Today I conducted a team building event at work. Ten teams of 7 each constructed a water cannon from popsicle sticks, bailing wire, a hose and nozzle. They had to aim the cannon remotely from a distance of 10ft using rope. The object was to spray as much water as possible into a bucket 30ft away during a period of two minutes. The winning team got to use me for target practice (next photo).

Nicolai with a bunch of his neighborhood friends posing with their AirSoft guns. For the record, the father of this family had nothing to do with the acquisition of these toys. It is the work of their oatsy, goatsy nature loving mother.

As promised, a study in pine needles. Best viewed by enlarging image by clicking on it.

Waiting for the school bus, Maya studies the pine needles that have begun to blanket the ground. At what age do we cease to find wonder in pine needles? Tomorrow, I may try and see if I can rediscover them.

Maya and Sophia.

Maya uses her head to figure out how this historic pump works.

Portrait of Sophia.

The girls and I ventured down to Cambridge this afternoon to tour Harvard and the environs.

Kyle on the attack in the backyard. Jeanine, at a weak moment, allowed the boys to purchase pellet guns. They are now all the rage in the neighborhood, and our backyard is the scene of frequent battles.

Maya showing off her reading skills to Sophia and Maria.

This weekend, we are visited by Swedish cousin Sophia and her friend Maria. Working with Maya to prepare an apple pie after a day full of sightseeing in downtown Boston despite the torrential rains.

Sunrise over fog this morning.

Kyle enjoyed, for the first time, playing in a soccer stadium today. I can remember my first game in a proper stadium and I could see the same look of excitement in his face as we drove up. His team won a hard fought match 4-2. My team also enjoyed a win this morning and I was thrilled to be back in the line-up after more than a month of recovery from a muscle injury.

Child liberates parachute seeds, father spreads fertilizer with weed control, mother plucks dandelions from her garden. Is this what they mean by the cycle of life?

Nicolai drives through a gaggle of defenders and gets a nice pass off despite the fact that one of his crutches has come off. His team enjoyed a 1-0 victory. Kyle also played today, and his team won 4-1. Not to be outdone, Maya scored a goal to help her team to a win.

Helen’s is our local breakfast hangout. It is OK, but the pancakes do not measure up to Jeanine’s.