This past weekend started a bit zooey for us with a crazy trip to the "Red Diner." We told ourselves that we wouldn't be going out anymore because Hazel's getting to be too much trouble out right now, but we still did. Saturday was a bit crazy at our house too because Henry was feeling bad and refused to go anywhere. In the evening he kept telling us his ear hurt so Meg took him to the clinic on Sunday morning and I took Hazel to church.

The medication seems to have helped him very quickly. I was able to take Henry to a local model train show on Sunday. We had a good time although Henry was a bit dismayed that he couldn't get anything there. He and I enjoyed checking out the thousands of trains for sale and the couple of layouts they had set up.

During the past few days Meg had been prepping for Henry's birthday and has been able to spend some good time outside with the kids because it has been so warm. I can't wait to full on spring is here and we can routinely take the kids to the park or just kill time playing in our backyard and driveway.

8,000 halves netted one 40% silver half (1967) and one proof half (1999S).

5,440 quarters produced ten Canadians, thirteen US nickels, one Cayman Islands 25¢, one US penny and one US dime.

3,200 dimes rounded up one silver Rosie (1964D), four Canadians and one UK 5 pence.

2,360 nickels yielded two Canadians, two US dimes and one Bahamas 5¢.

8,200 pennies got me eighty Wheats, thirty-nine Canadians, one Euro 2¢, one US dime, one Barbados 1 and one UK penny.

1919, 1934, 1935(2), 1936, 1940(4), 1941(7), 1942D, 1944(3), 1945(5), 1946(7), 1948(3), 1949, 1949D, 1950S, 1951, 1951D(3), 1952D(2), 1953, 1953D(4), 1954, 1954D, 1955(3), 1955D, 1956(4), 1956D(9), 1957(4), 1957D(4), 1958D(4)

30 large dollars and 48 small dollars had nothing.

3,440 quarters produced one silver Washington (1957), one Canadian and three US nickels.

4,600 dimes had two silver Rosies (1953D, 1961), nine Canadians, one Bermuda 10¢ and one UK 5 pence.

640 nickels got me just two Canadians and eight US pennies.

Here's a few pictures from some busy days we've had lately. Last week included trips to two children's museums! I wish I had been there to join in the fun. This week I took off Tuesday and we had a nice visit with Nana at her office and a college friend of mine and than later went for pizza.



Hazel at the Boston Children's Museum in their model Bobcat.



Hazel at Kid City in the play Volkswagen.





Henry at Kid City. I'm guessing he was able to get out of this location just fine!





Hazel in Henry's shoes. She's been into putting on Henry's shoes by herself and walking around our house. (Usually she puts the shoes on in reverse.) Often she'll grab a bag at the same time, wave to use and say, "Bye!"





Hazel and Henry planted some Morning Glory seeds that Henry picked out at Home Depot. He's been a bit crazed with blue lately so these were perfect in his eyes. At same time it looks like Meg put together some terrariums.

960 quarters had nothing.

1,200 dimes yielded one silver Rosie (1964D), one UK 5 pence, two Canadians and one Bermuda 10¢.

80 nickels had nothing.

8,250 pennies were pretty good ... fifty-four Wheats, sixty-eight Canadians, two Euro 2¢, one US dime and one Bahamas 1¢. This is only the second 1918D I've found.

1909 V.D.B., 1910, 1918D, 1919D, 1929, 1929D, 1930, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940(2), 1941, 1942(2), 1944(4), 1945(2), 1946, 1948, 1949, 1949D, 1950(2), 1951, 1951D, 1952(2), 1952D(2), 1952S, 1953, 1953D(2), 1954, 1955(2), 1956(2), 1956D(4), 1957, 1957D(5), 1958, 1958D

Just a quick coin update for now ...

4 small dollars had nothing.

6,280 quarters produced two silver Washingtons (1960D, 1963), eight Canadians, five US nickels, one US dime, one car wash token and one Canadian nickel.

5,000 dimes yielded two silver Rosies (1954, 1962), six Canadians, one Irish 5 pence and one Bermuda 10¢.

