This weekend was a busy one for us. We had a pretty good dinner with the kids on Friday night. The service was spotty, but the kids held up OK all considering. For a bit they were really cute and danced together while we waited for our food.

On Saturday we went to a birthday party in the morning at the Ecotarium. Henry was pretty shy (this is usual these days). Hazel was curious about the bigger girls. Hazel didn't make it through any of the planetarium show, but Henry did stay with me and watch just fine. He just didn't say anything at all about it afterwards or during. In the afternoon Henry and I went on lots of errands. We went to get his haircut (pretty bad experience, we left covered in hair), get a special bakery cake for Meg, the toy store, an accessory store, CVS and the library! In the evening I went with the kids and their aunt and uncle to Papa Gino's (I didn't eat) and later out with Meg for a nice meal. We liked our food a lot, but the service was extremely slow.

Sunday, Meg's birthday, went well. I took the kids to church. Both did really well. Hazel stayed in the nursery with no problems ... just a nap on the floor and Henry went upstairs to his classroom without any issues. Meg got to spend some time with her sister having brunch. It sounded like a nice, rare time for those two. When we got back from church we enjoyed the birthday cake. Henry told me, "I think that frosting is made of whipped cream" and asked me, "Why do they only make cakes, bread and cookies at that bakery?"

The coins ...

79 small dollars had nothing.

8,000 half dollars produced seven 90% silver halves (6 x 1964, 1964D) and twenty-six 40% silver halves (2 x 1965, 2 x 1966, 8 x 1967, 6 x 1968D, 8 x 1969D).

6,360 quarters yielded two silver Washingtons (1948, 1964), sixteen Canadians, four Bermuda 25¢, four US nickels and one US dime.

4,850 dimes rounded up two silver Rosies (1952S, 1959), seven Canadians, one Bermuda 10¢ and one US penny.

2,920 nickels got me two Buffaloes (1920, 1936), two War Times (1942P, 1944P), one Canadian (1 Ni) and two US dimes.

18,050 pennies had three hundred thirty-six Wheats, one hundred eighteen Canadians, four US dimes and one Bermuda 1¢. I hit upon one big bunch of Wheats as a handful of rolls were solid Wheats and were even labeled as such. In the Canadians was one of my best coins yet (price-wise), a 1925 George V cent. Only 1,000,622 were minted and it's worth something like $30.



1909, 1919, 1920(2), 1925, 1929 ...

Yesterday Meg took Henry and Hazel to a birthday party at a new bouncy place. Here are some pictures.











2 large dollars, 18 small dollars and one half dollar had nothing.

1,400 quarters produced three Canadians and four US nickels.

2,500 dimes yielded four silver dimes (1942D, 1956, 1961, 1962), three Canadians and one UK 5 pence.

3,080 nickels rounded up three Buffaloes (1930, 1936, 1937), four War Times (2 x 1943P, 1944P, 1945P), eight Canadians (3 Ni), two US pennies and an Irish 6 pence (1940). That's the first time I've come across three dated Buffaloes in one sitting. (Two of these came from the same source.) All three are in really good shape.

Yeah! A perfect night of sleep! No wake-ups from Henry or Hazel. It feels good.

Yesterday I picked up a ton of coin. It hasn't really panned out so far. These things happen I suppose, but this lot definitely doesn't seem worth the pick-up/drop-off time.

30 large dollars and 197 small dollars had just one mint set dollar (2002D). I forgot to mention that a few weeks back I surpassed the 50,000 mark for small dollars.

9,440 quarters rounded up twenty-three Canadians, one UK 10 pence, one US nickel and one Polish 1 Zloty (1992). The Polish coin is a new type for me.



9,050 dimes yielded one silver Rosie (1961D), fourteen Canadians, one Cayman Islands 10¢, one Barbados 10¢, one Swiss 10 Rappen and one Singapore 10¢.

Last week Henry asked Meg, "are there normal people in Boston?" She couldn't get him to explain the question further. I suppose the Republican attacks on Massachusetts liberals have gotten to my son.

Hazel slept through the night!

67 small dollars and 24 half dollars produced one 40% silver half (1966).

4,680 quarters rounded up one silver Washington (1949), eight Canadians, four US nickels and two US dimes.

3,900 dimes yielded one silver Rosie (1964), five Canadians, one US penny and a Columbian 10 peso (1991).

2,120 nickels got me one War Time (1943D), five Canadians (3 Ni), four US dimes and one Bahamas 5¢. That's only the third 1943D nickel I've found.

