The kids did not have school today in observance of Martin Luther King Day. Jeanine took them all (for the first time) to the Ikea store where each one purchased something to embellish their room with. Maya chose this chair and helped with all aspects of its assembly.

It has been a while since I took a portrait of Kyle. He sat for exactly one photo and only because I was setting up for a photo of one of his classmates for a school project.

Today I completed this built-in bookcase for the family room in the basement. It has taken me some time to get to the project, but I was able to finish it rather quickly now that my shop is set up.

Sarinnagh. Harper was also here but left before I could get her photo.

Lydia.

Allison.

Maya had a mock slumber party with her friends this evening. She planned the event (American Girl theme) and designed her own invitations earlier this week. The girls were all giggles for most of the evening pausing for a few photos at the end.

Nico took this picture of his friends gathered around the piano.

This evening, Nicolai hosted a star-gazing party for members of his class. Our field offers excellent viewing conditions and the weather was perfect. Nicolai prepared hot chocolate and all kinds of post viewing treats. The party was a great success and his classmates and science teacher were very appreciative. Nico seemed a little taller after all was done.

Nicolai constructed this diorama for a class project about a book he had read.

We played Rummikub while the casserole baked. Kyle started the OWL program at First Parish this evening and could not join us for what turned out to be a delicious meal. The OWL course, which I attended as a teenager at the Unitarian church in Schenectady, is a comprehensive program covering all aspects of human sexuality.

Today is Maya’s family night. She chose to prepare a macaroni and cheese casserole from the Emeril Lagasse children’s cookbook she received from her grandfather for Christmas. Nico is shown spooning on the final layer, but Maya did the bulk of the work including preparation of a special spice mixture called Baby Bam.

Mattison Field is just down the road and from this scene you would not know it was the middle of winter here.

Maya started another session of swimming lessons today. I would not say this is something she looks forward to, but want to make sure she is an able swimmer.