2,560 nickels turned up three War Times (2 x 1943P, 1944P) and six Canadians (3 Ni).

The weekend started a bit crazy for us. After a super day at new kid museum in Connecticut (new to our family anyway) Meg and the kids joined me at our local BBQ joint. It was good except Henry left Duck at his friend's house, 20 minutes away - we heard a lot about it. Henry and left from the restaurant (just about) to go get Duck. It was a "rescue mission." Henry did well directing me to his friend's house except for the last turn. :(

On Saturday we visited with my parents and Meg and I got to have a nice dinner out. It was great - much better than our previous experience.

Sunday went OK for us. A good time at church led into our normal Sunday routine, errands, grocery shopping, etc. We took the kids for a walk and despite Henry not feeling well it was a pretty restful day. Henry ask, "why I not feel well all day?" He's still a bit achy today, but perks up pretty quickly when he thinks his chances of eating more candy are greater.

8,000 halves turned up one 90% silver half (1964), six 40% silver halves (1966, 3 x 1967, 1968D, 1969D), eleven proofs (1971S, 2 x 1976S, 1978S, 1979S, 1980S, 1982S, 1985S, 1986S, 2001S), one UK penny (1966) and one Angel medal. I think one of the 1967's is a Special Mint Set variety, but I can't be sure.

15,300 pennies yielded eighty-eight Wheats, one hundred fifteen Canadians, two Euro 2¢, one Bahamas 1¢ and seven US dimes.

1918, 1930, 1934(2), 1935, 1936, 1940(2), 1941(3), 1941S, 1942(4), 1944(12), 1945(3), 1945D, 1946(3), 1946S, 1947, 1947D, 1948(3), 1949(2), 1950S, 1951(2), 1951D(2), 1952(4), 1952D, 1953(2), 1953D, 1954, 1955D(2), 1956(6), 1956D(8), 1957(3), 1957D(7), 1958(2), 1958D

In the coin counter reject I found a decent foreign coin, a 1961 UK six pence.

During the past two nights Henry has requested a shower. The first time we tried this when he was younger than Hazel is now it didn't go so well. Those days behind us now. Henry tells us the water feels funny on his head and that he should probably hold his nose to be on the safe side. His showers with Hazel have of course led to some funny quotes. My favorite quote is, "Hazel's eyebrows are getting wet!" We have definitely been hearing about all the showers Duck takes.

I searched a lot of coin the last few nights, but the results were kind of so-so.

7 halves had nothing.

8,000 quarters had one proof quarter (2005S OR), eight Canadians, three UK 10 pence, two US nickels and one East Caribbean States 25¢.

3,000 dimes turned up four Canadians and one Bermuda 10¢.

6,480 nickels yielded one Buffalo (dateless), one War Time (1945P), nineteen Canadians (7 Ni), four US dimes and a Czech Republic 1 Koruna.

53 small dollars and 37 half dollars had nothing.

8,600 quarters produced two silver Washingtons (1956, 1957), eighteen Canadians (including one 80% silver, 1954 quarter), six US nickels, two Bermuda 25¢ and one East Caribbean States 25¢.

6,950 dimes yielded five silver Rosies (1947D, 1952D, 2 x 1964, 1964D), twenty Canadians, two New Zealand 5¢ and one US penny.

Things are a bit busy here at work, so for now here's some pictures with commentary ...



Last week Henry and Hazel played during supper time with their backpacks. Hazel looks very mature in this photo to me. I can almost see her going to preschool. She definitely thinks she's ready. Notice Dog in the backpack.



After taking a photo of Hazel Henry insisted I take one of him. This the face he purposely gave me. He was having a lot of fun; one just wouldn't know it from this frown.



Hazel in her favorite place ... the bathroom.



Liam at his fifth birthday party dancing with his friends. Henry didn't participate, but was interested in the whole thing and did laugh along with the other kids. I think if had gone on longer he might have. If Meg and I had started dancing he might have joined in too, but only Meg did.