2,800 pennies turned up eighteen Wheats, twenty-eight Canadians and one US dime.

1916, 1936, 1944(3), 1949, 1950D, 1952D, 1953, 1953D, 1955, 1956D(5), 1957, 1958D

Found: one penny, two foreign coins (a Canadian penny and a 1951, 80% silver, Canadian dime)

This weekend started with a pretty good trip to the Olive Garden (Henry's idea). The kids weren't too bad, but strangely for that place the bread sticks and salad didn't turn up instantly (that's why the place is pretty good for kids). We had a tough time getting Hazel from under the table. She fit perfectly under there. Eventually I had to crawl under there. :)

On Saturday I journey through the snow with the kids to Evan's Pine Wood Derby (Boy Scout event). It took about an hour to drive somewhere it takes us 20 minutes usually. Oh well. It was worth it. The theme of the event was Star Wars. I have to admit it brings a certain joy to my heart to see the next generation embracing Star Wars so eagerly. I'm definitely not the only one many mom and dads involved got into the event and wore costumes just like the kids (Nicole was not one of them ... next year!). I think next year Henry will be bringing his own car to race. He was quiet throughout the event, but spoke well of it afterwards. On the way home we had a nice time at Papa Gino's with Nana and Grandpa.

Things took a turn for the worse after that.

I started feeling ill after supper. I had chills and felt like I was going to throw up. That happened during a middle of the night trip to the bathroom with Henry. He threw up himself about two hours later. I recovered pretty well after being sick, but Henry was wiped out for most of the day (rallying just to go grocery shopping with me and give mom a 1/2 hour nap). Today everyone is feeling just fine.



Hazel getting dressed up.



Henry dolled up just like his little sister.



The opening ceremony of Pine Wars. Notice in the foreground Hazel's letting Cioci hold her!



Henry was requesting lots of cuddles yesterday. Usually this leads to Hazel being jealous, but for a minute or two she was able and allowed to join in.



Henry was so wiped out he actually fell asleep on the couch with his "Lego" catalog.

8,000 half dollars had one 90% silver half (1964), three 40% silver halves (1967, 1968D, 1969D) and three proof halves (1977S, 1978S, 1983S).

4,640 quarters turned up one silver Washington (1964), two Canadians, one Bermuda 25¢ and one UK 10 pence.

1,000 dimes had nothing.

400 nickels yielded one War Time (1943P), two Canadians (1 Ni) and one Bermuda 5¢.

7,000 pennies rounded up thirty-eight Wheats, twenty-seven Canadian and one US dime. One of the Wheats was the 1926D. I don't find too many of that one!

1913, 1918, 1926D, 1928, 1929, 1935, 1941, 1942, 1944(6), 1945, 1946(2), 1948, 1949, 1950, 1950S, 1951(2), 1952, 1955, 1956D(5), 1957, 1957D(3), 1958D(2)

I searched just a wee bit of coin last night.

280 quarters turned up just one Canadian.

3,250 dimes rounded up two silver Rosies (1957, 1964D), four Canadian and one UK 5 pence. Not bad, but of course a bit of let down after the night before!

520 nickels had two Canadians (1 Ni).

3,750 pennies yielded twenty Wheats and twenty-six Canadians.

1916, 1920, 1935, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1947(2), 1947D, 1949, 1953, 1953D(2), 1954, 1954D, 1956, 1956D, 1957

Silver Dime Hoard #3

This weekend things began pretty well with a successful trip to the "Red Diner." It's a great place for kids (Henry likes the movies with lots of old time cars in them) and somehow we avoided telling Henry about the demise of our local Friendly's. Henry and Hazel impressed a several tables of customers with their dance moves.

On Saturday Meg and I got rare chance to spend some time together. We went to an antique furniture store to look at bookshelves and some other furniture and made a quick trip to Dunkin Donuts. We live large! It went by just to quickly. By the time we've settle into being without the kids our time is over. I can't wait to have a nice dinner out together in two weeks. Henry and Hazel had some time at Nana and Grandpa's.

