Little Lighthousers

We are so lucky to have a wonderful new school for the boys. It's called the Lighthouse School and is only 10 kids per grade. Zeal is in the little lighthouse program and Avery in kindergarten. It's Waldorf-inspired, with beautiful handmade touches everywhere, and a hands-on curriculum we whole-heartedly agree with. There are fantastic places to play outside (tunnels through the brush, giant looms made of branches and twine, and tree climbing trees).

Here they are on the first day of school:

The morning verse in Zeal's classroom:

Avery's class

Zeal's class

Classroom norms

The first family picnic/BBQ

The firefighters came to visit the school

Releasing butterflies (Avery on the left, Zeal on the right)

And Chris was invited to play music at the all school meeting last week. He played two Brett Dennen songs: Empathy and Don't Laugh At Me. He also played The Monkey and the Engineer and Three Little Birds.

As we bike home from school, this often happens:

And then this happens. 

Thank you for another beautiful day, Lighthouse School.

Sisters, Brothers, and COUSINS!

We are so lucky that Lauren, Tommy, and baby Emmett could spend a month here with us. Sidney and Emmett are just 5 months apart, making for lots of sweet cousin moments. For Lauren and me, it is so special to go through mothering together. We nursed side by side, whispered during naps, and took many walks with our strollers or ergo carriers riding parallel. Avery and Zeal showed great care with Emmett. Avery often said, "He's so cute, I just want to bite my teeth together really hard." Just short of nibbling on Emmett, we gave him lots of cuddles. 

Tommy is always a Hanson boy magnet; now he really has his hands full:

Mimi and Opa gave us a night off. We went to town.

Making truffles as part of our gluten-free dessert menu

Lauren and Sid look so much alike, it's startling.

Same eyes! I could see the resemblance the minute he was born. 

Dad and Lauren on a nature hike learning about the glacial shaping of the island and the coastal heathland plants.

Cousins who nap together stay together.

Katie and Peter came for the weekend for a whole family gathering.

Peter and Avery both speak the same language: maritime.

Peter looks good in everything.

Brothers-in-law are now Team Papa (a.k.a. the early morning crew)

We miss you already, Emmett! See you in a few months...

That’s a hull of a boat you've got

 Because school has not started yet, and we are in the presence of a Captain (Captain Bob), we go boating very very often. 

Going to the beach by bike just doesn't always cut it. 

So we take a launch to Mimi's and Opa's motorboat, Altair, named for the 12th brightest star in the sky

And pass some impressive vessels that the boys call pirate ships:

And follow the Captain's orders, which usually fall along the lines of: 

"Wait is that our mooring? I don't have my glasses." 

"Let the anchor down a fair amount." 

"Pass me a beer and a sandwich, will you?"

Chris, the cabin boy, at the helm:

Avery sets up the anchor:

We go to remote beaches that no one else can find, like this one:

And ride the tube all the way back to the harbor

Captain Bob, enjoying an espresso and doughnut before a big day on the water

"Ahoy! Friend or foe?"

Me thinks friend