It's Darth Hazel!



Henry, Meg and Hazel putting blue sprinkles (Henry's request, of course) on the Valentine's Day cake Henry and Meg made just a few hours before (Henry likes to eat cake as soon as possible).

8,000 halves turned up twelve 40% silver halves (1965, 2 x 1966, 3 x 1967, 4 x 1968D, 2 x 1969D), four proof halves (1971S, 1973S, 2 x 1976S) and one commemorative half (1986S Statue of Liberty).

5,000 pennies produced twenty-six Wheats, twenty-eight Canadians and one Euro 1¢.

1916, 1940(2), 1941(2), 1941D, 1942, 1944(3), 1945, 1946, 1947, 1947D, 1949D, 1950, 1951(3), 1955(2), 1956, 1956D(2), 1958D(2)

10,150 pennies turned up fifty-seven Wheats (including one Steelie), sixty-seven Canadians, four US dimes and two Euro 2¢.

1912, 1920, 1923, 1938, 1940(2), 1941, 1942(2), 1943, 1944(3), 1945(2), 1946(6), 1946S, 1948, 1950(3), 1950D, 1950S, 1951, 1951D, 1952, 1952D, 1952S, 1953, 1953D(3), 1954D, 1955(4), 1955D, 1956(3), 1956D(2), 1957, 1957D(4), 1958(2), 1958D(2)

Henry's Hygiene Tips

Last night in the bathroom Henry told me that since he was using the sink from the side (as he usually does) he didn't have to use soap. Who knew?! The day before Meg got Henry and Hazel nifty powered toothbrushes to promote self brushing. Henry told me this sort of toothbrush didn't need toothpaste. A paste-less toothbrush ... that might be a million dollar idea. Last night when I got home, however, Henry told me that he brushed his teeth with the new brush and paste because it just happened to be there ... tricky Dad! Hazel on the other hand needs no encouragement to use soap or toothpaste. She would gladly wash and brush all day if we let her.

I had a short, but good night with the kids. They were in good moods after a fun, late afternoon trip to Cold Stone Creamery (the best chocolate ice cream with M&M's according to Henry ... eaten outside on a cold bench too) and Barnes & Noble. For entertainment and health I gave them a bath. It's adorable to see Henry scrub Hazel with a little brush he has. Meg and I can't get enough of seeing Henry explain things to Hazel.

Things improved with the coin last night.

One large dollar, 26 small dollars and six halves produced one mint set dollar (2002D).

2,120 quarters yielded one Canadian.

3,250 dimes rounded up two silver dimes (1942, 1946), six Canadians, one US penny and one Swiss 10 Rappen.

2,880 nickels had three War Times (1942P, 2 x 1943P) and twelve Canadians (2 Ni).

Still looking for my first silver of the week ...

1,080 quarters had one Canadian and one UK 10 pence.

400 dimes produced just one Canadian.

1,760 nickels turned up nine Canadians (2 Ni), two US pennies and one Bahamas 1¢.

5,950 pennies rounded up thirty-one Wheats, forty-eight Canadians, five US dimes, 2 Bahamas 1¢ and one Barbados 5¢.

1918, 1940(2), 1942, 1944(2), 1944D, 1945(5), 1946(3), 1948, 1949, 1952, 1952D(2), 1953S, 1954D(2), 1957, 1957D(4), 1958, 1958D(2)

I collected a fair amount of coin yesterday, but unfortunately it was a bust (so far at least ... I haven't gotten to the pennies).

123 small dollars had nothing.

6,740 quarters turned up ten Canadians, six US nickels, three US dimes, one arcade token and a Bahamas 25¢.

4,600 dimes yielded one steel cent (1943), eight Canadians and one UK 5 pence.

1,960 nickels rounded up three Canadians (1 Ni), three US dimes, one US penny, one Euro 5¢ and a Habit for Humanity token.

I forgot a funny one ...

