Heath's Plan

Last Saturday, Alder went to a STEAM Minute-to-Win-It challenge at the science museum.  In short, he has been practicing with a small group, three friends, in his class lastly, working on finding the quickest way to solve little problems while timed.  This involves applied physics and hand-eye coordination, plus just fun.  

Here's Alder's whole class group. His class was representing their whole school.

And here is Alder's team. I hear they just clicked as a team at what ever they did, in the competition and otherwise at the museum that day. 

Heath and I spent the morning at home while Lesley and Alder were at the museum.

As Alder and Mom arrived home, dropped off by neighbors, Heath and I were plotting Heath's future plans in the swing.  No edits… enjoy.

While on a birding walk

I also grabbed these gems from Lesley's phone.  While Heath was at a friend's house last Sunday, and while I was scavenging firewood from a roadside tree, (I am so happy that) Lesley took the opportunity to take Alder to Midlothian Mines Park to see what waterfowl was around.  They got to see lots of Hooded Mergansers in breeding plumage, displaying, diving for fish, etc. - quite a treat.  Other treats included a delightful Alder pose and two videos he grabbed:

Several of the many reasons I love my wife...

are captured in the fact that I found these pictures in this order on her phone (she knew I was looking):

Written note, pic taken, texted to sitter.

Idea for how we might do an island in the kitchen.  Or... the way she wants the boys and I to look and act?  Oh NOO!

looking forward to this!

not looking forward to this!! I think I was there for this actually.  We deduced Bear.

And for total contrast, ... a nice orchid from somewhere.