Late on the day in Sunday I took the two kids to the Ecotarium. It was crowded, but it didn't matter to much. There are only families their and everyone seems to be quite understanding of each other. We're all in the same boat, I suppose. Henry ws disappointed that the model train was running, but he still enjoyed showing it to me. I "outdid" myself and attempted to share a can of grape juice with Henry and Hazel. Hazel was satisfied just to put the can up to her lips. She didn't get much of anything from it. :(

Last night Meg and I got treated to one of the best at home dinners we've had with the kid in sometime. Lots of good, quiet playtime while Meg and I finished eating! The highlight of the dinner was when Hazel accidentally banged her head and went to me first for a hug and kiss, then Meg and then Henry after he held out his arms and asked her to come over. He gave her a hug and a kiss and Hazel said, "thank you."

Hazel's sleep was much better than the night before. Unfortunately Hazel's thrown up twice today at home and Henry's been extremely demanding. I'm not sure what's going on.





34 small dollars had just one mint set dollar (2005P).

4,520 quarters produced seven Canadians, nine US nickels and three Bermuda 25¢.

3,650 dimes turned up forty silver dimes and two Canadians. About midway through these dimes I stared to come across rolls with one or more silver dimes in them. One roll had eight in it. I even came across my second Barber dime (1914D). This one is in much better condition than the first one I found too! This is the third silver dime hoard I've come across (one on one 11/18/08 had 109 silver dimes in it and one on 6/10/10 had 51 silver dimes in it). I only wish some of these dimes had S mint marks on them.

1914D, 1937, 1939D, 1941, 1942(3), 1943(2), 1944(6), 1945, 1946(2), 1948, 1949D, 1950D, 1951, 1953D(3), 1954, 1954D, 1957, 1957D, 1959(2), 1960D, 1962D(3), 1963D(2), 1964, 1964D





1,640 nickels yielded one War Time (1943P), five Canadians (2 Ni), one Bahamas 5¢, one US penny and one Turkish 25 Kurus (2009). That's the first coin from Turkey I've found. It is my second new country for 2012.



1,800 pennies rounded up eleven Wheats, twelve Canadians and five US dimes.

1941(2), 1944(2), 1944D, 1946S, 1948, 1952, 1956D, 1957D(2)

Found: one penny

8,000 halves had just one keeper, a Portuguese 50¢ (1987). That was a bit a bummer, but that is the first coin from Portugal I've gotten that isn't a Euro.



5,000 pennies produced two proofs (1968S Proof, 1992S), thirty-four Wheats, twenty-eight Canadians and two Bahamas 1¢. That's the first time I've gotten two penny proofs in one sitting!

1910, 1917, 1920, 1927, 1928, 1939, 1941(5), 1942, 1944(5), 1945, 1946, 1947, 1951D, 1952, 1953(2), 1955, 1956, 1956D(2), 1957(3), 1957D, 1958(2)

7,400 pennies turned up thirty-seven Wheats, forty-one Canadians, one Euro 1¢ and one six US dimes.

1938(2), 1940, 1941(2), 1942, 1944(4), 1945(3), 1948, 1950, 1950D, 1952D, 1953(3), 1953D, 1954(3), 1955, 1956, 1956D(4), 1957D(3), 1958D(4)

Found: two pennies

2,800 quarters had nine Canadians, two Bermuda 25¢, one US nickel and one US dime.

4,000 dimes rounded up one silver Rosie (1964), two Canadians and two Bermuda 10¢.

2,000 nickels produced five Canadians (1 Ni) and one US dime.

5,650 pennies yielded nineteen Wheats, twenty-nine Canadians and one Cayman Islands 1¢.

Found: one penny

100 small dollars had two mint set dollars (2003D, 2004P).

4,600 quarters produced five Canadians, one Bermuda 25¢, one Bahamas 25¢, two US nickels and one US dime.

2,250 dimes rounded up one proof dime (1988S), two silver Rosies (1964, 1964D), three Canadians and one US penny.

1,520 nickels yielded one War Time (1943P), one Canadian and one US dime.

Found: three pennies, one nickel

Sometime soon we're going to have to break the bad news to Henry ... his favorite restaurant, our local Friendly's, is closed. We were worried this was going to happen. The 2nd closest location is closed now too. Bummer.

Both Henry and Hazel have been sick and not sleeping well for a few days now. It's been a bit tough. They seem to be on the mend, however.

Our big excitement this week was setting up a small aquarium in Henry's room and getting two small fish for it. I'm probably the most excited about it. I've wanted an aquarium for a long time. Now having two small kids has given me the perfect excuse! Henry and Hazel do seem to get a kick out of it. They especially like feeding time of course.

133 small dollars had one modern new one for me, the 2011P Garfield.

8,000 half dollars produced four 40% silver halves (1967, 1968D, 2 x 1969D).