Henry's been very into telling Meg and I stories about Duck. Yesterday I heard a good one. According to Henry Duck owns a furniture store that has army car carts (for kids to ride in). Duck and Henry go there everyday on Duck's blue plane. It's too far to drive Henry told me. Duck seems to be quite wealthy. Last week he told Meg that duck had a limousine (Henry's been very interested in them lately. He told us a friend's grandparents had one too.) Today there have been more Duck tales. Meg states:

Mostly stories about when Duck was a baby, and how Henry has taken care of her. ie. "She was feeling sick, so I put some medicine in her mouth and she felt better." Also lots of birthday stories. And descriptions of her house, which is "Just like our house, except blue. My favorite blue."

We were told last week that Duck's house is attached to ours by the pipes in our basement.

Well that stunk! ... the game that is. Games like that make me glad I don't care that much. Otherwise things were pretty good for us. We were busy and the weekend went by quickly.

On Friday we went out to the Olive Garden. It was Henry's idea. I asked him what his favorite thing about the restaurant was. He told me it was the chocolate, meaning the Andes candies they give you with your bill. (in a similar way Henry told us he likes the Botanical Gardens because the store there has nice earrings) It was a bit crazy of a meal. Hazel definitely in that bad for restaurants age, too old to stay long, if at all, in a high chair and to your to sit peacefully for more than minute in the booth. I had to take the kids for a walk around the place to Meg could have five minutes to eat her food. Hope this doesn't last too long!

Saturday was mostly filled for me by a church retreat. The kids spent the morning at Nana and Grandpa's. (or as Henry puts it "Nana's house") They were good there and seemed to enjoy it. Perhaps a full day isn't too far off. After I got home I took Henry and Hazel to the library, our usual fun activity.

After church on Sunday and some naps we took the kids furniture shopping. It was so-so. They were cute and happy at one store, but at the second Henry was very disturbed by some loud sounds and scary visuals (sensory overload). We have seen that Henry in some time and have gotten kind of used to his new mellow self. It made me thankful that we have gotten past that stage for the most part. For supper Meg made the kids the cutest fruit cars using apples, bananas, blueberries and toothpicks. It worked really well and I think it might even work with vegetables. Four wheels wasn't enough for Henry, however, he requested Meg next make him an 18-wheeler truck! :)

8,000 halves had nothing. Boo.

8,400 pennies produced fifty-eight Wheats, fifty-one Canadians, three US dimes and one Panama 1¢.

1928, 1936, 1940(2), 1941(2), 1942(4), 1944(7), 1944D, 1945(5), 1946(7), 1947S, 1948(2), 1950S, 1951, 1951S, 1952, 1953(3), 1953D(2), 1955(2), 1955D, 1956, 1956D(6), 1957, 1957D(4), 1958D

Wallpaper Man

A few days ago Henry told Meg about a scary dream he had. He said he was in his room and there was a scary man in the wallpaper and then suddenly he was in school.

25 small dollars had nothing.

5,560 quarters turned up seven Canadians, one Bermuda 25¢ and one US nickel.

3,450 dimes rounded up two silver Rosies (1952D, 1959D), five Canadians and one UK 5 pence.

2,200 nickels yielded seven Canadians (3 Ni) and one Trinidad & Tobago 25¢.



350 pennies had just one Wheat (1956D) and three Canadians.

Mystery Solved

This weekend a mystery of sorts was solved. Meg overheard Henry telling Aunt Jess that the reason for his fort (the sheet that's been over his bed for months) is that he doesn't like seeing car lights on his walls and it prevents him from seeing this at night.

6,000 pennies turned up fifty Wheats, sixty-four Canadians, one Bermuda 1¢, one Euro 2¢ and one US dime.

1918, 1919, 1920, 1934, 1938, 1940, 1941(3), 1942(2), 1944, 1944D, 1945(2), 1946(4), 1947, 1948(3), 1949, 1950(2), 1950S, 1951D(2), 1953, 1953D, 1954, 1955, 1955D(2), 1956(2), 1956D, 1957(2), 1957D(2), 1958(3), 1958D(2)