Snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails: Odds and Ends

Here are a bunch of random photos. Much has gone on in the past few weeks since I have written. The photos provide something of a catch up, but I'll write a bit too. Harry had the annual Pinewood Derby for cub scouts. His car came in 4th place in his den. He wasn't impressed, although the car was running very well at home, early on one of the wheels got knocked out of line and it didn't do as well in the actual racing. Harry brought along a few books and read for much of the derby, so he wasn't too upset about not being in first place. Robert and I went over for some of the racing, but only stayed long enough to have a snack and watch a few races.

Robert got a Star Wars sticker book for his birthday and it has been a favorite ever since then. I have read it quite a few times. He loves sticker books and we spend the first few days getting all the stickers in the right places and then and only then is he ready to read the book. He is very interested in Star Wars at the moment. He only has knowledge from books and his Star Wars action figures, but most days he asks if we can play Star Wars and then assigns us roles. That is most of what is involved and then we speak to each other as if we were those characters. Nana, Kevin's Mom, was here for a visit and to be here to celebrate Robert's birthday and so a picture of her reading with the boys.

Last year I had a relatively successful garden. This year I am even trying to start some of my own plants. Over the weekend we planted the first of the seeds. I will also go and buy some plants. I got tomato plants from a local farm last year and they were terrific, so I am hoping I'll be able to do that again. There is something very hopeful about starting to plant for summer. Even though it has been a warm winter, I am still longing for warmer spring weather and the return of the leaves on the trees. This means it is very close now. We are even planting seeds that in a few short months will be growing in the ground in the backyard.

Finally a couple of pictures from our now annual Seder dinner. This year a volunteer took over much of the work from me and arranged a rabbi to lead the service. He brought along yamulkes and haggadahs and led the service for us. We had a nice number attending and I think a good time was had by all and all learned something new. I picked up a couple of tricks too. Robert was not at all interested and spent much of the service wandering around. He even knocked over a table (thankfully not on himself). I was a bit distracted, but could pay a little attention to what was going on.