6,240 quarters yielded one silver Washington (1962), thirteen Canadians, three US dimes, twelve US nickels, one UK 10 pence, one Mexican $1 (1984), one Italy .5 Lire, one Bermuda 25¢ and a French Polynesia 10 franc. That's the first coin I've found from French Polynesia (includes Tahiti). The first new country of 2012 for me!



4,800 dimes rounded up one silver Rosie (1964D), five Canadians, one Trinidad & Tobago 10¢, one Italy .5 Lire and one Aruba 10¢.

2,040 nickels got me three War Times (3 x 1943P), six Canadians (4 Ni), two US dimes, one Cayman Islands 10¢, one Guatemala 10¢.

5,000 pennies landed me thirty-seven Wheats and twenty-six Canadians.

1925, 1928, 1929, 1935, 1941(2), 1942, 1944, 1945(2), 1946, 1948, 1951(5), 1952, 1952D(2), 1953(2), 1953D(2), 1955(4), 1955D, 1956, 1956D(2), 1957D, 1958(4)

Found: four pennies, one nickel, one dime and one foreign coin (a Euro 20¢)

Hazel's talking

Recently, Meg and I have witnessed a very fun (mostly) explosion of Hazel's vocabulary. Some of the words we've heard

tractor, blue, yellow, book, spoon, bowl, cup, read, car, choo-choo, train, chocolate, cookie, sticker, more and ... our "favorite" no

Hazel's also been singing some, "Bah, Bah Black Sheep," "Old McDonald," "The Wheels on the Bus" and the Dinosaur Train theme song.

5,800 pennies turned up twenty-two Wheats, thirty-two Canadians, four US dimes and one US nickel.

1919, 1928, 1941(2), 1942, 1944(3), 1945, 1946(2), 1948S, 1950, 1952D(2), 1955, 1956D, 1957, 1957D(2), 1958(2)

My reading goal for 2011 was the same as 2010, to read twenty-four books during the year. I did it! I finished twenty-six books and read half of two books (shown in gray). Is that twenty-seven? I hope to read a similar number this year.

ADVENTURE

A good portion of my books still have to do with adventure. I’m still enjoying myself, so what not?

Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu – Laurence Bergreen

Epic Wanderer: David Thompson and the Mapping of the Canadian West – D’Arcy Jenish

The Bounty: The True Story of the Mutiny on the Bounty – Caroline Alexander

The Devil’s Mariner – Anton Gill

Fatal Passage: The True Story of John Rae, the Arctic Hero Time Forgot – Ken McGoogan

Ancient Mariner: The Arctic Adventures of Samuel Hearne, the Sailor Who Inspired Coleridge’s Masterpiece – Ken McGoogan

Pictorial Journey on the Old Mekong: Cambodia, Laos and Yunnan – Louis Delaporte and Francis Garnier

Race to the Polar Sea: The Heroic Adventures of Elisha Kent Kane – Ken McGoogan

The Riddle and the Knight: In Search of Sir John Mandeville, the World’s Greatest Traveler – Giles Milton

Exotic Pleasures: Fascicle III, Curious Scientific and Medical Observations – Engelbert Kaempfer

SHIPWRECKS

Last year I read a couple of books concerning shipwrecks. At the beginning of this year I continued reading more shipwreck books until I got a bit burned out. I love the blend of history and treasure hunting.

Dragon Sea: A True Tale of Treasure, Archeology, and Greed of the Coast of Vietnam – Frank Pope

Lost at Sea: The Strange Route of the Lena Shoal Junk – Frank Goddio

Lost Gold of the Republic: The Remarkable Quest for the Greatest Shipwreck Treasure of the Civil War Era – Priit J. Vesilind

Expedition Whydah: The Story of the World’s First Excavation of a Pirate Treasure Ship and the Man Who Found Her – Barry Clifford

Goldfinder: The True Story of $100 Million in Lost Russian Gold – and One Man’s Lifelong Quest to Recover It – Keith Jessop

Fatal Treasure: Greed and Death, Emeralds and Gold, and the Obsessive Search for the Legendary Ghost Galleon Atocha – Jedwin Smith

Treasure Ship: The Legend and Legacy of the S.S. Brother Jonathan – Dennis M. Powers

HISTORICAL TREASURES

I’m always looking for high quality books (good writing with many pictures and drawings) about historical treasures. I can’t do much travelling these days, so this is the next best thing for me to do. I reason that when I do travel I’ll be more educated and excited about what I’m seeing.

