs with their buddy, Bode

I briefly tried to get a picture of the three boys that morning. This is what I got:

On Friday, Kieron had an egg hunt at his farm school. Avery volunteered, and helped set up for the party. We had a really fun time!

Wilber’s not that picky, but he loves strawberries

Such northwestern boys. I think it barely hit 70 degrees out a few weeks ago, and they all had their shirts off!

A few pics from our visit with Nana, Auntie Ashleigh, and Mark. Avery was feeling pretty goofy at the time.

A couple shots from Jonathan’s birthday. This is the first year he hasn’t chosen an ice cream cake. He decided to deviate from tradition and have marionberry pie instead. It didn’t go over very well. None of the boys wanted any – they said they’d rather just have ice cream. And since I’m not a fan of that pie either, Jonathan ended up with the whole thing to himself!