Makes My Monday--The First Day of Spring

Being able to spend the first day of spring at the local state park in central New York really, really Made My Monday!!
The weather has been unbelievable, so we were able to head to Verona Beach on Oneida Lake---13 minutes from our driveway.
At this east end of the lake, the sand has taken over alot of the lake, causing big sandy shoals that the kids enjoyed exploring.
The line of white that you can see on the lake behind the kids is the ice line---it is still a pretty frozen lake.
A very cooperative ring billed gull posed for a great picture.
Just the 4 little kids joined hubby and I on this sunny day at the beach.

Of course, it was the beach, so I guess Luke figured he should get some part of himself wet, even if it was just his feet.

gorgeous sunshine

Kimmy Irene

My new facebook profile picture!

Boys and their dogs find the snow to play in.

We walked to every playground in the state park.

This was the favorite slide.

I did warn them

that someone might get hurt.

That someone turned out to be poor Luke.

Kimmy Irene sat on the top of this slide talking to some pine needles for the longest time.

Gracie, Lady and a t-rex.

Mark has been a little camera shy lately.

Gotcha!!

Luke showing his muscles.

The complimentary nature picture.

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Fort Stanwix--Makes my Monday

We live about 20 miles from Fort Stanwix, a fort built during the French and Indian War and also very important to the Americans during the Revolutionary War.
This replica of the fort is built on the actual site of the original fort. There is also a piece of chimney preserved from the original fort. It is a very cool place to explore.
Sunday, Pat and I spent a lovely 2 hours exploring with Mark and Grace.

It was very nice to spend special time with just Mark and Grace. These two seem to sometimes get "lost in the crowd" when we all go on a field trip, since we are more worried about losing the little kids and the big kids want to "do their own things".

Here is Mark in a soldiers hay mattress bed.

It was a little bit pokey--but we also learned that the soldiers did not sleep lying down, they slept sitting up, because at this time in history it was thought to be more healthy for you.

They would fit 40 soldiers in some of these bunk houses.

We received a wonderful lesson in how to load and fire a cannon.

I am not sure if my soldiers are happy here.

Practicing cannon aiming.

"Grace, did you lock Mark in the sentry box?" Yes, she did.

We learned how to fire a muskat.

Gracie looking glamourous in her fox fur.

Mark did come home with is own muskat for drilling---

Luke thinks he is a sniper.

Kim is happy for a turn, even though it is longer than she is.

It "Makes my Monday" to look back on a lovely end to our holiday weekend.