Guide to the Viking Ship Museum – Arne Emil Christiansen

The Viking Ships in Oslo – Thorleif Sjovold

The Warship Mary Rose: The Life & Times of King Henry VIII’s Flagship – David Childs

ARCHEOLOGISTS

There are a few important archeologists I’d like to read more about.

Cradle of Gold: The Story of Hiram Bingham, a Real-Life Indiana Jones, and the Search for Machu Picchu – Christopher Heaney

TRUE CRIME

Since I imbibed in a guilty pleasure this year and read a ton of shipwreck books I thought I’d move on to true crime. I have only read one such book so far, but I’ve got a few more on my list.

King of Heists: The Sensational Bank Robbery of 1878 That Shocked America – J. North Conway

WORLD WAR II

There seems to be a lot of well regarded World War II adventure books out there, usually involving some great escape or raid that have caught my interest. I’m also interested in reading some good firsthand accounts of the war and potentially some other conflicts such as the Korean War or the Vietnam War.

The Airmen and the Headhunters: A True Story of Lost Soldiers, Heroic Tribesmen and the Unlikeliest Rescue of World War II – Judith M. Heimann

Wolfram: The Boy Who Went to War – Giles Milton

OTHER HISTORY

Some books don’t fit any categories I have, but have still got my interest.

The Story of Measurement – Andrew Robinson

Lost Languages: The Enigma of the World’s Undeciphered Scripts – Andrew Robinson

Unbound: A True Story of War, Love, and Survival – Dean King

Paradise Lost: Smyrna, 1922 – Giles Milton

Last night was another good start to year ...

2,880 quarters turned up two silver Washingtons (1963, 1964), two Canadians and one US nickel.

4,950 dimes produced three silver Rosies (2 x 1964, 1964D), four Canadians, one Swiss 10 Rappen and two US pennies. One of the pennies was a very corroded and beat up Indian Head penny! I can't be sure of the date, but I think it's an 1883. I might spend some more time with it. I guess one will come across just about anything in rolls after a while.

2,160 nickels yielded two Buffalo nickels (unknown, 1929), six Canadians (2 Ni), three US dimes, three US pennies and one Ecuador 5¢.

This weekend we went out to my in-laws to celebrate Christmas with the other side of the family. We had a tough time getting the kids to sleep there, but otherwise everything went fine. We had a great time on the way back home when we stopped at a modern art museum with Nonnie.



Meg and Hazel touching some artwork in the kid friendly part of the museum before we were told it was not permitted. It didn't look breakable to us!



Hazel doing some artwork.



Henry checking out the big painted panels that filled several rooms in a maze like fashion. He was very impressed.



The kids of course also enjoyed looking out the large factory windows at the canal and trucks.



Henry contemplating.



Hazel during on her and Henry's impromptu dance parties. Meg's got some great video of this as well.



Hazel just outside the museum.

This weekend I searched the last coins of 2011. It was a good ending to a good year of searching (my 2011 review will be coming soon).

8,000 halves turned up five 90% silver halves (1906, 1944D, 3 x 1964), twenty-eight 40% silver halves (5 x 1966, 9 x 1967, 8 x 1968D, 6 x 1969D) and four proof halves (1972S, 1973S, 1974S, 1981S). That's the first new Walking Liberty half I've found since 10/24/10! The 1906 Barber half is only the fourth I've found (my first repeat).

11,150 pennies rounded up one hundred thirteen Wheats, sixty-nine Canadians, 3 x Euro 2¢, one Euro 1¢ and one Bermuda 1¢. One of the Wheats was a really rusty Steelie, it is obviously from 1943, but I can't discern any or no mint mark.

1913, 1914, 1919, 1929, 1934, 1936, 1936D(2), 1937, 1939(2), 1940(4), 1941(5), 1942(4), 1942S, 1943?, 1944(10), 1945(8), 1946(12), 1947(4), 1947D, 1948(4), 1948D, 1949(2), 1950, 1950D, 1951D, 1952(5), 1952D(4), 1953(3), 1953D(4), 1955(3), 1956(3), 1956D(4), 1957D8), 1958(3), 1958D(5)

And some for 2012 ...

5,000 pennies yielded twenty Wheats and seventeen Canadians.

1937, 1941, 1942(2), 1944, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1953, 1953D, 1953S, 1954, 1955, 1956(2), 1957, 1957D, 1958D(2)

Found (2012): one penny