This weekend was definitely a busy one. It was a three day weekend for me because I took off Patriot's Day to get some more painting done, buy a car and to go see the Boston Marathon.

On Saturday I took Henry to our church's Palm Saturday event. It lasted most of the morning. With the help of a teenager I supervised eight kids (including Henry and Liam). Nicole worked one of the six stations we went to. The kids listened to stories, did some crafts and had an egg hunt. Henry's favorite part was decorating cookies and eggs. I was very proud of him. He sat very well for the readings and participated in the craft making sessions with no problems what so ever. He was a bit shy when we first arrived, but once his cousins came things were much better. I'm not as anxious to take to any more such events now. I know he can do it!

After the church event I painted and bought our new car. We don't have it yet, but should have it soon.

On Sunday we went to church and did more painting. Henry also had a fun play-date at Evan and Liam's house. He got a ride home in Cioci's van! This was very convenient for us and a joy ride for him.

Finally on Monday, the big day, my sister's race day arrived. We went to watch her in Ashland with my mother, Greg and the cousins. It was a bit of a rough start (loud sounds), but things improved quickly. We were definitely helped by having access to a nearby house. A friend of Nicole's had food for us, a bathroom and some party favors for the kids. We only saw Nicole for a few seconds, but it was definitely worth it. I think I've only been prouder of her at her wedding and the birth of her two boys. Cioci Rocks!

Henry asked us afterwards, "Where'd Evan and Liam's mom go?" Meg told him, "she is running all the way to the city." He said, "she run in tunnels?"

Here are some fun pictures we took recently.



Henry put himself in Hazel's jumperoo while Meg was upstairs, but he couldn't get out. It looks a bit like a restraint device to me!



Henry and Liam listening intently during Palm Saturday.



Liam getting his feet washed.



Henry's cookie.



Evan giving out oranges to the runners. At times this was a bit precarious, a bit like sticking one's arm out of the car window, but he survived. One person gave him their shirt sleeves and another person stopped to take his picture.



Meg, Hazel, Nana and Liam.



Henry being goofy.



OK, here's a challenge! In this picture is Nicole. Can you find her? Greg got a much better picture than this one ... it was really difficult to get a shot. Digital cameras are just too slow.

24 small dollars turned up nothing.

8,001 half dollars produced nine 90% silver halves (dateless Walking Liberty, 1962, 1962 Proof, 2 x 1963, 1963D, 3 x 1964), twenty-five 40% silver halves (2 x 1966, 10 x 1967, 7 x 1968D, 6 x 1969D), one commemorative (2008S Bald Eagle circ.), four proof halves (1962 Proof, 1986S, 2001S, 2005S) and one Jamaican 50¢ (1975). The commemorative is a great one. I hadn't found an a new half in a while and this one is the rarest, by mintage, US coins I've found. 119,204 were minted. The proof Franklin is pretty tarnished, but it's definitely an old proof as it quite reflective and the rim is extra thick.





It's kind of hard to capture the reflectiveness of a tarnished old proof like this, but I thought I'd put up a picture anyway.



80 quarters didn't have anything.

1,050 dimes rounded up just two Canadians and one Bermuda 10¢.

1,120 nickels roped in three War Times (1944P, 1945D, 1945S) and one Canadian.

6,000 pennies yielded forty-six Wheats, forty-eight Canadians and one US dime.

1910, 1919, 1934, 1937, 1939, 1940(2), 1941(2), 1942, 1944(4), 1945(2), 1946, 1947, 1948(3), 1948D, 1949D, 1951(3), 1952, 1952D, 1953, 1953D, 1954, 1955(2), 1956, 1956D(3), 1957(2), 1957D(4), 1958(2), 1958D

Found: 1 dime